Gordon
You wouldn't happen to have a copy of the plans for this castle, by any chance. I have the ones for Old Slains Castle, but not it's Z-plan replacement.
Thanks
Full Version: Slains Castle
Just getting ready to go to Gretna, I'll check through tomorrow, best chance is MacG & Ross or one of Mikes books.
Some unsusual aerial shots for now.
http://www.harb85.freeserve.co.uk/wend/7.htm
http://www.harb85.freeserve.co.uk/wend/7.htm
Sadly, Mike Salter doesn't have one - hence my request, as I have all his books.
Have fun at Gretna!!
Have fun at Gretna!!
My reason is that one of our neighbours is a member of the Hay family, and, knowing my interest in castles, asked if I had any info. I supplied some, but not the plans. It would be good to have them on file somewhere.
Should do, apparently the pies are good.
They must be English then 
Grump grump, they beat us 4-0. No excuses, our team played rubbish, and so was the ref, he let them kick us off the park, and disciplined our guys for complaining.
Pies put me in the toilet for most of the night.
No Slains in M&R or any other book I've got, sorry. Slains is one of those mansions that gets into the castle lists because there was an older house on that site, and retained only a basement. Could be why it didn't make M&R if they viewed it as just being a big house.
Pies put me in the toilet for most of the night.
No Slains in M&R or any other book I've got, sorry. Slains is one of those mansions that gets into the castle lists because there was an older house on that site, and retained only a basement. Could be why it didn't make M&R if they viewed it as just being a big house.
Triple disappointment then.
Team lost.
No plans.
Dodgy pies (definitely English).
Team lost.
No plans.
Dodgy pies (definitely English).
I have a lot of other legitimate complaints about our visit to Raydale, but will keep them to myself since they might seem like sour grapes. Pies came from Carlisle.
Oh you're a cruel man! 
Click to view attachment
Slanes Castle (Slaines) by William Daniell, from 'A Voyage Around Great Britain, 1814-25'.
Slanes Castle (Slaines) by William Daniell, from 'A Voyage Around Great Britain, 1814-25'.
Click to view attachment
Adapted from Martin Coventry Castles Of Scotland 3rd ed.
Slains is a huge ruin which stands above the picturesque fishing village of Cruden Bay, south of Peterhead in Buchan.
It incorporates part of the basement of the old 16thc tower house of Bowness.
It now consists of an arrangement of buildings around a central courtyard with additional ranges. It was extensively altered in 1664 when a corridor was inserted in the courtyard, and underwent substantial rebuilding and granite facing in 1863. There were once extensive gardens.
Click to view attachment
The 9th Earl of Errol built Slains, after his castle at Old Slains 5 miles to the south was destroyed by James 6th in response to the Earl's participation in the rebellion on 1584. The Errol's were by name Hay.
Dr Johnson and Boswell visited in 1773, and Bram Stoker gained the inspiration for Dracula here, despite the claims of Grimsby although when he visited the house was still intact.
The Hay's sold the castle in 1916, and the roof was removed in 1925.
The cliff top location above the village is as dramatic as it is dangerous, and great care is required when visiting.
Adapted from Martin Coventry Castles Of Scotland 3rd ed.
Slains is a huge ruin which stands above the picturesque fishing village of Cruden Bay, south of Peterhead in Buchan.
It incorporates part of the basement of the old 16thc tower house of Bowness.
It now consists of an arrangement of buildings around a central courtyard with additional ranges. It was extensively altered in 1664 when a corridor was inserted in the courtyard, and underwent substantial rebuilding and granite facing in 1863. There were once extensive gardens.
Click to view attachment
The 9th Earl of Errol built Slains, after his castle at Old Slains 5 miles to the south was destroyed by James 6th in response to the Earl's participation in the rebellion on 1584. The Errol's were by name Hay.
Dr Johnson and Boswell visited in 1773, and Bram Stoker gained the inspiration for Dracula here, despite the claims of Grimsby although when he visited the house was still intact.
The Hay's sold the castle in 1916, and the roof was removed in 1925.
The cliff top location above the village is as dramatic as it is dangerous, and great care is required when visiting.
From Canmore
QUOTE
Archaeology Notes
NK13NW 1 1015 3610
Not to be confused with (Old) Slains Castle (NK 0533 3000), for which see NK03SE 2.
(NK 1015 3610) Slains Castle (NR) AD 1664
OS 6" map, (1959).
