Archaeology handicrafts and science and technology sites to visit Scotland

Loch Ness has no secrets for this museum, which surfs largely on the wave left behind by the monster, whose fabulous universe it recounts. The visit is very interactive, with films, soundtracks, sets and effects, and tries to adopt a rational and scientific tone. A total of seven plays retrace Nessie's marvellous epic, between hoaxes, mysteries, rumours and certainties. A French version is possible. Preferred with teenagers and adults.

The Talisker Distillery is the star of the island and one of its main attractions. Celebrated throughout the world, it was founded in 1830 and was much appreciated by Robert Louis Stevenson. The simple tour lasts about 45 minutes and is very complete, through the entire manufacturing process. It ends with the tasting of the 10-year-old, a single malt with a 45.8% strength and a full-bodied, peaty, spicy and pleasantly iodized character. Another tour combines whisky and chocolate, and a third offers a guided tasting with an expert.

The Neolithic dwellings in Barnhouse Village were probably occupied by those who built Maeshowe and the foundations give a good impression of what the houses looked like at the time. 1.5 km further on you will find the very romantic Ring of Brodgar. Its monoliths are said to be between 3,500 and 4,000 years old. Sitting enthroned in the heather, 27 of the original 60 are still visible. Between the two sites, you will pass the Ness of Bodgar, still under excavation.

At the eastern entrance of Aberfeldy, the Dewar's distillery enjoys a huge fame in the whisky industry. Worked by the Dewar family, it started distilling in 1898 and produces very appreciated and varied single malts and blends. The classic tour is very informative and includes the tasting of a dram of your choice. There is also a tour combining the flavours of chocolate and whisky. There is also a very pleasant café-bar on site.

This fascinating discovery centre reproduces daily life in the Iron Age, with the complete reconstruction of a dwelling of the time, called a crannog, which was erected on the surface of a loch. 4 of the 18 buildings are still present, out of the original 18. The remains that have been found are also on display and form real treasures, more than 2,500 years old. The visit is very instructive and fun thanks to the presence of costumed guides.

It was the last blackhouse hamlet to be abandoned by its inhabitants in Lewis in 1974. These nine traditional thatched cottages have been restored and are a mirror of the past. The setting is picturesque, with the beach and cliffs at the end of the road. The whole is particularly photogenic, full of character and authenticity. Today, there are several rental accommodation offers, a souvenir shop and a small museum that details the past of the place.

Created in 1825, this small distillery is named after its famous neighbour, the giant Ben Nevis. It does not really offer the longest and most complete visit of Scotland, but still has the advantage of being in the city centre of a tourist destination. The 10 years of age is the lighthouse malt. It's 46% percent, is pretty rounded, soft and dry.

The Calanais Standing Stones are among the best preserved prehistoric sites in the country. These stones were erected around 3,000 years before our era, in the shape of a cross around a circle of 13 monoliths. In the centre stands a 4.8m menhir, next to which a tomb was added generations later. Although we do not really know what happened here, some archaeologists have put forward the hypothesis of an astronomical observatory. The Callanish visitor centre aims to interpret the history of the site through its small retrospective exhibition.

The Singleton of Glen Ord is the miraculous meeting between the barley of Black Isle and the water of White Burn. The Glen Ord distillery, set in a green setting, tells the story of its whisky and its particularities through an exhibition (with multilingual translations) and guided tours, ranging from the simplest with tasting, to those for the most passionate and expert: with tutored tasting live from the casks, with tasting of 6 different whiskies... The bar, accessible to all, overlooks the barrels and is beautiful.

Annandale Distillery is one of the few distilleries in the South of Scotland. The site was bought in 2007 by enthusiasts, who wanted to bring it back to life. In 2018-2019, they released their very first single malt. It was an immediate success, as it was named in 2020 "Best Single Cask, Single Malt Scotch Whisky - 10 Years and Under" (Jim Murray's 2019 and 2020 Whisky Bibles). The distillery can be visited. It also has a beautiful store and a very pleasant café, The Malting Coffe Shop, where it is good to settle.

