Aberdeenshire’s Findlater Castle, a rugged medieval fortress perched dramatically on the Moray Firth coastline, is experiencing a significant surge in visitor interest, largely attributed to its role in Christopher Nolan’s recently released epic, ‘The Odyssey’. However, this renewed attention has prompted official warnings regarding the inherent dangers of the unstable ruin.
The film, based on Homer’s ancient Greek poem, stars Matt Damon as Odysseus and features Findlater Castle as the coastal sanctuary of the sea witch Circe on the mythical island of Aeaea. Scenes depicting Odysseus and his crew making landfall after escaping the Laestrygonians were also filmed along the surrounding rocky shorelines and Sunnyside Beach.
This cinematic exposure has led to a dramatic spike in online engagement. According to travel experts at Iglu Cruise, Google searches for Findlater Castle have soared by an astounding 1,540% compared with last year, signalling a potential tourism boom for the North East of Scotland. New regional guides have been published to assist visitors in exploring the area’s featured film locations.
Despite its picturesque appeal, situated approximately three miles east of Cullen on 50-foot quartz cliffs with water on three sides, visitors are being urged to exercise extreme caution. The ruins of Findlater are officially classified as “highly unstable” and “could become hazardous at any moment.”
A stark warning prominently displayed on the castle’s official website advises: “Any exploration of the ruins is at your own risk. If you see any visible signs of fallen masonry, it’s advised that you admire the ruin from afar.”
Findlater Castle, first recorded in 1246, boasts a rich and turbulent history, having been held by Vikings and rebuilt in the 14th century. It was once the seat of the Earls of Findlater and Seafield, enduring a bitter feud involving the Ogilvies and Sinclair family, with even Mary Queen of Scots becoming involved. However, by the mid-1600s, its active use had ceased, and the structure began its descent into disrepair.
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The Seafield Estate, which owns Findlater, has voiced concerns about the castle’s precarious future. “Findlater Castle is a very picturesque ruin to visit in northeast Scotland, but how much longer will it survive?” the Estate stated. They advocate for its restoration, arguing it would “not only preserve an important landmark of west Aberdeenshire but also revitalise community pride, tourism, and cultural engagement along the Banffshire and Buchan Coast.”
Visitors are encouraged to contact local political representatives, MSP Karen Adam and MP Seamus Logan, to “express your support for the restoration of Findlater Castle.” Iglu Cruise suggests that Findlater “naturally captures the feeling of an isolated, inaccessible island fortress,” offering a unique and less crowded experience compared to other Scottish castles like Dunnottar or Eilean Donan.
