Things to see and do East

A ^14th century tower, surrounded by a ^16th century wall. This tower-house is one of the oldest in Scotland. Robert the Bruce had visited it. Mary Stuart was invited there before being imprisoned in 1567, her host becoming her jailer, then freed by the son of her keeper. She miscarried there, was forced to abdicate in favor of her son James VI. Note the staircase built backwards for the keeper at the time, who was left-handed! Boats leave for the castle every day during the summer.

This is where Queen Mother Elizabeth grew up, making it the second home attached to this illustrious figure. She gave birth here to Princess Margaret, sister of Her Majesty Elizabeth II. Its L-shaped plan, beautiful pink stones and elegant turrets house some of the country's most stunning interiors. Guided tours (free of charge) depart regularly. They will give you the opportunity to hear about ghosts... Stroll through the pleasant gardens where several paths invite you to walk and have lunch in the castle kitchens.

Scone Palace. To sound local, pronounce it scoune palace. This place has immense importance in Scotland's royal heritage. 1500 years ago it was the capital of the Picts, when they ruled Scotland. It is a historic coronation place for the country's monarchs. Indeed, Macbeth, Robert the Bruce and Charles II are among the thirty-eight kings who have been crowned there. The ritual was to hold the ceremony on top of Moot Hill and the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny, which is now on display in Edinburgh Castle and has had a chequered history. A chapel now stands on the site where Kenneth MacAlpin became the first king of Scotland in 838, and a replica of the famous stone has been placed there.

Palace.

The original palace dates back to the 12th century, but was replaced in 1812 by the Georgian marvel we see today. Every room is a feast of luxury and pageantry, with valuable furniture, magnificent paintings and fine decorative art.

Gardens. The gardens are the playground of deer and highland cows. In the Pinetum, there are magnificent and rare specimens of giant sequoia and fir trees. This part of the garden is completed by the Douglas Pavilion, created in honour of the explorer and local boy David Douglas, plant hunter and discoverer of the Douglas pine, hence the name of the pavilion. It is also open free of charge in winter from Friday to Sunday.

Verdant Works is an industrial museum that recounts Dundee's commercial past in the Jute Canvas. In a former restored production site, the machines and interactive installations can be seen in a more concrete way. Raw materials are presented before their transformation and the overall overview of the process is very playful. The approach is also humane, with workers'testimonies, their aspirations and their working conditions. There are also temporary exhibitions all year round.

It was on board the gigantic three-masted ship named RRS Discovery that Captain Robert Falcon Scott went to discover the South Pole in 1901. The mastodon was built in Dundee and was then the first ship to be equipped with 1,800 horsepower in a triple-explosion engine to split the Antarctic ice. Now you can discover her and her crew's exciting adventure at Discovery Point, on the city's docks, and visit the ship from top to bottom. The museum area reveals all the secrets of this great human adventure.

It is probably the most spectacular castle in the area. Depending on your desires and budget, you can take a simple tour of the gardens, as well as access the tea room for a snack in the old kitchens. The landscaped park and the view of the building are an enchantment in themselves. Of course, a visit to the castle - guided tour or self-guided tour with documentation - is recommended, as its interiors are superb and reveal fascinating stories.

Completed in 1224, this historic cathedral dedicated to the Holy Trinity did not suffer from the wars of independence, but was damaged by fire in 1270, 1390 and 1402. Its influence on the region was immense and its architecture among the most elaborate in the country. Now largely in ruins, its splendid west façade, the Stone Bishop statue in the nave, the Pictish cross and the largest tombstone in Scotland, five metres high and dedicated to the Anderson family, can still be appreciated today. Guided tours take place in July and August.

The remains of this noble cathedral bear witness to a much larger building, which was the epicentre of Catholic Scotland in the Middle Ages. Abandoned after the Reformation, it fell into disrepair and ruin, so that many of its stones were reused for other buildings. It was not until 1826 that some attention was paid to its preservation and attempts were made to perpetuate it. The St Rule's Tower at its heart is older than it is and was part of the early 12th century church that preceded it.

Created in 1898, it is the smallest distillery of Speyside. It reopened in the presence of Prince Charles in 1998, after 15 years of closure. It draws its spring water from the hills behind Forres. You will discover that it is not only the taste that is concerned by whisky, but that its production appeals to the touch, the sight and the ear. The standard visit lasts 1 hour and ends with a 10-year-old dram. There are different options for visits and tastings according to your desires and your knowledge of whisky.

Founded in 1824, The Glenlivet Distillery is one of the oldest distilleries in the region and the second largest distributor in the world after Glenfiddich. In the early ^19th century, it was the favorite whisky of aristocrats and the king. The tour will take you behind the scenes of this famous whisky: the history of its distillery, the production process, the storage in the warehouse. You can even taste the spirit directly from the barrel. Audioguides in French are available to follow the tour, even if you don't speak the language.

The Museum of the famous Scottish University is dedicated to the prestigious institution and its powerful heritage. There are three areas to visit: Wardlaw Museum (exhibition on the history of the university), Bell Pettigrew (natural sciences) and the Collection Centre where many valuable objects accumulated over the centuries are on display, such as 15th century ceremonial sceptres, a 16th century astrolabe, an 18th century telescope and many others.

