Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Scotland

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.

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.

Completed in 1953, the Royal Yacht Britannia is the last of a long line of 83 royal ships dating back to Charles II in 1660, built at Clydebank, near Glasgow, and is 126 metres long with a capacity for 250 guests and 240 crew. In service from 1954 to 1997, it was a floating embassy for the Royal Family, which travelled some 2,014,278 km during 696 visits abroad and 272 to the United Kingdom. After 44 years of good and loyal service on the seas, he is demobilized and moored in the port of Leith. He is not ordered a replacement and the mastodon becomes one of Edinburgh's flagship attractions. On the programme: the highlights of the ship's history, the control room, the admiral's apartments, Her Majesty's bedroom and her Rolls Royce, which she took everywhere. One also immerses oneself in the underside of diplomacy and protocol, walking through the many lounges and reception rooms, but also the terraces where the Queen liked to relax.

The Royal Yacht Britannia was recently awarded a prize as one of Scotland's top tourist and cultural attractions, according to the National Tourist Board's website. No doubt this is due to the historical and cultural interest, but also to the possibility - oh so attractive for admirers of British royalty - of having tea in the "Royal Deck Tea Room" ... You can also spend a night in the luxury hotel located in the nearby ship, the Fringal.

Founded in 1794, this distillery is one of the only ones you will find in the city centre of a very touristic destination, which makes it a must-see during a visit to Oban. Its production site has never really expanded for lack of space and the techniques are faithful to the principles of this fascinating industry. The £12 tour is particularly complete and informative and includes a first tasting of the whisky, directly from the cask, and a second one, once the product is bottled. You will discover the 14 year old, which goes remarkably well with ginger and dark chocolate. This single malt no longer has any followers in the world, thanks to an identity between sea and land, which is found in its iodized, fruity and slightly smoky flavours. Two other visits are proposed to the most passionate: the "Exclusive Distillery Tour" of 2 hours, with discovery of the warehouses and tastings, and the "Distillery Manager's Tour & Tasting" with the site manager.

The site is also very pleasant to visit even without a guided tour, with a shop where you can bottle an exclusive whisky yourself, and engrave your bottle to make it unique. Upstairs, the bar area offers an exhibition on the history of Oban and its distillery, and plunges you into the atmosphere of an old rigging. Here you can taste the Oban whisky of your choice or try the cocktails. Why not the old fashioned Oban: Oban 14, syrup, bitter and ice cubes? Or the Oban Hot Toddy: Oban 14, honey, spices, hot orange juice?

Glen Coe: the object of all reveries and the showcase of Scotland to the world, the Glen Coe Valley has not finished marvelling. Of volcanic origin, its biscornuous mountains make it a magnificent region, often considered, rightly, as the most beautiful glen of the country. It stretches for 16 km and is entirely covered by the A82. To the east, it is preceded by the immense Moor Rannoch and its endless moorland expanses. To the west, it flows into Loch Leven, in the small village of Glencoe. It is a sanctuary adored by nature, hiking and outdoor enthusiasts. Much of the area is owned by the National Trust and it is recommended that you drop by the visitor centre or visit their website (www.nts.org.uk) for route ideas, or even guided walks organised by localrangers. The West Highland Way passes through here and climbs the famous Devil's Staircase, one of the most eagerly awaited moments for hikers for its great beauty, but also its challenge. Further west, the Three Sisters are among the most photographed peaks in the country: Beinn Fhada, Gearr Aonach, and Aonach Dubh. Stop at the parking lots for breathtaking views. However, it hasn't always been time to party in the glen, far from it. The year 1692 is forever remembered as the darkest day in its history. At the end of the Glorious Revolution, the MacDonalds of Glencoe, who were devout Jacobites, were slow to swear the new oath to King William, but they did so anyway. Some time later, while they were billeted with men of the Campbell clan under Scottish hospitality, they received royal orders to execute their hosts. On the morning of February 13 and after several days at their table, they slaughtered 38 of the MacDonalds and left 40 women and children to freeze to death after burning down their homes. This dark event became a major fact of Scottish history and clan culture.

Glen Etive: South of Glen Coe, the huge Glen Etive is less well known than its neighbour, but this tends to change since its appearance in the final scenes of James Bond: Skyfall. It can be reached before the eastern entrance to Glen Coe from the A82. Almost 20 km long, it offers the best of Lochaber: magnificent mountains, waterfalls, forests, beautiful wildlife, a few hiking trails, before ending on the banks of the romantic Loch Etive, which flows to the outskirts of Oban.

The Cuillin Mountains are among the most breathtaking and unmistakable in the country. Their spectacular ascent is often a consecration but requires rigorous preparation, excellent orientation and considerable effort. There is no real path to climb there, so that some passages are almost like climbing. However, some routes are easier to climb if you have the will and a good map.

