Putting the joy back into January

by | Jan 9, 2019 | Blog

So many people bemoan January as a dreich but necessary month after Christmas when we’re all supposed to go dry, go vegan and generally have a very dull time. We disagree! For us, it’s the perfect time to see Stirling’s historical landmarks at their least busy, embrace Scotland’s stunning winter landscape, and finish the month with a wee dram for the Bard. Here’s how.

Blackness Castle, hosting Brick City in January

Historic Blackness Castle, hosting Brick City this January

Lego in a historic venue - the perfect family day out this winter

Lego in a historic venue – the perfect family day out this winter

Castles ­– with extras

In the winter months, Historic Environment Scotland works hard to keep visitor numbers up by adding extra enticements included in your admission price, or free to Historic Scotland members. For example, at Stirling Castle, you can not only breathe in the sights and history of this Scottish landmark, but immerse yourself in the wonders of LEGO® too! Open until 23 January, the Brick Wonders exhibition features recreations in LEGO® bricks of sights from around the world, curated by artist Warren Elsmore. Beginning with the seven wonders of the ancient world, the exhibition also takes in modern, natural and historic wonders from all continents. For more information, visit: https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/whatson/events/brick-wonders/

And if you miss that one, or just can’t get enough Lego, you can visit Brick City at Blackness Castle until 24 March. While Outlander fans will be blown away by spending a day in the film location that doubled as Fort William, their kids will love seeing iconic buildings from cities around the world, recreated in LEGO® bricks. Again, it’s all part of your ticket. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/

Wildlife with historic backdrops

If you are someone who loves nature whatever the weather, you’ll love the Winter Wildlife Workshop at Blackness Castle on 13 January, included in admission price. Visit the Castle, then enjoy a bid of bird-spotting on the beach before heading to the visitor centre. There, you and the family can create a bird feeder, bird box, or minibeast home to take away. Again, it’s all included in your ticket price, or free to members. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/

If you miss that date, and enjoy a bracing winter walk, where better to do it than in the stunning surrounds of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots? On Sunday 10 February, enjoy a guided walk round Linlithgow Loch with a local ranger, who will offer insights into the wildlife of the Palace, loch and grounds. Outlander fans will also relish this view of the Palace, used as a backdrop for Wentworth prison in the series. The walk is free, but you need to book. For more information, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/

Celebrate Rabbie Burns

Want to celebrate Burns Night, but don’t know where to start? The Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh will take care of absolutely everything for you. Take the 50-minute train ride from Stirling and head to Rutland Place, where the Ghillie Dhu staff will welcome you with an arrival dram before you’re seated for dinner in their splendid auditorium. The haggis will be piped in, with all the traditional readings and toasts. Throughout dinner, there’s live Scottish folk music, and afterwards, you can dance the night away with a proper Scottish ceilidh. Tickets are available for 18 January to 27 January. And if you prefer a more-low key Burns knees-up, the Main Bar offers its normal menu alongside a toast to the haggis and live piper from Thursday to Sunday. That’s Burns Night sorted! For more information: http://ghillie-dhu.co.uk/burns-night/

Learn about Scotland's wildlife at Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Learn about Scotland’s wildlife at Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Dance the night away in honour of the Bard

Dance the night away in honour of the Bard

Photo credits: Blackness Castle: Dr John Wells [CC BY 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

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Scotland: the most beautiful country in the world

by | Sep 7, 2017 | Blog

Scotland has officially been voted the world’s most beautiful country, by readers of the acclaimed Rough Guides. Beating Canada and New Zealand into second and third place, Scotland was praised especially for its unspoilt beaches, brooding lochs and historic castles. We agree wholeheartedly! Isn’t it time you came to see some of the sights that made all those voters choose Scotland?

