Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology 2017

Edinburgh’s historic Old Town

Return to the Ridings,

Tantallon Castle, East

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Ideas to inspire , the , , the Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders

In 2017 will celebrate and showcase its rich history, heritage and archaeology. From the remains of our earliest settlements going back thousands of years, through the turbulent times of the Middle Ages and on to the Scottish Enlightenment and the Events: Industrial Revolution, every area of Scotland has its own tale to share with visitors. TradFest – May – As part of Edinburgh’s packed programme of well- known festivals throughout the year, Tradfest celebrates Beltane and Edinburgh has been at the heart of Scotland’s history for centuries. No visit would be Mayday which traditionally mark the beginning of summer, bringing complete without a trip to , standing proud atop an ancient volcanic energy and colour to the city over 12 days through traditional music, plug overlooking the city. There’s history around every corner in the Old and New song, storytelling, dance, and more. www.tracscotland.org/festivals Towns, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the story of Scotland Spirit of Stirling Whisky Festival – May – May is the month when at the National Museum of Scotland. whisky is celebrated throughout Scotland and the city of Stirling holds its own festival in the Albert Halls, near the heart of the Many fascinating stories await visitors to the Lothians. Discover how John Muir, the historic Old Town area. www.spiritofstirlingwhiskyfestival.co.uk visionary naturalist, was inspired to create the National Parks movement, explore the Return to the Ridings – June & July – The “Return to the Ridings” is real connections with the Knights Templar at Rosslyn Chapel made famous in The Da a celebration of the riding of town boundaries on horseback which has Vinci Code, or hear how the Industrial Revolution affected the coal mining industry at taken place for centuries in 11 Scottish Borders towns. The festivals the National Mining Museum Scotland. surrounding these ride outs are steeped in tradition and celebrate Borders history. www.returntotheridings.co.uk In the Forth Valley you’ll find historic and the National Wallace Lammermuir Festival – September – The ethos of the Lammermuir Monument, built to commemorate Scotland’s national hero Sir William Wallace. Festival is beautiful music in beautiful places. The Festival allows ’s fascinating history includes the building of the Roman Antonine Wall and two visitors to hear enjoy some of the world’s best loved classical music in of Scotland’s most important canals, while ’s famous tower houses some of ’s most historic churches and in Lennoxlove stand as testament to the area’s popularity with members of the Royal Court at Stirling. House, seat of the Dukes of . www.lammermuirfestival.co.uk Palace Jousting – July – The ancient spectacle of a The 2015 reopening of the between Edinburgh and the Scottish jousting tournament comes to life as chivalric knights in armour Borders makes it easier than ever for visitors to explore this lovely part of Scotland. The compete for glory at Linlithgow Palace, now a ruin but formerly a intriguing maze and 17th century brewery at Traquair House, the magnificent ruins of comfortable retreat from affairs of state for Scottish Kings. the four Borders abbeys and the chance to explore Abbotsford, the home of celebrated www.historic-scotland.gov.uk author Sir are just some of the experiences that await you.

For more ideas, contacts and suggested itineraries visitscotlandtraveltrade.com or email us at [email protected] Edinburgh, the Lothians, Stirling, the Forth Valley and the Scottish Borders

Day 1 - Edinburgh 1 2 3 4 5

EDINBURGH CASTLE / EDINBURGH NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND PALACE OF HOLYROOD HOUSE / – The atmospheric THE GEORGIAN HOUSE – The OLD TOWN –Edinburgh Castle – The museum’s diverse collections / HOLYROOD Greyfriars Kirk in the city’s Old Town is Georgian House offers a glimpse into dominates the city’s skyline, take you on an inspirational journey PARK – The Palace of Holyrood House, the resting place of many influential life in the 18th century, where the more overlooking the Old and New Towns through Scotland’s story from pre- Her Majesty The Queen’s official writers, historians and statesmen. affluent escaped from the overcrowded of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World history to the present day. You can residence in Scotland, lies at the end of Keep your eye open for the charming conditions of the Old Town and moved Heritage Site where history waits also uncover how science, fashion and the historic Royal . See the statue of just outside to the New Town. Dating from 1796, it’s around every corner – in the narrow much more has developed in Scotland magnificent State Apartments, then the kirk’s entrance. When his master situated in Charlotte Square and has closes and cobbled streets of the over the years in ten new galleries explore the 12th century ruins of died, the famous little dog guarded been magnificently restored to show a medieval Old Town to the elegant open in 2016. Holyrood Abbey. Nearby the grave for over 14 years. fine collection of period furniture, silver streets of the Georgian New Town. has a wealth of history and archaeology. and porcelain.

