Places linked to a character to visit Scotland

Lovers of literature, history and fine stone will all find themselves here in the splendid gothic house that Sir Walter Scott fashioned in his own image. As Sheriff of Selkirkshire, he had to spend time near the Selkirk court when he was not living in Edinburgh. For a time he was content to rent a house from a cousin in Ashestiel. In 1811, he bought a small farm near Melrose. He renamed it Abbotsford and began converting the place to his liking. To begin with, the idea was not to build a gigantic palace, but simply to enlarge the existing building and acquire more land. In a few years, with the money from his success, he went from 44 hectares to 567 and planted many trees. From 1817 onwards, he called upon several architect, designer and artist friends to create more and more new pieces. George Bullock, James Skene, Edward Blore were among them, but it was the very famous William Atkinson who made the biggest contribution. Scott quickly revised his plans upwards and took advantage of a long visit to London, between 1819 and 1820, to discuss with him the destruction of the original farmhouse, in favor of the colossus that we see today. By 1824, the bulk of the work was completed and David Ramsay Hay, who later redecorated the Palace of Holyroodhouse for Queen Victoria, was responsible for the magnificent interiors. Three new walled gardens were also created. The author saw them as chapters in a novel and defined them as his antidote to long hours at his desk. After his death in 1832, Abbotsford was opened to the public. A modern visitor center traces the life and work of the genius writer, before you can walk in his footsteps to his writing room, library, drawing room, armory, reception room and chapel.

As French-speaking visitors, you will be delighted to find audio guides in French (at no extra charge): each room has its own terminals and its own set of explanations, always striking and astonishing... which will allow you to grasp all the magic of this "castle of enigmas", as Walter Scott had named and conceived it.

Not to be missed when visiting the Borders!

You can now stay in Abbotsford. The Hope Scott Wing has opened and offers 7 rooms for up to 15 people, and activities to live a few days in the manner of the great Scottish writer!

Erected in 1869, this superb 67m tower is dedicated to none other than the famous national hero of the 13th century: Sir William Wallace. It was made possible thanks to a fund-raising campaign in the midst of the resurgence of Scottish identity. Its elaborate Victorian Gothic style contrasts with the very modern University of Stirling, at the bottom of the hill from which it dominates the surroundings. It is said to have been here that the fierce warrior watched Edward I's army set off before the Battle of Stirling Bridge on 11 September 1297. Climbing the 246 steps to the top offers a magnificent view of the surrounding area. The visit also allows you to see the weapons used in the battle against the English, some busts of great Scottish names and the sword of Wallace himself.

Good to know : Access to the monument (outside) is entirely free. A free parking is available at the bottom of the site and you can go up by following a path that goes through the woods or the small road, only used by the site shuttle. The site alone offers magnificent panoramas.

Guided tours with actors: In high season, guided tours are offered by actors in costume. All year round, conferences and animations are programmed.

Legends Coffee House: To refresh yourself and regain your strength after walking to the monument, let yourself be tempted by the Legends Coffee House. It's cosy and everything is local.

Based on plans by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1901, this beautiful house was only actually built between 1989 and 1996. The materials were chosen to stick as closely as possible to the world of the architect and to that of his wife, who had designed the interiors. Fans won't fail to look at it, so to appreciate the dining room, the oval room or the main hall, very typical and faithful to their designers. It is located in the middle of a wooded environment in Bellahouston Park. It is also an art gallery and exhibition space.

If John Muir is not very well known in France, he is a great star in Scotland, but especially in the United States, where he emigrated in 1849 with his parents and became a great defender of the national parks. He is partly responsible for California's Yosemite National Park or Sequoia National Park. In this house where he was born, we discover his life, his travels and the vast legacy he left us. Some excerpts from his journals allow us to follow in his footsteps and share his love for nature and the wild world.

Considered a pioneer of Romanticism, Robert Burns was for a long time a peasant and gardener. He drew on this connection to nature and his land to write such renowned works as It's Only Goodbye or Tam O'Shanter. The vast museum brings together some 5,000 objects linked to him: manuscripts, portraits and personal effects. You can also visit the cottage where he was born on January 25, 1759, and where he spent seven years of his childhood.

