Places of Interest in Scotland

Staffa National Nature Reserve

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 22:13:23 +0000

Staffa is the stuff of legend – an unspoilt and uninhabited island of 32 hectares best known for its magnificent basalt columns and spectacular sea caves.

The most famous of these is Fingal’s Cave, also known as An Uamh Binn (Cave of Melody). It has a unique, cathedral-like structure and its hexagonal columns are similar to those of the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland.

Fingal’s Cave was immortalised by Mendelssohn in his Hebrides Overture, after he visited the island in 1829, and in a famous painting by the artist J M W Turner. Staffa has received many other well-known visitors including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Approaching by boat gives visitors a real sense of the epic scale and wild beauty of Staffa, as it rises dramatically from the surrounding seas.

Once on the island there is much to explore. At Fingal’s Cave the columns have fractured in a way that forms a natural walkway above high water level, allowing visitors to go far inside. There are four other large caves at the southern end of Staffa – Clamshell Cave, Boat Cave, McKinnon’s Cave and Cormorant’s Cave. At Gunna Mor there is a bore-hole which creates a dramatic thunderous noise when waves strike the cliff below, due to the air being compressed and then released.

Also impressive are the ‘Bending Columns’ which appear to spring from the causeway path, and the tiny islet of Am Buachaille with its exposed strata. Many extend their visit to include the nearby island of Iona, or further afield to the Treshnish Isles.

For more information on the reserve, please see the National Trust for Scotland's website.

Iona

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:57:30 +0000

The Hebridean island of Iona has a significant history and a special, spiritual atmosphere that continues to attract and inspire thousands of visitors each year.

The island is known internationally as the cradle of Scottish Christianity, thanks to the arrival in AD563 of St Columba and his followers. They went on to help spread the religion throughout much of Scotland.

Despite stretching only 3 miles from north to south and 1½ miles from east to west, Iona offers much to enjoy, including white sandy beaches, interesting walks and rare wildlife. Many have remarked on its exceptional quality of light and clarity of air.

The restored medieval abbey still holds daily services, and nearby is St Oran’s Chapel and Reilig Odhrain, reputed to be the burial place of 48 kings of Scotland, including Macbeth. The Trust does not own these religious buildings.

As well as discovering the history of the island there are many natural features to enjoy, including beautiful white sandy beaches and clear turquoise waters. The island’s habitats include heather moorland and machair – a fertile, low-lying grassy plain along the coastline, with a diversity of wildflowers and other wildlife.

Iona is home to a thriving, hospitable local community of over 100 people and has plenty of accommodation options for visitors. There are shops and locally made crafts, as well as a free golf course. More adventurous visitors can seek out the old marble quarry with its machinery still in situ.

Combined trips to Iona and neighbouring Staffa, another popular and iconic Hebridean island, can be taken from Fionnphort and Ulva Ferry.

For more information including Restaurant, shop and other facilities, please see the National Trust for Scotland's website.

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:50:40 +0000

All the family will enjoy a wonderful day out at Almond Valley Heritage Centre, situated at the heart of Scotland just outside Livingston, West Lothian. Nestled in a pleasant riverside site with woods and green spaces that extend for almost a mile, there's so much to do and see. The picturesque buildings and paddocks of Mill Farm are home to many friendly farm animals, including Highland cattle, rare breed sheep, goats, ponies, horses, and some very inquisitive ducks.

listen to ‘Almond Valley Heritage Centre Interview 5 April 2013’ on Audioboo

There's always something happening, with milking, feeding, talks and handling sessions throughout much of the year, and a programme of seasonal crafts, games and activities for children during the school holidays. Kids can let off steam and engage their imagination in a range of unique play facilities including a simulated archaeological dig, a play mine, toy tractors, pedal carts and trampolines. Even if the sun isn't shining there are indoor play areas for all ages, and secrets to be discovered in the museum.

But you don't need to be a kid to enjoy Almond Valley. Seasonal tractor rides and trips on the narrow gauge railway transport you through a pleasant landscape to peaceful riverside walks. The working watermill and machinery shed provides an insight into West Lothian's rural past whilst the museum tells the fascinating story of Scotland's famous shale oil industry. And, (of course), we have a delightful tearoom. Whether you're aged one or a hundred and one, we're certain that you'll leave Almond Valley with a smile on your face.

For more information about Almond Valley including full list of attractions and entrance fees, please see their website.

Skelmorlie Aisle

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 11:35:19 +0000

This jewel-like monument was erected in 1636 for Sir Robert Montgomerie of Skelmorlie.

The monument contains

an elaborate carved stone tomb in Renaissance style and
a painted timber ceiling featuring lively scenes illustrating the seasons.

Location

Largs

Access

The property is open to the public from late May to early September, 2.00pm to 5.00pm.

The key can be collected from the Largs Museum.

Telephone 01475 687 081 for additional visitor information or see The Historic Scotland website.

The Deeside Activity Park

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:20:16 +0000

Based on Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, the Deeside Activity Park offer a range of outdoor and corporate team building activities and events. Only 45 minutes from the centre of Aberdeen they offer activities ranging from quad biking round their mud-splattered course and kart racing on their asphalt racing circuit, to hitting the bullseye on their fully automatic archery range and breaking a clay at their clay shooting facility.

In addition, they also offer 4x4 offroad driving, paintball, and rifle target shooting amongst others.

At the park there is also a restaurant, a farm shop, huge indoor activities arena and 3 luxury holiday cottages. The park is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm, all year round and now has a carbon neutral footprint with their wind turbine producing all the enery needed for both the activity park and the cottages. If that wasn't enough, Free Wifi is also provided.

So go along to Deeside Activity Park and try the best activities that Scotland can offer and the warmest welcome in Aberdeen and the shire!

For more information on the park, please see their website!

National Museum of Rural Life

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:12:35 +0000

Escape to the countryside for a full day of family fun at our five-star museum and historic working farm.

Things to see and do:

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of Wester Kittochside Farm and find out what life was like for people in the past inside the museum.

Garden Detectives at Rural Life:

What lurks at the bottom of your garden? Delve into hedges, take a peek in our shed and unearth wonders from our flower beds and ponds.

Explore the farm:

The sights, sounds and smells of Wester Kittochside Farm give you a real sense of life in the countryside as it used to be.

Working Farm:

Get close up and personal with our animals on the farm, visit our Georgian farmhouse and working farm with many traditional 1950s farming methods. Each season there's something new, from lambing and sowing to hay-making and harvesting.

Inside the museum:

wander around our award-winning museum and find out how home life, farming and the landscape have changed in 300 years.

For more information including opening hours, displays, access and facilities please see their website.

National Museum of Flight

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 13:00:04 +0000

East Fortune played a major role in both First and Second World War, and is now home to the National Museum of Flight.

In 1971, the Ministry of Defence donated a Supermarine Spitfire to the Royal Museum, Edinburgh.

Due to lack of space to accommodate the aeroplane, permission was granted for the museum to acquire one of the hangars on the former south side of RAF East Fortune as a storehouse for their aeronautical exhibits - the seeds were sown for the development of the National Museum of Flight. The museum officially opened to the public on 7 July 1975.

Today East Fortune still reverberates to the sound of aircraft engines, whether they be from low flying RAF jets or from air displays put on by the museum. East Fortune may not be the most remembered of airfields but this once busy military site has earned its place in history.

Things to see and do:

Explore the aircraft collection from iconic Concorde, to the jet set in the Boeing 707, learn how to pack a parachute and take take-off with Fantastic Flight!

Parachute Store:

Experience life inside a Second World War parachute store.