It is up there, in this Scottish Wild West, that you find the soul of the Highlands. You won't necessarily have time to do the whole itinerary, but choose at least one section to capture the infinite grandeur of this small country. You are free to shorten them, cross them or modify them. Some are much longer than others and will probably require to be cut in two days. In any case, a good map will be the key to your success.

From Kyle of Lochalsh to Loch Torridon: the first stop is Plockton, an idyllic little village where pretty houses are lined up facing a bewitching and wooded bay. It announces the beginning of Loch Carron, which the road follows until the village of Lochcarron, a long open street on the banks, where beautiful photos can be taken. The road then climbs on the heights, to reach Ardarroch and plunge into the heart of the Appelcross peninsula, as beautiful as wild. At Tornapress, you can cut off towards Shieldaig and cross sublime and deserted stretches of wide open spaces, surrounded by peaks, or continue towards Applecross via the Bealach na Ba pass. The scenery will be all the more magnificent as you climb. Don't hesitate to turn around and look back as you gain altitude over Loch Kishorn in the foreground and Loch Carron in the background. You will then enter an absolutely fairy-tale-like place with the threat of a canyon, while the road winds its way to a breathtaking view of the Cuillin of Skye. It then descends to the coast, along high moorland covered plateaus. The rest of the route to Torridon follows the charming coastline, which has only the island of Raasay and the Trotternish Peninsula as neighbors.

Loch Torridon to Gairloch: Loch Torridon (split between Loch Torridon and Upper Loch Torridon) is definitely one of the most beautiful and amazing in the country. But the powerful Glen Torridon which follows reminds us that we are in the Highlands, with its imposing walls of black mountains, as beautiful as dramatic. The road forks at Kinlochewe to follow the admirable Loch Maree, which is full of charm and strangely shaped landforms. The area is a nature reserve and you will find the Beinn Eighe Visitor Centre just before the loch (www.nnr.scot), then a parking lot on its shores with self-service documentation on possible walks in the area. The path then continues quietly to Gairloch.

From Gairloch to Lochinver : the section towards Poolewe is quite typical of the west coast but it is on the heights of Loch Ewe that the show is perfectly dazzling. The panorama on this small sea and Ewe Island is unforgettable, especially at sunset. The Guinard Bay to follow is also very romantic and the Little Loch Broom has impressive waterfalls at the Ardessie Waterfalls. The road then leaves the coastline and announces a return to the heart of the Hilghlands, once again entering deep glens . Before turning onto the A835 for Loch Broom and Ullapool, you may want to stop at the Falls of Measach. You then have two options for getting to Lochinver: the coast and the land. The coastal route turns at Drumrunie and follows two lochs, passing close to Stac Pollaidh (613 meters), a curious mountain with a Wild West feel. It then zigzags to its destination between water and rock. The path across the land remains on the main road, the A835/37. It is just as sumptuous and has the advantage of gaining more altitude, between the plains and the northern behemoths, such as Suilven (731 m), Quinag (808 m) and Cul Mor (849 m), in the distant shadow of the colossal Ben More Assynt (998 m). Just before turning onto Loch Assynt, it crosses the very photogenic ruins of Ardvreck Castle. If you are short of time, you don't have to make the detour to Lochinver and you can go north without passing by the coast.

From Lochinver to Durness: you can either retrace your steps to catch up with the A894 or follow the coastline along the B869. If you choose the latter, you can eventually pass by the Point of Stoer and hike to its impressive stack, the Old Man of Stoer. You will catch up with the main road shortly before Unapool and Eas a' Chual Aluinn, the highest waterfall in Britain (200 m) is not far from here, but requires a long and tough 10 km round trip walk from Loch na Gainmich. You will then walk along the beautiful waterfront dotted with lochans (small lochs), via the small bay of Scourie and Laxford Bridge. The final stretch between Rhioconich and Durness is delightful with its vast meadows bordered by mountains to the east. In this area, if you have some time, don't miss the enchanting Sandwood Bay, which is often on the list of the most beautiful beaches in the UK. You'll need to take the B801 west to Blairmore, where a small parking lot and toilets mark the start of the path. It's a 13 kilometers walk there and back, to reach a breathtakingly beautiful beach, whose white sands are encircled by cliffs and watched over by a majestic stack to the south (www.johnmuirtrust.org).

This is the first time since 1925 that the Scottish capital has redone its single malt. The distillery is housed in a beautiful historic building, some 180 years old, a few steps from Holyrood Park and Old Town. You will discover how whisky and gin are made and will be able to follow different guided tours, according to your wishes: immersion in the distillery, visit and tasting of whisky or gin, masterclass on whisky. Explore also the shop and its selection of rare and vintage whiskies, the "Holyrood Prestige Collection"!

