Old Slains Castle

Old Slains Castle (otherwise known as Old Castle Slains) is a ruined castle near Collieston in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

Old Slains Castle
The remains of Old Slains Castle
Coordinates57.3609°N 1.91438°W / 57.3609; -1.91438
OS grid referenceNK052300
Built13th-century
Built forComyn, Earl of Buchan
Location in Aberdeenshire

History

The 13th-century castle was originally the property of the Comyn, Earl of Buchan. After the forfeiture of the Comyns in the 14th century it was given to Sir Gilbert Hay by Robert the Bruce in recognition for his support against the English.[1]

Slaines was taken by James VI on 30 May 1589 and a royal garrison put in.[2] In 1594, Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll led a rebellion which was put down by James VI. The castle was destroyed with gunpowder and cannon on 1 November.[3] Next year, Elizabeth Douglas, Countess of Erroll, a friend of Anne of Denmark, hired masons to repair the building.[4]

After returning from exile, Hay built a New Slains Castle on the site of the former Bowness Castle near Cruden Bay.[1]

Structure

Originally a strongly built 5-storey oblong keep (of which a small part remains), a wall defending the landward side was added in the early 16th century.

Modern day

One wall of the castle remains standing, at approximately 25 metres (82 ft) in height. In the 1950s, a 3-storey house was built within the ruins, adjoining a fishing cottage built in the 18th century. Since 1991 several archaeological excavations have been effected, the last one in 2007.[1] The remains of the old castle are designated a scheduled ancient monument.[1]

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References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "Slains Castle (SM3250)". Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  2. Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 10 (Edinburgh, 1936), pp. 55, 61.
  3. Thomas Birch, Memoirs of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, vol. 1 (London, 1754), p. 192.
  4. Calendar State Papers Scotland, vol. 12 (Edinburgh, 1952), p. 10 no. 8.
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