The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay enthralled tourists at Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, when they visited yesterday. The medieval fortress has regularly featured on the big screen, including in Mary Queen Of Scots and Hamlet.

ROYALTY: Charles and Camilla delight tourists at Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven

The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay have visited a ruined castle famed for its appearances on screen.

The royal couple enthralled tourists at Dunnottar Castle, Stonehaven, when they visited yesterday morning.

The medieval fortress is dramatically perched on a clifftop overlooking the North Sea and has featured in films including Mary Queen Of Scots, Victor Frankenstein and the 1990 version of Hamlet, starring Mel Gibson.

Earlier, Charles proved to be a dab hand at operating a digger when he officially opened the new headquarters of a nearby civil engineering firm.

On a tour of WM Donald at Marrlaine, he got in the cab of a Volvo excavator with automatic GPS.

Wullie Grant, 50, from Dyce, Aberdeen, showed him the controls and was impressed with the skills on show.

He said: “We were talking about the machine and how important it is... He was saying he hopes this automatic technology doesn’t completely do away with people like me, and I had to agree.”

Charles unveiled a plaque and planted a tree at the site.

Willie Donald, who founded the firm in 1977, said: “We’re delighted he could come and open the office. It’s a big thing for us. Probably one of the reasons for the visit is we did a bit of work in Ballater when it got flooded.”

The company donated materials and labour to help clear up and reinstate the Deeside village, near the Balmoral estate, following floods in 2015.

The royal couple also visited Stonehaven Tolbooth Museum, meeting volunteers who were given a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service this year.

Crowds greeted the couple as they then visited businesses in Stonehaven town centre, including tasting samples at the Giulianotti Ice Cream and Vintage Sweet Shop, which was founded in 1899.

Picture: Kenny Elrick.

Picture: PA. The Duke of Rothesay is accompanied by castle owner George Pearson, front left, during a visit to Dunnottar Castle.