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Abandoned Futures Never Seen

Scotland Day One Part Four

By Tineke Ziemer

May 23^rd, 2017

cruden bay

Continuing on with our day one adventures, we travelled a little further up the coast to another charming place, Cruden Bay. We were on our way to see Slains Castle, but first, we had to walk the streets of this enchanting storybook village. It's home to about 1600 people, who all appear to keep adorable gardens full of character and nautical memorabilia. Even those with no more space than a narrow sidewalk, found a way to add some charm and greenery. I've been inspired to get some pots for my own yard at home!

the walk to slains castle

From there we walked an enchanted path as it wound its way up to the top of the cliffs overlooking the sea. We were told we had half an hour for Slains Castle. I think it took half an hour just for Sherrylynn and I to GET to the castle, as we explored the forest around the canal and found old fallen trees to daydream about. Up on top, with fields stretching out to the left and the ocean far below, to the right, we came upon an old forgotten tower. We were excitedly getting photos of it, when we looked in the distance and spotted the top tower of Slains Castle. It was an exciting moment, with much more adventure to come.

Walking through the forest to get to Slains Castle

our first view

As we rounded the corner, there it was, in all its splendor.

"Castle by the Sea" (Not available for voting because of the panoramic shape.)

slains castle

This post is already too long, so I won't give you many details. Slains Castle is a ruins overlooking the North Sea. The far right tower is actually hanging over the edge of the sea cliff, which I did not realize when I climbed it or I would have been even more terrified. It was originally built in 1597 and was added on to at various times until the 1800s. If you'd like to know more, simply google it. In the meantime, enjoy a tour of the castle through my lens.

climbing the tower

Of course, the first thing I did is go inside the castle and find the narrow, winding staircase that led to the top of the tallest tower. It was barely wide enough to squeeze past another person and it wound around and around until I felt dizzy and disoriented. The only light in the tower came from the gaping windows overlooking the ocean. I didn't realize at the time that the tower is actually hanging over the cliff so one wrong step and a person would fall to their death. (From what I've seen online, visitors have died by falling over the edges of the cliff at Slains Castle.) You have to understand, this is an abandoned ruins. There are no safety signs, ropes or guards of any kind...which makes it completely authentic, terrifying and exhilarating. Part of what makes Slains so fascinating is the fear factor. Did you know that Slains Castle is supposedly the place that inspired Dracula? Apparently, the author was staying nearby when he wrote the tale.

Anyway, back to my climb. At the very top of the staircase, the inner wall falls away so you are literally standing on one tiny triangular shaped step, with nothing behind you and a giant, open window in front of you. The roof of the section below is missing (as it is for the entire castle) so that would be a very, very long fall. I was sitting on the top step, feeling only slightly less fearful on my bum, when I realized that getting a good shot of the view beyond required standing up. So I did. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

This is the size of step at the top but with nothing on either side

This is the window I stood in at the top of the tower

soaking it in

I raced through the castle trying to see as much of it as possible. As I came around the back, the early evening sun peaked out around the edge of a crumbled wall and stopped me in my tracks. Birds were sweeping high and low around the castle walls and the fallen ruins were silhouetted against the sun behind. I was captivated. And there my heart remained.