Dunnottar Castle

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A swift 15 miles south of Aberdeen, and a walkable two-miles from Stonehaven, Dunnottar Castle perches on a stunning cliff overlooking the North Sea. It’s easy to see why this impressive ancient edifice was chosen by director Franco Zeffirelli as a location for his film of Hamlet starring Mel Gibson. The ninth-century fortress was once virtually impregnable, holding off Cromwell's army to preserve the Scottish crown jewels. Today, the castle itself is only reached via a steep, twisting path. Great for historians, film-buffs, the hopelessly romantic and mountain goats.