CHIEF:  Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd 7th Baron Kilmarnock

Richard G. Boyd

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Slains Castle

New Slains castle - Circa 1900

                                                                           photo by Thomas Splaine (c) James Splaine

RUINS OF  OLD SLAINS CASTLE

 

Photo (c) Eleanor and Clyde Moore          clyde2@ix.netcom.com   http:www.PHOTOSbyELEANOR.com The huge ruin of Slains Castle stands on the cliffs above the sea. It incorporates part of the basement of the 16th century tower house of Bowness. The castle now consists of buildings around a central courtyard with adjoining ranges. It was altered in 1664 when a corridor was inserted within the courtyard and again in 1836 it was rebuilt and granite faced. At one time it had three extensive gardens. The 9th Hay Earl of Errol built it after James VI had destroyed his castle at Old Slains at Cruden Bay, after the Hays participated in the rebellion of 1594. We were later told that Slains Castle was the inspiration for Bram Stoker when he wrote Dracula; it does  look spooky.  We followed signs to the Old Slains Castle on the Slains Estate. I had read in the clan books that a recent chief of the clan had built her home close to the tower ruins of the Old Slains Castle. Not much survives of a 13th century castle, which was once a major stronghold and occupied a large area. It consisted of a strong 15th century keep, a fragment of which survives and a courtyard defended by ditches. It was originally a property of the Comyns but passed to the Hay Earls of Errol early in the 14th century. James VI had it destroyed and blown up with gunpowder after the Earl had taken part in the rebellion led by the Earl of Huntly in 1594. The Hays built a new castle and mansion at Slains, near Cruden Bay, of which a substantial ruin remains.  Permission to Use Castle Information from The Castles of Scotland was granted by Martin Coventry and Goblinshead, Edinburgh, Scotland

The Text above reads: 

A rare and atmospheric picture of Slains castle at Cruden bay.  

This picture graphically shows why the castle inspired Bram Stoker to write his famous novel, Dracula.

Jim Splaine says his late father (Thomas Splaine) was a photographer all his life.

He points out that the flag on the castle is flying in the picture, and adds: "I am told there are not many pictures of Slains with the roof on."

He wonders if any reader can date this picture.

The Earls of Errol, the Hay family were a powerful family in the area for generations and prospered after William George Hay, the 18th Earl of Errol, married the daughter of King William IV.  They greatly enlarged their castle at Wardhill of Cruden in 1830. 

But misfortunes soon befell the Hays and in 1916 the castle and contents were put up for sale.

The castle was bought by Sir John Ellerman of the shipping line. 

He in turn gave it up in 1925 and the roof was removed to avoid paying rates.

That led to the inevitable ruin we can see today.

Thanks to James Splaine for the 1900 Slains photos and article.

                 Boyd-Hay lineage

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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