Newly restored to its original Second World War appearance, the Parachute Store is where parachutes were dried and repacked ready for use. See the original furniture and storage used, but mind your head as our parachutes hang from the ceiling!

Concorde:

Discover the story of Concorde and find out about the technology behind supersonic flight and life on board. Follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous by climbing on board to see this iconic plane up close.

The Nimrod XV241:

The Nimrod XV241 front fuselage is now on display at National Museum of Flight.

Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer:

Only 89 Twin Pioneers were ever built - and you can see one in the National Museum of Flight.

Hangar Highlights:

Work your way through our four hangars, which tell the story of aviation from military to civil aviation.

Fortunes of War:

Uncover the story of service at East Fortune from RAF crew, photographs, film and unique artefacts.

Fantastic Flight:

Get to grips with the mechanics of flight and how to pilot an aircraft with our hands-on interactives!

For more information including opening times and the displays on show please see their website.

National War Museum

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:36:05 +0000

Investigate over 400 years of Scotland at war, within the historic setting of Edinburgh Castle.

Accounts of battles lost and won are told through military artefacts and personal collections. Find out about life for Scots at war from the First World War trenches to the Home Front and learn how conflict has shaped Scotland's image and reputation.

For more information including the galleries and exhibitions and opening hours please see their website.

National Museum of Scotland

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 16:12:39 +0000

Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof at the National Museum of Scotland.

There are many ways for visitors of all ages to explore the museum and discover its treasures.

Before you visit

Thinking of visiting the National Museum of Scotland? Find out more about our galleries and exhibitions here. You can also plan your visit using our interactive map, or download a map or trail here. The map is available in several languages.

On arrival

You'll find everything you need to start your visit in our new Entrance Hall. Pick up a museum map to help you find your way around and check our plasma screens to find out what's on where, and when. A cloakroom is also available here (£1 per item).

If you have any questions about your visit, the staff at the Information Desk in the Entrance Hall are happy to help.

Free Tours

For a more in-depth insight into our collections, join one of our free tours to tap into the boundless knowledge of our expert guides. The screens at the stairs in the Entrance Hall, Tower Entrance and throughout the Museum list the tours for the day.

Families

The Museum is a great place for children of all ages. From baby changing facilities to family-friendly places to eat and places to play, we've got it covered. Find out more about visiting the museum with children and what's on for families here.

Food and Drink

A selection of delicious food and drinks are available in the Balcony Café and Museum Brasserie and during school holidays packed lunches can be eaten in the group room at the back of the Entrance Hall. You can find out more about eating at the museum here.

Access touch tours

To arrange special tours and handling sessions for visitors with visual impairments, please call 0131 247 4041 or email tours@nms.ac.uk

Sign tours (BSL)

If you wish to book a BSL interpreter for tours or other events, please call 0131 247 4041 or email tours@nms.ac.uk at least two weeks in advance.

For more information about the National Museum of Scotland including opening hours please see their website.

Inverewe Garden & Estate

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 16:46:53 +0000

A lush, tropical oasis perched on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe amid the rugged landscape of Wester Ross, this world-famous 21 hectare (54 acre) historic garden is one of Scotland’s most popular botanical attractions. It is surrounded by over 809 hectares (2,000 acres) of estate managed for conservation.

Created out of bare rock and a few scrub willows in 1862 by Osgood Mackenzie, it’s full of colourful, exotic plants from around the world. Highlights include the most northerly planting of rare Wollemi pines, Himalayan blue poppies, olearia from New Zealand, Tasmanian eucalypts, and rhododendrons from China, Nepal and the Indian subcontinent. These plants flourish here, despite the northerly latitude, thanks to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream and the foresight of Osgood Mackenzie, who planted over 40 hectares (100 acres) of woodland to shelter the garden.

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful gardens in Scotland, Inverewe is a must for anyone who loves nature.

What to see & do

You’ll be given a map when you arrive, to help you find your way around – or explore without it, which comes with the exciting potential of getting temporarily lost amid the foliage! If you’d like some expert garden guidance, why not take one of the free guided tours that take place every weekday and most Saturday afternoons at 1.30pm?

Whichever route you take you’ll be rewarded with the wonderful colours and perfumes of exotic plants and trees from across the globe. Other highlights include the willow sculptures of Osgood Mackenzie and his daughter Mairi Sawyer in the walled garden, the lily ponds, the viewpoints and the wee jetty overlooking the loch.

The estate isn’t limited to the garden – there are also over 809 hectares of land managed for conservation. Try the Pinewood Trail, a 45-minute circular walk, which you can extend by going all the way to Poolewe village as part of the Inverewe Trail. If you have time for a more adventurous walk, try the Kernsary Path which will take you out into wilder countryside before eventually returning to the village.

Once you’ve exhausted the estate – and yourself – take some well-earned refreshment in the restaurant and have a browse in the Visitor Centre and shop, where you can buy plants to take home.

The gardens are run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission, please see their website.

Hugh Miller's Birthplace Cottage & Museum

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 11:30:07 +0000

Hugh Miller’s Birthplace Cottage & Museum in Cromarty celebrates prominent 19th-century Highland polymath, Hugh Miller – an eminent geologist, writer and social commentator. Today the Georgian villa, Miller House, is a museum which presents his life and work, while the iconic thatched fisherman’s cottage beside it was his birthplace and early home.

A peaceful garden and picturesque courtyard completes the visitor experience, which will appeal to those with keen eyes and lively minds. In the words of the great man himself, ‘Life is itself a school and nature always a fresh study’. We hope you enjoy discovering Hugh and his world.

What to see & do

Displays in the museum include Miller’s outstanding fossil discoveries, manuscripts, his shepherd’s plaid, mason’s mallet and many other artefacts. Behind the museum is Miller’s Yard Garden of Wonders, so-called because of its remarkable features reflecting natural history. Here ‘giant fossils’ can be found, including artist Helen Denerley’s astonishing scrap metal ammonite. Visitors are encouraged to ‘make a right use of your eyes’ in the hunt for six mystery objects here. It’s harder than you might think!

At the birthplace cottage, take an audio tour around the interior and the grounds. It’s full of vivid descriptions – many in Hugh’s own words – of the building, his ancestors and his boyhood memories, plus a few of his own intriguing folk tales.

Outside the cottage is a traditional cobbled courtyard, a 19th-century utilitarian work space for fisher folk. Beyond it, up three small steps, is Lydia Garden, named in 2010 in honour of Hugh’s wife Lydia, and their descendants. There is an intricate sundial pedestal carved by Hugh, and at the top of the garden lies the family’s deep well.

Enjoy some light refreshments in Miller’s Yard and soak up the sunshine in this sheltered spot. There is also an open-air stall in the cobbled courtyard selling locally grown plants.

The gift shop sells a variety of themed goods, including books, minerals and gems, fossils, jewellery, cards and jams There is also locally made glass art, wooden honey twirlers and of course the obligatory Scottish spurtle.

The Museum is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including admission and opening hours please see their website.

Castle Kennedy and Gardens

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 15:47:51 +0000

Castle Kennedy Gardens is a part of Stair Estates, located in the South West corner of Scotland.

This part of Scotland is surrounded on three sides by the sea, and the influence of the Gulf Stream provides a micro climate not found in many other parts of the United Kingdom.

The gardens are extensively landscaped with terraces, mounds and avenues, all of which were created by men and horses, and extend to more than 30 hectares. We hope you will enjoy visiting the gardens, and that you will find the gardens interesting.

