Set about 1 mile from Cruden Bay, on the brutal North Sea Coast, Slains Castle is one of the most famous castles in Scotland. Slains was first erected in 1597 by the 9th Earl of Erroll. The main reason for Slain’s fame is Brahm Stoker’s famous book Dracula and its association with the castle. At Slains the scenery is quite breathtaking you can see for miles around. The castle itself, while in ruin, is very large and has many rooms and turrets to explore, including if you’re brave enough the vaulted room, accessed down a muddy slide that was probably once a kitchen store. The castle is built on steep cliffs and one should exercise great caution in the area.