Ellislad Farm is the farm where Robert Burns lived from 1788 to 1791. It was here that he wrote some of his most beloved nature poems. You will be immersed in a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Almost nothing has changed since the poet and bard left the house. You will enjoy travelling back in time and discover the daily life in the 18th century, the farm buildings, the stable and the orchard... You will also be able to walk along the banks of the Nith and let yourself be carried away by bucolic inspirations...

Dating from the 18th century, this former fisherman's shack is the birthplace of Arthur Anderson, the founder of P&O Ferries. It has been extensively refurbished and now houses the Shetland Textile Museum, which tells the story of this key industry in Shetland, with a collection of some 500 pieces and frequent demonstrations. You will see Fair Isle knitwear, Shetland lace, Shetland Taatit rugs and woven tweed, as well as tools. Papers and patterns are kept in the collection, with pieces dating back to 1870.

Built in 1734, this house was home to the artist E.A. Hornel from 1901 to 1933. E.A. Hornel was a member of theGlasgow Boys, many of his works are on display here, as well as pottery, ceramics, sculptures, bronzes and furniture from his acolytes. The house and studio are in Edwardian style. The library is probably the most beautiful room - he was a passionate collector - and the Japanese gardens are also worth a visit.

The graves of Rob Roy and his wife Mary can be seen in the cemetery in the hamlet of Balquhidder, near the plaque proclaiming "MacGregor despite them" ("MacGregor malgré eux tous"). The church is a real treasure for lovers of heritage and religious history. Indeed, there is the tombstone of the first saint who evangelized the territory, representing him with the salvation cup in his hands. There are also copies of the pages of the Bible translated by Reverend Kirk and an exhibition of objects that belonged to Rob Roy.

It was in this small, simple, unadorned townhouse that Robert Burns spent the last years of his life until his death in 1796. The interiors give us a good idea of how the Scottish bard lived with his wife, Jean Armour, and their children. We enter the office where he wrote some of his most beloved works, as well as the different pieces of his daily life. The house became a true place of pilgrimage afterwards: Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats all passed through it to gather.

Welcome to the world of the Edinburgh bourgeoisie, at No. 7 Charlotte Square. The Georgian House is a daily newspaper in New Town, in a classic house by architect James Craig. Throughout the plays, we immerse ourselves in the customs of the time, thanks to adapted furnishings and staging. The five families who have lived here in succession have all left their mark, from the Lamont to the Bute. We follow their typical days and those of their maidservants, from the musical education of young girls to social gatherings, including the preparation of refined dishes in the huge kitchen.

The Writers' Museum packed its suitcases full of books in Lady Stair's House, a narrow medieval house in the Royal Mile (1622). It traces the lives of three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns (1759-1796), Robert L. Stevenson (1850-1894), and Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Through manuscripts, paintings, portraits, personal effects, engravings and photographs, their paths are retraced. The top floor features a superb Ballantyne press, on which Sir Walter Scott's first edition of Waverley was printed.

The unhappy Queen Mary Stuart spent a month here in October 1566. She was visiting her adviser, secret lover and future husband, the Earl of Bothwell, in the Hermitage Castle. This beautiful 16th century stone house retraces his life, as tragic as it is fascinating. We discover for example one of his hair, a death mask, and his last thoughts in the Last letter room. It is all very informative, against a backdrop of politics, betrayals, murders and lies.

Andrew Carnegie was born in 1835 in this modest weaver's house. He is one of the main actors in the development of the steel industry in the United States. Nicknamed the richest man in the world in his day, he single-handedly embodied the American dream. He is remembered as a brilliant businessman and philanthropist, giving millions of dollars to various foundations and bequeathing his fortune to charities. The house traces his life and his work.

This place is a must for those who are interested in the country's heritage or for budding genealogists. It has many resources on the history of the region, with newspapers, maps, photographs, books, official and unofficial archives. If you need to do genealogical research, you've come to the right place. At its heart is the statue of Robert Burns, the centerpiece of the original monument erected in 1879. It is the only place in Scotland to have archives dating back over 500 years. For £15, you can even do genealogical research.