Please visit our shop where you will find a selection of plants that we would like to recommend with guidance for planting. Many of the plants on offer have been grown by us from seed collected in the garden, and possibly from stock brought to this country over one hundred years ago.

For more information about the Gardens including opening hours and admission please see the website.

Inveresk Lodge Garden

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:20:42 +0000

A must-visit destination for all keen gardeners, this delightful hillside garden is just awaiting discovery. Tucked away within its stone boundary walls you will find unusual plants as well as familiar friends growing within mixed beds and borders.

You'll also be drawn to the beautiful restored Victorian conservatory which is home to an aviary. The garden is a true treat for the senses with many scented plants and enchanting birdsong.

The garden is open all year and you will be sure to find something to catch your eye any time you visit.

This secluded garden features rare and unusual plants in an informal setting, with wooded and wildlife areas.

Scents and colours delight the senses year round, never more so than in the depths of winter with the Christmas box (Sarcococca confusa) anointing the air and winter aconites (Eranthis hyemalis) lightening up in sunny spots early in the new year.

The shrub roses are at their best during early summer, in varying hues and perfumes.

The cooler crisp days of autumn can bring beautiful colour to the leaves and stems of many of the trees and shrubs found here, the best being the Cercidiphyllum japonicum in the woodland, with shades of red, orange, yellow and occasionally purple. At this time of year the leaves can smell strongly of toffee or strawberry jam!

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission, please see their website.

The Hill House

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 12:12:01 +0000

High on a hill in Helensburgh, overlooking the River Clyde, sits what is universally regarded as Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s finest domestic creation.

The Hill House is a visually arresting mix of Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, Scottish Baronial and Japonisme architecture and design. Mackintosh designed nearly everything inside the Hill House too, from the decorative schemes and the furniture to the fittings and contents. His wife, Margaret Macdonald, designed and made many of the textiles as well as a beautiful fireplace panel. Much of the house has been restored so it looks almost exactly as it did in 1904 when its first residents, Glasgow publisher Walter Blackie and his family, moved in. The beautiful, formal gardens have also been restored in line with the early designs, using plants that would have been available at the time.

What to see & do

Many of the rooms in the Hill House look just as they did back in 1904, thanks to extensive restoration and maintenance. Mackintosh’s trademark motifs – cut-out squares, strong vertical lines, female forms, the ‘Glasgow rose’ – are everywhere you look, in the furniture, the fittings and the fabrics. It’s clear that everything has been carefully considered down to the smallest detail, so each room warrants a close inspection in case you miss something.

Some rooms have strong masculine tones and themes, such as the library and the dining room, with their dark wood and straight lines. In others, Margaret Macdonald’s feminine influence is evident: the light, bright main bedroom contains a stunning white carved bed, silk hangings embroidered with elongated female forms and rose-coloured glass panels. While in the drawing room you can see her beautiful ‘sleeping princess’ gesso panel above the fireplace.

You can find out more about the life and work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Margaret Macdonald in the exhibition rooms upstairs and from the information cards and friendly volunteers in each room.

Round off your visit with a browse in the two shops – one sells contemporary jewellery and glass, the other sells Mackintosh-related goods and books. Enjoy some refreshments in the small tearoom, before taking a wander round the formal gardens, which have been restored in line with some of the early designs.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission please see their website.

Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 11:22:53 +0000

The quintessential Victorian ‘Highland’ estate, Brodick Castle, Garden & Country Park on the Isle of Arran is the perfect place for a family day out.

Dramatically set against the backdrop of Goatfell mountain, the grand red sandstone Scottish baronial-style castle has stunning views over Brodick Bay to the Firth of Clyde. The grounds and surrounds are worthy of a visit alone – from the W A Nesfield-influenced landscaped gardens to the woodland trails, wildlife ponds and waterfalls, there’s plenty to explore outdoors in Britain’s only island country park. Brodick Castle is packed full of treasures too – it’s renowned for its impressive collections of period furniture, silverware, porcelain, paintings and sporting trophies.

What to see & do

Start by exploring the magnificent interior of Brodick Castle, still furnished much as it was when the Duke and Duchess of Montrose lived there, giving a fascinating insight into their everyday life. It’s packed full of the valuable artefacts they and their ancestors amassed over the centuries, from silverware and porcelain to artworks and a collection of sporting trophies – look out for the 87 stags’ heads lining the walls of the entrance hall.

Outside, take a stroll around the beautiful woodland gardens. Highlights include the Victorian walled garden, the pond garden, the national collection of rhododendrons, the ice house, the recently excavated lime kiln and the fairytale-like Bavarian summerhouse.

The wider country park has over 10 miles of waymarked trails. For breathtaking views of the bay try the Balmoral Ride; take a walk around Cnocan to see waterfalls and bathing pools; or follow the woodland trail of Dan’s Walk to see sculptures by renowned Arran artist Tim Pomeroy.

Afterwards, why not head to the Castle tearoom in the old servants’ hall and enjoy a refreshing cuppa or ice cream overlooking Brodick Bay. Alternatively, you could pick up some drinks and snacks in the Reception Centre and have a picnic in the grounds.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission please see their website.

Gilmerton Cove

lesliethomson15@yahoo.co.uk (Leslie Thomson) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 21:23:52 +0000

Gilmerton Cove, four miles south of Edinburgh city centre, is a former subterranean dwelling hewn out of solid rock.

Surrounded by mystery, the official line is that it was all carved in the 18th century by a local blacksmith George Paterson. It is hard to imagine however how one man could have carved the seven rooms single-handedly, and that is only those found so far. Bricked up and unexplored passages may lead to further hidden rooms.

In two of the rooms tables have been hewn out of the rock and in the largest of these rooms, there is a deep indentation in the table, known as “the punch bowl”. In both of these rooms long benches are carved along the walls facing the “tables”, indicating that they must have been used for communal seating. Over the centuries many people have carved initials and symbols into the tables and seating, including what appears to be the set-square and compasses of freemasonry.

Another room is apparently a bedroom with a stone “bed” in the middle of it, with a long stone representing a pillow at the top of it. This bed however disturbingly has another “punch bowl” like feature at the foot of it, which some have suggested may have been there for draining blood. Again, stone benches line either side of this room.

There is also a deep bore into the ground which has been claimed to be a well but which never reached the water table and which some have suggested may have been a drop into a dungeon. Another feature known as The Forge shows no sign of scorching and could not possibly have been used as forge as the native sandstone would have split and spat all around in high heat.

Theories abound as to original and subsequent uses of Gilmerton Cove, including that it may have been a meeting place for Covenanters, for a witches coven, the Knights Templar and freemasons, a smugglers’ hideout, or an illegal drinking den. There are some claims of possible connections with the notorious Hellfire Club of the 18th century; a secret club for men to partake of wine, women and song, and as some claimed, blasphemous and “debased” religious rites. Whatever the truth, the real reason for the building and use of Gilmerton Cove appear to be lost in the mists of time, making it all the more mysterious.

Tours of Gilmerton Cove by Rosslyn Tours are available 10:00am – 4:00pm Monday to Sunday and are by appointment only.

To book a tour contact Rosslyn Tours on 0845 894 5295 or email: bookings@gilmertoncove.org.uk

Linlithgow Palace

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 19:46:30 +0000

The magnificent ruins of Linlithgow Palace are set in a park beside a loch.

Most of the Stewart kings lived at the Palace. Numerous renovations to the palace’s grand facades and chambers were carried out as each sought to create the ideal modern palace.