Crannog on Loch Tay, Perthshire
Crannog on Loch Tay, Perthshire
Inchmahome Priory on the Lake of Menteith
Inchmahome Priory on the Lake of Menteith

Scotland’s Beaches

Scotland’s beaches invariably turn up on the Top 25 listings every year, favoured for their white sands and clear waters. In addition, you’ll rarely have to jockey for position on a Scottish beach. Especially in the Highland beaches, you’ll likely get the place to yourself. Rough Guides cites remote and captivating Calgary Bay on the Isle of Mull as Scotland’s most beautiful beach. And by default, that means it’s the best in the UK too. Though worth the visit, that’s pretty far north. If you’re based in Stirling, and that’s just too far a drive, why not stroll along the magnificent golden sands of Gullane Beach, around an hour from Stirling? Or recreate the opening sequence of ‘Chariots of Fire at St Andrew’s, just an hour and a half from Stirling. Outlander fans will love the shingly beach at Blackness Castle, which had a starring role in the first series of Outlander. And it’s just half an hour’s drive, too.

Scotland’s Castles

Stirling Castle stands, magnificent, above the city on a volcanic outcrop which gave the city a strategic fortress against all comers. You’d be hard put to find a castle more steeped in Scotland’s historic narrative than this one, and it’s been beautifully restored to reflect how it looked at its prime. The staff are brilliant too – nothing is too much trouble. To add to your whistle-stop tour of Scotland’s best castles, visit Doune Castle, which not only is a 14th-century looming masterpiece, but stars as Castle Leoch in Outlander. And it’s a mere 15 minutes from Stirling. (Why not visit Deanston Distillery for a wee dram while you’re at it?) Throw in Linlithgow Palace, a favoured bolthole for Mary Queen of Scots, and you’re getting a real taste of Scotland’s strongholds. And if you want more, within easy striking distance of Stirling, read our blog all about it:  https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk/blog/castle-tour/

Scotland’s Lochs

Voters who put Scotland in first place list find something romantic about her tranquil, glassy lochs. And from Stirling, you can reach plenty of these inland waters. Take a walk round Linlithgow Loch when you visit the castle. The path round the loch will take you around thirty minutes. It’s an easy walk and offers brilliant selfie opportunities with the Castle and the distinctive crossed spires of St Michael’s Church behind. The Lake of Menteith (which claims to be Scotland’s only ‘lake’) is just 25 minutes away from Stirling and well worth a visit. Take a boat out to Inchmahome Priory on the tiny island on the lake. Dating from 1238, it once served as a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots, and retains its atmosphere of quiet sanctuary. Up for an hour and a half drive? Take a day trip to Loch Tay. This is the largest loch in Perthshire and one of the deepest in Scotland. Ancient settlers once lived here, inhabiting artificially created islands known as crannogs. There are 18 of these on Loch Tay, and you can still see one of them near the northern shore at Kenmore. This was the ancient burial place of Queen Sybilla, wife of Alexander King of Scots. To get inside a crannog, visit the Scottish Crannog Centre at Kenmore – Scotland’s only authentic recreation of an Iron Age loch dwelling. If you just love being near water, read more in our blog: https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk/blog/water-fun/

More?

If these aren’t enough reasons to come visit Scotland, the most beautiful country in the world, look at our blog page. It’s bursting with day-trip ideas and secret places to discover. Start your Scottish Bucket List here: https://www.stirlingselfcatering.co.uk/our-blog/

Unspoilt sands at Gullane Bay
Unspoilt sands at Gullane Bay
Doune Castle's brooding splendour
Doune Castle’s brooding splendour

Photo credits:

  • Crannog Centre on Loch Tay: By Dave Morris from Edinburgh, UK (Flickr.com – image description page) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Gullane Beach: By Gary Rogers. © Copyright Gary Rogersand licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
  • Doune Castle: By Wikifan75 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Inchmahome Priory: By Eileen Hendersonand is licensed for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 license
 
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Stirling: your base for Scottish Castles

by | Apr 27, 2016 | Blog

For many, the lure to Scotland is a lot to do with its turbulent past, and the rugged romance of its landscape and legends. Nothing captures this spirit of Scotland like its castles, so here is a handful of the best, all within an hour from Stirling.

