Things to see and do United Kingdom

Few cities can boast of having two cathedrals! At least one story was as rich as Liverpool's to get there. During the Great Famine (), half a million Irish found Refuge on the Banks of the Mersey. Many were from America, but many others chose to stay. A majority of Catholics, the question of finding them a place of worship, then arises quickly. In 1856, Lady Chapel emerged from land but will never be a cathedral, and eventually destroyed in the 1980 s. When a land was acquired at the north end of Hope Street in 1930, Sir Edwin Luyters was charged with building a building worthy of the project of the Anglican neo-Gothic neighbour. His bold plans imagine the second largest church in the world, inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome. It is not counting on war, which puts an end to the project, judged too costly. Only the crypt will be completed. In 1953, the man returning to the torch is other than Adrian Gilbert Scott, the brother of Giles! But the story would have been too good, and neither did he come to his ends. It is to Sir Frederick Gibberd that we have the visible version today, completed in 1967. Its facade impresses with its crown tower that rises towards the sky and its spatial shapes show completely with the initial sketches. In the interior, beautiful modernist stained glass stained glass stained glass windows come to light in the light of the sun and cast colorful lueurs on the walls. The circular and celestial form of the room leaves without a voice and transports completely over time.

Spectacular views, rugged landscape, impressive rocks and goats!

On this street, The Mermaid Inn (which still exists) was the rallying point for the Contrebandiers gang of smugglers. The Carriage gate was built in 1329 by Edouard III and was part of a fortifications belt at the time.

Every Saturday, the handicraft market installs its stands. On the second and fourth Saturday of the month, it is joined by the food market. Go to Market Place.

A leisure centre with restaurant, bar, coffee shop, swimming pool, games for children.

Large and long beaches border the city; bathing enthusiasts are pressing for it.

Arriving on the shores of the lake, on Red Bank Road, is the Faeryland (Tel (015394)) 35060) a charming tearoom with about à la carte teas, scones, sandwiches and homemade soups. Some tables come out on the terrace that overlooks the quiet waters of the lake. You can also rent here boats (£ 10 per hour for two people, forecast £ 20 of deposit). For a walk on the shores of the lake, continue your climb. On both sides of the road, the cottages are decorated in sumptuous gardens. Another eight minutes walk and on the left you can find a staircase that goes down to the lake, where you can enjoy a pleasant tour of families, walkers and cyclists. A pleasant and delightful walk.

This spring located just below the Glastonbury Tor pours as much pure water as legends say. It is one of the oldest of its kind in Britain. It is considered sacred and some people attribute it to druidic origins. Others believe that by hiding the Grail in it, Joseph of Arimathea would have given it a healing power... We discover the spring and the charming gardens that surround it, very peaceful for a stroll. The spring is rich in iron which gives it a red colour, it gushes with a flow of 115 000 litres per day.

This beach, or rather this cove, is difficult to find less overcrowded. Moreover, it is sheltered from the wind and surrounded by greenery and cliffs. Pebble beach.

Built on the foundations of a 13th century fortified house, this Edwardian castle with its four round towers and imposing battlements, built by Sir John Wogan, was occupied by the same family for over 700 years. Picton Castle is one of the most important historic houses in Wales. It is surrounded by sixteen hectares of magnificent wooded and flowered gardens with a beautiful collection of rhododendrons. For information, the castle can only be visited by guided tours. Possibility to visit the gardens (for a fee) every day, all year round.

To the north of the village, a 13th century medieval castle - now private property - built by the de Vale family, the descendants of a knight who had accompanied Martin de Tours, the invader from North Pembrokeshire. This castle was one of Henri Tudor's first captures with 4,000 men and 55 ships. Then Henri Tudor will head east, crossing Wales towards England. From there, on August 22nd, he defeated Richard III of England before being crowned king and becoming Henry VII.

Founded in the ^13th century on an island in the Lake of Menteith, Inchmahome Priory is accessible by a small ferry from the village of Port of Menteith. The crossing is included in the ticket, which allows you to visit this historic site that saw the passage of King Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots. Now partially in ruins, it still retains a certain charm, thanks to its location and its stones carved in the chapter house. This haven of peace is worth taking the time to walk around and discover its secrets.

