Dundonald Castle Mystery Cache
Hidden : 8/28/2010
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: other (other)

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Geocache Description:


I moved to Dundonald in 1986, a time when the castle was surrounded by large fencing and had been designated a site of major scientific importance. The archaeologists had just recently removed it from being a child’s playground and left us having to make the trek down to Hornblower’s house, Old Auchans, however at that time no one had been kind enough to make us a hard path.

Thanks to the work of those archaeologists, Historic Scotland, the Friends of Dundonald Castle and the team of volunteers who work there throughout the summer months (No, not a plug, a note of appreciation) it has been possible to learn so much about our local and national history dating back 4000 years. This quaint village 4 miles from anywhere was once the hub of all that happened for miles around up until the middle of last century.

The earliest settlement discovered at the site of the castle has been dated to circa 2000BC and it is a fanciful notion of mine that Enoch stopped off here on his travels north to Orkney. The first fort to be constructed has been dated between 500 & 200BC. For the next thousand years or so not alot appears to have happened until about the time that David 1st appointed Walter FitzAllan High Steward of Scotland. It was then that the first major construction, a wooden fort, was erected.

For the next couple of hundred years the fort was expanded and improved upon with the introduction of two stone towers until Edward Longshanks marched north to fulfil his ideal of uniting the two kingdoms. For some reason during this war the fort was broken, could it be because of the hunt for William Wallace of Ellerslie who’s lands adjoined that of Dundonald?

The Castle we see today was built on the ruins of the original stone fort and these foundations can still be seen. It was built by King Robert II in the mid to late 14th century and remained as a Royal Residence of the Stewart dynasty until 1482 when it was sold along with the estate of Dundonald to the Cathcart’s. The Estate subsequently passed hands to the Wallace’s and the castle ceased to be used around the late 17th Century.

If you would like a far more detailed description of the history of the castle and surrounding parish of Dundonald then you can stop by the visitor centre between April and October or check it out online at www.dundonaldcastle.org.uk

So, the cache!
The Co-ordinates given are for the car park at the west of Winehouse Yett (behind the Bowling Club) and the cache isn’t there! Don’t worry if you can’t get parked at the door because the castle is only a five minute walk from the furthest parts of the village.
I felt it would be unfair on you to come to visit the castle and not get a close up appreciation of the magnificence of the construction or the feeling of awe that you get standing under the western wall staring up at the battlements.

The cache location is:
55° 34.ABC’N
004°35.DEF’W

All answers can be found on the hill and around the castle.
A= The Paps of Jura are 2A76ft high
B= The number of armorial shields plus the number of stones between the lions and the carved human head?
C= The number of sunbeams on the millennium bench?
D= Half the century that the tower house was built?
E= One third of the century the Barmkin Wall is dated?
F= Four times the number of Latrine Chutes, still wouldn't be enough!

Kamikaze Arrow Followers take heed!
Now go back down, have a rest and work out where to go!

Happy Caching

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Vil pbirerq ebpx gnxvat ebbg

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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