Here we visit a mid-19th century farmhouse, which was occupied until the 1960s. The main resources came from the sea and the man was generally a fisherman, while women and children worked the land. The whole family lived in this space - grandparents, parents and children - divided into two parts: the Ben end or bedroom and the But end or kitchen. The site offers a striking experience and an interesting perspective of life at that time, devoid of superfluous and keeping to the bare essentials of life.

Crawick Multiverse is a giant land art project. Nestled in the heart of the hills, it has metamorphosed an old open-cast coal mine into a spectacular art space. Charles Jencks' work reinterprets space in the light of astronomy and cosmology: wanderings through galaxies, universes and comets are traced here. Whether you are sensitive to this art or not, the site is worth a walk, it is so impressive. It regularly hosts shows and is now maintained by the Crawick Multiverse Trust.

Designed by William Adam in 1750, the House of Dun is an elegant Georgian-style country house set in the middle of a beautiful park of gardens and woods. This house is the architectural embodiment of the ideal of an 18th century laird. Nothing is left to chance. Everything is aesthetics, geometry, symmetry and classical art, down to the smallest detail, from the floors to the ceilings and all the ornamental and decorative elements. The kitchen was, for its time, ultra modern, which is what makes it so attractive today.

Built in 1953 and equipped with a refraction telescope, it is the only observatory in Great Britain where an astronomer is permanently present. Exhibitions on space exploration are organized there.

History : The Mills Observatory was established by a bequest from John Mills in 1935, a wealthy flax farmer, who left the observatory a legacy of fertile land. Designed by the town's architect, McLellan Brown, in collaboration with Professor Ralph Sampson, it is built in sandstone and has a rather atypical dome 7 m in diameter. It was built for the sole purpose of popularizing science to the general public! Its main telescope measures 400 mm in diameter and offers quality images of the Moon and the planets. However, it has another, much more prestigious and older instrument, a 250 mm telescope made by Thomas Cooke of York in 1871. Alas! due to its age and condition, it is hardly used anymore. When this observatory opened its doors on October 28, 1935, it housed a 450 mm mirror telescope built by Grubb Parsons of Newcastle. What remains of this equipment can still be seen today in one of the observatory's rooms. An astonishing mixture of classicism (the buildings and old telescope) and modernity (the telescopes in which visitors usually observe), this observatory is still worth the trip, as it is located in a pleasant wooded park that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding residential areas.

The Standing Stones of Stenness would have been erected 5,000 years ago. They belong to a series of domestic and ritual monuments. There were twelve standing stones on this site, but only four remain today. Their forms and stature are absolutely stunning and the highest is 6 m high. A path perpendicular to the road and parallel to the field where they are located leads in a short time to Barnhouse Village, another site to visit if you are interested in Prehistory.

This space, which also serves as a tourist office, is freely accessible and free of charge. It offers curious visitors the opportunity to discover the history of the Caledonian Canal, but also the particularities of the region and its great sites, such as the Great Glen or Loch Ness, of course. You will learn all about the construction of the canal and Queen Victoria's passage. In fact, the Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Fountain, just a few steps away, is a testament to the village's sympathy for her. The Caledonian Canal Centre also has a shop and a very friendly café.

This stone circle is an impressive Neolithic site. It offers to see six stone circles. Erected monoliths, cairns, burial cists and circles marking habitation or plots are visible. They bear witness to a dwelling dating from 3500 to 1500 BC. These stone circles were associated with religious activities estimated at -4500 BC. You will have to walk a little from the car park to see the stones (a walk of about an hour).

This distillery produces a 100% Galloway gin: the "Hills & Harbour gin". It distills fir needles and seaweed with 9 other plants, for a sweet gin, with surprising flavors: tropical fruits, spices, citrus, tangy sorbet, marine fragrances... It is a real gustatory journey! The distillery can be visited (with a final tasting), and also has a bar, where signature cocktails are served, and an original coffee area. You are invited to take a board and serve yourself a picnic based on local products.

Created in 2015, this distillery opened its doors to the public in spring 2019. It invites you to discover how gin is made through 3 visits. They will show you the premises, the manufacturing techniques, the perfect recipe for gin and tonic and will allow you to taste one or more drinks, depending on the formula chosen. The guided tours are special in that they also tell you about Stirling, its history and its legends: that of the Red Cap and the Green Lady in particular. You can also follow a 2-hour workshop to distill your gin.

