Dunvegan Castle – Built on a rock in an idyllic lochside setting, Dunvegan is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. It has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of MacLeod for 800 years and is still home to the Clan MacLeod Chief.
A minimum two-hour dwell time is recommended to see:
Castle Tours – take a tour of this historic castle and see:
• The Great Sword of Dunvegan – one of only three surviving Scottish medieval claymores, on display in the North Room.
• Portraits of the Dunvegan – Clan Chiefs and their wives in the Dining Room, including “The Red Man” by Ramsay.
• The “Fairy Flag” – Seal boat trips on Loch Dunvegan visitors cannot get closer to the protected common seals anywhere else on Skye. Fabulous shops with a wide range of Highlands and Islands gifts, jewellery and knitwear
• Castle Shop – Beautiful bespoke gifts inspired by the castle collection.
• Gift shop – including nature based children’s toys and delicious chocolates.
MacLeod Tables Cafe
• Excellent bean to cup coffee, homemade soup and snacks are available at the MacLeod Tables Cafe
Glamis Castle – Approached down a mile long drive, Glamis castle offers the visitor a unique opportunity to experience Scottish history at its finest. The ancestral home of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne for 640 years and the childhood home of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, the castle is a comfortable family home with an air of grandeur. The ten room guided tour takes you from the grand to the intimate wending its way through the State Dining Room, with its magnificent Strathmore Dining Table, ending in the tiny Duncan’s Hall, with its echoes of Shakespeare’s play Macbeth.
You will also view the Royal Apartments where the Duke and Duchess of York spent their holidays before destiny chose them as King and consort after the abdication of Edward the VIII in 1937. Ghost stories abound at Glamis. The card players in the Crypt, the servant boy in the Royal Apartments, the Grey Lady; all stories that will entertain you as you go on the tour. After the hour long tour you may want to take a stroll in the beautiful Italian Garden or wander through the Pinetum up to the walled garden. And be sure to visit the restaurant for a much needed cup of tea provided by the award winning caterers Wilde Thyme and go to the shop for that special little gift to take away.
British Golf – Welcome thousands of British and International group visitors each year to the museum. They offer discounted admission rates for groups of 10 or more people. Tour leaders gain free admission to the museum. Guided tours are available upon request. Tickets last for two days and include a complimentary guidebook.
Discover the story of Mellerstain – Located in the heart of the Scottish Borders, Mellerstain is a unique eg. of William and Robert Adam design, presenting a complete picture as it would have been some 240 years ago.
• Admire the perfection of the Adam design
• Enjoy the fine art (Aikman, Gainsborough, Ramsay, van Dyck) , ceramic, embroidery & furniture collections
• Explore the acres of parkland, gardens, lakeside & woodland walks
• Relax while the kids have fun in the playground
• Treat yourself in the Coffee Shop
• Holiday in the self-catering cottages
• Group tours welcome throughout the year • Approx 20 mins from Melrose & Kelso/1 hour from Edinburgh & Berwick-upon-Tweed
Floors Castle – Scotland’s largest inhabited Castle and visit one of the leading visitor attractions in the Scottish Borders. Floors Castle has been welcoming visitors, groups and special interest tours for over 40 years and one of its main attractions is that it is still a family home…
Visit and explore the collection of fine art, porcelain, newly restored tapestries, grand rooms and superb views over the River Tweed and the Cheviot Hills. Built by leading architect William Adam in 1721 for the 1 st Duke of Roxburghe, it has undergone periodic changes to create the dramatic building you see today.
Enjoy a hearty woodland or riverside walk to a stroll around the Victorian walled garden or just let the children run off steam in the enclosed adventure playground, there is something for everyone. Browse round the Castle Gift range and Castle Kitchen Deli shop for our sought-after selection of preserves and pickles or stay longer and sample tray bakes and delicious lunches in either of our two cafe’s. Floors Castle, Grounds & Gardens re-open on Easter weekend 25 March to 30 October 2016. The Castle is closed for one day only on the 13th May. The Terrace Cafe, Deli and Gift shop is open all year round.
