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Dates of visit:
October 2, 2003 -
October 31, 2003
We rate this trip a:
Trip Highlights:
 Castles & Abbeys
Scottish Highlands
Malt Whisky Trail
Loch Ness
Pub Foods
Manor Houses
Uncrowded
History & Culture
Festivals
Lochs & Loughs
Very Expensive
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| Scotland - A brief visual introduction (click on image for larger view)
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 Stirling Castle ... rising high on a rocky crag, this magnificent castle, which dominated Scottish history for centuries, now remains one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture in Scotland. The present buildings date from the 15th centuries and was last defended against the Jcobites in 1746. It was a military depot until 1964.
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 Blair Castle ... this rambling, turreted castle has been altered and extended so often in its 700-year history that it now provides a unique insight into the history and changing tastes of aristocratic life in the Highlands. Queen Victoria visited this castle in 1844. This castle maintains a private army, the Atholl Highlanders, still in existence.
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 Kildrummy Castle ... standing serene even in its ruined state, Kildrummy was the chief power-base of the Mar clan. History is silent on who built it but it appears that it dates to the 13th century. Kildrummy was seldom far from the political spotlight and in 1715, with the ill-fated Jacobite uprising, its noble story ended.
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 Glenbuchat Castle ... was built (1590) as a new residence for John Gordon of Cairnburrow and his second wife, Helen Carnegie, on the occasion of their marriage. On the lintel above the entrance is inscribed, "Nothing earthly can endure without good repute". Their sons quarrelled over their inheritance and a later descendant imprisoned his mother here.
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 Corgarff Castle ... standing forlorn on the vast expanse of the Highlands, this tower castle housed the English militia in their constant fight against the illegal distilleries and malt whisky distributors before the tax laws were changed allowing for legal distilleries.
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 Huntly Castle ... the ancient seat of the Gordons, is a noble ruin in a beautiful setting. It is remarkable for the splendor of its architecture and for its stirring history. It gave shelter to Robert the Bruce during the struggle with England. It witnessed the struggle between Stewart king, James II and the powerful Black Douglas family.
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 Fort George ... is one of the finest examples of European military architecture and holds a commanding position on the Moray Firth, ideally located to suppress the Highlands. Completed in 1769 the fort was built after the Jacobite risings to discourage further rebellion in the Highlands. It is still an active military fort.
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 Inverness Castle ... located in the regions "capital" of Inverness, this Victorian building of red sandstone dominates the city skyline. Of little importance in its heyday, it now serves as a sheriff's courthouse and principal tourist attraction.
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 Urquhart Castle ... situated on the shore of Loch Ness, this remarkable castle dominated the water trade on the loch and the Great Glen.
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 McCaig's Tower ... situated in the town of Oban, with magnificent views to the islands of Mull, Lismore and Kerrera, this "Coliseum-type" structure was built by John McCaig as a memorial to his family in 1895 to 1902, ostensibly to provide employment for out-of-work masons.
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 Inveraray Castle ... home of the Duke of Argyll. The senior branch of the Campbell clan moved from Loch Awe to Inveraray in the first half of the 15th century. The present building, in the style of a Castle, was built between 1745-85. On display are the famous Armoury Collection, French tapestries and fine Scottish furniture.
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 Glasgow's 'Armadillo' ... the Glasgow Scottish Exhibition Centre's chief attraction is this exhibition hall affectionately known locally as the "Armadillo".
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| Text extracted from site guide books or The Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides.
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