This lighthouse museum at Kinnaird Head will capture the hearts of lighthouse lovers and absolute neophytes alike. This is Scotland's first lighthouse (built in 1789) and is adjacent to a 450 year old castle. Its location in an exceptional and atypical place, the special life of the keepers whose history has been told here, the engineering developed to save lives, the largest collection of lenses in the world, the tea room in the lighthouse, all play in its favour...

Seven hundred years of history pass by in this superb castle. It is one of the oldest tower houses in the country, as evidenced by the oak trees planted in 1700. Drum Castle is full of secrets, as the tour will reveal. From room to room, the sumptuous decorations follow one another and stun by their beauty. On the top floor, the atmosphere changes: the white walls let the contemporary art express itself. You can also visit the gardens, the oak forest and the chapel.

If you like the Georgian style and the architecture of William Adam, then you can't miss this iconic site. The manor house is simply splendid, seen from the inside and outside, and offers a rich history, from its construction, to royal visits and its use as a prison camp in wartime. It is a place devoted to art, with regular exhibitions in collaboration with the National Galleries of Scotland, a landscaped park of ornamental follies and a superb neo-gothic mausoleum, among others.

750 years of Scottish history, celebrated precisely in 2019, await you here. Dating back to the 13th century, Blair Castlehas undergone many renovations and refurbishments over the years, finally displaying the elegance it enjoys today. Its past is linked to that of Mary Queen of Scots, the Three Kingdoms War, the Jacobite uprisings and even Europe's only legal private army, the Atholl Highlanders, which of course has only a ceremonial role and was authorised by Queen Victoria.

Castle. Inside, you will see sumptuous rooms, exceptional pieces of furniture - Chippendale furniture, for example - and a vast collection of weapons, as well as numerous paintings, especially in the impressive staircase. Raise your head to the ceiling and you'll also see some magnificent decorations. There are a total of 30 rooms in the castle to visit, with exhibitions in the last ones.

Park and gardens. The landscapes are varied around Blair Castle. You will visit the walled garden, called Hercules Garden, restored to its original Georgian design. Pond, Chinese bridge and orchard adorn it. Follow a carved walkway, explore Diana's Grove, a wooded area with some of Scotland's tallest trees, discover the ruins of St Bride's Church, in a site that was already a place of worship in Celtic times. Finally, you will see deer in a large park.

Built in 1856 for Queen Victoria, this superb castle is a very refined example of "Scottish baronial" architecture. Queen Elizabeth used to visit it regularly, but it is not strictly speaking a royal residence. The building does not belong to the crown, but to the family that owns it, as a private property. The visit is interesting, but do not expect to see everything. Only the ballroom and the exhibition space are accessible. Most of the discovery is done outside in the beautiful gardens.

The V&A Dundee finally opened its doors on September 15, 2018. Designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kum, the building blends seamlessly into the cityscape and is not unlike the cliffs of the East End. The museum showcases the best of Scottish design, from fashion to furniture to architecture, in its diverse "Scottish design" gallery. It includes a reproduction of a room designed by the interior designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Temporary exhibitions complete the offer and the space.

This luxurious stately home was designed by the famous Scottish architect William Adam, in a Palladian style at the height of elegance and refinement. The house, which is over 400 years old, has many stories to tell and each room is filled with historical anecdotes. For example, the Queen's Bedroomis named after Queen Victoria who stayed here in 1857. Works of art are omnipresent here, thanks to an invaluable collection of paintings by Victorian painter James Giles. Don't leave without admiring the beautiful formal gardens.

Here is a site where you can easily spend a whole day with your family without getting bored. Lovers of castles, lovers of gardens, this site will delight you by all its aspects. This sublime 400 year old castle is located between Forres and Dyke, in the Moray region.

The Castle : This magnificent 1567 castle was built in the shape of a "Z" for the Brodie clan, of which it is the historic seat. Renovated in the 1830s and 1840s, it has been transformed from its medieval garb into the gleaming noble residence it is today. Every room, every corridor, contains treasures of antiques and Victorian elegance, with paintings by masters, French furniture and china.

The Gardens: 71 acres of gardens surround it to continue the outdoor fun and soak up a little more of this alluring place. When it was created, it had a collection of 400 varieties of daffodils. Now it has 1,160 - impressive, right?

The Playful garden: open in 2019, this playful garden featuring the castle's iconic rabbit (you'll know why when you visit) is reminiscent of an Alice in Wonderland-like world. Children will enjoy the many facilities, as well as the indoor games if the weather is not good. Another playground is located behind the castle, in the woods.

The cafes: one is located in the Playful garden, the other at the back of the castle, in the old kitchens. Here is a place with an incredible charm, and moreover, we eat well there!

Dunnottar castle is undoubtedly one of the most photogenic and impressive castles. Its ruins awaken all the fantasies of terrifying ghosts or epic medieval scenes. Home of the Counts of Marischal, he was visited by the greatest historical figures: Marie Stuart, William Wallace and the future King Charles II. Through its discovery, the whole history of Scotland is explored, from the Picts. Why not continue the excursion on the surrounding trails to the War Memorial? The view is breathtaking.