Old Slains Castle

Old Slains Castle as opposed to New Slains Castle is a ruined tower house on a coastal promontory that may have been fortified by the Comyn earls of Buchan, although the tower was built by the Hays perhaps as early as the late 14th century, although it is more likely mid 15th when William Hay was made the first Lord Hay. Access by foot is possible to see the tower from the landward side, but the courtyard area beyond is occupied by a private modern house and is not accessible.

Slains Castle was the chief seat of the Hays, later created Earls of Erroll, until the 9th earl managed to be outlawed for persistent Catholicism. King James VI was deeply suspicious of him, and when he was outlawed a second time in 1594 and declared a traitor, King James ordered that Slains be blown up. When he returned, he elected to extend his second tower at Bowhill a few miles north, which he renamed Slains. It is the later building that became known as New Slains Castle and is romantically associated with Bram Stoker.

HES Canmore database entry