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.

Dating from the 13th century, this cathedral was seriously damaged in 1570 and was finally restored in 1835 at the instigation of the Countess of Sutherland. Nowadays, the most striking features are the numerous gargoyles and the square tower, which can be climbed during the summer. Legend has it that the gargoyles were evil spirits that were driven out of the cathedral by the ringing of the bells and turned into stones. The stained glass windows on the north side of the choir are also very interesting: they represent music, peace and literacy.

Trefriw's extraordinary location has led to the creation of 8 hiking routes from the village. These have really been designed to let you discover the most beautiful aspects of the surrounding nature.

A one-hour tour takes you along the Conwy River. Another one takes you in 30 minutes to the river Crafnant. You can also reach the lake of the same name, reputed to be one of the most beautiful in the area, in 3 hours of walking. One of the routes also leads to the Snowdonia Park and offers splendid views of the valley.

Three miles of sandy beach. The promenade along the dunes sometimes seems a little haunted by the long row of rather gloomy buildings that line it. Numerous opportunities for water sports: canoeing, sailing, fishing, jet-skiing and windsurfing, or simply swimming, there's something for everyone. Hotels and campsites all along the seafront welcome you to make the most of this pleasant beach. We recommend that you visit in fine weather, as most of the nearby establishments are closed in winter.

Beautiful church. The main tower dates from the 6th century and was built by the Normans, while the rest of the building dates from the 15th century. Celtic chiefs and priests were of equal status and it was customary for the chief to give the priest a piece of land with a stream or other watercourse as a boundary, to build a church on. It's the case at Nevern.

In the church is the "Vitalianus Stone" (a tablet dating from the ^5th century with inscriptions in Ogham, an old Celtic alphabet of Irish origin, and in Latin)

Magnificent marine reserve, a refuge for thousands of wading. One of the largest bogs in Britain. Possibility to walk in the dunes and bathe in the estuary. Three paths with information panels are offered. During the summer, volunteers organize different guided walks.

Opened in 1896 to take tourists to the Luna Park amusement park, which was located at the top of the hill, the funicular now leads to a giant optical instrument, the camera obscura, accessible to the public, to the Y Consti restaurant and above all to a magnificent panorama. This 237-metre funicular line is one of the longest in the British Isles. Clearly an must if you are visiting Aberystwyth or nearby! Frequent departures but remember to check the dates and schedules carefully, especially in winter.

Andrew Logan's sculptures live, sing, dance and shine. Andrew Logan, who lives in London, draws inspiration from his travels around the world to compose his very eccentric works, which one does not expect to see in this small village. His famous jewellery (worn in the American Sex in the City series) can be purchased in the museum shop. During the summer, workshops for adults and children: creation of jewellery, stickers, T-shirts..

Walks along the Severn River, bordered by parks and valleys. You can walk along the Montgomery Canal to Welshpool. We pass the picturesque villages of Berriew and Abermule where it is possible to take a coffee break or jump on the bus or train to save some time or return. Alternatively, you can go as far as Llanidloes, through green valleys dotted with small farms. From this village, which can be reached by bus from Newtown, another tour begins that leads to Severn-Break-its-Neck Falls, a picturesque waterfall.

Overlooking the beach, this former restaurant has been a museum since 1995. It shows models of ships and photographs relating to the city's maritime past. In particular, about the 1,000 or so shipwrecks that have occurred in the surrounding area. The museum also retraces, through panels and artefacts, the history of the site since its occupation by the Romans. It has also taken advantage of its location, ideal for creating a pleasant terrace from which one can contemplate the sea while having a drink on a sunny day.

A Visitor Center has been opened to provide information on walks along the canal. Maps and suggested walks are available. The center also organizes boat cruises and provides information on the flora and fauna through educational displays. For example, the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal Walk - a circular tour - takes you along the picturesque route of a former railroad line. Allow around 2 or 3 hours.

The beaches surround Newquay. To the south, Fistral Beach, considered the main beach, is worth bathing, but especially for surfing. In the summer there are numerous competitions. In the north, Great Western Beach is popular with surfers, Tolcarne Beach and Lusty Glaze Beach attract more bathers. A little further, in Watergate Bay, there is again a question of testing the wave. Each beach has cafés, toilets and rescue swimmers. Beware, however, at high tide, beaches are almost entirely covered and tourists are often surprised!

