Set on the dramatic cliff tops about a kilometre from Cruden Bay, Slains Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland. Slains was first erected in 1597 by the Earl of Erroll around an existing tower house. It was altered and expanded up until 1837 by the subsequent Earls. In 1916 the 20th Earl of Erroll was forced to sell the castle to a new owner. Unfortunately the new owner allowed Slains to fall into disrepair. It was finally unroofed for safety reasons in 1925. All that is left now is a large ruin.
Slains castle today is a slightly eerie and unsettling place. It was here that Bram Stroker stayed and used it as inspiration for his story of Dracula.