Dunninald Castle & Gardens

Dunninald has a history of at least a thousand years. The name is derived from the gaelic, dun a castle and ard, a high place. The first Dunninald was on the cliff high above the North Sea, so the name is a good description of the original site. The origin of its colloquial name, Black Jack, is lost.  A second house was built about 1590, to replace the old tower fortalice. This was some four hundred yards inland and was at the foot of the present-day beech avenue, next to the walled garden.

By 1811 the second house was some 230 years old and the new owner, Peter Arkley, commissioned James Gillespie Graham to built a new house. This was designed in the gothic revival style, building started in 1819 and the house was completed in 1824.

James Gillespie Graham specialised in the gothic revival style and built many houses and churches around Scotland. He designed the Glenfinnan Monument in 1815, and one of his students was Augustus Pugin, who famously worked on the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, London.  Other notable works include St Andrews Cathedral in Glasgow and St Mary’s Cathedral in Edinburgh. He designed the church at the top of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, now known as The Hub. Two of his major country house properties are now ruins: Armadale Castle on Skye and Cambusnethan Priory near Glasgow.

Dunninald has hardly been altered in the years since it was built, which is the main reason why it is held in such high regard. The house has long been associated with the sea, and is only half a mile from the site of the first Dunninald (Black Jack) and the old lime kiln at the Boddin promontory.

From the Boddin can be seen the broad sweep of Lunan Bay, with the ruins of Red Castle at its centre, and the Bell Rock Lighthouse, 15 miles out to sea.

In the days of Black Jack, salmon were caught in traps on the rocks below the castle. Now bag-nets may be seen in the water between the months of June and August.

THE WALLED GARDEN

A highlight of Dunninald is the Walled Garden. A short walk from the house, most visitors enter though the Union Gate. Made by Browns of Montrose in 1907; roses, thistles, daffodils and shamrocks represent each of the 4 home nations.

The garden is south facing on a slope. The curved northern wall creates a warm micro-climate. The trees outside give additional shelter. The main function of the garden was to provide for the household, namely vegetables, fruit and cut flowers. In recent times, the planting has changed to include a double herbaceous border with rose arches down the centre of the garden and mixed borders along the walls. A smaller quantity of vegetables, soft fruits and fruit are still grown. When available, plants, fruit and vegetables are sold when the gardens are open.

The west gate opens onto the site of the previous house. From here visitors have the option of returning to the current house by the south drive or back up the beech avenue, or taking the longer circular walk around the Wood Path. The wood path is about a mile long.