Stirling Castle Great Hall

The Great Hall, Stirling Castle

Doune Castle

Doune Castle, favoured by film crews the world over

See all of these with an Explorer Pass

Buy an Explorer Pass valid for 5 or 14 consecutive days and visit as many of these properties as you wish within that time – for no additional cost. You can even buy an Explorer Pass in person at the first property you visit. Multiple sites can be visited on any single day. You can visit a specific site only once, and the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh is not included. To buy your Explorer Pass: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/explorer-passes/

Stirling Castle

Perhaps one of Scotland’s most important castles, and one of its largest, Stirling Castle sits majestically on a tall volcanic crag in the heart of the city of Stirling, gazing over to the Wallace monument atop Abbey Craig. The castle’s strategic position overlooking the River Forth has made it a pivotal fortress in Scotland’s history, as gateway to and from the Scottish Highlands. Though its history can be traced back to ancient times, its royal residents greatly expanded the Castle throughout the 1500s adding the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal, and Palace. The Castle has been at the centre of Scottish history for centuries, overseeing the Battle of Stirling Bridge, the crowning of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Wars of Independence, to name just a few of its key events. Take a moment to enjoy the view from the battlements over to the Vale of Menteith, the Ochils and the southern Highlands. This is a great source of further info: http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3944wx. For information on admissions, see:  https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/stirling-castle/

Doune Castle

Just eight miles from Stirling, Doune Castle has become the darling of film crews the world over, attracting the makers of Outlander, Game of Thrones, and The Outlaw King, to name just  few. The striking medieval castle was the seat of the Duke of Albany, Scotland’s ‘uncrowned King’ who effectively ruled Scotland from 1388 to 1420. Thereafter, it served as a royal retreat until 1603, when James VI left for London to become James I. Doune Castle’s unique silhouette is characterised by its commanding 100ft high gatehouse, within which you will find the Duke’s Hall, musicians’ gallery, double fireplace and oak carvings. For more detail on this stunning 14th century castle, how to get there, and admission, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/doune-castle/

Edinburgh Castle

Jump on a train to Edinburgh and within the hour, you’ll find your train carriage overshadowed by the imposing presence of Edinburgh Castle. Its place on Edinburgh’s most strategic volcanic crag can be traced back more than 1,000 years, and in the 15th and 16th centuries, was Scotland’s primary royal residence. The Castle holds articles of great national significance, including Britain’s oldest Crown Jewels ‘The Honours of Scotland’, as well as the Stone of Destiny, the ancient Scottish coronation stone, taken by Edward I in 1296 and returned in 1996. Set your watch by the one o’clock gun, and visit Mons Meg, the late medieval siege cannon that glares out over the city from its crag-top battlements. You’ll get unrivalled views across Edinburgh too. For information and admission, visit: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/edinburgh-castle/

Linlithgow Palace

Just 21 miles’ drive will take you to Linlithgow’s 15th century palace. Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a refuge for Edinburgh’s brightest students during the Great Plague, Linlithgow Palace is a beguiling place with a fascinating history. Built by the Stewart kings, this was a royal retreat rather than a fortress, offering a tranquil hideaway at a convenient location between the key seats of Stirling and Edinburgh. This commanding loch-side ruin appeared in Outlander, and is also an important haven for wildlife and migratory birds. For details and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/linlithgow-palace/

Blackness Castle

Just 27 miles from Stirling is Blackness Castle, on the southern shore of the Firth of Forth. Outlander crews used this formidable fortress to depict the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall. Built as a garrison fort and state prison, the austere castle offers expansive views across the Firth of Forth to Fife, as well as Scotland’s celebrated three Forth Bridges – well worth a visit with a pair of binoculars. For information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/blackness-castle/

Aberdour Castle

Drive just 32 miles from Stirling and you will find Aberdour Castle on the Fife coast. This 12th century castle appears in Outlander as the French monastery Sainte Anne de Beaupré. Arguably the oldest standing stone castle in Scotland, Aberdour also boasts lovingly tended walled gardens and views overlooking the Forth. For more information and admissions, see: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/aberdour-castle-and-gardens/

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace has a tranquil loch-side setting

Edinburgh Castle

The view up to the imposing facade of Edinburgh Castle

Photo credits:

  • Stirling Castle Great Hall: By Christian Bickel (Own work) [CC BY-SA 2.0 de (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/de/deed.en)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Linlithgow Palace: Paul Taylor [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Doune Castle: By Wikifan75 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
  • Edinburgh Castle: By Ad Meskens (Own work) [Attribution, CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

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