» Early History | 17th Century to Present

Early History

Pictish times

The site on which the Castle sits has been inhabited since Pictish times (5000 BC to 700 AD) although an exact date is not known.

The importance of the site to the Picts stems from their religion, believed to be akin to Druidism, and which worshiped masculinity, femininity and nature spirits. The site of the Castle and the surrounding area has a strong feminine nature and symbology, which at Dunnottar takes the form of the "green lady". The spirit of the green lady has been seen in the brewery at the Castle.  She is said to be looking for her "lost children" who are the Picts who converted from her religion to Christianity around the 5th Century AD.

The name Dunnottar stems from the Pictish word "Dun" which means hill fort or place of strength.

Early Christianity

In the 5th Century St Ninian brought Christianity to the Picts, and chose Dunnottar as a site for one of his chain of Churches.

Vikings

During the 9th Century King Donald II was killed defending Dunnottar Castle from a Viking invasion.  However his death was in vain and the Vikings seized and destroyed the Castle.

Catholicism and the legend of William Wallace

In the 12th Century Dunnottar Castle became a Catholic settlement with the first stone chapel being consecrated in 1276. According to "Blind Harry", a 15th Century poet, whose epic poem was an inspiration for the 1996 film "Braveheart", William Wallace set fire to this chapel with a garrison of English soldiers taking refuge inside. The current chapel was built in the 16th Century.

The Earls Marischal

Dunnottar Castle was home to one of the most powerful families in Scotland, the Earls Marischal, from the 14th century when Sir William Keith, the 1st Earl Marischal, built his Tower House, also known as the Keep.

The Earl Marischal was an office bestowed on the Keiths by James II. The role was one of the three great offices of State, along with the Constable and the Steward.  The Earl Marischal had specific responsibility for ceremonial events, the Honours of Scotland and for the safety of the King's person within parliament. Consequently it was not unusual for the monarchy, including Mary Queen of Scots, to spend time and stay at Dunnottar.