Pleasure palace of the royal Stewarts

The majestic royal palace of the Stewarts at Linlithgow today lies roofless and ruined. Yet the visitor still feels a sense of awe on entering its gates. It was begun by James I in 1424, rising like a phoenix from the flames following a fire that devastated its predecessor. It became a truly elegant ‘pleasure palace’, and a welcome stopping-place for the royal family along the busy road linking Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

The Stewart queens especially liked its tranquillity and fresh air. The ancient palace served as the royal nursery for James V (born 1512), Mary Queen of Scots (born 1542) and Princess Elizabeth (born 1596), better known as ‘the Winter Queen’. But after 1603, when James VI moved the royal court to London following his coronation as James I of England, the palace fell quickly into decline. The end came ignominiously in September 1745, when a fire swept through the ghostly rooms.

An ancient site

Linlithgow Palace stands on a low green promontory overlooking a small inland loch. The name Linlithgow means ‘the loch in the damp hollow’. The location has a history of occupation reaching back at least to Roman times 2,000 years ago. David I (1124–53) was the first monarch to build a royal residence on the site. He also founded the town that sprang up in its shadow.

The peace of Linlithgow was shattered in 1296 when Edward I of England invaded Scotland. In 1302 the ‘Hammer of the Scots’ had a formidable defence built around the royal residence. He called it his ‘pele’ (from Old French pel, meaning ‘stake’). Nothing of Linlithgow Peel survives, but the word now describes the attractive parkland surrounding the later palace of the Stewarts.

Their Majesties’ palace

In 1424 a great fire swept through the town. The old palace was badly damaged. James I (1406–37) started to build anew. Over the course of the next century and more, his heirs completed the great task. The end result was a monumentally impressive quadrangular palace, with four ranges grouped around a central courtyard. At its centre stood James V’s wonderful fountain (1538). James I’s great hall dominated the east quarter, whilst the royal chapel and royal apartments added by James IV (1488–1513) graced the south and west quarters. The north quarter came crashing to the ground in 1607, and was rebuilt by James VI (1567–1625). Alas, that quarter probably housed the queen’s apartment, meaning that the room where Mary Queen of Scots was born in December 1542 no longer exists.

The property is run by Historic Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission please see their website.

Drum Castle, Garden & Estate

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:10:25 +0000

The combination of a 13th-century square tower, a Jacobean mansion house and the additions of the Victorian lairds make Drum Castle unique among Scottish castles.

Inside, enjoy superb furniture, fine paintings and magnificent views from the battlements of the Forest of Drum and the countryside beyond.

Outside, explore the beautiful Garden of Historic Roses, woodland trails and a children's playground.

What to see & do

Castle

Almost every view of Drum gives a different castle – four for the price of one! Because of its distinct blend of architectural styles – a medieval tower, a Jacobean mansion and exuberant additions from the Victorians – the character of Drum changes as you move around the outside.

The castle is many things to many people – architecture, history, furniture, entertainment.

Gardens

The tradition of beautiful and varied gardens is as strong at Drum as at any other National Trust for Scotland property. During the 30 years since Drum passed into the care of the Trust we have spent many thousands of hours of care and labour to make Drum amongst the best in Scotland.

Garden of Historic Roses

The Trust opened the Garden of Historic Roses in 1991 to mark the organisation’s Diamond Jubilee. Since then the garden has developed into a major attraction for the North East of Scotland – and that development continues today. Based in the walled garden, built around 1780, the Garden of Historic Roses is divided into four quadrants, each containing a design from one of the last four centuries together with roses from that period. Stroll through the different quadrants to find out a little more about roses from each period. The hybrid tea and floribunda roses seen today are the products of years of hybridising. The Garden of Historic Roses contains many species from which modern roses originated. At the bottom of the garden are a restored gardener's bothy and an interpretation room with further information about the gardens.

The design of each garden is based on authentic layouts for the period it represents. Seven groups of roses are featured, from the historic gallica group to the extensive range of 20th-century hybrid shrub roses. Some gardens may include roses from an earlier period which have retained their popularity.

Associated with the roses are herbaceous plants of each period – ranging from the simple 17th-century herbs to today’s exotic flowers. There are 400 different varieties of roses at Drum, representing most of the main groups. To complement the roses there is a good collection of hardy herbaceous plants and there is also an extensive collection of climbers, covering the 4 metre-high walls. Shrubs, small trees and topiary add to the interest and give height to the garden.

Gallicas – These are some of the oldest roses in cultivation and much early breeding work was done using them. They are hardy, disease-resistant and compact bushes, often thornless and scented, with a range of flower colour from maroon to pale pink. There are around 20 different gallicas at Drum, including the apothecary's rose and the famous striped rose, rosa mundi.

Albas – A lovely disease-resistant group of roses with soft blue foliage and a good scent. They can form large sturdy bushes with graceful branches. 'Celestial' is particularly beautiful: a soft pink with perfect buds opening out slowly over a long period and with a scent worth burying your nose in.

Centifolia or cabbage roses – The rose of one hundred petals, often painted by Renaissance artists. Exquisite shapes and perfumes, although they do not like too much rain. 'Fantin-Latour' performs especially well at Drum, but another ten centifolias can be found here.

Damask and moss roses – These date back to the 16th century and a lot of cross breeding was done using these as parents in the 19th century – their scents and unusual buds were the attractions. They make healthy plants and some are repeat-flowering. They were used extensively in the perfume industry; 'Ispahan' and ‘kazanlik' are particular favourites. The Scots roses – pimpinellifolia – are very prickly and have a suckering habit that makes them unsuitable for most borders, but they make good hedges and flower in May/June. They are very hardy and disease resistant, but are unscented with small flowers. There were 120 varieties in the early 1900s but now only 30 are available commercially. Around 15 are present at Drum, many given to us unnamed by passionate collectors.

Sweet briars and rugosas – These are also represented at Drum, although their suckering habit makes them awkward to maintain in with other plants. These are particularly important in modern breeding, with its emphasis on health, scent and vigour.

The Pond Garden

Following the path from the Castle to the Garden of Historic Roses, a turn of a corner brings you to the Pond Garden: an unexpected delight, particularly for children and those who just want to sit a while and watch the world – and the ducks – go by.

This feature developed in the 1920s into a garden. Previously, it was probably used as a fish pond or water holding area for animals. The water comes from runoff from the castle and surrounding higher grounds, and drains into a rill which leads to Robbie Ross's Loch, a sometime substantial lake. The planting around the pond is informal and is designed around the main feature of New Zealand flax which gives strong architectural form. Ornamental grasses such as Carex comans ‘bronze’ and waterside plants such as gunnera and rodgersia are a delight to any plant enthusiast making their way through to the walled garden.

A delicate statue acts as a focal point on the return trip, with wonderful glimpses through the trees to the castle's 13th-century tower.

The Arboretum

Drum Castle stands in a fine countryside setting of mature trees and lawns. Magnificent specimens of horse chestnut, European lime and copper beech have been given space to grow to their full stature. Sweet chestnuts and oaks further add to the sense of antiquity.

These ancient trees date back to the 1700s, a time of prosperity and peace within the estates of Drum. Following the fashions of the time, the productive garden was relocated within the sheltering walls at a distance from the house. Animals were allowed to graze right up to the walls of the main building, in a gentle rolling landscape of specimen trees, copses and grass.
The mid-19th century saw a further period of prosperity at Drum under the 18th laird. As well as improvements to the building, this laird was interested in planting trees. Many unusual conifer species were introduced, such as the Douglas firs adjacent to the old laundry; these may have been raised from seeds from the original collection by Douglas in 1827.

