TAYSIDE |
| Arbroath Abbey |
In centre of Arbroath |
The 12th century Abroath Abbey fell into neglect in the
17th century although enough of it remains to testify to its former grandeur. The abbey
was founded in 1178 by King William the Lion, who lies buried before the high alter. In
1320, Robert Bruce signed Scotland's Declaration of Independence in the abbey. |
| Barrie's Birthplace |
9 Brechin Road, Kirriemuir |
This museum is the birth place of Scotland's greatest
playwright James Matthew, the creator of Peter Pan. The four-roomed cottage in a modest
corner of the town has been lovingly preserved with its original cottage atmosphere being
retained. |
| Blaire Castle |
Off B847, 1 mile north of Blair Atholl |
A great avenue leads from the main road to this
story-book castle set beneath forest-clad mountains. Over 700 years Blaire Castle has
changed its architectural appearance several times to reflect the different tastes of many
generations. Today the castle is packed with fine furniture, paintings, arms and costumes. |
| Broughty Castle Museum |
At Broughty Ferry, 5 miles east of Dundee |
Standing on a rocky spur overlooking the river Tay,
Broughty Castle was a military strongpoint from 1547 to 1945. Its occupants once levied
tolls from ships entering the Tay. The story of Broughty Ferry and Dundee's former whaling
industry are told in the castle's museum . |
| Castle Menzies |
On B846, 1 mile west of Aberfeldy |
With two towers, a central block and four storeys
Castle Menzies was spacious. The vaulted chambers on the ground floor contained the
kitchens and guard rooms; the large hall on the first floor was the castle's social
centre, whilst there are private apartments and guest chambers above. The castle was built
in 1488 with additions made over the next 400 years. |
| Claypotts Castle |
Off A92, 1 mile north-west of Broughty Ferry |
Built in the late 16th century as a family home the
castle is well-preserved. To ensure its safety holes a strategically placed so that
missiles could be fired across the face of the building. The ground floor is dominated by
a large kitchen with the main living quarters filling most of the first floor. |
| Dunkeld Cathedral |
Cathedral Street, Dunkeld |
The cathedral stands on the banks of the River Tay.
Half of the cathedral is dedicated to St. Columba is still used as a church whilst the
other half is a ruin which is being restored. The oldest part of the original church dates
back to 1350. |
| Edzell Castle and Garden |
Off B966, 6 miles north of Brechin |
The red-stone ruins of this 16th century castle are
dominated by a square tower house and the walls of the great hall which was built over a
kitchen. The castle's crowning glory is its geometrically laid formal walled garden. |
| Glamis Castle |
Off A928, 5 miles south of Kirriemuir |
Set in immaculate grounds and framed by the Grampian
mountains the castle is the family home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne. The
Queen Mother spent much of her childhood at Glamis and Princess Margaret was born there.
visitors enter the castle by a north door and a stone staircase leads to the dining room.
The crypt has a medieval air with armour and weapons on show. |
| House of Dun |
On A935, 3 miles west of Montrose |
The house was designed by William Adam in the early
18th century and one of its most interesting features is plasterwork that consists of
armorial bearings of Lord Dun, a series of mythological scenes, and an array of naval and
military trophies. Outside a potting shed contains early 20th century tools whilst a
gamekeepers hut shows a gamekeeper checking his traps. |
| Huntingtower Castle |
Off A85, 3 miles north-west of Perth |
Two medieval towers joined together by some 17th
century stonework form the bulk of these fortified remains. The eastern tower has
wonderful painted ceilings dating from early 1500s. The ceiling timbers and supports are
also highly decorated with scrolls, faces of dragons and other weird animals. |
| Lochleven Castle |
Castle Island, Loch Leven |
The ruins of Lochleven Castle rise from the waters of
Loch Leven across which boats ferry visitors out to the island from Kinross. The castle
owes much of its history to Mary, Queen of Scots who was imprisoned there in 1567. The
nucleus of the castle is the 14th century tower house which is one of the best preserved
buildings of its type in Scotland. |
| Pass of Killiecrankie |
B8079, 3 miles north of
Pitlochry |
The first shots in the
Jacobite cause were fired here in 1689 at the Battle of Killiecrankie.
Although the Highland army was victorious over the troops of King William,
Jacobite resistance later collapsed as a result of the mortal wounding in
the battle of their leader, John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee. |
| Scone Palace |
Off A93, 2 miles north-east of Perth |
For some 500 years this castle was the crowning place
of the Kings of Scotland. It is renowned for its superb collections of furniture, china,
ivories and clocks. The palace was once the home of the Stone of Scone on which Scottish
monarchs were crowned, but it was carried to Westminster in 1296 by Edward I of England.
The stone has recently been given back to Scotland. |
