Illustrated Guide to Places to Visit in Scotland
- Index Page
Here is a selection of over 160 places to visit in Scotland. Many of them are within a few hours drive of Edinburgh or Glasgow. All the selected locations have a description and at least one illustration - often a lot more than that!
In Edinburgh
- Arthur's Seat - For magnificent views across the Capital.
- Craigmillar Castle - Another Edinburgh castle.
- Edinburgh Castle - The centre of many of Scotland's great historical events.
- Edinburgh for the Family - Where to take the family when you visit Edinburgh.
- Edinburgh Photo Library - 70 photos of tourist haunts. Note that this is a separate feature.
- Edinburgh - Renaissance City - where to go, what to see, where to stay and eat - and the the festival.
- Edinburgh Zoo - One of the top visitor attractions in Scotland.
- Gladstone's Land - A 17th century merchant's house in the Royal Mile, Edinburgh.
- Greyfriar's Churchyard - Famous for the National Covenant - and Greyfriar's Bobby.
- Museum of Scotland - Magnificent building housing many of Scotland's treasures.
- National Library of Scotland - the world's leading archive for books and manuscripts on Scotland.
- National Portrait Gallery - Scotland's national portrait collection.
- Ocean Terminal - and the Royal Yacht "Britannia".
- One O'Clock Gun - The story of the gun which fires from the battlements of Edinburgh Castle.
- Palace of Holyroodhouse - The Queen's official residence in Scotland.
- Princes Street - With the best shops in Edinburgh and beautiful gardens and a castle too.
- Ramsay Gardens - High above Princes Street, beside Edinburgh Castle.
- Royal Mile - Background to the buildings and people in Scotland's most historic street.
- St Giles Cathedral - The "High Kirk" of Edinburgh.
- Scotch Whisky Experience - an exhibition on the history and development of whisky.
- Scott Monument - The sugar-icing monument to Sir Walter Scott and the "Floral Clock" below.
- Writer's Museum - Dedicated to Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
In Glasgow
- Burrell Collection - A huge collection in a building in the sylvan setting of a country park.
- Clyde Maritime Centre - The centrepiece is a sailing ship - built on the Clyde over 100 years ago.
- Fossil Grove, Victoria Park - 300 million years old sandstone casts of Carboniferous age trees.
- Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Glasgow - A deservedly popular gallery.
- Glasgow Cathedral - Founded by St Mungo, Patron Saint of Glasgow.
- Glasgow City Chambers - imposing building with even more impressive interior.
- Glasgow Cuisine- The revolution in Glasgow's restaurants.
- Glasgow Piping Centre - A museum of piping, a hotel and restaurant in a converted church building.
- Glasgow Photo Library - Over 70 views of Glasgow sights plus notes on each one.
- Glasgow Tower - A birds-eye view of Glasgow from the top of the tallest building in Scotland.
- Greenbank Gardens, Clarkston - A wide range of flowers in a walled garden.
- Holmwood House - By Alexander "Greek " Thomson, one of Scotland's most original architects.
- House for an Art Lover - Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901 and built 100 years later.
- Hunterian Museum, Art Gallery and Mackintosh House - Something for everyone.
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum - A magnificent collection of arms and armour and paintings.
- Museum of Transport - Tram cars, buses, steam trains and models of Clyde-built ships.
- Provand's Lordship - The oldest house in Glasgow, built in 1471.
- Queen's Cross Church - The only church designed and built by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
- St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art - Covers all the main religions, not just Christianity.
- Scotland Street School - Designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and now a museum.
- Templeton Carpet Factory, Glasgow - A factory? But modelled after the Doge's Palace in Venice!
- Winter Gardens - The Victorian iron and glass "Winter Gardens" in Glasgow's parks.
In Ayrshire
- Burns Heritage Trail, Alloway - Burns Cottage and Museum, Tam O' Shanter, Brig O'Doon etc.
- Crossraguel Abbey, Ayrshire - Not far from Culzean Castle.