On the border of the National Park, Dalwhinnie is a world-famous distillery. The location alone is quite impressive, beaten by the wind between the mountains. Founded in 1898, it is the highest in the country. The visit is very complete and interesting, and lasts about 45 minutes. It was voted the best in Scotland in 2017. At the end, a tile of chocolate accompanies a 15 year old dram, a 43% single malt, complex, thick and aromatic. An in-depth chocolate & whisky tasting is also offered.

This distillery was founded by William Mitchell in 1872. He had previously owned Springbank with his brother John. You can learn the history of this family as well as the different names of whiskies that have become established here. Several tours are offered. The £10 tour lasts one hour and tells you about the genesis of the distillery and how whisky is made. It ends with the tasting of a dram of spirit and the gift of a miniature.

Quendale Mill is a 19th century watermill, beautifully restored to house an exhibition on its past activity and the way people worked here at the time, with many objects and tools on display. The estate goes back further back in time to the 16th century, but the mill first appeared in 1867. It used to grind the farmers' grain over a very wide surrounding area and, as such, was a very important place in the social life of the past. The site also has a shop selling local crafts and a café on site.

This small local museum aims to tell the story of the Hoswick area's past, with period photographs and exhibits on local crafts and the whaling industry, as well as a collection of early twentieth-century radios, both civilian and military. You will also learn about the history of the Hoswick Whale case. The museum also houses a very friendly café where it is pleasant to take a gourmet break, for both sweet and savoury snacks, with its homemade pastries and lunches prepared on demand, using fresh local products.

You will have to check the tides before going to this small island, whose access depends entirely on them. There are interesting Pictish and Viking remains, although much more recent than all the neighbouring attractions. The area was densely populated between the 7th and 13th centuries and witnesses to the past include a large Celtic stone (a replica, the original is on display in Edinburgh), ruins of Scandinavian dwellings and a Romanesque church. The info point contains information and objects found during excavations.

Built between 500 and 200 BC, this Iron Age site is admirably well preserved and complete for its great age. A brooch is a construction unique to Scotland of this period and formed a defensive tower to protect the villagers from frequent raids. There are about 500 brochs left in the whole country and this one is one of the most impressive and remarkable in the country. Surrounded by dwellings, the whole site is spread over 45m and surrounded by a moat. The small museum displays everything that has been found on the site.

If you've ever been to a few pubs in Orkney or even the rest of Scotland, this is a brewery you've heard of. Its beers are among the best in the country and are all produced here, before landing in the pints of real ales lovers. Tours last 40 minutes and depart regularly, but reservations can be made to ensure a schedule. A tasting concludes the experience (beer for adults, fruit juice for children) and there is also a café renowned for its food on site.

The second Orkney distillery, Scapa, was created in 1885 but went through a deep crisis in the 1990s and almost closed down... Fortunately, this never happened and facts proved that there was indeed room for two great whisky names in Kirkwall. The tour takes in the entire production site and its magnificent surroundings, before tasting a 14 year old dram, less peaty than most single island malts but radiantly fruity and spicy. Those under 18 have no access to guided tours.

Discovered in September 2010, this Neolithic tomb is still being excavated today. It is believed to be 5,000 years old and contained otter bones, in addition to the human remains that have been exhumed. Many are still present, clearly visible, and belonged to both adults and children. The visitor centre reveals the secrets that have already been uncovered and exhibits some of the discoveries. It is located a few minutes from the Tomb of Eagles: the two visits often go hand in hand and are recommended.

Some 5,000 years of history were unveiled here when Ronnie Simison, a local farmer, discovered two major prehistoric sites on the island by digging under horizontal stones that intrigued him. The first is a vast Bronze Age ruin, probably a dwelling or meeting place. The second is a very elaborate Stone Age tomb. Excavations have uncovered many artifacts and as many as 16,000 human bones, as well as a few eagles, which gave the attraction its name.