Lligwy Burial Chamber is a Bronze Age tomb, dominated by a massive stone estimated at 25 tons, on a small path leading out of the village.

A little further on is Din Lligwy, the ruins of an ancient village dating from the Roman Empire. The walls of the huts are still visible. In the field next door, Capel Lligwy is still standing: chapel from the first half of the 12th century. The tomb is not a visit in itself, there is not much to see but it is a very nice walk that awaits you, where you can discover these ruins.

It is the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen when she is in Scotland. At the exact opposite of the castle, at the bottom of the Royal Mile, she spends a week there at the beginning of each summer to conduct receptions and ceremonies in the capital. The site was occupied from 1128 by Holyrood Abbey, whose ruins can still be seen in the gardens. At the beginning of the 16th century, James IV and V built a palace there and definitively established political power in Edinburgh. The various conflicts of the second half of the century caused a lot of damage. Renovations began at the beginning of the 17th century, before Cromwell's troops ravaged a large part of the building in 1650. After the Restoration, a complete reconstruction of the palace is planned and the face it bears today is mainly given to it between 1671 and 1678, with a square plan of 70 meters on each side. After the 1707 Act of Union between Scotland and England, Holyrood lost his main functions. It was seized by the Jacobites in 1745 and Bonnie Prince Charlie courted it for a few weeks. From 1796 to 1803, the Count of Artois, the future Charles X of France, lived here in exile. The French royal family even returned from 1830 to 1832, after the July Revolution. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century, the interiors were partially restored and adapted to the comfort of the time.

State Apartments reflect the influences of successive monarchs. They are particularly famous for their decorated tapestries and ceilings. The highlight of the show is the superb Great Gallery, the largest room in the palace. There are 89 portraits of legendary and true kings of Scotland. They were painted by Jan de Wet between 1684 and 1686. You can also discover the dining room, the throne room and the various reception rooms used to date by the Queen on various occasions, such as the sumptuous Morning Drawing Room. The sumptuous furniture of Charles II's King's Bedchamber is impressive and the various antechambers are richly decorated.

Mary Queen of Scots' (Mary Stuart's) room is located in the northwest tower of the palace, just above the Darnley Rooms where her second husband, Henry Stuart (Lord Darnley) lived. Many intimate objects that belonged to him are kept there. In particular, there is a tragic portrait depicting the Queen in mourning costume, with a scene in the background depicting her execution at Fotheringhay Castle in 1587. The carved oak wood oratory where she isolated herself every day to pray is also there and the splendid Lennox Jewel, a heart-shaped pendant decorated with an emerald, is also remembered, which is said to have been made for Margaret Douglas, Mary Stuart's mother-in-law, to commemorate the deaths of her husband (Matthew Stuart) and her son (Henry Stuart). The latter was responsible for Holyrood's most famous drama: on March 9, 1566, he had Davide Rizzio, Mary's closest advisor, murdered. The crime took place in her room, right in front of her, while Henry himself held her while his men stabbed the unfortunate 56 times.

Holyrood Abbey is located in the gardens of the palace. It is the first building on the site, erected in 1128 by King David I. It would take its name from the Holy Cross, "rood" in ancient Scottish. Several coronations, weddings and funerals of members of the royal family took place there.

It is without doubt the most famous and mediatised of the Scottish castles. Absolutely everything makes an image of Épinal des Highlands: its location on an island, its small bridge, the loch and the mountains that surround it, its robustness both simple and noble, its medieval facade evocative of a rich history ... Its first walls were erected in the 13th century and it was then on the border of the Norse kingdom of the islands, giving it an important defensive position. It then became one of the strongholds of the MacKenzie clan and did not really have to suffer the wars of independence. However, the same cannot be said of the Jacobite uprisings, which put him to a severe test. In 1719, it was even occupied by the Spanish, who were then on the side of the insurgents against England. 46 soldiers were stationed there with 343 barrels of powder, waiting for reinforcements. London decided to take the lead and send three frigates to bomb it heavily. The English finally succeeded in capturing the fortress and used the powder to destroy it. On the basis of its ruins and original plans, Eilean Donan was rebuilt identically two centuries later, in 1932.