The interest in conifers continued into late Victorian and early Edwardian times. Brewer's weeping spruce, a native of western America, and fitzroya, from Argentina, are two mature specimens from this period of acquisition. There is a lovely example of the Japanese umbrella pine and a pocket handkerchief tree which is stunning in May. The nuts from the latter are collected, dried and sprayed gold for weaving into Christmas holly wreaths.
The National Trust for Scotland has been adding to the tree collection through a tree sponsorship scheme, and significant collections of holly and acer species are now established. Replacements for the fine specimens are also being planted in the hope that the unique peaceful atmosphere at Drum can be maintained for future generations.

The lawns

The main grassed area is the south lawn. This area may once have accommodated a formal 17th-century garden but this was probably destroyed by the Covenanters who ransacked the property under the command of the Marquis of Argyll in 1644. During the 18th century it was grassed over and turned by the Victorians into a croquet lawn. Its large, rectangular and surprisingly flat surface is a perfect complement to the Renaissance face of the Jacobean mansion. In spring, colour is added to the edges by the flowering rhododendrons, golden laburnum and white cherry blossom.

The wider estate

At one time the lands held by the Irvines of Drum stretched all the way from Aberdeenshire to the Tay. Nowadays the estate at Drum is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland and consists of a little over 400 acres.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including admission and opening hours, please see their website.

Castle Fraser, Garden & Estate

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 10:14:46 +0000

Castle Fraser is one of the grandest of the Scottish baronial tower houses.

Begun in 1575, the present castle contains an evocative Great Hall, fine furniture and many Fraser family portraits.

In the grounds, enjoy the beautiful 18th-century walled garden and the extensive woodland walks.

What to see & do

There are plenty of quirky features to discover in the castle - such as the Laird's Lug, hidden trapdoors revealing secret stairs, a spy hole, a room full of stuffed animals and a wooden leg!

Outside, two waymarked walks give magnificent views of the local hills.

New to Castle Fraser for 2012 is an exhibition in a previously unopened room in the castle. The exhibition, entitled “Women of Strength” has been kindly sponsored by Exxon Mobil and features information on the historical development of the garden, grounds and castle and the involvement of Elyza Fraser and Lavinia Smiley.

Miss Bristow's Trail (1.25 miles) - a walk on forest paths, taking you past old estate stonework including the Moses Well and a hydraulic ram (water pump). This walk is not accessible by wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The Alton Brae Trail (1.5 miles) - a walk on forest paths including steep sections and steps, leading you down to the flight pond with its amazing wildlife including 10 species of dragonflies, damselflies, frogs, toads, newts and many aquatic invertebrates. This walk is not accessible by wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The children's Woodland Secrets play area is an enchanting wooded area with a tepee, bamboo snake walk, giant xylophone and lots of other areas for children to hide and climb. The whole children's area is built from natural materials and is therefore very environmentally friendly. There is access to this area by wheelchairs and pushchairs.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including admission and opening hours please see their website.

Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:49:53 +0000

Hidden away in the rural idyll of East Linton resides an architectural oddity beloved by artists and photographers. Preston Mill, with its distinctive Dutch style conical-roof, was East Lothian’s last working water mill.

Whilst extremely picturesque, life here was no walk in the park for the miller. You’ll come away with a vivid picture of how he spent his days, with heavy lifting, dust, mice and regular floods all part of the job description!

A short walk from the mill along the River Tyne reveals another unusual structure - the beehive-shaped Phantassie Doocot, with its French style horseshoe parapet, built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons.

What to see & do

As soon as you arrive you can immerse yourself in the peaceful surroundings, with traffic noise replaced by the rushing water of the river and turning of the waterwheel. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back several centuries, to a time when every village had its own miller.

Don’t miss the guided tour around the mill, with its intricate system of cogs and wheels clanking and whirring just as they would hundreds of years ago. The visitor’s centre also houses a small exhibition which explains the life of the miller, and a tearoom.

See if you can spot otters, kingfishers, herons and other wildlife along the Phantassie Doocot Walk beside the river. More adventurous walkers can stop off here along the John Muir Way which stretches from Musselburgh to Dunbar, and it’s also one of the numerous historic landmarks found along the Saltire Trail, a 27 mile route through central East Lothian.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including admission and opening hours please see their website.

Threave Estate

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 09:07:07 +0000

One of the National Trust for Scotland’s top ten most visited attractions, Threave Estate is the perfect place for a family day out – or two: there’s so much to see and do here, you may not fit it all in to one visit.

Covering 647 hectares (1,600 acres), the estate is split into four main elements: Threave House, a restored Scottish baronial-style house; Threave Garden, made up of landscaped gardens and themed ‘rooms’; Threave Sculpture Garden, containing over 30 works by Scottish sculptors; and Threave Nature Reserve, featuring landscape ranging from wetlands to woodlands.

Whichever part of the estate you’re in, you’ll see some of Threave’s famous wildlife – it’s one of Scotland’s bat hotspots, as well as a wildfowl sanctuary, and birds of all kinds flock here throughout the year.

What to see & do

Start with a quick guided tour round Threave House, a grand Scottish baronial mansion, which has been decorated and furnished in an authentic 1930s style.

Head through the Visitor Centre to the Countryside Centre, in what was the old stable block, for an introduction to the estate’s history, plants and wildlife. The exhibitions, interactive displays and information on hand there will help you tackle the next section – the 25 hectare (64 acre) ornamental garden.

The garden is divided into a number of separate areas, all packed with a diverse range of plants, flowers, shrubs, fruit and vegetables, some of which you can buy in the Visitor Centre shop. Look out in particular for the secret garden, the glasshouses, the walled garden and the sculpture garden, where you can see works by Scottish sculptors including Ronald Rae.

Finally, allow yourself plenty of time to explore the nature reserve, which takes in woodlands, farmland and the wetlands, and has been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are several waymarked trails through the estate, including one along a disused railway line and another along the banks of the River Dee. Make the most of wildlife-spotting opportunities in one of the five hides dotted around the reserve.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission, please see their website.

Kellie Castle and Garden

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 08:55:17 +0000

This superb castle dates from the 14th century and contains magnificent plaster ceilings and painted panelling, fine furniture designed by Sir Robert Lorimer and a long-concealed mural by Phoebe Anna Traquair.

The later Victorian garden features a fine collection of old-fashioned roses and herbaceous plants which are cultivated organically.

What to see & do

This ancient, and reputedly haunted, castle, once home to the youngest daughter of Robert the Bruce, and later to the Earls of Kellie, has a fascinating story. The first Earl saved the life of King James VI, and the 5th Earl, who fought on the side of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden, was later imprisoned after spending the entire summer of 1746 hidden in an old beech tree in the gardens at Kellie where his butler secretly brought him food every day.

More recently, the castle was saved from ruin by the accomplished Lorimer family, who were associated with Kellie for over 100 years. Sir Robert Lorimer, the famous Scottish architect, spent much of his childhood at the castle, which influenced his later works.

Kellie is a place for everyone - for lovers of nature, or gardens, or fine interiors; of ornate plasterwork, paintings and furniture alike. Imagine what life was like for the laird and his family, or for the servants. Admire the library ceiling - one of the oldest ornamental plaster ceilings in Scotland – installed here in honour of the King’s visit to Kellie, or marvel at the painted panelling in the Dining Room, painted by Dutch artists in the 17th century.

Take a stroll around the grounds on one of the nature walks, visit the bird hide, walk past the pond through areas of woodland, carpeted with the white flowers of wild garlic in early summer, and through the meadow.

Sit under an apple tree and enjoy the enchanting beauty, the sound of songbirds and the fragrances that make the atmosphere of the Arts and Crafts walled garden so special. Buy some freshly harvested fruit or vegetables grown in the garden and sold in the summerhouse that Sir Robert Lorimer designed as a young architect.

