Edinburgh Castle is one of the jewels
In Scotland's crown of famous historical places. As a tourist attraction, it has a bit of everything. The views are spectacular, the anticipation and the atmosphere of the 13.00 hour gun & Mons Meg, which was always my favourite as a child. It's possible to slide down inside the barrel.
Stirling Castle has more history than Edinburgh Castle. It's had pretty much the vast majority of Scottish Monarchs live in it or die in it or both.
Stirling Castle has seen far more action than Edinburgh Castle. It's changed hands several times and been the back drop to two if not more of Scotlands biggest battles.
It's of far more historical and strategic placement than Edinburgh Castle.
The National Museum of Scotland is packed with something for everyone from history through to technology.
It's an incredible building in it's own right.
Even if you don't like Museums, you might just start after visiting this one.
If it left an impression on me and wasnt a Museum fan, then you will get a wow factor somewhere. It's very cleverly planned out
Kelvingrove Art Musem is incredible.
It has quite a mixture of art. Obviously several Scottish artists bit not just confined to Scottish artists and paintings. You may well be surprised to see a Spitfire hanging in the gallery. You will definitely get a wow factor.
St Giles Cathedral is of significant historical importance within the last 900 years of Scottish history. It stood the time of the Scottish Reformation and was the local parish worshipping place of John Knox. It's an incredible serene building of beauty and definitely worth a visit.
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Holyrood House is a Palace. It's around 900 years old and was apparently inspired by a dream of King David 1 of Scotland, who has been instrumental in much of Scotlands architecture of the time.
It's a unique building with much history and is an architecturally inspiring building inside and out with a beautiful garden.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is an excellent tour. I was a bit apprehensive because the entrance is in a shopping mall.
However, it's about as real as it gets. It's an amazing ship, fit for a queen on the move. It's even got a garage for a Rolls Royce which was unique and quite bizarre. By all accounts, it was fun to serve on and was a place of happiness, which is the vibe I felt from it.
Battle of Bannock Burn is without doubt is the most famous battlefield in Scottish history. It was believed that no army could survive a frontal heavy horse attack. There was perhaps a bit too much arrogance on one side and some strategic thinking on the other side. A good defence on soft ground with long sharp poles changed the historical myth.
Click Here1745 wasn't a good year for the Jacobite Scots. The Scots had pretty much honed the art of gorilla warfare, which is hit and run. Unfortunately the Jacobite prince decided it was a good idea to march his men in a straight line against cannon. There were 1500 killed in what only could be described as a dreadful strategy and to this day, the atmosphere on the field can still be felt.
Click HereUrquhart Castle on the bank of Loch Ness is an amazing place to see. It traded hands between the Scots and English until eventually the Scots blew it up. The remains still exist and the atmosphere still remains until this day. It's a puturesque spot, where many a savage blow was landed and no good came from any of it.
Click HereEilean Donan Castle is yet another castle that eventually was sacked on Dornie near the Kyle of Lochalsh. It shrank and became larger mainly due to what could be defended and had a long history of conflict and didn't survive the Jacobite cause. Although in 1911 the project to restore it using the original plans took 20 years to complete. It's worth the drive and is very memorable.
Click HereBen Nevis is the tallest peak in the UK and some 125,000 walkers and climbers make the assent and hopefully the safe desent. However, their is the constant sound of helicopters lifting people from the mountain and taking them to safety and medical aid for more sprains than anything else. I am not suggesting you climb it. I am suggesting we look in awe at the beauty and then proceed to the nearest distillery and you can taste a Highland malt whisky or two and locate a nice restaurant on the way back and maybe another famous place or another distillery. There is not a bad whisky. There is good and better.
Click HereDavid 1 King of Scotland was the power house behind many statement buildings including creating Melrose Abbey for Cistercian monks in 1138. The Abbey is still standing but ravished like so many buildings through the Scottish Reformation and before during border feuds being so close to the English Border. The Abbey was rebuilt in the 1380's and was ruined again. Robert The Bruce's heart lies in the Abbey grounds. There is also a small museum near the Abbey with ancient Roman coins and other findings from Trimontium.
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Trimontium is one of the most northern outposts in Scotland north of Hadrians Wall.
You can visit the outpost and if you look towards the Eildon Hills, there is visible evidence of a slab of hill is missing where a fortified tower was build with long visual advantages.
Newstead being a village close to the post has the oldest foundations in Scotland, although these have subsequently been built on.
Sir Walter Scott is Scotland's most prolific and famous writer. Abbotsford House, former residence is partially open to the public, as are the gardens and the visitor centre.
Its a remarkable insight into the man and his works with Scotts View only a few miles away, with a panoramic view over his beloved Eildon Hills towards his beloved home.
Traquair House in Peebles is the oldest inhabited house in Scotland stretching back to 1107. 27 King's & Queens have stayed at Traquair House. It's been occupied by the Stuarts since 1491 and is one of several statement buildings that survived the Scottish Reformation and the Jacobite rebellion. The house itself is set in beautiful grounds and should be included in the border tour.
Click HerePrestonfield House is a good stop off point for something to eat or drink in its beautiful settings. It's an old house that was converted into a hotel. However the hotel has public rooms like the leather room which also contains a priests hole, where Catholic priests hid during the Scottish Reformation. The setting is excellent, as is the food. It's a good watering hole.
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The Forth Rail Bridge is best accessed from South Queensferry.
It's an absolutely unique architecturally built railway bridge that gained UNESCO status as the 6th world Heritage site in Scotland. The bridge was completely overhauled in 2012. The bridge is not only a marvel of building. However for 28 years it held the world record for the longest span and probably the longest painting project in the world. The painters never stopped. It was painted every year continuously to preserve the steel against the harsh elements.
The Andrew Carniegie Museum is a very understated Museum in Dunfermline. The son of a Jaquard weaver, who sold up and made his way to America.
Jacquard weaving was the first computational machine application in the world, operating from punched cards.
Now, we are not too sure how Carnagie started his rise to become the richest man in the world. However, he became a telegraph operator and was privy to inside knowledge. He had a fair amount of money and it's believed he took advantage of his position to get ahead in the world, so much so, that he became the King of Steel. He literally gave his entire fortune away, marrying a daughter to a Lawyer with a modest income.
Maybe how he achieved his wealth prayed on his mind or perhaps he realised the good he could do with his fortune, which his trust still operates today in the pursuit of giving education and the ability to perhaps make a difference in the world.