Dunnicaer

Nearest town:
Stonehaven (3km NW)
OS reference:
NO88218464
OS sheet:
45
Latitude:
56° 57' 10.33 N
Longitude:
2° 11' 37.88 W
Added to TMA by

Images

Image of Dunnicaer (Promontory Fort) by LesHamilton

This photograph, taken from the cliffs to the southeast, clearly shows the “missing link” where the present-day Dunnicaer Sea Stack was once joined to the mainland.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jun 27, 2015
Image of Dunnicaer (Promontory Fort) by LesHamilton

View over Dunnicaer Promontory Fort from the neighbouring clifftops.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Apr 17, 2015
Image of Dunnicaer (Promontory Fort) by LesHamilton

Dunnicaer from the south showing the effects of centuries of erosion on its cliffs.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Apr 17, 2015
Image of Dunnicaer (Promontory Fort) by LesHamilton

The impressive Dunnicaer Sea Stac k, viewed from below the cliffs.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Apr 17, 2015
Image of Dunnicaer (Promontory Fort) by LesHamilton

Archaeologists from Aberdeen University making the first exploratory dig on this Pictish fort.

Image credit: Les Hamilton
LesHamilton
LesHamilton Apr 17, 2015

Articles

Dunnicaer

Archaeologists unearth 'oldest Pictish fort in Scotland' on Aberdeenshire sea stack

LesHamilton
LesHamilton Jul 28, 2015

Radiocarbon dating shows the Dunnicaer fort to have belonged to the 3rd/4th centuries CE.

This report appeared in Herald Scotland on July 28, 2015..

Dunnicaer

LesHamilton
LesHamilton Apr 17, 2015

Visited: April 17, 2015

During April 2015, a team of archaeologists from Aberdeeen University uncovered what they believed to be the remains of a Pictish Promontory Fort on this sea stack, some 700 metres north of Dunnottar Castle. Early indications were that they had discovered the remains of a house, a fireplace and ramparts.

A glance at this Google Map of the area leaves one in little doubt that the Dunnicaer Stack was once attached to the mainland, probably by a long-fallen natural arch.

In all probability, like the crags at the western end of the neighbouring beach, which are already cut through by a natural arch, Dunnicaer was similarly connected to the shore in Pictish times. This would have provided relatively easy access to the fort via a ridge from the west. But in the centuries since, the arch has crumbled, isolating the stack which is now inaccessible without specialist equipment.

To visit the site, park at Dunnottar Castle, but instead of taking the steps down to the castle entrance, head left along the clifftops. You have the choice of a good, fairly direct track, or a narrow walkers path that hugs the cliff edge. From the point where you draw level with the Dunnicaer Stack, gentle grassy slopes lead down to the shore.

Link

Dunnicaer
Promontory Fort
thelonious
thelonious May 29, 2019
Dunnicaer – An Archaeological Investigation

“On the coast of Aberdeenshire lies the spectacular Dunnottar Castle, a 7th century Pictish power centre. Nearby is Dunnicaer, an unassuming and substantially eroded sea stack. Dunnicaer contains evidence to suggest it was an even earlier power center of the Picts.

This film explores the investigations conducted by Aberdeen University into the site, and helps uncover it’s mysterious past.....”

Sites within 20km of Dunnicaer

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