A look at the ancient tradition of stone lifting. | #OurLives

Slains Castle was originally built by Francis Hay, Earl of Erroll from 1597 onwards. Some years earlier he had converted to Catholicism and subsequently supported the rebellion of George Gordon, Earl (and later Marquis) of Huntly, which attempted to reverse the Scottish Reformation. The uprising was defeated and in 1594 the family’s original residence, Old Slains Castle, was destroyed by King James VI in retaliation. Hay fled the country but returned in 1597 and made peace with the King. He reco