Since then, he has become a tourist and even movie star, with numerous appearances on the big screen, notably in the movie Highlander, where he is presented as the MacLeod headquarters (which was never actually the case), as well as in the James Bond movie Le Monde ne suffit pas, as the Scottish HQ of MI6.

To climb to the top of this small hill, it is best to approach it through Leith Walk and continue on to Royal Terrace and Regent Terrace. As you ascend, you will see old buildings such as the Royal High School and The Calton Jail, a prison that opened in 1817. The most interesting thing is to contemplate the city from its heights and then, eventually, to gain a little more altitude by climbing the tower of the Nelson Monument. Carlton Hill offers one of the most beautiful views of the city, with a panorama that sets the castle ablaze like the Fife of Forth.

Hyde Park, London's green lung, is the largest and best known park in the capital. It is also the favourite of Londoners who come here to jog or simply walk, especially on Sundays. Unlike many French parks, you can do almost anything in Hyde Park: cycling, rollerblading, rowing, horse riding, picnicking... Historically, it was Henri VIII who acquired this land from the monks of Westminster Abbey in 1536. It will serve as a hunting ground until James I accedes to the throne and authorizes access to it. The site had several uses: an important gathering place under Charles II, it hosted the Universal Exhibition in 1851 and was transformed into a potato field during the Second World War. In winter it hosts the Winter Wonderland, a Christmas village, and in summer we like to come for a picnic like the real English.

Diana Memorial Fountain. Open from April to August from 10am to 8pm, in September from 10am to 7pm, from March to October from 10am to 6pm and from November to February from 10am to 4pm. The memorial is generally closed once a year, at the end of October-early November, for maintenance purposes. The memorial was inaugurated on July 6, 2004. It represents a fountain with contemporary forms whose design, created by the American architect Kathryn Gustafson, is a metaphor that reflects Diana's life with two waves separating, one of which forms a waterfall, eddies, bubbles and eventually joins the other in a quiet pool. Water is constantly renewed, drawn directly from the city's drinking water reserves.

Marble Arch. At the northern corner of Hyde Park, Marble Arch is a vast white Carrara marble monument built in 1928 by architect John Nash. Marble Arch is inspired by Constantine's Arc de Triomphe in Rome. It was originally located in the Mall and served as a doorway to Buckingham Palace, but was moved in 1851 during the extensive development of Buckingham Palace by Queen Victoria to its present location.

Speaker's Corner. Speakers' Corner is a public area where it is possible to speak freely. At this place, everyone is allowed to speak as long as what they say is not in violation of the law. The police rarely intervene, usually when listeners complain or when the language is really vulgar. This is where fundamentalists of all stripes come to shout out their convictions. The comments are most often political or religious.

Coming to London and not climbing The Shard is like going to Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. This extraordinary construction by Renzo Piano is the modern pride of Britain. The building is imposing and magnificent, and the sensation you get once you reach the top is a unique experience. It is the tallest building in Western Europe. When you take the elevator, look up and admire the beautiful images that flash before your eyes. Once at the top, you'll enjoy panoramic views for up to 40 miles around.

This sumptuous and surprising building in the center of Brighton was the brainchild of the eccentric prince and future king George IV. Originally a simple farmhouse, the building was bought by him to be transformed into a classical villa, where he hosted huge receptions. But it wasn't until he became regent that he thought bigger, and things took on their present scale. He commissioned architect John Nash to design a huge palace inspired by India, Asia being a fascination of the English Regency period. Work was carried out between 1815 and 1822, and today it remains the city's undeniable landmark alongside the pier on the waterfront.

Visitors will undoubtedly marvel at the overflowing imagination of the decorator and architect, who pushed fantasy to the limit. Inside, you'll feel like you're in a fairytale palace: columns, bamboo banisters, sea-serpent curtain rods, a gigantic fireplace topped with gilded palms, lacquered, sculpted, mother-of-pearl-encrusted furniture... The palms in the large kitchen match the dragons on the wallpaper in the music room, where Rossini played.

