I’ve been meaning to make this post for so long. Last May I completed the 150 mile Aberdeenshire Coast Trail by bicycle. It took me past many incredible places, and I painted a lot of them. But one stands out in memory above all others: Dunnottar Castle.

I shared my experience there as part of my Coastal Journey in this video, but I had more footage and photos that I wanted to compile because I think it deserves extra love! It’s such a magical place. I got tingles when I walked through the grounds, and sat on the cliff edge painting. The views are majestic. So in this post I’ll share some of the highlights and what I learned so that you can make the most of your visit.

What’s in this Post

Watch the Video

My Materials

I brought a very limited kit with me to make the journey easier. I was cycling 40 miles that day, and needed to pace myself. I wish I could have spent two day painting there, let alone the other places I passed. But I live less than 2 hours away so I can go back.

Brushes

Above you can see my Tintoretto Liner (BUY), one of the most unique brushes I’ve used. It has almost 2 inches of hairs and creates the finest point imaginable. I used it for drawing mostly, and loved it for the tiny little architectural details. Creating the rock texture on the stone walls was a lot of fun.

I also had a few other brushes in a brush roll. I brought brushes I wouldn’t be upset about if I lost, because I was cycling for three days and you just never know. In retrospect I wish I had packed some of my nicer travel brushes.

Other brushes I like while traveling:

• My own Set of 8 Unique Travel Brushes (currently sold out, but you can sign up to be notified if we make a second edition)
• Pro Arte Flat (Buy)
• Or I bring my bigger brushes and keep them in a brush case (BUY) which protects them.

Watercolors

I have a few options for travel palettes, but I always fall back on the Portable Painter, because it’s self contained. The water dish, the mixing space, everything I need in one little unit, securely fastened together. It folds up small so I can just toss it in my backpack and go.

Sketchbook

Perhaps one of those most important tools…otherwise the rest of the materials don’t matter! Since I was traveling as light as possible, I went with my favorite soft-cover sketchbook, the 7×10 Strathmore. It is unfortunately discontinued but you can sometimes find the smaller sizes

Tips for Visiting Artists

There are two great views to paint before you even go inside the castle. One is from the edge of the cliff near the top of the stairs before going down to the castle. It’s easy to find a safe spot (away from the edge). There are well-groomed paths with some benches along the cliff edge so you can easily walk from the car park until you find a spot.

Another view is from the bottom of the stairs leading to the castle. Not necessarily to paint the castle itself, but for the stunning views of the cliffs. There is a nice little beach there so you can sit and paint by the waves.

The castle sits on a small landslip – almost its own island – connected to the mainland by a steep set of stairs.

The castle is not accessible to mobile-impaired people, but if you are able to, I do recommend walking into the castle. Walking to the castle is good workout, with steep narrow steps.

The entry fee is around $13, you can pay online or at the castle (there is a little kiosk before you go in, but they only accept card payment). There is a small restroom inside the grounds.

Once inside you have freedom to explore. The castle ruins and grounds are well-maintained, and there are guides around to answer questions. There are also signs with interesting history and illustrations of the original castle. I went to each area to learn about it before choosing a spot to paint.

The grass was just mowed, and a little damp, so I put down my foam seat and leaned against a sunny stone wall to sketch. You could easily spend an entire day inside, and the sketching choices are endless.

I was there in May, and there were a fair amount of people coming and going, so I chose a spot that was a little more isolated. I didn’t have a ton of supplies, but if you use a big pochade box, you might want to choose a spot away from the main crowds. I got the impression the guides and staff don’t mind artists (a few of them smiled at me, one asked to see my sketch), but they might ask you to move if you are in the way of traffic.

Parking

There is easy parking near the castle, but it fills up fast in the summer. I got there at 9am in May and it was already full. I noticed a lot of cars parked along the farm road, but farmers do have the right to two vehicles that block their entrances or get in their way. So do that at your own risk!

Where to Stay Nearby

Stonehaven is the closest town and has tons of accommodations. I liked the idea of staying in the harbour, so I chose the Ship Inn. They were kind enough to let me store my bicycle in the staff room overnight, which made me feel better.

I had a view of the harbour, and I painted a small sketch out of the window (I got in late and by the time I had walked around a little and had dinner, it was chilly and I was exhausted).

It’s a beautiful old town with lots of explore – definitely a great destination for an artist, especially given its proximity to the castle.

I’d love to know if you visit and what you thought of the castle! Was it as epic as you imagined??

Want to follow along my Coastal Journey? Stay updated by checking out the website.