Scotland4me.net
'Out
and About'
©scotland4me.net2004-2010
| Scotland4me.net
| 'Out
and About' |
||
| 'Holiday
Destinations in Scotland'
|
|||
|
Linlithgow which is found to the West of Edinburgh has many historical venues to visit one of which is Linlithgow Palace. The Palace is a magnificent 15th century stone Royal fortress, encasing the remains of an earlier 12th century castle. An impressive great hall and chapel are set around a rectangular courtyard and all of the Stewart kings lived at the Palace. King James V in 1512 and Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542, were both born in the Palace. 5 miles north-east is Blackness Castle another historic building which attracks many visitors every year.wwww.linlithgow.com | ||
|
Isle of Bute. When you explore the island you will find standing stones, cists and a vitrified fort at Dunagoil Bay. It is also the ancestral home of the Stuart Kings of Scotland whom stayed at Rothesay Castle. Bute is the home of the acclaimed film director and actor Lord Attenborough. However, one of Bute's most colourful 19th century characters was Shakespearean actor Edmund Kean. He came from a humble background. Amazingly he rose to become one of the most famous and wealthiest actors of his time. In the 20th century Rothesay was the birthplace of a child star Lena Zavaroni. Lena's career was catapulted on to the world stage before the age of ten, after winning a TV talent contest. Sadly fame and an eating disorder took its toll and she died tragically in 1999. | ||
|
Aberfeldy is a bustling small town built on the south side of the River Tay in Perthshsire. It sits at the point where the road south to Crieff meets the east-west road along the Tay valley and much of its growth is due to the first bridging of the river here in 1733. Aberfeldy spills out in all directions from the Square and offers visitors access to a range of shops, amenities and accommodation. The town also has an industrial history ranging from cotton milling dating back to 1799 to laundry and machine tool businesses in more recent times. Today the most striking and for many the most interesting industrial heritage revolves around distilling. | ||
|
Edinburgh Castle - Which was established in or around 1130 by David I, was built on the top of rock. The Castle includes a chapel dedicated to his mother Queen Margaret and in 1457 the giant cannon 'Mons Meg' which is presently used to alert people to the time of 1pm (the one o'clock gun) arrived in the castle after being gifted to James II. In 1566 Mary Queen of Scots gave birth in the castle to her only child, the future King James VI of Scotland and I of England. The Castle stands at the top of what is commonly known as 'The Royal Mile' which stretches down hill to Holyrood Palace, the two structures are exactly one mile apart. During the Edinburgh Festival the esplanade of the castle is transformed into a stage where the Military Tattoo takes place. Military personnel from far and wide descend on Edinburgh to appear in this spectacular which is normally a sell out months before the event. Approximately 1.25 million people visit the Castle during a twelve month period. | ||
|
The Isles of Lewis and Harris are situated at the north west corner of the group of Islands known as the Hebrides, or Western Isles. Lewis is soaked in history and culture dating from thousands of years ago. Ancient stone circles stand on the same land as modern Stornoway. Gaelic is spoken alongside English, and Otters live alongside Eagles and humans. During the summer months local people can be seen cutting the peats and in the winter the distinctive dry smell of the peat fires drifts in the wind. The name of MacLeod is prominently seen in the area. Sundays are still a very special day with many people observing strict compliance to the "Free Church" traditional values. | ||
|
Shetland Isles - Not many people realise just eactly where the archipelago of 100 islands and islets lies. It also comes as a huge surprise to people to discover that Shetland is nearer Bergen than Aberdeen, it is further north than Moscow and the main town of Lerwick is as far from London and as Milan is from London. The population of Shetland is around 23,000. Shetland was Norse until 8 September 1468, when the islands were mortgaged to Scotland for 8,000 florins as part of the marriage agreement between the future James III and Princess Margrethe of Denmark. In 1472 the Scots annexed both Shetland and Orkney. The whole area measures about 70 miles from Sumburgh Head in the south to Muckle Flugga off the coast of Unst in the north. It is no surprise that the sea dominates life on Shetland today, as it has throughout history. Fishing is vital to the economy. | ||
|
| |||