UK’s ruined castles are revived in stunning detail

There’s an undeniable allure to a crumbling castle – nature slowly reclaiming the stone, leaving behind only a ghost of its former grandeur, steeped in history.

When you venture into one of the UK’s many forsaken castles, it’s easy to imagine its former glory, with towering turrets and a moat brimming with water.

Digital marketing agency NeoMam Studios took this concept and digitally reconstructed six abandoned castles to their original splendor as part of a campaign for money lender On Stride.

While ruined castles may not be the first image you'd associate with a high-interest loan company, it’s certainly fascinating to see these ancient landmarks brought back to life.

Bringing history back to life

NeoMam selected six abandoned castles from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland – including the striking Dunluce Castle perched dramatically on a clifftop in County Antrim, Northern Ireland (pictured above).

This breathtaking location has housed a castle since the 13th century, with the current structure dating back to around 1500.

The castle’s formidable position had its drawbacks: according to legend, the kitchen once collapsed off the cliff and plunged into the crashing waves below.

Later, the castle was taken over by the Scottish MacDonnell clan and has since fallen into ruin. Its eerie, otherworldly appearance is said to have inspired CS Lewis, author of the “Chronicles of Narnia,” and may have influenced the design of Cair Paravel, the Narnian castle in his stories.

More recently, this castle featured prominently in the iconic TV show “Game of Thrones.”

Another standout is Caerlaverock Castle (pictured above) in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. It holds the distinction of being the only triangular castle in the UK. Built in the 13th century during Robert the Bruce’s rebellion, the Scots partially destroyed it to prevent it from falling into English hands.

Though it was rebuilt twice, the castle ultimately fell into ruin by the 16th century and now stands as an atmospheric, accessible ruin for tourists to explore.

Jelena Popovic, the architect and researcher behind the selection of the six castles recreated by NeoMam, shares with Dinogo Travel that the team chose these fortresses based on several key factors.

The team selected castles that had not been extensively restored for tourism, were in a state of decay and weathered by time, varied in architectural style, and had substantial archaeological research available to ensure accurate reconstructions.

Take Goodrich Castle (pictured above), which dates back to the 1100s. Managed by the British charity English Heritage, it features a tea room, yet still retains its historic ruins.

“After narrowing down the list of castles, I delved deeper into available archaeological research and reconstructions from various sources,” Popovic explains.

The research came from sources like Caithness.Org, a collaborative project by Robert Richmond, Andrew Spratt – custodian of Scotland’s Dirleton Castle – and historian Bill Fernie. The NeoMam team also referenced MedievalHeritage.eu, a website dedicated to ancient and medieval architecture.

From Past to Present

So, how did the team approach the monumental task of reconstructing history?

The team began by reviewing all the images Popovic had gathered.

“If there’s even the slightest feature that can help determine the original scale, and it still exists today, it’s used as a key reference to scale the entire site,” says Laurentiu Stanciu, the architect and 3D artist, in an interview with Dinogo Travel.

Dunstanburgh Castle – shown above – is an imposing fortress in northern England, constructed in the 14th century by the powerful Earl Thomas of Lancaster to showcase his might. It witnessed fierce battles during the Wars of the Roses, but was eventually abandoned.

Digitally restoring Dunstanburgh to its original grandeur was a monumental challenge.

The team paid close attention to the current materials found at the castles, examining the types of stone used – though replicating the exact materials wasn’t always straightforward.

The final step involved merging the original images and architectural blueprints with the 3D models to create an animated gif that transforms the fortress from a ruin to its reconstructed form.

Another castle on the list is Bothwell Castle, a 13th-century stronghold near Glasgow that witnessed numerous battles during Scotland’s Wars of Independence and changed hands several times.

Legend has it that Bothwell is haunted by the ghost of Bonnie Jean, a noblewoman who tragically drowned in the River Clyde while fleeing to elope with her lover.

Also featured in the recreations is Kidwelly Castle in Wales, a Norman fortress dating back to the 1100s.

The outcome of these digital restorations offers a remarkable window into the past, allowing viewers to witness the transformation of crumbling medieval structures back to their majestic original state.

Suddenly, it’s easy to envision the UK’s countless castles not as crumbling ruins, but as formidable fortresses that shaped the outcomes of battles and stood witness to some of history’s most pivotal moments.