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.

The Trotternish Peninsula is a postcard setting, a picture of the epinal of Scotland as you dream of it. Its reliefs look like the Wild West and erosion has created a spectacle of another world, populated by high rocky plateaus and natural monoliths. It lies to the north of the island, accessible by road, on the A87 and A855, which go around it. Several spots are to be discovered:

The north-west: Fairy Glen is a nice stopover to start your escapade on Trotternish. Follow the "Sheader & Balnaknock" road from the A87 at the southern entrance to Uig, where you will drive 2.5 km through a green valley that bears its name. Further north, Duntulm Castle is situated on the site of the same name. This ruined castle was built in the 14th century and became the seat of the MacDonald of Sleat in the 17th century. Not much remains of it, but it is still very photogenic. A little further up, Rubha Hunish Point is the northern end of the island. A path leads there between Duntulm and Kilmaluag. On the A855, at a phone booth, follow Shulista and park in the small car park. The path starts a little further to the left, just past the cattle gate. It is about 7 km round trip. The closer you get to the coast, the more impressive the view of the cliffs and the Outer Hebrides.

The Quiraing: these magnificent rocky plateaus overlooking Staffin Bay are the result of a landslide of volcanic origin. The Earth has done an extraordinary job there. The best way to enjoy it is to take the signposted Staffin via the Quiraing road from the A855 at the north exit of Uig and climb the peninsula's heights until you reach a small car park where the view is stunning. From here there are several hiking trails along the ridge lines along the Trotternish Ridge.

Kilt Rock: 2.5km south of Staffin on the A855, there is a car park on the coast at a loch. This is the vantage point of Kilt Rock, where the Mealt Falls, a superb waterfall, cascades down from the cliffs into the sea. In the summer, the place is overrun but the spectacle is definitely worth a stop.

The Old Man of Storr: this is the most famous old man in Skye! This 55 m long natural monolith stands proudly at 137 m above sea level. It is the undisputed icon of the island. It can be reached from a car park 11.5 km north of Portree and 16 km south of Staffin on the A855. Count about 4 km for the round trip, via a rather simple and visible route.

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 Harris Tweed & Knitwear exhibition "Clo Mor"(Big Garment in Gaelic) offers an interesting retrospective of the local tweed industry and its journey through time. Between photographs and edutainment spaces, the visit is suitable for all ages. Models present clothing of all types and all eras, showing how Harris Tweed was honoured on the world's catwalks. It is possible to attend weaving demonstrations.

Popular with children, families and birding enthusiasts in general, the Seabird Centre is a benchmark in Britain for its realistic approach to the world of seabirds. Several webcams provide live views of colonies in their everyday lives on nearby islands, including Bass Rock, which is unique in its kind and populated by some 100,000 Northern Gannets. The very helpful staff and the many children's games make things quite clear and playful. The most passionate will be able to treat themselves to a trip at sea.

It is difficult not to succumb to the charm of this so familiar distillery. Its discovery during a guided tour invites you to discover the secrets of the making of this world-famous whisky. The stills are certainly what impresses the most, by their size as well as by their beauty. The visit, even the simplest, ends with a commented tasting in the reserved area. The immediate surroundings of the site, with the breathtaking view of the Dornoch Firth, a protected area for bird watching, are also an undeniable asset of the visit.

This ultra-modern distillery is the novelty of the Speyside to see. The place is absolutely sumptuous and whether you are sensitive or not to contemporary architecture, this site seduces every time, for its incredible originality and aestheticism. In addition to the visits (please remember to book), stop here to see the exhibition retracing the history of Macallan and presenting exceptional decanters and bottles. It is free and freely accessible. Brasserie and bar will be a must, with a very appreciable quality-price ratio.

This distillery is a place of pilgrimage for whisky lovers. After a 523-year hiatus, the copper stills at Lindores Abbey are back in operation. The distillery offers simple tours to understand everything about whiskey making and "apothecary experiments" around the Aqua Vitae, first created in 1494. The welcome center, in a cloister, is another asset of the place, as well as its café and its afternoon teas... whisky and champagne!

The beautiful Glen Brittle Valley is as magical as it is popular. It is also home to the world famous Fairy Pools, a succession of small waterfalls and natural pools with stunningly blue translucent waters. Much appreciated by photographers for their beautiful colours and their tropical aspect, they have become a real must-see during a stay in Skye. Come early enough or late enough to avoid the crowds and the further you go, the less people will come. Count 6-7 km round trip for the whole itinerary.

The only distillery on the island to produce "the golden spirit". The Talisker is fruity, hot, spray and, of course, a little smoked, but then very slightly… We fall under the charm of this sea whisky, with a fine and stubborn taste.