The stables now house an exhibition on the life and work of Sir Robert’s son, Hew Lorimer – who in his own right was a leading figure in Scottish sculpture - and you can soak up the atmosphere in the sculpture studio where he worked.

Autumn is a good time to admire the garden – the fading flowers of summer give way to bountiful harvests from the orchard. Enjoy autumn events such as Potato Day or Apple Day, the Hallowe’en haunted tours and party, and later, the Christmas Fair where the house comes alive for a Victorian Christmas. There are also lots of craft stalls for all your Christmas shopping, the Tearoom will be open for light lunches and afternoon tea, and Father Christmas will be in his grotto with a gift for every child.

The gardens and estate have been run organically for the last 17 years. We avoid the use of poisons and chemicals, and this has helped sustain a wide range of wildlife from hedgehogs through to badgers, birds and bats.

Short walks around the estate link with other local walks to Kellie Law and the surrounding villages. Woodland/meadow walks encircle the castle and walled garden areas, and lead to the bird hide.

The property is run by the National Trust for Scotland. For more information including opening hours and admission, please see their website.

New Lanark World Heritage Site

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 10:55:24 +0000

The village of New Lanark was founded in 1785 by David Dale as a completely new industrial settlement. Cotton-spinning mills, powered by water from the River Clyde, and tenement style housing for the workforce were built from local sandstone. By 1820, the population of the village was around 2,500, and it was at that time the largest cotton-manufacturing centre in the country. It is now a popular tourist attraction.

Under the enlightened management of David Dale's son-in-law, Robert Owen, from 1800 - 1825, New Lanark became famous as a model community. Owen set about improving and expanding the business, and he used the profits to finance a series of social and educational reforms designed to improve the quality of life for his workers. He did not allow young children to work in the cotton-mills: he established progressive schools for the village in a building known as the Institute for the Formation of Character, including the first infant school in the world, and evening classes too. There was great emphasis on musical activities, art, nature study, history and geography, as well as reading, writing and arithmetic; no punishment was allowed. In addition, the villagers had free medical care, a sickness fund and a savings bank, the hours of work were reduced, and the Village Store provided food and household goods cheaply.

The cotton-mills continued in production until 1968. In response to changes in technology, the water wheels which drove the machinery were gradually replaced by water turbines, and the mills produced their own hydro-electricity from 1898. The village, founded during the Industrial Revolution, survived with few physical changes; it is now designated as an Outstanding Conservation Area, and is in the care of an independent charity, New Lanark Trust. The village still has a resident population of about 180 people who live in the beautifully restored Georgian buildings. These have been modernised internally, but retain their historic character. In December 2001, New Lanark was inscribed on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

The New Lanark Trust has also created award-winning exhibition areas and visitor facilities in several of the village buildings. Visitors can see a restored Millworkers' House, which shows the living conditions of the 1820s and the 1930s. The Village Store has an exhibition about Robert Owen's original store, and a 1920s period-style shop. In Robert Owen's House, visitors can enjoy an exhibition about the famous mill-owner's life-style and his work as a social reformer, while in the main Visitor Centre, there are working textile machines, and a fascinating audiovisual ride called The Annie McLeod Experience. The ride is enhanced by special effects, produced by innovative audio-visual technology. Your guide is the ghost of a young millworker named Annie McLeod who takes visitors on a journey back to 19th century New Lanark. Discover what life was like in the village in the 1820s under Robert Owen’s management. Visitors can hear the commentary for this ride in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Japanese, on request. In Robert Owen’s School for Children, restored in 2001, visitors can see a reconstruction of a New Lanark classroom of the 1820s, an exhibition called “Saving New Lanark” about the restoration of New Lanark, and a memorable show for the new Millennium - Harmony, a time-traveller from the year 2200 highlights the issues that were important to Robert Owen, and which are still relevant to the citizens of the world in the 21st century. This show is also available in French, German, Italian, Spanish or Japanese, on request. Owen’s School for Children also houses the innovative Interactive Gallery of light, sound and colour, where visitors are invited to explore and experiment in a multi-sensory environment.

Visitors to New Lanark can also enjoy the beautiful riverside setting of the village, and pleasant walks through the dramatic Clyde gorge, now the Falls of Clyde Wildlife Reserve. There are several other attractions in the village, for example the Scottish Wildlife Trust Visitor Centre, as well as a café, The Mill Pantry, and opportunities to buy craft products, books, gifts and souvenirs. One of the millworkers’ rows has become a comfortable Youth Hostel, and the 18th century Mill No.1 overlooking the River Clyde, has been imaginatively restored and converted as a comfortable 38 bedroom hotel, the New Lanark Mill Hotel. Self-catering accommodation is also available in the Waterhouses, attractively situated on the riverbank close to the Hotel. Finally, don’t forget to visit our beautiful Roof Garden for a spectacular bird’s eye view of the village. Access via the Textile Machinery exhibition area, Mill 3, level 4. The Hotel and Visitor Centre are open all year round. Group visits are welcome, and the village offers a wide-ranging and award-winning education programme.

For more information please visit the New Lanark Trust website.

Balvenie Castle

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 21:44:19 +0000

Originally the seat of the powerful Comyn earls of Buchan, Balvenie is a castle of enclosure with massive curtain wall.

One castle and three dynasties

For over 500 years, Balvenie Castle served as the formidable stronghold of the great lords who ruled over this part of north-east Scotland. The immensely powerful ‘Black’ Comyn earls of Buchan built it in the 13th century. When they were forfeited in the early 14th century, because of their alliance with the ill-fated John Balliol, the stronghold passed to the mighty ‘Black’ Douglases. And when the Douglases too were wiped out around 1455 by James II, the victorious Stewart king entrusted it to a kinsman, John Stewart, Earl of Atholl. It remained with his descendants for the next 250 years. Today’s visitor will find important, and impressive, remains dating from all three dynastic families.

The castle of the ‘Black’ Comyns

The original castle was built in the latter half of the 13th century. This makes it one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland. The builder was probably Alexander (died 1289), the 2nd Earl of Buchan, and son of Earl Alexander of Buchan by his second marriage.He founded the ‘Black’ Comyns, the junior line. The senior line, the ‘Red’ Comyns, were descended from Earl William’s first marriage. They held sway over a vast territory reaching from the Moray Firth to Inverlochy (now Fort William) on the west coast. The ‘Black’ Comyns built the massive stone curtain wall that still dominates the site.

The castle of the ‘Black’ Douglases

The Comyns were overthrown during the Wars of Independence with England. They were allied with the doomed John Balliol, and were annihilated when their arch-rival, Robert Bruce, became king in 1306. Bruce granted the lordship, though not the earldom, to his good friend, ‘the Good Sir James’ of Douglas, progenitor of the ‘Black’ Douglases. This family became as mighty as the ‘Black’ Comyns, though their powerbase lay in southern Scotland. They too were brought down, in the 1450s, by James II, the Stewart monarch. The ‘Black’ Douglases’ contribution to the castle is less obvious – the cluster of ruined domestic buildings on the far (north) side of the courtyard.

The castle of the Stewarts

James II granted Balvenie to his trusted kinsman, John Stewart, Earl of Atholl, and his lady, Margaret. Margaret had previously been the widow of the 8th Earl of Douglas and the divorced wife of the 9th Earl! The Stewarts held Balvenie for the next 250 years, in return for the princely sum of one red rose. During that time the Stewarts transformed the formidable medieval stronghold into a pleasing Renaissance residence. The noble Atholl Lodging at the SE corner, to the right of the main entrance, was built by the 4th Earl of Atholl during Mary Queen of Scots’ reign in the mid-16th century.

