Dunnottar Castle reopens after repairs

DUNNOTTAR Castle has reopened to the public after closing due to damage inflicted in last week’s stormy weather.

Dunnottar Castle reopens today. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The castle, inspiration for the home of Princess Merida in Disney/Pixar animation Brave, was closed last week after high winds caused “significant” damage to parts of the castle.

The castle confirmed on its official Facebook page that it re-opened to the public at 9:45am today.

Dunnottar came seventh in an online poll to find the Eighth Wonder of the World earlier this year, out of nearly 350 entries.

The castle was closed in November for urgent repairs to the roof of one of the main buildings on the approach to the main castle complex.

There has been a keep on the rocky headland which dominates Stonehaven since the Middle Ages. The castle was besieged by William Wallace in 1297 and later became the seat of the Earls Marischal, one of the most powerful families in Scotland.

In the 17th Century the castle played a key role in Scottish history when its small garrison held out against a siege by Oliver Cromwell’s army for eight months.