Views of Slains Castle, Cruden Bay

Set on the dramatic cliff tops about 1 mile from Cruden Bay , Slains Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland . Slains was first erected in 1597 by the 9th Earl of Erroll. Much reconstruction was subsequently carried out by later Earls, the final one of these being completed in 1837. The 20th Earl was forced to sell the castle in 1916 due to death duties. Unfortunately the new owner allowed Slains to fall into disrepair. It was finally unroofed for safety reasons in 1925. All that is left now is a large ruin. The main reason for Slain's fame is Bram Stoker's association with it. He would often come to holiday in Cruden Bay and was inspired by the cliffs and other surrounding scenery to write many of his books. While in Cruden Bay in 1895 he started work on what was to become his most famous book, 'Dracula', and it is said that the inspiration for this most famous vampire's home in Transylvania was Slains Castle . Indeed there is evidence to suggest that Count Dracula was to come ashore at Cruden Bay in early versions of the tale, but that this was later changed to Yorkshire .