The castle is a Historic Scotland property. For more information including admission and opening hours, please see the website.

Doune Castle

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:51:00 +0000

Built for the Regent Albany, Doune Castle is a magnificent late 14th century courtyard castle.

Its most striking feature is the 100ft high gatehouse which includes the splendid Lord's Hall with its musicians' gallery, double fireplace and carved oak screen.

Discover the new nature trail in the castle grounds or take an audio tour of the castle narrated by Monty Python's Terry Jones. Hear the exciting history of the medieval castle and residents, as well stories of the making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail which was filmed at the castle. Visitors can hear clips from the film and find out about the alternative history of Spamalot, elderberries, African swallows and wooden badgers.

A castle for ‘Scotland’s crowned king’

Doune Castle was built around 1400 by Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany, Earl of Menteith and Fife. Younger brother of the weak and feeble Robert III, he was the effective ruler of the kingdom from 1388 until his death in 1420. He is known to history as ‘Scotland’s uncrowned king’, and his seat at Doune was virtually a royal castle.

Only after Albany’s death did Doune Castle finally gain the status its builder had desired – it became a kingly residence. It never rivalled the great royal castles at Stirling and Edinburgh. Rather, it was used as a royal retreat from the burdens of state, a pleasant summer residence where the royal family could relax and hunt in the nearby forests in the Trossachs. Only when James VI left for London in 1603, to become James I of England also, did Doune’s role as royal retreat effectively come to an end.

Home of ‘the big spender’

A near-contemporary, Abbot Bower of Inchcolm, described Albany as ‘a big spender’. Albany certainly spared no expense on Doune. Even in its ruined state the castle inspires awe and wonder in those who visit it.

Exceptionally at Doune, we have a castle planned in a single episode. Almost all other great castles surviving today were the work of many hands over several centuries. Doune is essentially one coherent design. This gives the visitor a wonderful opportunity to see what the leading man of his day felt was appropriate for his needs and aspirations. This was an age when the conspicuous display of wealth and status was seen as vital in maintaining authority and good governance.

‘The banner’d towers o’ Doune’

Albany’s vision for four ranges of buildings set around a central court was never completed. We shall never know what he planned for the south range, though the surviving windows suggest something grand. The principal accommodation was housed in the range along the north and west sides. This main range is as perfect a piece of medieval castle planning as one will find anywhere.

A lofty tower, the gate tower, provided the duke and duchess with a spacious four-storey apartment, with its own defended courtyard entrance and independent access from its first-floor ‘duke’s hall’ into the dais end of the great hall. At the other end of the great hall was the kitchen tower, smaller than the gate tower but housing an impressive kitchen and two floors of respectable lodging space. The entire ground floor was taken up by storage cellars.

Doune’s cathedral-like great hall impresses most. Measuring 170 sq m it rises 11m to the roof. Standing therein, the visitor begins to appreciate why Albany was described as a man noted for his ‘large tabling and belly cheer’!

The castle is a Historic Scotland property. For more information including admission fees and opening hours, please see the website.

Skara Brae

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:35:28 +0000

The neolithic settlement of Skara Brae lies near the dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill. Skara Brae is the best preserved groups of prehistoric houses in Western Europe.

Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the attraction presents a remarkable picture of life around 5,000 years ago.

Visitors can experience a vivid impression of the realities of a prehistoric village and see ancient homes fitted with stone beds, dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.

An informative visitor centre provides touch-screen presentations, fact-finding quizzes for children and adults, and an opportunity to see artefacts discovered during archaeological excavations in the 1970s.

There is a cafe (which may have restricted opening hours in the winter) and a well stocked gift shop selling locally-made souvenirs and crafts.

Skara Brae is part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

Northern Europe’s best-preserved Neolithic village

The Neolithic village of Skara Brae was discovered in the winter of 1850. Wild storms ripped the grass from a high dune known as Skara Brae, beside the Bay of Skaill, and exposed an immense midden (refuse heap) and the ruins of ancient stone buildings. The discovery proved to be the best-preserved Neolithic village in northern Europe. And so it remains today.

Skara Brae was inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built, and flourished for centuries before construction began at Stonehenge. It is some 5,000 years old. But it is not its age alone that makes it so remarkable and so important. It is the degree to which it has been preserved. The structures of this semi-subterranean village survive in impressive condition. So, amazingly, does the furniture in the village houses. Nowhere else in northern Europe are we able to see such rich evidence of how our remote ancestors actually lived.

The profound importance of this remarkable site was given official recognition in 1999 when it was inscribed upon the World Heritage List as part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site.

The houses

All the houses are well-built of closely-fitting flat stone slabs. They were set into large mounds of midden (household refuse) and linked by covered passages. Each house comprised a single room with a floor space of roughly 40sq m. The ‘fitted’ stone furniture within each room comprised a dresser, where prized objects were probably stored and displayed, two box-beds, a hearth centrally placed and small tanks set into the floor, perhaps for preparing fish bait.

The artefacts

A rich array of artefacts and ecofacts has been discovered during the various archaeological excavations. They include gaming dice, hand tools, pottery and jewellery (necklaces, beads, pendants and pins). Most remarkable are the richly carved stone objects, perhaps used in religious rituals. The villagers were farmers, hunters and fishermen, capable of producing items of beauty and sophistication with rudimentary technology. No weapons have been found and the settlement was not in a readily defended location, suggesting a peaceful life.

Most of the artefacts are now on view in the visitor centre, a short walk away.

The end of village life

Village life appears to have ended around 2,500 BC. No one knows why. Some argue that it was because a huge sandstorm engulfed their houses, others that it was more gradual. As village life came to an end, new monuments were beginning to rise up on mainland Orkney, including most importantly the chambered tomb at Maes Howe and the impressive stone circles at the Ring of Brodgar and Stenness.

Skara Brae is a Historic Scotland Property. For more information including opening times and admission fees, please see the website.

Antonine Wall: Rough Castle

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 20:19:00 +0000

The best-preserved length of rampart and ditch, together with the earthworks of a fort – the most complete on the Wall – and a short length of military way with quarry pits.

This is the best site to gain an impression of how the frontier and its integral forts worked.

The Rough Castle is under the care of Historic Scotland. For more information please see their website.

Castle Campbell and Garden

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 19:59:06 +0000

Dramatically situated above Dollar Glen is the forbidding looking 15th-century fortress, Castle Campbell.

The castle was the lowland stronghold of the powerful Campbell earls of Argyll, who were seldom far from the major political and religious events of late medieval Scotland. Attractive terraced gardens.

A Lowland stronghold for a Highland chief

Everyone is awestruck by Castle Campbell. The imposing ruin stands in solemn isolation upon a narrow ridge, overlooked by a crescent of the Ochil Hills. Two precipitous ravines hem it on either side, through which thunder the Burn of Care and the Burn of Sorrow. The setting couldn’t be more dramatic.

The oldest part of the stone castle was built in the early 15th century. At that time it was called ‘Castle Glume’. Around 1465 it passed through marriage to Colin Campbell, 1st Earl of Argyll. This powerful Highland chief needed a secure but impressive Lowland seat at the heart of the realm, within easy reach of the main centres of the royal court. Castle Glume fitted the bill perfectly. In 1489, the earl changed the name to Castle Campbell. And there the Campbells stayed for the next 200 years, until they tired of all those steps and relocated to Argyll’s Lodging, a fine townhouse beside Stirling Castle.