This information centre is dedicated to natural history and local geology, with many fossils dating back to the dawn of time. World Wars are also covered, with a retrospective on the construction of the Churchill Barriers, the network of dikes that were supposed to link the islands together to stop U-boats and now serve as a road. There is also a good café on site, with fresh food and gourmet pastries.

Founded in 1810, Jura is one of the most isolated distilleries in Scotland. It almost fell into oblivion in the 1950's, before two landowners of the island took it over. Today, it is an important activity provider for the island community and offers visits of its production. Two of its single malts are well known: Jura Origin is a typical western whisky, slightly smoked, with a grainy aroma and a touch of brine. The Jura Superstition is more unctuous, peaty and spicy.

Distillery established in 2005, it is the latest addition to the island scene. Its production is low by local standards, but the one-hour visit remains instructive for all enthusiasts and includes the tasting of two dramas. She has the particularity of producing a whisky that you will only find in Islay, made from a malt exclusively grown on the island's farms and property. The Kilchoman Café offers lunch and all day dining, which is convenient for a gourmet snack on this side of the island.

Founded in 1991, the Bruichladdich distillery presents itself as innovative and progressive. Recognizable by its turquoise blue bottles, it works with three types of single malts: Bruichladdich, not peaty, Port Charlotte, very peaty, and Octomore, claimed to be the most peaty in the world. You will discover that the Bruichladdich blue has quite a history, since it is present in the distillery and outside, on certain days of good weather, when the sun lights up the Loch. The distillery also makes The Botanist gin.

Sealife Adventures has been operating in Oban Bay for over 30 years. The company offers sea trips to discover the incredible nature of Scottish waters. Each option includes a passage through the Corryvreckan whirlpool and you may see rare birds, dolphins, whales, basking sharks and seals. The boats are accessible to people with reduced mobility and children of all ages. You will be provided with free hot drinks and snacks on board, as well as binoculars, so you won't miss out on the show.

Springbank is one of the last distilleries still active in Campbeltown. Present in its current premises since 1828, it claims to conduct 100% of its production on site, which is extremely rare in Scotland. The tour unveils the process from A to Z and ends with a tasting of the 10-year-old, a single malt with tastes of citrus fruits, spices and peat smoke, with a hint of vanilla. You'll leave with your miniature as a gift to prolong the pleasure or just to enjoy it if you have to drive.

This fascinating open-air museum immerses visitors in what the Highlands were like between the 18th and 20th centuries. The tour begins with a small village from 1700 and ends with a crofters' farm from the 1960s. It was either built from scratch or brought to the region from elsewhere and then refurbished and furnished as it was in the past. One easily spends more time than expected on the 32 hectares of the site, with more than 30 buildings of different uses and from various periods, where one can also find a café, a shop and children's games.

The beers of this local and artisanal brewery in full expansion are absolutely excellent. This visit is an opportunity to come and discover where they are born before ending up in your pints. The brewery is in constant operation and it is best to book in advance to be sure of availability for a guided tour. Tours last approximately 45 minutes and include a beer tasting. A bar is open at the same hours as the shop, where you can taste the beers of the week, among others.

Born on the Cardow Farm in 1811, Cardhu, which until 1981 was called Cardow, after the place where it was created, has grown steadily to become one of the most adored distilleries of the region. At its origin, we find the Cumming couple. Then, Elizabeth Cumming, daughter-in-law of the founders, was the first woman to hold the reins of a distillery. She is the one who gives Cardhu its very specific flavours and its refined character. Her emblematic bottle has been the same since 1982, and is part of her signature.

Cragganmore has one of the smallest productions in the region and claims one of the most complex single malts. Founded in 1869, the distillery is the work of a certain John Smith, considered at his time as one of the most learned and experienced distillers of the country. He had built his expertise among the greatest distillers: Macallan, Glenlivet, Wishaw and even managed Glenfarkas. More than one visit to Cragganmore? Treat yourself to a tasting (dram and matching dish) in the sumptuous clubroom. You can also enjoy a coffee or tea.

Royal Lochnagar was founded in 1845, just before Queen Victoria bought the neighbouring land to build her castle. The distillery owes its title to this proximity - it used to be called New Lochnagar - and to the links with its important neighbours. The site combines tradition and modernity with its characteristic distillery roofs and its modern installations. The tour ends with a tasting of the 12-year-old, a balanced, fruity and spicy single malt.

