Thursday 26 June 2014

Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven on the Scottish Trail

Email from Andy
Camera shot from Desktop
Fwd: history 25 Photos That Prove Scotland Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World

On Thursday, 26 June 2014, 10:56, Donald Nunraw <nunrawdonald@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Andy,
Wonderful -
25 Photos That Prove Scotland Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World.
And amazing, in my Computer, the Desktop background series has the view I could not identify. Now I know the DUNNOTTAR CASTLE of Stonehaven, even when I missed the site on the by-pass. I imagined it was an island monastery but, in fact, historic stronghold. (Have to look deeper).
 http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/history/cw/cw106 .
ATTACHMENTS ..  
 
Many thanks.
God love.
fr. Donald
PS. The 'history' does not go back before Cromwell and the Vikings. My Desktop background view seemed more invited to an ideal island monastery.
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On Thursday, 26 June 2014, 
Andrew ..wrote to Donald
Some amazing photographs
Congratulation on the anniversary of your ordination
Andy
Sent from my iPad
Dunnottar Castle, North East Scotland.

With its castles, soaring mountains, lochs, glens and iconic wildlife, it’s hard to deny that Scotland is the most beautiful country in the world. Share if you agree…or if you simply want to visit these amazing places yourself one day!

25 Photos That Prove Scotland Is The Most Beautiful Country In The World


The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye.


The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye.These spectacular, weirdly shaped rock pinnacles on the Isle of Skye are the remnants of ancient landslips.

  http://www.epicdash.com/25-photos-that-prove-scotland-is-the-most-beautiful-country-in-the-world/ 
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Dunnottar Castle Stonehaven
http://stronghold2.heavengames.com/history/cw/cw106


Castle of the Week 106 - Dunnottar Castle, Scotland  
  
Castle of the Week 106 - Dunnottar Castle, Scotland


Short History of the Castle 

Dunnottar Castle is one of the most spectacularly located castles ever built. It lies in northern Scotland, 15 miles south of Aberdeen, majestically positioned on a high plateau on a promontory out in the north sea. If the castle design seems familiar to you, it might be because Dunnottar Castle was the place for the recording of Hamlet with Mel Gibson. But what the castle is most famous for was when a small garrison of 70 men held out against Oliver Cromwell's army for eight months and by that saved the Scottish Crown Jewels, the 'Honours of Scotland', from being captured and destroyed by the English.

Despite what you may think, because of its excellent positioning, Dunnottar was invaded and captured many times. For example, in the 9th century, King Donald II died whilst unsuccessfully trying to defend Dunnottar from a Viking invasion. The Englishmen captured the castle two times, but it was both times recaptured by the Scots.

There isn't very much remaining of the castle nowadays, only eleven half destroyed small buildings including barracks, lodgings, stables and storehouses. All these are from different periods in the castle's history. The prominent building though is the L-shaped 14th century keep. It's a little battered by Cromwell's cannons, but still intact.

In the 17th century Dunnottar Castle was serving as a home for the Scottish Earl Marischals. The Marischals were at that time one of the most powerful families in the land. They oversaw all ceremonial activities in the country, including the coronations. They were also responsible for the guarding of the Scottish Crown Jewels, known as the 'Honours of Scotland'. The story of how a small garrison in Dunnottar saved the crown, sceptre and sword from certain destruction is one of the most captivating in Scottish history.

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