- Culzean Castle and Country Park - The most popular properties of the National Trust for Scotland.
- Dean Castle and Country Park, Kilmarnock - A well preserved 14th century keep in a country park.
- Dundonald Castle, Ayrshire - Built by the Stewart family in the 13th century.
- Kelburn Castle and Country Park, Ayrshire - A historic castle in a lovely country park.
In Dumfries, Galloway and the Scottish Borders
- Tour of the Scottish Borders - History, Borders Towns, Country Mansions, Great Outdoors
- Abbotsford Sir Walter Scott's baronial mansion and garden near Melrose.
- Caerlaverock Castle - An imposing, historic castle, in a lovely setting, surrounded by a moat.
- Dryburgh Abbey - Its tranquil, serene setting makes it most attractive.
- Floors Castle, Kelso - The largest inhabited castle in Scotland.
- Jedburgh Abbey - King David I founded the Augustinian priory in 1138.
- Kelso Abbey - Sir Walter Scott described the abbey at Kelso as the most beautiful in Scotland.
- Castle MacLellan - Not a fortified castle but as a house on a grand scale.
- Mary Queen of Scots' House - The link with Mary makes this 16th century house interesting.
- Melrose Abbey - Soaring arches, vaulted ceilings, elegant tracery - and Robert the Bruce's heart.
- Ruthwell Cross - One of the oldest preaching crosses in Europe, from the 7th century.
- Smailholm Tower - Sir Walter Scott described it as "standing stark and upright like a warden".
- Sweetheart Abbey - Founded in 1273 by Lady Devorgilla in memory of her late husband.
- Thirlstane Castle - Owned by the Earl of Lauderdale when he was Secretary of State for Scotland.
- Threave Castle - Visitors ring a ship's bell for the boat to take them across the river to the castle.
- Threave Gardens - Extensive, full of beautiful trees, shrubs and plants.
In Dunbartonshire
- Balloch Country Park and Castle - Home of the "Maid of the Loch" and cruises on Loch Lomond.
- Dumbarton Castle - A recorded history as a stronghold longer than any other fortification in Britain.
- Loch Lomond Seaplanes - see Scotland from the air.
- Loch Lomond Shores - Gateway to the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park.
- Mugdock Castle Country Park, Milngavie - Home to the Grahams since the 13th century.
In Fife
- Aberdour Castle and St Fillan's Church - The castle and church both originated in the 12th century.
- Balgonie Castle - Still occupied.
- Culross - Many of the houses in this Fife village have been preserved from the 17th/18th century.
- Deep Sea World - See sharks and other sea creatures as you walk through the aquarium.
- Dunfermline Abbey and Palace - Founded in the 11th century and burial place of Robert the Bruce.
- Falkland Palace - Made into a sophisticated Renaissance palace by King James V.
- Hill of Tarvit Mansion and Scotstarvit Tower - An attractive house filed with treasures.
- Kellie Castle - A 12th century castle - with a rocking horse in the children's nursery.
- Kilconquhar Castle - Now holiday "time-share" apartments.
- Kingdom of Fife - A virtual guide to the home of golf and Andrew Carnegie.
- Ravenscraig Castle - One of the first castles in Scotland built to withstand cannon fire.
- St Andrews Castle - Perched on top of a cliff.
- St Andrews Cathedral - The longest and greatest cathedral in Scotland, consecrated in the presence of Robert the Bruce.
In the Highlands and Islands
- Ardkinglas Woodland Garden, Argyll - One of the most magnificent woodland gardens in Britain.
- Aviemore and the Cairngorm Mountains - In the heart of the Highlands.
- Carnasserie Castle, Argyll - A 16th century Campbell castle on the road north to Oban.
- Castle Menzies - Restored home of the Menzies clan chief.
- Drambuie Trail - follow in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie.
- Dunstaffnage Castle, Argyll - A Campbell stronghold, on the shores of the Firth of Lorne.
