From Issue Four of Hidden Scotland Magazine

The Allure of Castles

Why castles draw us, and the stories they hold.

Words by David Weinczok · Photographs by Simon Hird

Printed in Issue Four of Hidden Scotland Magazine, Spring and Summer 2022.

There’s something inherently human in the desire to stand where the great and terrible deeds of the past unfolded. There are many reasons why castles like Stirling and Edinburgh are among the most visited historic sites in Scotland, not least because they have borne witness to centuries of battles, intrigue, and lofty figures. There is another castle, however, that not only weathered the passing of ages but whose location justifies the term ‘jaw-dropping’: Dunnottar Castle.

words // David C. Weinczok - photography on this page // Dunnottar Castle by Simon Hird

Why do we visit castles?

Scotland’s castles have been a source of awe since they first emerged in the 12th century. This wasn’t awe in the Romantic sense, however. For most of their history, castles were seen by many as a source of overlordship at best, and oppression and violence at worst. Few people until the late 18th and 19th centuries would have visited them purely for leisure and enjoyment, as we do.

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