Scotland

Britain, places to visit, attractions, heritage
Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.

This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in North East England.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.

Tap/Click ‘find listings’ for a detailed search – or just have a browse. 

Scone Palace

Scone Palace stands on a site of enormous historical significance. It was at the heart of the ancient Kingdom of the Picts, a meeting place, and traditionally where the kings of Scotland have been crowned, on the sacred Stone of Scone - stolen by King Edward I in 1296 and returned to Scotland in 1996 (it is now in Edinburgh Castle). The Moot Hill where kings were declared and crowned is opposite the palace, which is mainly 19th century, built near the site of the medieval Abbey of Scone - which itself replaced an early Christian church. The Palace contains an impressive collection which includes furniture gifted by Mary Antoinette, bed-hangings embroidered by Mary, Queen of Scots and rare porcelain and ivory. A particular feature is the painting of Dido Belle, whose mother was a slave, and her cousin, Lady Elizabeth Murray. The long gallery is where Charles II processed to his coronation and where Queen Victoria watched curling. In the 100 acre grounds are walks, gardens and a maze. Regular events are held. Scone Palace has been home to the Murrays, later the Earls of Mansfield, since 1600.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Scone
Perth
County
Perthshire
Post Code
PH2 6BD
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Just to the north of Perth
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
DALWHINNIE Distillery

Dalwhinnie Distillery is located within the Cairngorm National Park and said to be the highest distillery in Scotland. The name 'Dalwhinnie' is derived from the Gaelic for 'meeting place', where cattle drovers would gather in days gone by. Dalwhinnie's 15-year old single malt is allegedly known for its gentle flavours accentuated with notes of heather honey, citrus, vanilla and sweet malt. You can sample this at a tasting, or at the end of a tour to see how it is made, accompanied by a handmade chocolate. Dalwhinnie Distillery tours are renowned for the friendliness and expertise of the guides. It is always advisable to book before making a special trip.

Dalwhinnie is part of the massive Diageo group, whose other whisky brands include Cragganmore, Glenkinchie, Lagavulin, Oban and Talisker. According to Wikipedia, Dalwhinnie village is one of the coldest inhabited places in Britain; bear that in mind if you decide to visit in winter.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Dalwhinnie
County
Highland
Post Code
PH19 1AA
Main Historic Period
N/A
Tip/Nearby
Highland Folk Museum, Highland Wildlife Park
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
Queen's View

Queen's View may be named for Queen Victoria, Robert the Bruce's first wife Isabella of Mar, or - no one knows - it could just be a view fit for a queen.  There are stunning views over Loch Tummel, part of the Tay Forest Park and beyond, to the truly mountain-shaped mountain, Schiehallion. As well as the queen's view, there are walks nearby, parking (pay and display), a visitor centre, cafe and toilets. So you could just stop for the view and a coffee. I can recommend the bacon rolls - can't beat a Scottish morning roll.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
On the B8019
Nr Pitlochry
County
Perthshire
Post Code
PH16 5NR
Link to featured article
Tip/Nearby
Killiecrankie, Scottish Crannog Centre
Primary Management
Forestry Commission
CASTLE MENZIES

Castle Menzies was the ancestral stronghold of the Menzies clan from the 16th - 19th centuries. It was occupied by Jacobite rebels in 1715 and 1745 and, in 1746, Charles Edward Stuart - Bonnie Prince Charlie - the Young Pretender - stayed at Castle Menzies on his way to defeat at Culloden. 4 days later, the Duke of Cumberland, commander of the Government forces in hot pursuit of the rebels, stopped by too.

In 1957, the castle was purchased as a ruin for just £300 by the Menzies Clan Society who have proceeded to, very gradually, restore it. It is somewhere between a mansion and a fortress. It has a walled garden too, though the website suggests this may not be particularly well kept. It is also possible to visit the Old Kirk of Weem - the Menzies Mausoleum - in the nearby village of Weem.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Weem
Nr Aberfeldy
County
Perthshire
Post Code
PH15 2JD
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Aberfeldy
Primary Management
Private - open to the public
Scottish Crannog Centre

Crannogs were circular dwellings built in and above water. They were in use as recently as the 17th century but date back to around 3,000 BC and their remains have been found throughout Scotland and Ireland. The remains of more than 20 have been found in Loch Tay - the reason for the concentration is unknown, though it was possibly a trade route. The Scottish Crannog Centre is a museum that includes a reconstructed crannog based on one excavated nearby and dating from 2,500 BC. It consists of a roundhouse supported on 168 timber piles driven into the loch bed and connected to the shore by means of a 20 metre long timber bridge. As well as the crannog and the museum, there are reconstructions and displays showing how crannog dwellers lived and worked.