Now a shapeless, two-storeyed, labyrinthine ruin (HBD No. 19) this building originated as a square tower and court in the reign of James VI, when it was named Bowness. It was subsequently enlarged and was virtually rebuilt in 1846-7 although the base of the square tower survives on the S, with 19th century additions (information from, View of the Diocese of Aberdeen).
J B Pratt 1901.
The tower, at NK 1016 3607 on the S of Slains Castle, is rectangular, measuring 4.8m by 2.5m within a wall 1.2m thick. The walling to first floor level is probably original, but with alterations. A blocked-up window is in the SW. The whole building is a roofless shell.
Visited by OS (RL) 18 May 1972.
Air photographs: AAS/94/07/G17/13-15.
NMRS, MS/712/21.
(Location cited as NK 1016 3607). Roofless shell of castle of 17th and 18th century date. Now a shapeless two-storey ruin, it originated as a square tower and court in the reign of James VI, when it ws named Bowness. It was enlarged and virtually rebuilt in 1836-7; the base of the square tower survives on the S.
(Air photographic imagery and periodical/newspaper references listed]
NMRS, MS/712/35.
NK13NW 1 1015 3610
Not to be confused with (Old) Slains Castle (NK 0533 3000), for which see NK03SE 2.
(NK 1015 3610) Slains Castle (NR) AD 1664
OS 6" map, (1959).
Now a shapeless, two-storeyed, labyrinthine ruin (HBD No. 19) this building originated as a square tower and court in the reign of James VI, when it was named Bowness. It was subsequently enlarged and was virtually rebuilt in 1846-7 although the base of the square tower survives on the S, with 19th century additions (information from, View of the Diocese of Aberdeen).
J B Pratt 1901.
The tower, at NK 1016 3607 on the S of Slains Castle, is rectangular, measuring 4.8m by 2.5m within a wall 1.2m thick. The walling to first floor level is probably original, but with alterations. A blocked-up window is in the SW. The whole building is a roofless shell.
Visited by OS (RL) 18 May 1972.
Air photographs: AAS/94/07/G17/13-15.
NMRS, MS/712/21.
(Location cited as NK 1016 3607). Roofless shell of castle of 17th and 18th century date. Now a shapeless two-storey ruin, it originated as a square tower and court in the reign of James VI, when it ws named Bowness. It was enlarged and virtually rebuilt in 1836-7; the base of the square tower survives on the S.
(Air photographic imagery and periodical/newspaper references listed]
NMRS, MS/712/35.
Some Bram Stoker/Cruden Bay links.
Myths and Legends
The Seer by Bram Stoker
The Watter's Moo by Bram Stoker
Tribute to Bram Stoker
Myths and Legends
The Seer by Bram Stoker
The Watter's Moo by Bram Stoker
Tribute to Bram Stoker
From the Buchan Observer, 12th September 2006
Councillors to decide future of Count Dracula's Castle
Ambitious plans for the transformation of Slains Castle at Cruden Bay into 35 holiday apartments will go before members of the Buchan area committee later today.
Members of the committee will be asked to give their approval to a number of conditions surrounding the redevelopment plans, which have been submitted by The Slain Partnership of Edinburgh.
The proposal for 'Dracula's Castle' was first referred to the area committee in September 2004, when it was agreed to defer the application in order for a public hearing to be arranged, additional information to be submitted with regard to the type of accommodation proposed, submission of a business plan, and to allow committee members to carry out a site visit. Councillors will hear that during the process of finalising the application two new issues have emerged.
In a report to go before today's meeting, planning officer Iain Drummond says the first issue relates to the carrying out of a Stopping Up Order on a disused section of old road. The second section has not been used in more than 30 years and is no longer visible in the landscape.
"It is felt that the stopping up of this section of old road will not result in any loss of amenity for members of the public utilising this area or impact on the character of the area. The head of roads has also confirmed that he has no objection to the proposal," he says. The second issue relates to the existing Section 50 agreement, which covers part of the area of land outlined in the application."
Mr. Drummond says that as the Section 50 Agreement relates entirely to the Barratt Homes development, which was never granted planning permission, there is no possibility of any of the obligations contained within the agreement ever being fulfilled.
"It is therefore recommended that the area committee permit the existing Section 50 Agreement to be discharged and allow it to be superseded by the proposed Section 75 Agreement. This will ensure that the present development can proceed and that the benefits for the local community as a result of the new Section 75 Agreement can be realised. It is recommended that the committee agree to the Stopping Up order being pursued and concluded, and secondly, the Section 50 Agreement being discharged."
Mr. Drummond adds that as a result of the Stopping Up order being agreed and concluded, the application would not require to be referred to the Scottish Executive since the council would have no interest in the land subject of the application site.