A fine tower-house castle

Castle Campbell is one of Scotland’s best-preserved tower-house castles. The tower house itself served as the family residence. Standing 20m high, it dominated the courtyard. The service access was at ground level, but the main entrance was at first-floor level, the norm at this date. Inside were four floors of accommodation – a storage cellar at ground level, a hall on the first floor and private chambers on the two upper floors. These latter were altered around 1600, and the fine vaulted ceiling at the top, with its two grotesque carvings representing the Green Man, dates from then.

Across the courtyard, the Campbells added a two-storey range. On its first floor was the great hall, for use as the principal reception and banqueting suite. A withdrawing chamber lay at one end and the court kitchen at the other. Below was a row of vaulted storerooms. In its overall appearance, this range bears a striking resemblance to the royal lodging in Stirling Castle, known as the King’s Old Building, built for James IV in the 1490s. The earl would have been a frequent visitor to the royal castle, and clearly wanted to follow suit.

Friend or foe!

The castle was visited by all sorts of important personages. They included John Knox, the fiery Protestant preacher, in 1556, and Mary Queen of Scots in 1563. The Marquis of Montrose had the place torched in 1645, during his campaign on behalf of the beleaguered Charles I, and Cromwell’s lieutenant, General Monck, did something similar in 1654. The execution of the 8th Earl in 1661 effectively ended the castle’s days as a noble residence.

The castle is a Historic Scotland property. For more information including admission and opening hours, please see HERE!

Dumbarton Castle

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 21:36:45 +0000

Dumbarton was the centre of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde from the 5th century until 1018.

Impressively situated on a volcanic rock overlooking the Firth of Clyde, it was an important royal refuge.

Defender of the realm

Dumbarton Castle guards the point where the River Leven joins the River Clyde. Its recorded history reaches back 1,500 years. At that time the place was known as Alt Clut, ‘Rock of the Clyde’. Later it became known by the Gaelic name Dun Breatann, ‘Fortress of the Britons’, from which the name Dumbarton is derived.

In the Middle Ages, Dumbarton Rock became an important royal castle. When it was first built in the 1220s, the Norwegian frontier lay just 10 miles (16km) downriver, and Dumbarton served as a Border stronghold. The Battle of Largs in 1263 effectively removed the threat from Norway, but it was soon replaced by an even greater menace from England.

In later centuries, the rock became a formidable garrison fortress, its defences bristling with guns. It last saw military action as recently as the Second World War.

Dark-Age citadel

Dumbarton Rock is everything one imagines a mighty Dark-Age stronghold to have been. The volcanic rock rises up almost sheer from the murky waters that swirl around its base, and from its twin peaks – White Tower Crag and the Beak – you can see for miles.

From the 5th century AD until 1018, Dumbarton Rock was the capital of the British kingdom of Strathclyde. Legend tells of Merlin the magician staying at King Riderch’s court there in the 6th century. The Rock was besieged several times, but the Viking assault in 870 was by far the worst. After a four-month siege, Kings Olaf and Ivar of Dublin carried off the slaves and looted treasure in 200 longships.

Medieval castle

The medieval castle was built by Alexander II of Scotland around 1220 as a bulwark against the threat from Norway, whose kings ruled the Hebrides and the islands in the Clyde.

In 1305, during the Wars of Independence with England, William Wallace may have been held prisoner here for a short time, before being taken to London for execution. The Wallace Tower is thought to be named in his honour.

The castle’s geographical position, distanced from the political heartland of the country, reduced its importance somewhat, but it also made it a good postern, or back gate, through which her rulers could come and go with comparative ease. David II (in 1333–4) and Mary Queen of Scots (in 1548) both sheltered here until ships could take them to France and safety.

Garrison Fortress

When Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 to begin her personal reign, she landed at Leith, near Edinburgh on the east coast. Dumbarton’s long and distinguished role as ‘gateway’ was over. However, its role as a garrison fortress continued. Substantial new artillery fortifications were built in the 17th and early 18th centuries. These are what the visitor sees today, for nothing survives from the Dark-Age fortress, and precious little from the medieval castle.

The castle is a Historical Scotland Property. For more information, including opening times and admission, please see their website.

Fort George

hwatterott@gmail.com (Administrator) — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 13:15:06 +0000

Following the 1746 defeat at Culloden of Bonnie Prince Charlie, George II created the ultimate defence against further Jacobite unrest. The result, Fort George, is the mightiest artillery fortification in Britain, if not Europe.

Its garrison buildings, artillery defences bristling with cannon, and superb collection of arms – including bayoneted muskets, pikes, swords and ammunition pouches – provide a fascinating insight into 18th century military life.

Positioned strategically on a promontory jutting into the Moray Firth, Fort George was intended as an impregnable army base – designed on a monumental scale using sophisticated defence standards. Today, it would cost nearly £1 billion. Within almost a mile of boundary walls was accommodation for a governor, officers, artillery detachment, and a 1600-strong infantry garrison. It also housed a magazine for 2,500 gunpowder barrels, ordnance and provision stores, a brewhouse and chapel.

When the fortress was completed in 1769, the Highlands were peaceful but it was maintained in readiness for action that never came, and has remained virtually unaltered. Visitors today can see historic barrack rooms which are a time capsule of the domestic life of the Scottish soldier.

Fort George is the only ancient monument in Scotland still functioning as intended – a working army barracks - but still welcoming visitors. A gift shop and café (seasonal) are among the attractions. The Regimental Museum of the Highlanders is found at the property, while dolphins can often be seen from the ramparts. There is also a summer events programme.

An Outstanding Artillery Fortification

Fort George is quite simply the finest example of 18th-century military engineering you’ll find anywhere in the British Isles. This vast garrison fortress was begun in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden (1746), which crushed the final Jacobite Rising. It took over 20 years to complete and in the event it was never attacked. It remains virtually unaltered today, and still serves as an important military base.

Countering the Jacobite Threat

The Jacobite Rising of 1745–6 proved to be the last attempt by the Stewart dynasty to regain the British throne from the Hanoverians. Following Culloden, fought just 8 miles (12km) from Fort George, the government introduced ruthless measures to prevent such a Rising happening again. Fort George was one of them, named after King George II (1727–60).

It was designed as the main garrison fortress in the Scottish Highlands, holding two field battalions and staff officers (some 2,000 men) and an awesome armament of over 80 guns.

The Architecture of Warfare

Lieutenant-General William Skinner was the designer and first governor of Fort George. He mapped out a complex and fascinating interplay of ramparts and massive bastions, ditches and firing steps. The defences were heavily concentrated on the landward side of the promontory, from where an anticipated Jacobite assault would come. The remaining seaward sides were protected by long stretches of rampart and smaller bastions.

Internally, Skinner provided all the buildings required by the large garrison – houses for the governor, deputy-governor and fort-major, blocks for the staff officers and the gunners, two enormous piles of barracks, ordnance and provision stores, powder magazines, workshops and – as an afterthought – a chapel. All are still there, largely as they were built.

An Active Army Base

Fort George never fired a shot in anger. Later in the 18th century, after the Jacobite threat had evaporated, the fort became a recruiting base and training camp for the rapidly expanding British Army. Many a Highland lad passed through its gates on his way to fight for the British Empire across the globe. Between 1881 and 1964 the fort served as the depot of the Seaforth Highlanders. The regimental museum of the Highlanders (Seaforths & Camerons) is there today. So is the British Army.

Fort George is the only property in the care of Historic Scotland still serving its original purpose.

Fort George is a Historic Scotland visitor attraction. For more information including opening hours and admission, please see their website