Castles:

Old Slains

Seat of the Earl of Buchan (Comyn), and the Errol family Hays. In 1308 the Comyns were defeated by Bruce, and the castle given to William of Errol. Destroyed by James VI in 1594. He 'payed' £213 for 20 stone of
gunpowder to blow the castle apart.

'Gye Huntly lossis Strathbogie,
My Slains will be ill hurt.'

Right: Old Slains ruins in the fog:

The Hays were the 'Red race of the Tay'. During a battle with the Danes, two sons of the family armed with ploughs rallied the fleeing Scottish soldiers to finally win the day. This was the great feudal centre of Buchan.