Day 2 - The Lothians 1 2 3 4 5

HOPETOUN HOUSE – Hopetoun NATIONAL MINING MUSEUM ROSSLYN CHAPEL – As well as being FORTH RAIL BRIDGE AND FORTH JOHN MUIR’S BIRTHPLACE – John House is one of the most splendid SCOTLAND – Get a fascinating featured in the bestselling novel The ROAD BRIDGE – The Forth Bridges Muir, known as ‘the father of modern examples of 18th century architecture insight into how Scotland led the way Da Vinci Code, this fascinating are an impressive sight, linking conservation’, inspired people all over in Britain. The magnificent interiors, in the coal mining industry at the building is famous for its ornate Edinburgh to across the Firth of the world to become interested in which have remained virtually Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange. stonework, magnificent carvings and Forth. The iconic Forth Rail Bridge, built nature. Visit his birthplace in Dunbar unchanged for three centuries, reflect This was Scotland’s first ‘super pit’ stunning setting. Its story is told in the in the late 19th Century, is celebrated which has been transformed into a the elegance of the Georgian era. where you can get up close to the state-of-the-art visitor centre and there as a major feat of engineering and is visitor attraction exploring his work, There are also 150 acres of grounds, nation’s largest steam engine and are guided tours to help you uncover now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A motivation and achievements, walks and trails to explore. find out what life was like for the its 15th century origins. third bridge – The Queensferry including creation of the National miners and their families. Crossing – opens in 2016. Parks movement.

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

STIRLING CASTLE – One of the most NATIONAL WALLACE MONUMENT – FORTH & CLYDE CANAL – The Forth CALLENDAR HOUSE – Situated within CLACKMANNANSHIRE TOWER important historical sites in Scotland, A distinctive Stirling landmark, the & Clyde Canal was the first canal to be the 170-acre Callendar Park and dating TRAIL – Clackmannanshire’s distinctive Stirling Castle was once a favoured Monument commemorates the life built in Scotland in 1768 and played a from the 14th Century, Callendar House tower houses are 14th and 15th residence of the Stewart kings and and legacy of Scotland’s national hero vital part in the Industrial Revolution. has been host to many important century structures built by aristocrats queens. Meet characters from the Sir William Wallace, celebrated by the Thanks to the innovation of the historical figures over the centuries. A wishing to be near the Royal Court in 16th century court and admire the Oscar-winning movie Braveheart. unique Falkirk Wheel opened in 2002, fascinating exhibition covers the Falkirk Stirling. Each has its own fascinating amazing views from the Castle Learn about his fight for Scotland’s today’s visitors can now take a boat area’s history between the 11th and story. Castle Campbell is known as ramparts across the city to the freedom, see his famous broadsword trip on the canal, linking to the Union 19th centuries, including a restored ‘Castle Gloom’ despite it’s fine setting, Trossachs and the Ochil Hills. and admire the stunning panoramic canal which was originally built to 1825 kitchen producing freshly baked while Alloa Tower has some superb views from the crown. transport coal back in 1822. treats of the times. artworks and even its own dungeon!

Day 4 - Scottish Borders 1 2 3 4 5

ABBOTSFORD HOUSE – The former BORDERS RAILWAY – The Borders TRAQUAIR HOUSE – Dating back to BORDERS ABBEYS – Each of the four MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS’ VISITOR home of famed author Sir Walter Scott, Railway line linking Edinburgh and 1107, Traquair House is the oldest remarkable Borders abbeys has its own CENTRE – Lying in the heart of Abbotsford was created 200 years ago Tweedbank was closed in 1969, but inhabited house in Scotland. Trace the unique history. Dryburgh is the burial Jedburgh, this 16th century tower on the banks of the River Tweed. See was reopened in 2015, offering visitors footsteps of Scottish kings and Catholic place of Sir Walter Scott, Jedburgh has house is dedicated to Mary, Queen of the objects related to his greatest the option of a scenic journey through priests who stayed here and have fun finds from an 8th century shrine, Scots and her associations with the poems and novels, explore the the Scottish Borders to visit this exploring the grounds including the Melrose is said to be the last resting town. There’s a wonderful collection of beautiful formal garden and visit fascinating part of Scotland. Journeys maze. Sample the locally produced ales place of the heart of objects associated with her and each Scott’s View for his favourite view of by steam train run at certain times of at Traquair House Brewery founded in and Kelso still bears marks of cannon room focuses on a different aspect or the stunning surrounding countryside. the year. the early 1700s to serve the house and fire from the armies of King Henry VIII. time period of her life. estate.

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