The reconstructed roundhouse at the Scottish Crannog Centre was destroyed by fire in June 2021. At time of writing it is determined that the roundhouse will be rebuilt. Check their website for details.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Loch Tay
Kenmore
Nr Aberfeldy
County
Perthshire
Post Code
PH15 2HY
Main Historic Period
Prehistory
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Aberfeldy
Primary Management
Other
Atlantic Bridge

This is the Bridge over the Atlantic, also known as the Atlantic Bridge; I daresay someone’s referred to it as Atlantic Crossing too. You’ll find it in Argyll, about 10 miles south of Oban. Atlantic Bridge’s real name is Clachan Bridge and it joins the Hebridean island of Seil with the mainland, spanning what is technically a section of the Atlantic Ocean, albeit a very narrow one. We Brits are known for our sense of humour; just look at how we still agree to pay our politicians.  The bridge was designed by Robert Mylne (1733-1811) – who also designed Blackfriars Bridge in London - and was built in 1792.

Nearby on the island side is the Tigh an Truish Inn - the house of trousers. The name allegedly comes from the time after the 1745 rebellion, when the Government banned the kilt. So islanders travelling to the mainland for work would change into trousers at the inn before crossing the bridge, and back into traditional plaid when returning home.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Clachan
Seil
County
Argyll
Post Code
PA34 4TJ
Main Historic Period
Georgian
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Slate Islands and Heritage Centre. Oban 10 miles to the north.
Primary Management
Historic Scotland
Slate Islands Heritage

Local museum telling the story of the Slate Islands - Isle of Seil, Easdale Island, the Isle of Luing, and Belnahua. It houses a collection of photographs, artefacts and genealogical records related to the social and industrial life of the Slate Islands, especially the people engaged in the former slate industry, from the 18th - 20th century. There is also a Folk Museum on the nearby island of Easdale.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
13A
Ellenabeich
County
Argyll
Post Code
PA34 4RQ
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Link to featured article
Useful Website Address
Primary Management
Other
INVERARAY CASTLE

Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell and one of the must-see visitor attractions on the West Coast of Scotland.  With a spectacular location on Loch Fyne, there has been an Inveraray Castle for around 500 years.  The present castle was begun by the 3rd Duke in 1746 and took 43 years to build.  Far from a forbidding fortress, Inveraray is a palatial home displaying the clan chief’s wealth and influence – though it does house an alarmingly large collection of armaments.  The Duke and Duchess and their family live on two floors of the castle; the remainder is open to visitors, along with gardens and grounds – which include trees planted by, among others, David Livingstone, William Gladstone and Queen Victoria.  Inveraray Castle featured as ‘Duneagle Castle’ in the TV programme ‘Downton Abbey’.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Inveraray
County
Argyll
Post Code
PA32 8XE
Main Historic Period
Victorian
Useful Website Address
Tip/Nearby
Loch Fyne
Primary Management
Independent – Historic Houses member
LOCHINDORB CASTLE

Lochindorb Castle is known as the Lair of the Wolf of Badenoch. It was built in the 13th century on a partly artificial island on the loch, when it was a stronghold of the Comyns. Later, the castle was occupied by the English and it was visited by Edward I in 1303. For awhile, it was used as a prison. At the end of the 14th century, it was gifted by King Robert II to his third son, Alexander Stewart, the Earl of Buchan - the Wolf of Badenoch.

Lochindorb is located about 6.5 miles north of Grantown-on-Spey on minor roads between the B9007 and the A939. You will need a car or bike to get there. The castle can only be reached by boat; so you'll need to find one of those too.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
Lochindorb
Nr Grantown-on-Spey
County
Moray
Post Code
None
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Tip/Nearby
Grantown-on-Spey
Primary Management
Unknown
St Andrews Cathedral

Even in a ruinous state, the remains of what was Scotland's largest cathedral, and home to the shrine of St Andrew, are impressive. It is still an enormous site and is said to have been used for worship since the 8th century. The ruins date from the 12th century and the cathedral was 'cleansed' and abandoned in the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century. The remains of St Rule's church are still there and it is possible to climb to the top of its tower. There is also an excellent exhibition. The cathedral is now surrounded by a more modern graveyard. Just outside the walls are the remains of St Mary on the Rock, overlooking St Andrews' harbour.

Region/Nation
Location/Address
The Pends
St Andrews
County
Fife
Post Code
KY16 9QL
Main Historic Period
Medieval
Tip/Nearby
St Andrews Castle, Blackfriars Chapel, West Port
Primary Management
Historic Scotland

If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch

Scroll to Top