Stirling Weekend Breaks And A Number Of Superb Places You Must See
The city of Stirling has featured strongly in the history of Scotland, especially during crucial moments. The city and surrounding area has a fantastic selection of superb tourist attractions and a mass of of photo opportunities. In the article below I provide information about 3 places to visit in Stirling; Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling Castle and Stirling Old Town Jail:
Stirling Castle
Set two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, and surrounded on 3 sides by steep cliffs is Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is very important in Scotland’s history, there have been many coronations within the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots’ in 1543. Stirling Castle was also witness to a violent murder in 1452. The eighth Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. The castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, even though they are, sadly no longer garrisoned at the castle. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, is situated in the castle.
Stirling Old Town Jail
The Stirling Old Town Jail we see today is not the original jail, for 400 years, Stirling’s prisoners were secured in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was awfully overcrowded, and smelled dreadful, with twenty four prisoners to each cell, and zero sanitary facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the fearful living conditions there, and in 1847 the new jail opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial prison, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military prison in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a visitor attraction, and was only restored in the 1990′s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled elevator that rises to a viewing platform at the top of the jail. From this superb spot you can gaze out across the Forth Valley, and enjoy the spectacular view of the Highland mountains.
Argyll’s Lodging
Argyll’s Lodging can be found on Castle Wynd, located in the center of Stirling and is Scotland’s best existing renaissance house. The house was constructed around 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and was then appointed the 1st Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was added to by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, bed chamber, drawing room and laigh hall, have all been expertly furnished and restored, as they would have been when the 9th Earl lived there, circa 1680.
If you are planning to have a holiday in Stirling you will discover a large amount of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will find a massive range at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/
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Perth Vacations And Three Magnificent Places You Must See
The ‘Fair City’ of Perth in Scotland a former royal burgh stands at the head of the Tay estuary. Inbetween the 12th and 15th centuries the city competed with Dunfermline for the title of being the capital of the country. In the article below I discuss three places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Elcho Castle, Scone Palace and Huntingtower Castle:
Scone Palace
These days, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a popular attraction to visitors from across the world. The palace is an important part of Scotland’s history, as the Scottish kings were once crowned there. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, as was Charles II when he took possession of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a beautiful and mysterious feel to the palace, which is justifiably so.Once upon a time the site acted as an important meeting place of the Picts and there was also an early Christian church on the site.
Elcho Castle
Lying about three miles from Perth, with awe inspiring views across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. Elcho Castle is one of the finest examples of 16th century architecture in Scotland today. The Wemyss family commissioned the erection of the castle in the 1570′s. The land had belonged to the family since 1468, when it was consigned to them by King James III. In 1633, the leader of the family was given the titles of Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho. Elcho Castle and it’s lands remained in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. It was then, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, gave the castle to Scotland. The castle has recently been renovated and is now in the care of Historic Scotland.
Huntingtower Castle
Situated just west of Perth is Huntingtower Castle, a medieval pile. Even though the castle is medieval in origin, it has been significantly redeveloped throughout the majoprity of it’s history. The Ruthven family were occupiers of the castle and lands from the 12th to 17th century. During this time the castle consisted of two separate towers, built 3 meters apart. When the Murray family took possession, later on in the 1600′s, they decided to merge the two towers, making the house appear more like a ordinary country manor house. The bridging work between the two towers is still clearly noticeable today, both outside and in.
If you are planning to have a vacation in Perth you will find plenty of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a broad range at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/
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Fort William City Breaks And A Selection Of Superb Visitor Attractions You Must See
Fort William is now the largest town in the Highlands (as Inverness became a city). The town of Fort William is an incredibly popular vacation destination with many visitors arriving to view or climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and Britain. In the article below I take a look at a few different places worth visiting if you are taking a weekend break in Fort William.
The Thought Invoking West Highland Museum
The West Highland Museum in Fort William was founded in 1922. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The current building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and is situated in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Small but fascinating is how some people describe the museum. The exhibits in the museum present a delightful look into the way of life in the West Highlands over the years. Folk from all walks of life are represented, through the fascinating collections of photograph’s, artefact’s and picture’s
The Excellent Old Inverlochy Castle
There are two Inverlochy Castle’s in Fort William, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the new Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, erected in nearby Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was said to of been erected around 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Although the castle is ruined, the layout hasn’t altered very much since it was built. Lord Abinger made alterations and enhancements to the house, for a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle is still an important part of English and Scottish history, because of the part it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640′s.
The Delightful Jacobite Steam Train
A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an exciting way to experience the breathtaking scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the Mallaig trip takes one on a magical tour through the glens. One of the most sensational elements of the journey is going over the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the majority of travelers will be familiar with because of the fact that it appears in the Harry Potter films. The 84 mile trip takes you past Ben Nevis, Loch Nevis and Loch Morar, with a stop in Glenfinnan before arriving in Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to discover Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has repeatedly been described as, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the globe.
There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/
Categories: Travel Tags: Ben Nevis, city break, Fort William, fort william hotels, hotels in fort william, Scotland, Travel, vacation, vacations