For years I passed by the road signs for Findlater Castle on my way to other places, joking that ‘I must find that later’. I’m so glad I finally did. I’ve been a few times now, and it’s always stunning.
On the day pictured here, it was exceptionally warm and still which emboldened me to go a bit further down onto the ramparts than I’ve been before.
Climbing up to the Castle
Off I went, past the gorse which was warmed by the sun and smelled all coconutty…
I reached my normal stopping place, this first chunk of wall…
And I continued on up the wee path for a peek at the shore beyond.
With no gusts of wind to blast me off the edge, on I marched, or tentatively crept, as is more accurate.
Look at those craggy walls!
The Findlater Castle Ghost
I sat down on the grass and contemplated being really brave and jumping down that hole under the archway. Ah, the photos I would get, the spectacular views I would see, and the incredible atmosphere I would experience…
Then I remembered the ghost story. A small boy and his nurse were standing near an open window, maybe even one of those in view, when he jumped from her arms and disappeared down the side of the cliff, presumably to his death. She scrambled after him, also to her doom, and her spirit still haunts the castle searching for her errant charge.
I really didn’t want to join her.
So, sorry to disappoint, but after another look over the edge, I retraced my steps back up the hill.
Doocot
This meant I survived to visit the nearby Doocot (pigeon house). It dates from the 15th century as does the castle.
I love its door:
And all the little nesting boxes within:
Visiting Findlater Castle
If you visit the castle, do be careful not to fall to your doom. If it’s muddy or windy, it would be much more dangerous than it was for me on this occasion. Look, the council have even written a warning in great big red letters underneath the history:
Necessary risks only, then 🙂
The Mermaid and the Bear
Taking place mainly in a fictional castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR blends an often overlooked period of history, the Scottish witchcraft accusations, in particular the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic, with a love story.
See the publisher’s press release here
“A delight from end to end.” Undiscovered Scotland
From the Press and Journal: New book by Fraserburgh author highlights horrific extent of witch trials in Scotland
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The Performance: sometimes going home for Christmas is just one huge performance…
When Ariel returns home from dance college, her mother expects her to perform the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in a pink, sequined tutu in front of many, many party guests. Ariel adjusts the costume and choreography to expose dark truths about her life, but, as it turns out, this is not the biggest performance of the night…
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So beautiful. I’m afraid of heights so I definitely would have backed away from that ghostly precipice.
It was quite scary up there!
Good you visited — not like me. I always said I’d visit New Zealand when I retired because it was close, but I didn’t get to visit until I lived really far away.
It’s easy to miss places on your doorstep, isn’t it?
Wow! Beautiful!
I love the pigeon house – it looks like a tiny Roman catacomb. And I think we can all thank you for not plummeting to your death.
Nice post and beautiful photos!
Nice photography. Well done.
It looks a beautiful area. 🙂 Glad you’re well again and many thanks for the follow.
It is a lovely place and thank you 🙂
Beautiful photography and commentary. I’ve always been attracted to our ancestry and the historical times in which they lived. I think your caution was justified. While I do like to see the ruins of Europe and the Islands and imagine how it was when inhabited, you never know what time has done to those dark places.
Yes, these old places are alluring and fascinating but do need to be approached with care!
I think a careful approach is the best way to ensure your fantastic photography continues.
Beautiful!
It is a beautiful place 🙂
Beautiful pictures. As someone whose Welsh, definitely a place I would love to visit.
It is rugged and beautiful, well worth visiting.
How beautiful. I love olde things and imagining those who built them and inhabited them. I love to feel the ghosts of abandoned buildings. Lovely photos and post.
Thank you for following me 🙂
Olde things are wonderful, aren’t they? So many stories.
I wonder how many stonemasons fell to their doom building the castle?
The gorse is gorgeous! On Vancouver Island, where I am from, we call it “broom” and it is an invasive species. Its a constant battle trying to keep it under control but to me, who grew up there but( haven’t lived there in decades) it says spring and home.
I had the same thought about the building of the castle! So dangerous.
Very beautiful locations 🙂 I wish I could visit Scotland at least once 😀
Thanks for sharing these awesome pictures. Keep sharing more ! 🙂
I will, and I hope you get the chance to visit.
I’ve been to Findlater Castle twice, but never venturdv this far. One day … Meantime, thank you for the photos.
Do be careful if you venture up that slope to the castle!
Ah yes, that’s why I’ve never ventured further. The first time I was with my 72 year old mum in law. The second time, I was on my own, and no-one knew where I was. One day I’ll go back with able-bodied companion.
So wonderful to follow you! My forebears were in Aberdeenshire, and Mondobbo House and Craigievar Castle were significant to my family’s line. I hope to see them both in person. Until then, it’s SO great to see your posts! You give me a great sense of the area!
How wonderful! Craigievar features in this post: https://ailishsinclair.com/2021/06/here-we-go-a-castle-ing/
I just saw the post to which you refer! Loved it. And in revisiting my comment above, I see I misspelled Monboddo 🙂 It’s this house, and have you ever seen it?https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monboddo_House
I’ve never visited it. It looks beautiful 🙂
“Necessary risks only.” I think this will be my new mantra.
It’s a good one!
So beautiful! & Please, disappoint us – you can’t blog or write books from beyond the grave! (…that I know of, I guess… Best not to take the chance, at least.)
Good point!
Stunning photos and great story. I just love ruins. I’d like to visit it one day.
I hope you get the chance.
How stunning!
It is a magnificent place.
Spectacular views for sure!
Definitely.
It’s gorgeous! I wouldn’t want to go through the hole under the archway either though
Best not to 🙂