The Royal Pavilion tearoom, on the upper floor, is an eccentric and sophisticated café, with a sunny balcony on fine days overlooking the Royal Pavilion gardens. A must-see when in Brighton.

A museum in a bunker? Funny idea! Yet it is underground that the museum dedicated to Churchill, the English political figure who marked the history of his famous speeches, is located. At the very place where the British Prime Minister took refuge during the Blitz and announced: "This is the room from which I will lead the war." Nothing has been touched and you will find personal items and work tools as they were used by this great character. Churchill's little sentences have not lost any of their salt...

Few buildings are as central to Scottish history as this one. The earliest written records date back to the ^12th century, when King Alexander ^I had a chapel built here. It would appear that he made it the seat of his power, as it was here that he died before his successor, David ^I, consecrated the town as a royal burgh . By the time Alexander III died in 1286, it was a major administrative and strategic center. When Edward ^I of England invaded the country in 1296, he found the fortress abandoned and placed a garrison there, which was dislodged the following year by Andrew Moray and William Wallace. The following summer, the English victory at Falkirk forced the Independents to abandon the city, before taking it back in 1299. However, they lost it again in 1304, when the English deployed 17 siege engines. Their new monarch, Edward II, was unable to protect Stirling, which came under the authority of Robert, since crowned King of Scots, after the battle of Bannockburn in 1314. The city was English from 1236 to 1242, before falling into the hands of the future Robert II, guaranteeing its Scottish future. The country being finally pacified, the Stuarts built a real palace there and multiplied the works during the Renaissance. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned queen there before her departure for the French court. She made a habit of visiting it regularly and had her newborn son, James, the future sovereign of Scotland and England, baptized there and spent his childhood there. Following the Union of the two crowns in 1603, Stirling's role declined sharply and the castle became primarily a defensive place during the religious troubles. Today, a visit to the castle takes you back to this rich and eventful past.

To see: We discover the historic chapel, the impressive Great Hall, but also the royal palace. The apartments of the queen and the king are of great beauty. Do not miss the kitchens, the tapestry exhibition and the Regimental Museum of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. All brought to life by a costumed staff, as well as free guided tours every hour between 10am and 5pm.

Will you see the ghosts of the castle? It is said that ghosts would live here... One would be dressed as a Highlander, in a kilt, and that he could approach visitors to talk to them and would disappear immediately. In other versions, visitors would think of a guide, would approach him and he would vanish into thin air. One also speaks about a green lady..

This museum is the most famous in the city, and probably the most fascinating in Scotland, along with the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. Inaugurated in 1901, it was reopened in 2006 by Queen Elizabeth after three years of renovations. Its breathtaking Baroque style is just a foretaste of all it has to offer: inside, 22 thematic galleries contain 8,000 objects of Art and History. The central piece is undoubtedly The Christ of St. John of the Cross, painted by Salvador Dali in 1951, but we should also mention the section on Mackintosh and the local style, which features furniture and decorative elements from local designers. The panoply of medieval armour will delight young and old alike and some of them date from the 15th century. In the Dutch Gallery you will see paintings from the Dutch and Flemish schools, represented by Rembrandt and Gérard de Lairesse among others. In the French Gallery, one can contemplate impressionists such as Monet, Renoir and Pissarro, but also Van Gogh and Mary Cassatt. Two wings are dedicated to the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists. Temporary exhibitions are also often held there (most of the time for a fee). In recent years, attention has been focused on 19th century costumes, the emergence of Glasgow from 1714 to 1837, the contemporary artist Jack Vettriano, football in Scotland, Italian art, and the pharaohs. Good to know: free guided tours are offered every day.

The University of Glasgow is a little architectural marvel. Founded in 1451, it is the fourth oldest of the English-speaking countries and one of the best in the world. Originally located near the Cathedral in the city centre, it moved to its present premises in 1870. Its students often boast of studying at Hogwarts because of its distinctive style. If you don't want to take the guided tour, at least come and take a look at the buildings and courtyards. It also has some excellent museums, which contribute to the attractiveness of the area. They are named after William Hunter, a famous anatomist and leading local academic figure. Along the way: walk through Professor Square, visit the University Chapel with its superb stained glass windows, climb the Lion and Unicorn Staircase,stroll through the quadrangles (and discover the local tradition-superstition concerning its grounds) and, above all, don't miss the superb cloisters, emblematic of the building and seen in many films and series, including Outlander.