Founded in 1819, this famous distillery supplies a lot the blended whisky industry but also produces its single malts. Its name means "green pasture" in Gaelic and the visit should interest all the fans of water of life. The original Clynelish was created by the Marquis of Stafford who wanted an outlet for the barley produced on his lands. The building which can be visited is from 1968: located in front of the first distillery, it replaced it. The 14 years old is quite floral, fruity and slightly smoky, thanks to the waters of the region.

The Aberlour giant has been around since 1879 and welcomes its die-hard fans to its production site for a basic 1.5-hour tour, which ends with the tasting of six drams, no less! The others are new in 2020: "the art of maturing in double casks" and "tasting the Speyside collection". You'll have to find a driver who agrees to stay sober (or else prefer the mignonettes). All guided tours are for adults only. As the place is very popular, it is recommended to book your visit in advance on the internet.

Claimed as the smallest distillery in Scotland, Edradour was created in 1825 and produces only a little more than 90 000 litres of whisky per year. The visit lasts 90 minutes and includes a tasting time, including the 10-year-old, a silky single malt with hints of peppermint and walnut. What is perhaps most striking is how here, the spirit of the place and the soul of the whisky are linked. The tasting bar is exclusively open to visitors of the distillery and offers an exceptional range of Edradour single malt.

In the heart of Pitlochry, Blair Athol Distillery started its activity for the first time in 1798, but quickly stopped, before starting again in 1826. Today it is one of the oldest in the country and attracts 30,000 visitors every year. Its production is used for bottling single malts but also supplies the blended industry and Bell's in particular. The classic visit ends with a tasting of the 12-year-old, a round and smooth whisky with a 43% strength, with notes of spices and candied fruits.

Founded in October 2015, this recent distillery has entered the whisky world with a brand new building and about twenty jobs at stake. If the single malt will not be ready right away, a gin is already available. There is a café-bar and a shop. They are as much a discovery of production techniques and the work of the distillers as a sensory awakening to the scents of the spirits and the many aromatic plants that make up gin.

This information centre specialises in the history of the inhabitants of the Outer Hebrides and their genealogy. A permanent exhibition deals with the island population and its land from Prehistory to the present day. It tells how communities were formed and suggests avenues for study. Occasional events and temporary exhibitions take place throughout the year on a variety of themes. You will also find a very friendly bar and café on site, as well as a small shop selling local handicrafts.

Dun Carloway Broch is one of the best preserved Iron Age defensive towers in the country. In Scotland, they are called broch and this one was probably built in the ^first century AD. Although partially in ruins, its walls still reach 9 m high in places. It commands some beautiful views of the surrounding area, including towards Harris. Next door, the small Doune Broch Centre opens its doors in mid and high season to explain the origin of the building, its history and the life of its inhabitants.

When it was founded in 2008, this distillery, whose name means "red river", was the first to settle on Lewis for 200 years. Its first real single malt, the 10-year-old, has proven itself to connoisseurs. Abhainn Dearg Distilleryorganizes visits of its production site and tastings. From the fields to the bottle, this whisky is produced in the Hebrides. It is still in its infancy and its name hasn't yet been around the world, but, who knows, it may give birth to your future favourite whisky...

Old Pulteney has been a mainstay of Highland single malts since 1826. The visit should fascinate all whisky fans in general, and of this distillery in particular, even if, seen from the outside, it may not be the most impressive. The classic visit allows to get acquainted with the history of this whisky and ends with a tasting. Its 12 years old is maritime, fresh and salty, with woody notes. The "enhanced" tour (£25) shows the full range of whiskies and includes three tasting dramas.

Belhaven is one of Scotland's leading beer brands and you've bound to have come across it at the pub counter in Scotland. It is said to have been brewing in Dunbar since 1719, where its premises are still located. Its high level of activity restricts visits to groups of 12 and it is necessary to make reservations on their website or by telephone. Fans will still take the trouble, because the tour lasts no less than 2 hours and plunges into the heart of the history of the site and its manufacturing process. A tasting is of course organized at the end!