Councillors had previously heard that the castle was in danger of crumbling into the sea unless it was restored, but the £6 million restoration project had attracted more than 100 objections, with many residents fearing the famous landmark would be lost to the area.
Many believe Slains Castle to be the inspiration behind the home of author Bram Stoker's legendary vampiric creation Dracula.
Plans for the castle are expected to create at least 16 full-time jobs, with work on the project expected to last around two-and-a-half years.
Councillors to decide future of Count Dracula's Castle
Ambitious plans for the transformation of Slains Castle at Cruden Bay into 35 holiday apartments will go before members of the Buchan area committee later today.
Members of the committee will be asked to give their approval to a number of conditions surrounding the redevelopment plans, which have been submitted by The Slain Partnership of Edinburgh.
The proposal for 'Dracula's Castle' was first referred to the area committee in September 2004, when it was agreed to defer the application in order for a public hearing to be arranged, additional information to be submitted with regard to the type of accommodation proposed, submission of a business plan, and to allow committee members to carry out a site visit. Councillors will hear that during the process of finalising the application two new issues have emerged.
In a report to go before today's meeting, planning officer Iain Drummond says the first issue relates to the carrying out of a Stopping Up Order on a disused section of old road. The second section has not been used in more than 30 years and is no longer visible in the landscape.
"It is felt that the stopping up of this section of old road will not result in any loss of amenity for members of the public utilising this area or impact on the character of the area. The head of roads has also confirmed that he has no objection to the proposal," he says. The second issue relates to the existing Section 50 agreement, which covers part of the area of land outlined in the application."
Mr. Drummond says that as the Section 50 Agreement relates entirely to the Barratt Homes development, which was never granted planning permission, there is no possibility of any of the obligations contained within the agreement ever being fulfilled.
"It is therefore recommended that the area committee permit the existing Section 50 Agreement to be discharged and allow it to be superseded by the proposed Section 75 Agreement. This will ensure that the present development can proceed and that the benefits for the local community as a result of the new Section 75 Agreement can be realised. It is recommended that the committee agree to the Stopping Up order being pursued and concluded, and secondly, the Section 50 Agreement being discharged."
Mr. Drummond adds that as a result of the Stopping Up order being agreed and concluded, the application would not require to be referred to the Scottish Executive since the council would have no interest in the land subject of the application site.
Councillors had previously heard that the castle was in danger of crumbling into the sea unless it was restored, but the £6 million restoration project had attracted more than 100 objections, with many residents fearing the famous landmark would be lost to the area.
Many believe Slains Castle to be the inspiration behind the home of author Bram Stoker's legendary vampiric creation Dracula.
Plans for the castle are expected to create at least 16 full-time jobs, with work on the project expected to last around two-and-a-half years.
Whilst I applaud any project which can bring a place back to it's former glory and preserve it for the future, I sincerely hope that this one particularly is done carefully and sympathetically.
Slains was the one that set it all off for Stoker, it also was the site that inspired the curiosity of Martin Coventry to find out more and led to his Castles of Scotland, but more personally, it also was one of the sites which 'hooked' me at a young age, and I can't help but worry that development might make this 'spectral' ruin lose it's attractiveness.
I've loved this place since I was a kid, development will be like losing part of my childhood, but hey we've all got to grow up sometime!
This is one of those places where my personal inclination is for consolidation, but which unfortunately may have to be developed to survive. It's going to seem strange with a roof.
Slains was the one that set it all off for Stoker, it also was the site that inspired the curiosity of Martin Coventry to find out more and led to his Castles of Scotland, but more personally, it also was one of the sites which 'hooked' me at a young age, and I can't help but worry that development might make this 'spectral' ruin lose it's attractiveness.
I've loved this place since I was a kid, development will be like losing part of my childhood, but hey we've all got to grow up sometime!
This is one of those places where my personal inclination is for consolidation, but which unfortunately may have to be developed to survive. It's going to seem strange with a roof.
From the Aberdeen Press & Journal, 7th July 2008
Plans to transform Slains Castle - fresh application to turn count dracula’s north-east home into holiday flats
Detailed plans are being drawn up to transform Count Dracula’s north-east home into a series of holiday flats. Talks are under way to finalise a fresh application to revamp the spectacular clifftop ruins of Slains Castle, near Cruden Bay.
