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GLAMIS Castle
Family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne and a royal
residence since 1372. Childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
The Queen Mother, birthplace of Her Royal Highness The Princess
Margaret and legendary setting of Shakespeare's play Macbeth.
Remodelled in the 17th century the Castle contains magnificient rooms
with a wide range of historic pictures, furniture, porcelain and
tapestries.
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Visitors are escorted through the Castle
EDZELL CASTLE AND GARDEN
The beautiful walled garden at Edzell is one of Scotland's unique
sights, created by Sir David Lindsay in 1604. The Pleasance is a
delightful formal garden with walls decorated with sculptured stone
panels, flower boxes and niches for nesting birds. The chequered
arrangement of blue and white lobelia in the wall recesses reflect the
heraldic colours of the Lindsays and the dwarf box hedge borders are
cut to give the family mottoes.
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ANGUS FOLK MUSEUM
Where will you find cruisie lamps, pirn winders, cloutie rugs, bannock
spades and a thrawcrook? These fascinating items - and many more -
are here in the Angus Folk Museum, one of Scotland's finest.
The domestic section is housed in six charming 18-th century cottages
in Kirk Wynd, and the agricultural collection is in the farm steading
opposite, illustrating changes in the Angus countryside in the last
200 years. One of the most dramatic artefacts is the restored 19th -
century black horse-drawn 'Glenisla' hearse.
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EDINBURGH
Scotland's Magnificent Capital
| The majesty of this ancient city is eloquently depicted by the castle on the hill,
wher Scotland's Crown Jewels are displayed in a setting that reflects a long and noble history.
Edinburgh's unforgettable distinction is not only its royal heritage, but the architectural diversity
of a bustling city adapting to a contemporary worold while maintaining its rich cultural identity.
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DUNNOTTAR
| Less than two miles south of Stonehaven (15 miles from Aberdeen) on the Kincardineshire east
coast, this much-photographed ruined fortress is an impressive site (and sight!) overlooking
the North Sea from its clifftop plateau. It includes an L-plan tower house, gatehouse, hall,
chapel, Priest's House and covers an area of almost 3 acres.
The keep was constructed in 1392 by Sir William Keith, Great Marischal of Scotland and many
additions were made over the centuries. However records make reference to an earlier building
on the site pre-dating 1296.
Much history took place here over the years and it was visited by King Charles II amongst
others. One particular episode is commemorated today by the Covenanters' Stone in Dunnottar
churchyard. This relates to 1685 when 167 Covenanters were held prisoner at the castle.
Many died in the Whigs Vault dungeon which can still be seen.
The castle was dismantled in 1718 after the possessions of the 10th Earl Marischal were
forfeited subsequent to his part in the Jacobite Rising. After the York Buildings Company
stripped the place of its lead, it fell into decay. Only in 1925 were repairs begun by
Viscountess Cowdray, whose family still owns the castle today. |
The National Wallace Monument
| The magnificent monument built to immortalize Sir William Wallace was built in 1869 on the
former site of an ancient Pictish hill fort.
The site of the monument is extremely appropriate for, in 1297, Sir William and his men swooped
down from the hill to take English aggressors by surprise and defeat them at the Battle of
Stirling Bridge. Today the immediate vicinity is known as the Wallace Pass.
The monument which was built entirely from donations made by members of the public is a fitting
tribute to both one of Scotland's best known heroes and to all the donators for recognizing the
historical importance of Sir William's fight for freedom. To reach the top, and view the area
which Sir William fought for, takes a climb of 246 steps. Yes, the monument is around 12 stories high.
The monument today continues to remind all Scots around the world of his fight and the continuing desire that Scots have a land of their own. It is an inspiration to one and all.
Since 1709 the land on which the monument sits has been owned by the Patrons of Cowanes Hospital, a charity established in 1637. They too should be recognised for allowing the construction of the memorial to Sir William.
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