History, Heritage and Archaeology & The and South/Central

search Edinburgh’s historic Old Town

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search search Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Midlothian Tantallon Castle, East

From the remains of our earliest settlements going back EVENTS thousands of years, through the turbulent times of the Middle Ages and on to the Scottish Enlightenment and the m ay TradFest, various venues Industrial Revolution, every area of Scotland has its own tale As part of Edinburgh’s packed programme of well known festivals throughout the year, Tradfest celebrates to share with visitors. Beltane and Mayday which traditionally mark the Edinburgh has been at the heart of Scotland’s history for beginning of summer, bringing energy and colour to centuries. No visit would be complete without a trip to the city over 12 days through traditional music, song, , standing proud atop an ancient volcanic storytelling, dance, and more. plug overlooking the city. There’s history around every corner www.tracscotland.org/festivals in the Old and New Towns, both of which are UNESCO World m ay Traquair Medieval Fayre, Traquair House Heritage Sites. Uncover the story of Scotland at the National Step into the past at Scotland’s oldest inhabited house Museum of Scotland. for a living history weekend which brings to life jousting, falconry, archery, equestrian displays, early music, Many fascinating stories await visitors to the Lothians. Discover and more. how John Muir, the visionary naturalist, was inspired to create www.traquair.co.uk the National Parks movement, explore the real connections june & July with the Knights Templar at Rosslyn Chapel made famous Return to the Ridings The 'Return to the Ridings' is a celebration of the riding in The Da Vinci Code, or hear how the Industrial Revolution of town boundaries on horseback which has taken place affected the coal mining industry at the National Mining for centuries in 11 Scottish Border towns. The festivals Museum Scotland. surrounding these ride outs are steeped in tradition and In the Forth Valley you’ll find historic Castle and the celebrate Borders history. National Wallace Monument, built to commemorate Scotland’s www.returntotheridings.co.uk national hero Sir . Falkirk’s fascinating history july Linlithgow Palace Jousting, Linlithgow Palace includes the building of the Roman Antonine Wall and two of The ancient spectacle of a jousting tournament comes Scotland’s most important canals, while Clackmannanshire’s to life as chivalric knights in armour compete for glory at famous tower houses stand as testament to the area’s Linlithgow Palace, now a ruin but formerly a comfortable popularity with members of the Royal Court at Stirling. retreat from affairs of state for Scottish kings. www.historicenvironment.scot The 2015 reopening of the between Edinburgh september Lammermuir Festival, various venues and the Scottish Borders makes it easier than ever for visitors The ethos of the Lammermuir Festival is beautiful to explore this lovely part of Scotland. The intriguing maze music in beautiful places. The Festival allows visitors to and 17th century brewery at Traquair House, the magnificent hear some of the world’s best loved classical music in ruins of the four Borders abbeys and the chance to explore some of East Lothian’s most historic churches and in Abbotsford, the home of celebrated author Sir , are Lennoxlove House, seat of the Dukes of Hamilton. just some of the experiences that await you. www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected] Day 1 - Edinburgh 1 2 3 4 5

Edinburgh Castle / Edinburgh Old National Museum of Scotland – the Palace of Holyroodhouse / – the The Georgian House – get a glimpse Town – Edinburgh Castle dominates museum’s diverse collections take / atmospheric Greyfriars Kirkyard in into life in the 18th century, where the city’s skyline, overlooking the you on an inspirational journey The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her the city’s Old Town is the resting the more affluent escaped from Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s through Scotland’s story from pre- Majesty The Queen’s official residence place of many influential writers, the overcrowded conditions of the UNESCO World Heritage Site where history to the present day. Check in Scotland, lies at the bottom of the historians and statesmen. Keep your Old Town and moved to the New history waits around every corner out the programme of brilliant historic Royal . See the magnificent eye open for the charming statue Town. Dating from 1796, it’s situated – in the narrow closes and cobbled seasonal exhibitions or find out State Apartments, then explore the of just outside the in Charlotte Square and has been streets of the medieval Old Town to about arranging special guided tours 12th century ruins of Holyrood Abbey. kirk’s entrance. When his master magnificently restored to show a fine the elegant streets of the Georgian for groups. Nearby Holyrood Park has a wealth of died, the famous little dog guarded collection of period furniture, silver New Town. T: 0131 247 4041 history and archaeology. the grave for over 14 years. and porcelain. T: 0131 668 8831 E: [email protected] T: 0303 123 732 T: 0131 225 1900 T: 0131 458 0204 E: [email protected] www.nms.ac.uk/traveltrade E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.historicenvironment.scot www.royalcollection.org.uk www.greyfriarskirk.com/visit-us www.nts.org.uk/travel-trade