Hunterian Museum (University Avenue, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm): studies geology and anatomy, with many rare minerals, fossils and specimens under glass. It also talks about different cultures around the world, from Roman Scotland to Glasgow medicine. He boasts 1.5 million items in his collection, including a sarcophagus with a mummified body, a diplodocus leg, and coconut fibre armour brought back from the South Pacific.

Hunterian Art Gallery (82 Hillhead Street, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm): the artistic side of the previous attraction, this is where all art lovers will come to see works by Rembrandt, Rubens, Chardin, Whistler or Stubbs.

Mackintosh House (82 Hillhead Street, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm, Sunday 11am to 4pm): right next to the Hunterian Art Gallery, this house is a reconstruction of the house where Charles Rennie Mackintosh lived. Destroyed during an extension of the campus, it had not been designed by the architect himself, but allows one to immerse oneself in his daily life, reproduced identically.

Hunterian Zoology Museum (82 Hillhead Street, Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm): west of the Hunterian Museum on campus, this small zoology museum displays many taxidermy items, but also some living species, such as insects, lizards, snakes and invertebrates.

Home of Sir John Soane, the architect behind The Bank of England. A collector and art enthusiast, Soane amassed dozens of architectural pieces and small sculptures, which he installed throughout his house. Explore the new areas open to the public: catacombs, basement and hall. Overflowing with Egyptian, Roman, medieval and Renaissance curiosities, this museum is a little wonder. By reservation, one Friday a month, at dusk, this museum can be visited by candlelight. A magical atmosphere guaranteed!

If the collection bears the name of the family which bequeathed its private collection to the State, they all come from the Marquis of Hertford, collector and art lover from father to son for generations, who collected all these exceptional pieces throughout his life. Besides, these little masterpieces are gathered in Hertford House, a beautiful 18th century French style building. You will find Le Titien, Rembrandt or Velasquez, and of course, a large selection of works by French artists such as Boucher, Watteau and Fragonard. The Wallace Collection also has magnificent medieval and Renaissance pieces, furniture in Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI style, a collection of Sevres porcelain, Limoges, majolica and an impressive collection of arms and armor.

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.

The foundation stone for Glasgow Cathedral was laid in 1136 in the presence of King David I and the building that stands proudly above the city today was completed in 1197. Since then it has been a prominent place of worship and its roof has never been destroyed, which is rare for such old walls. It is dedicated to Saint Mungo, also known as Saint Kentigern, the first bishop of the ancient kingdom of Strathclyde, who is buried in the crypt. In Scotland, it is the best preserved religious building of the 12th century, which has not been altered by the Reformation or by conflicts.

On the hill next door is the Victorian necropolis of the city. It was established on 15 hectares in 1832, where 50,000 people were buried and some 3,500 monuments now stand. Some are of great beauty, and the Celtic crosses and statues are worth a visit. It is a rather poignant and mysterious place, which commands a beautiful panorama of the surroundings. Several monuments are worth seeing: John Knox Monument, an imposing monument overlooking the cemetery erected to pay homage to the man of faith, and The Bridge of Sights, described as "the separation between time and eternity", as well as a more discreet and recent monument erected in honour of William Wallace, marked with the famous quote: "I am Scotland's Guardian. Though my body has been broken, my spirit will rise again to the sound of freedom.

Here, we boast about taking its time in the manufacture of malt. Between Glasgow and Loch Lomond there are several types of visits, the shortest of which lasts 45 minutes and ends with a Glengoyne dram 12 years old. This distillery opened its doors in 1833 and has the particularity of producing a Highland whisky, which matured in the Lowlands, its production site being horse between the two regions.

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's Scotland's postcard par excellence: Urquhart Castle enjoys an absolutely breathtaking location on the banks of Loch Ness, scanning the horizon and the apparitions of Nessie. Its ruins that can be seen today date from the 13th to the 16th century. Abandoned in the 17th century, it was partly destroyed in 1692 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the Jacobites. Now only the romantic shadow of past greatness remains, but the panorama from the top of Grant Tower is grandiose. The Visitor Centre completes the tour.