Towers to visit Scotland

The Real Mary King's Close is a collection of alleys and underground dwellings that were in the heart of Old Town in the 17th century. They took the name of one of the daughters of the lawyer Alexander Close who owned several properties there. In the 18th century, they were partially demolished and buried during the construction of the City Chambers. It was from that moment, in the bowels of the city, that the maze entered into the darkest mysteries and legends of Edinburgh; and this, for 400 years. Archaeologists' research has made it possible to understand how some poor families have found refuge there in the face of the capital's overpopulation. It was also here that the plague patients were isolated so that they would die hidden from everyone. The evocation of the disease is then an opportunity to disentangle the true from the false and to fight many preconceived ideas. Ghost stories are legendary, such as that of a little girl named Annie who was seen by a medium and to whom many visitors still bring gifts today, or those of the many victims of the legendary murderers Burke and Hare, whom they reportedly hid before selling them to hospitals. Reopened to the public in 2003, The Real Mary King's Close lifts the veil on dark hours and cursed destinies, in a gloomy universe that does not leave anyone indifferent. The visit lasts one hour and makes sense thanks to actors in costumes for a successful immersion.

To visit Dunollie is to visit 3 sites. First, Dunollie Castle: its ruins, with a last renovation completed in 2019, offer a superb panoramic view on the Oban bay. Then the house-museum: a house from 1745 where each room has been renovated and fitted out to display old objects (^19th century) testifying to the daily life of its occupants. From the kitchen to the children's rooms, we discover everything about the life of a family in the 1800s. The museum also tells the story of the MacDougall clan and, through their epic story, traces the history of Scotland. Then, the park: its course invites to better understand the various invasions which marked the history of Scotland. It is also an opportunity to learn more about the civilization and mythology of the Vikings.

Regularly during the school vacations, the site offers practical and manual workshops of 1 hour for children (£5), which can be an excellent idea to familiarize them with English. There is also the possibility to follow a guided tour at no extra cost or to organize specific visits: adapted to children, focusing on the discovery of the gardens, taking a closer look at the old textiles..

You can have lunch, a picnic or a snack on the spot, thanks to The Kettle café and its menu, made of home-made products, very tasty and at mini prices.

This colossus overlooking the hill was completed in 1815 to celebrate the victory of Trafalgar by the famous Admiral Nelson ten years earlier. In 1853, a huge sphere was installed on top of the Nelson Monument. Every day, at 1pm, she is hoisted up a mast and then released to give the time to the sailors of Leith. In its tiny museum, this story is told alongside some documents on the legendary naval battle that defeated Napoleon. At the top, the view is pleasant, but not much different from Calton Hill.

The Glasgow Tower offers a stunning panoramic view. Just the figures alone make you dizzy: it rotates 360°, it is referenced in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest fully rotating self-supporting structure in the world, it is 127 m high... Before climbing, you will discover the history of the tower and all the adventures and feats of its engineering. Climbing to the top of the tower takes just over 2 minutes. People prone to vertigo will be able to try the geolocated augmented reality experience on iPad.

Sir Walter Scott came here regularly as a child and Smailholm Tower was then on the grounds of his grandfather's farm. She has inspired the artist a lot and appears in his poem Marmion. This 15th century fortified tower, perched on a rock above a lake, is a very evocative image of the Borders, of which it is a symbol. It is 20 metres high and has walls 2.50 metres thick, spread over four floors. From its imposing summit, you can see as far as the English castle of Bamburgh on a clear day.

Discover here the most beautiful set of bells in Scotland (there are 10 of them) and the second largest collection in the world (by weight). You can discover the bell ringers as well as the mechanisms of the bells. On the ground floor, a free exhibition tells the story of the bells, cast in 1920, of their ringing and reveals their little names. It is possible to climb the 176 steps of the spiral staircase to gain height on Inveraray and admire the magnificent carillon, as well as the panoramic view of the mountains and Loch Fyne.

The prison in the old town can be visited on a guided tour with an actor in costume, taking turns playing different roles. Immersed in the gloomy atmosphere of the building, designated as one of the worst prisons in Britain, you will discover the history of crime and punishment in the Stirling of yesteryear. You will meet the executioner Jock "The Happy Hangman" Rankin, but also the murderers and the tortured. From the top of the tower you will enjoy a beautiful view of the historic town and the surrounding countryside.