Day 2 - The Lothians 1 2 3 4 5

Rosslyn Chapel – as well as being National Mining Museum Scotland Hopetoun House – Hopetoun House Forth Rail Bridge and Forth Road John Muir’s Birthplace – John Muir, featured in the bestselling novel – get a unique insight into how is one of the most splendid examples Bridge – the Forth Bridges are an known as ‘the father of modern The Da Vinci Code, this fascinating Scotland led the way in the coal of 18th century architecture in impressive sight, linking Edinburgh conservation’, inspired people all building is famous for its ornate mining industry at the Lady Victoria Britain. The magnificent interiors, to Fife across the Firth of Forth. The over the world to become interested stonework, magnificent carvings and Colliery, Newtongrange. At what was which have remained virtually iconic Forth Rail Bridge, built in the in nature. Visit his birthplace in stunning setting. Its story is told in Scotland’s first ‘super pit’, get up close unchanged for three centuries, late 19th century, is celebrated as Dunbar which has been transformed the state-of-the-art visitor centre and to the nation’s largest steam engine reflect the elegance of the Georgian a major feat of engineering and is into a visitor attraction exploring his there are guided tours to help you and find out what life was like for the era. There are also 150 acres of now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. work, motivation and achievements, uncover its 15th century origins. miners and their families. grounds, walks and trails to explore. A third bridge - The Queensferry including creation of the National T: 0131 440 2159 T: 0131 663 7519 T: 0131 331 2451 Crossing - opened in 2017. Parks movement. E: [email protected] E: enquiries@ E: [email protected] www.theforthbridges.org/visit T: 01368 865 899 www.rosslynchapel.com nationalminingmuseum.com www.hopetoun.co.uk E: [email protected] www.nationalminingmuseum.com www.jmbt.org.uk

Day 3 - Stirling & the Forth Valley 1 2 3 4 5

Stirling Castle – one of the most National Wallace Monument – a Forth & Clyde Canal – was the first Callendar House – a 17th century Clackmannanshire Tower Trail – a important historical sites in Scotland, distinctive Stirling landmark, the canal to be built in Scotland in house situated within the 170-acre series of 14th and 15th century tower was once a favoured Monument commemorates the life 1768 and played a vital part in the Callendar Park, which has been host houses built by aristocrats who residence of the Stewart kings and and legacy of Scotland’s national Industrial Revolution. Thanks to to many important historical figures needed to be near the royal court in queens. Meet characters from the hero Sir William Wallace, celebrated the innovation of the unique Falkirk over the centuries. A fascinating Stirling. Each has its own fascinating 16th century court and admire by the Oscar-winning movie Wheel which opened in 2002, today’s exhibition covers the Falkirk area’s story. The imposing ruin of Castle the amazing views from the castle . Learn about his fight for visitors can now take a boat trip history between the 11th and 19th Campbell boasts a dramatic setting ramparts across the city to the Scotland’s freedom, see his famous on the canal, linking to the Union centuries, including a restored 1825 with fine views across the scenic Trossachs and the . broadsword and admire the stunning Canal which was originally built to kitchen producing freshly baked Ochil Hills while Tower has T: 0131 668 8831 panoramic views from the crown. transport coal back in 1822. treats of the times. some stunning artworks and even its E: [email protected] T: 01786 472140 E: [email protected] T: 01324 503772 own dungeon! www.historicenvironment.scot E: [email protected] www.scottishcanals.co.uk E: callendar.house@ www.discoverclackmannanshire.com www.nationalwallacemonument.com falkirkcommunitytrust.org www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org

Day 4 - The Scottish Borders 1 2 3 4 5

Abbotsford – created 200 years ago Borders Railway – The Borders Traquair House – is the oldest Borders Abbeys – these four abbeys Mary Queen of Scots Visitor Centre on the banks of the River Tweed and Railway line linking Edinburgh and inhabited house in Scotland dating have their own unique history. – lying in the heart of Jedburgh, this the former home of famed author Tweedbank was closed in 1969, back to 1107. Trace the footsteps Dryburgh is the burial place of Sir 16th century tower house is dedicated Sir Walter Scott. See objects related but was reopened in 2015, offering of Scottish kings who stayed here Walter Scott, Jedburgh has finds from to Mary Queen of Scots and her to his greatest poems and novels, visitors the option of a scenic journey and have fun exploring the grounds an 8th century shrine, Melrose is said associations with the town. There’s explore the beautiful formal garden through the Scottish Borders to visit including the maze. Sample the to be the last resting place of the a wonderful collection of objects and visit Scott’s View for his favourite this fascinating part of Scotland. locally produced ales at Traquair heart of and Kelso associated with her and each room view of the stunning surrounding Journeys by steam train run at House Brewery founded in the early still bears marks of cannon fire from focuses on a different aspect or time countryside certain times of the year. 1700s to serve the house and estate. the armies of King Henry VIII. period of her life. T: 01896 752043 www.visitscotland.com T: 01896 830323 T: 0131 668 8831 T: 01835 863331 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] E: [email protected] www.scotborders.gov.uk www.scottsabbotsford.com www.traquair.co.uk www.historicenvironment.scot

Please note some attractions have seasonal opening hours. Please check opening times with the attraction.

For more ideas and contacts go to www.visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email [email protected]