'The Ruins of Findlater Castle', watercolour, 54 x 34 cm.
Findlater castle stands on a rocky promontory on the Moray Firth coast in between Cullen and Portsoy. The name is pronounced like 'fin' as in a fish fin and 'latter' rather than 'later'. That is because the name derives from the Scots Gaelic fionn leitir for 'white cliffs' in reference to the quartz which is found in the rock. The cliffs climb almost 100 metres above the beach and the castle is built onto the sides of the cliffs; the main buildings would have been on the top of the rock. It was first mentioned in the early 1200s and was updated throughout its life The castle, which over its time of occupation was home to amazing stories of intrigue, murder and betrayal, would have featured roofs and chimneys above the stonework, especially after its updates. It is a formidable defensive position; the entrance was down the causeway from the hilltops on foot and 2 removable bridges were built into this causeway - the nearest gap to the castle is clearly visible in the painting with distant white surf behind it. Today the castle is a fun scramble down muddy paths (which are not quite such fun in the wet!) and although walking across to the castle is not recommended due to unstable cliffs and stonework, a number of people walk along the top as well as experiencing the fun of walking through the great hall!
The painting is available at £170, mounted but unframed.
Prints are available in three sizes:
Small: Image 24 x 16cm, £17 unmounted or £20 mounted to fit a 14 x 11" off-the-shelf frame.
Medium: Image 37 x 25 cm, £24 unmounted or £30 mounted to fit a 20 x 16" frame.
Large: Image approx 55 x 35 cm - £32 unmounted or £45 mounted to fit a 70 x 50 cm frame.