Dracula's Cache Mystery Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Dracula's Cache is in the area of Slains Castle, a large imposing ruin fronting directly onto south facing cliffs about a kilometer east of Cruden Bay.
The Earls of Errol, the Hay family, were a powerful family in the area for generations and prospered after William George Hay, the 18th Earl of Errol, married the daughter of King William IV. The 9th Hay Earl of Errol built it after James VI had destroyed his castle at Old Slains at Cruden Bay, after the Hays participated in the rebellion of 1594. But over time misfortunes befell the Hays and in 1916 the castle and contents were put up for sale. The castle was then sold in 1916 and fell into disrepair in the first quarter of the 20th century, after more than 300 years of occupation by the Errolls. The castle was bought by Sir John Ellerman of the shipping line. He in turn gave it up in 1925 and its roof was removed to avoid paying taxes. That led to the inevitable ruin seen today. Slains Castle.The ruin of a second, older 13th century castle of the same name lies about 6 miles to the south. The older castle, also a family seat of the Errolls, was blown up by James VI as a punishment for their part in the 1597 plot by the Earl of Huntly against him. The castle was once a major stronghold, occupying a large footprint area. It consisted of a massive 15th century keep, a fragment of which survives, and a courtyard defended by ditches. It was originally a property of the Comyns but passed to the Hay Earls of Errol early in the 14th century. In the late 19th century, the 19th Earl of Errol entertained many celebrities at the castle. It is documented to be Bram Stoker's inspiration for the castle of Count Dracula.. The Coordinates above are Waypoint 1 of the puzzle. Waypoint 1 - N57 24.897 - W001 49.984, stand at the coordinates, face the castle - How many Towers so you see? Answer is "A". Work out the location of the cache with the following: N57 24.(Ax3)58 - W001 49.99(Ax2)...................................................... Please be very careful around the castle as there is lots of cliffs in the vicinity with no barriers.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vafvqr na napvrag jnyy, pbirerq ol zbff