The Edinburgh-based Slains Partnership has already won outline planning permission for its £6million plan to convert the 16th-century fortress into 35 timeshare-style apartments, despite scores of objections from nearby residents and others who wanted the ruin to be kept as it is. Developers will be meeting with architects in the coming weeks to finish off their plans, which are expected to have details of how they envisage the castle will look once it has had its make-over. They hope to submit their bid for full planning permission to Aberdeenshire Council before the end of the year.
Last year, Historic Scotland was urged to put pressure on the development team to restore the ruin as closely as possible to its former glory. The fortress, which was built in 1597, is said to have inspired author Bram Stoker while he was researching his horror classic during a holiday to the north-east. Hundreds of Dracula fans from around the world flock to the ruins throughout the year.
The architect behind the development, Douglas Forrest of Huntly-based firm Acanthus, said: “Work has already started on the new plans and it’s going well. Members of the Slains Partnership will be coming up to the north-east to discuss them further.”
He said the group intends to restore the castle to the way it was during its prime. The plans were originally unveiled four years ago and debate amongst objectors and supporters raged for months. While some wanted the ruins to be retained, it was argued that if they were left alone, they could soon crumble down the cliffs and into the sea.
Buchan councillors eventually approved the plans, following a heated public meeting, in November 2004. A legal wrangle which stalled proceedings was only overcome two years later. In October last year, the ruins were closed to the public for the first time. The Slains Partnerships decided to block off the castle – by aptly hammering wooden stakes around it – for health and safety reasons.
Plans to transform Slains Castle - fresh application to turn count dracula’s north-east home into holiday flats
Detailed plans are being drawn up to transform Count Dracula’s north-east home into a series of holiday flats. Talks are under way to finalise a fresh application to revamp the spectacular clifftop ruins of Slains Castle, near Cruden Bay.
The Edinburgh-based Slains Partnership has already won outline planning permission for its £6million plan to convert the 16th-century fortress into 35 timeshare-style apartments, despite scores of objections from nearby residents and others who wanted the ruin to be kept as it is. Developers will be meeting with architects in the coming weeks to finish off their plans, which are expected to have details of how they envisage the castle will look once it has had its make-over. They hope to submit their bid for full planning permission to Aberdeenshire Council before the end of the year.
Last year, Historic Scotland was urged to put pressure on the development team to restore the ruin as closely as possible to its former glory. The fortress, which was built in 1597, is said to have inspired author Bram Stoker while he was researching his horror classic during a holiday to the north-east. Hundreds of Dracula fans from around the world flock to the ruins throughout the year.
The architect behind the development, Douglas Forrest of Huntly-based firm Acanthus, said: “Work has already started on the new plans and it’s going well. Members of the Slains Partnership will be coming up to the north-east to discuss them further.”
He said the group intends to restore the castle to the way it was during its prime. The plans were originally unveiled four years ago and debate amongst objectors and supporters raged for months. While some wanted the ruins to be retained, it was argued that if they were left alone, they could soon crumble down the cliffs and into the sea.
Buchan councillors eventually approved the plans, following a heated public meeting, in November 2004. A legal wrangle which stalled proceedings was only overcome two years later. In October last year, the ruins were closed to the public for the first time. The Slains Partnerships decided to block off the castle – by aptly hammering wooden stakes around it – for health and safety reasons.
This is a story that will rumble on for a long time I suspect.
Personally I have many memories of Slains having always had family ties in Buchan, and would prefer the atmosphere generated by the present ruin to be retained, with consolidation work taking place to preserve what is there for the future.
I believe that as it stands, it would present a more attractive and more productive tourist attraction than if restored, allowing the imagination more scope, which fits well with the imagery generated by Stoker.
I'm concerned that restoration could simply return to it's former state as a grand mansion, which although meritorious, does not seem quite as attractive or in keeping with the source of it's fame.
An important elememt in it's current attractivness and imagery is it's apparent splendid isolation and I would hope that any development is done in such a way as to promote development in a discreet fashion which caters for hoped for new visitors, but retains and promotes the current image as a draw.
Personally I have many memories of Slains having always had family ties in Buchan, and would prefer the atmosphere generated by the present ruin to be retained, with consolidation work taking place to preserve what is there for the future.
I believe that as it stands, it would present a more attractive and more productive tourist attraction than if restored, allowing the imagination more scope, which fits well with the imagery generated by Stoker.
I'm concerned that restoration could simply return to it's former state as a grand mansion, which although meritorious, does not seem quite as attractive or in keeping with the source of it's fame.
An important elememt in it's current attractivness and imagery is it's apparent splendid isolation and I would hope that any development is done in such a way as to promote development in a discreet fashion which caters for hoped for new visitors, but retains and promotes the current image as a draw.
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