Streets squares and districts to visit Scotland

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.

From the Scottish Dene meaning deep valley, Dean Village, first known as Water of Leith Village, was a community of millers first mentioned in 1128. At the beginning of the 18th century, eleven mills were maintained here and the baxters of the bakers' guild conducted a flourishing trade. Nowadays, the district is appreciated for its setting below the city. Follow the Water of Leith Walkway or join the Gallery of Modern Art via the Dean Path, cutting through the picturesque Dean Cemetery.

60 metres high, inaugurated in 1844, it is Edinburgh's tribute to one of its greatest men: Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). A total of 68 statues cover him and represent characters from his works. During his lifetime, his novels were best-sellers that were shipped from the port of Leith to London, where they were then distributed throughout Europe. Among the winners are Ivanhoe, Quentin Durward, Waverley, Rob Roy and l'Antiquaire. To get to the top, you'll have to climb 287 steps. His house is visible at 25 George Square.

Classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001, the village of New Lanark was founded in 1786 by David Dale, who established a cotton mill and housing there. By 1799, the site had already become Scotland's largest cotton producer and one of the largest industrial groups in the world, with 2000 employees. He relied on the river Clyde to provide his energy. In 1800, Robert Owen, Dale's stepson, became its manager. This Welsh philanthropist was greatly influenced by the reformist movements and was one of the great defenders of Utopian Socialism, of which Owenism is a current. He established a very advanced social model in New Lanark to help the 2,500 people who lived there. He took special care of the children, for whom he opened the first nursery school in Britain in 1817. The great economic success of New Lanark helped to make it a model throughout Europe, so many thinkers and decision-makers went there to see that another reality was possible. In 1825, the Walker family took control of production. Starting in 1881, several businesses followed one another until the plant closed down in 1968, as it was no longer profitable. Today, admission gives access to the visitor centre, which traces the epic history of the village, Owen's house, the workers' houses in the 1820s and 1930s, the school and the workshops. There is also a period shop and a café.

A picturesque atmosphere emanates from this group of workers' houses, built between 1861 and 1911, structured in lines along the Leith River. Each walkway has been assigned to a trade that can be guessed by observing the work instruments carved in low relief on the wall of the houses overlooking Glenogle road. Their front door is located on the first floor, clearing the pediment of the houses to shelter lovely gardens.

The astonishing McCaig's Tower is Oban's most famous monument. Sitting atop the town on Battery Hill, its 92m circumference is reminiscent of the Roman Colosseum, which was its main source of inspiration. We owe this surprising project to John Stuart McCaig, a philanthropic banker concerned about his posterity and the fate of local masons in need of work. He himself drew the plans, which were implemented between 1897 and 1902, the year of his death. The climb is a bit steep, but worth a little effort for the magnificent view of the bay.