- Dunvegan Castle, Skye - Continuously occupied by chiefs of the clan MacLeod since at least 1270.
- Eilean Donan Castle, Wester Ross - Said to be the most photographed castle in Scotland.
- Fortingall Yew - the oldest living organism in Britain and possibly the world.
- Geilston Gardens, Cardross, Argyll - A new National Trust Garden on the way to Helensburgh.
- Glencoe, Argyll - The scene of the infamous massacre of the Macdonalds in 1692.
- Hill House, Helensburgh - a mansion designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
- Inveraray Castle, Argyll - The home of the chief of the Clan Campbell.
- Inverewe Gardens, Wester Ross - Inverewe is by far the most popular garden in Scotland.
- Kilmartin and Fort Dunadd, Argyll - Ancient standing stones, stone circles, burial cairns.
- Loch Lomond - The "Bonnie Banks" have a well deserved reputation.
- The Outer Hebrides - Information about the main islands in the group and illustrations of many.
- Rothesay Castle - travel on the ferry to the Isle of Bute.
- Royal Deeside - scenery fit for a monarch and loads of castles too.
- Scottish Plant Hunters Garden, Pitlochry - dedicated to intrepid Scottish plant collectors.
- Skiing in Scotland - Where to ski in Scotland.
- Skye - Travel writer Vivien Devlin takes you on a journey round this lovely island.
- Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness - One of the most popular Scottish castles, on the shores of Loch Ness.
In North and South Lanarkshire
- Bothwell Castle - Frequently lost to the English invaders - and recaptured.
- Châtelherault Country Park - Described unfairly as the "dog kennels at Hamilton".
- Craignethan Castle - Linked to "Tillietudlem Castle" in Walter Scott's "Old Mortality".
- David Livingstone Centre, Blantyre - Created at the birthplace of the missionary/explorer.
- Kittochside, The Museum of Scottish Country Life - a farm left in a 50-year-old time warp.
- New Lanark World Heritage Centre - A village of cotton mills and homes of the former workers.
- Palacerigg Country Park - with lots of animals - both tame and wild.
- Tower of Hallbar - A 16th century tower house now available as a holiday/vacation home.
In Lothian
- Borthwick Castle - Stay in an ancient castle with Mary Queen of Scots associations.
- Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World - Where else do you get butterflies on your head?
- Crichton Castle - Unique stonework and and a bleak moorland setting.
- Dirleton Castle & Gardens - A historic castle and beautiful gardens.
- Hopetoun House - Hopetoun House is full of marvellouse furniture, paintings and decorations.
- House of the Binns - An imposing mansion house.
- Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian - A royal palace founded in the 12th century.
- Museum of Flight, East Lothian - Scotland's major aircraft museum.
- Rosslyn Chapel & Castle - Ornately carved 15th century chapel and nearby castle.
- Scottish Seabird Centre - with videocam close-ups of the Bass Rock
- Tantallon Castle - A Douglas castle on the cliffs overlooking the Bass Rock.
In Perth, Kinross and Angus
- Aberlemno Pictish Stones - Carved in the 7th to 9th centuries.
- Abernethy Round Tower - This pencil slim round tower was probably built in the 11th century.
- Arbroath Abbey, Angus - founded by King William the Lion in 1178.
- Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre - wild animals, woodland walks, adventure playground, Perthshire countryside.
- Barrie's Birthplace, Kirriemuir - The birthplace of the author of "Peter Pan" is full of surprises!
- Blair Castle, Glen Garry - understandably the most visited private house in Scotland.
- Branklyn Gardens, Perth - The beautiful National Trust property on the banks of the river Tay.
- Breadalbane and Loch Tay - a scenic gem.
- Brechin Cathedral and Round Tower - the unique tower dates from 1000 AD.
- Burleigh Castle, Perth and Kinross - An oddly shaped castle.
- Bell's Cherrybank Garden, Perth - A National Heather Centre but with other attractions too.
- Claypotts Castle - a well preserved and oddly shaped fortification.
- Drummond Castle Gardens - First established 500 years ago, now restored to a 17th century style.
- Discovery Point, Dundee - SS "Discovery" took Robert Falcon Scott to Antarctica.
- Dunkeld Cathedral - King Kenneth mac-Alpin located his capital in Dunkeld in 849AD.
- Edzell Castle - with a unique walled garden attached.
- Elcho Castle, Perthshire - A well preserved castle overlooking the river Tay.
- Glamis Castle, Angus - A 600+ years history and where the Queen Mother grew up.
- Glendoick Gardens Four gardens rolled into one.
- Huntingtower, Perthshire - See the "Maiden's Leap" across the space between the battlements.
- Kinross House and Gardens The garden sweeps down to Loch Leven and its castle.
- Loch Leven Castle, Kinross - Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here on an island in the loch.
- Meigle Museum - With over 30 carved Pictish stones.
- Muthill Parish Church, Perthshire - A 12th century church tower and fascinating graveyard.
- Norie-Miller Park, Rodney Gardens, Bellwood Riverside Park, Perth - sculpture by the Tay.
- Perth - The Fair City has lots of attractions both within the boundary and close by.
- Pictavia Visitor Centre - Find out all about Scotland's ancient tribe, the Picts.
- Scone Palace, Perthshire - In addition to the palace there are extensive gardens and woodland walks.
In Renfrewshire/Inverclyde
- Clyde Muirsheil Regional Park A moorland wilderness - fifteen miles from Glasgow.
- Finlaystone Country Estate - Lovely gardens and an adventure playground for kids (kept well apart).
- Lochwinnoch RSPB Nature Reserve - one of the largest remaining wetlands in the west of Scotland.
- Newark Castle, Port Glasgow - Built by the Maxwell family who were Lords of Newark until 1694.
- Paisley Abbey - The FitzAlans, (ancestors of the Stewart dynasty) have a strong connection here.
In Stirlingshire, Falkirk, Clackmannanshire
- Alloa Tower, Clackmannanshire - In land owned by the Erskines since the 14th century.
- Argyll's Lodgings - The finest and most complete example in Scotland of a 17th century home.
- Bannockurn Heritage Centre - Site of Robert the Bruce's victory over King Edward II in 1314.
- Blackness Castle, Falkirk - A 15th century castle on the Firth of Forth, not far from Edinburgh.
- Cambuskenneth Abbey, Stirling - An Augustinian Abbey founded by King David I in 1147.
- Castle Campbell - Between the Burns of Care and Sorrow, it used to be called Castle Gloom.
- Doune Castle, Stirlingshire - Used in the filming of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail".
- Dunblane Cathedral - With magnificent stained glass windows and a Pictish cross.
- Dunmore "Pineapple" and Airth Castle, Falkirk - Described as the "most bizarre building in Scotland".
- Inchmahome Priory - On an island in the middle of Lake of Menteith.
- Loch Katrine, Stirlingshire - Made popular by Sir Walter Scott's "Lady of the Lake".
- Memorial to Sir David Stirling - Founder of the Special Air Service (SAS)
- Stirling Castle - One of the most visited castles in Scotland.
- Stirling Old Town Jail - Experience life in a Victorian prison (it's lots of fun!)
- The Trossachs, Stirlingshire - Strongly associated with Rob Roy MacGregor.
- Wallace Monument, Stirling - Overlooks the site of one of the famous "Braveheart" victories.
Miscellaneous
- 5-Star Tourist Attractions - The Scottish Tourist Board awards "5-Star" status to only 3% of the 900 attractions. Here are all these top-class establishments.
- Castle Photo Library - 80 Scottish Castles
- Cultural Legacy of Andrew Carnegie - In Pittsburgh USA
- Heart of Scotland Tours - 4-star Tours in a "Wee Red Bus".
- Taste of Scotland - Where to find good Scottish food.
- Virtual Tour of Scottish Golf Courses - On-line golf courses across the country.
Where else would you like to go in Scotland?
