Local history and culture Scotland

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This lively and frightening visit to the city's basements is as much fun as it is thrilling thanks to eleven actors and numerous special effects. On the program: torture room, labyrinth, boat ride, staging and historical characters such as the cannibal Sawney Bean or the serial killers Burke and Hare. The tours leave every 10 minutes and last 80 minutes. Attention: children (under 15 years old) must be accompanied and the visit is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Special tours for an adult audience are also available.

A simple ticket gives access to the essence of the history of the town: Whithorn Priory and the Whithorn Story Visitor Centre, which explores the region's past. Built in the 12th century, this monastery, in honour of St Ninian, Scotland's first saint, who arrived here in the^5th century, played an important role in the country's religious history. Robert The Bruce, James IV and James V all came here on pilgrimage. You can see the Latinus Stone, Scotland's first Christian monument! You'll also see the remarkable remains of the early church, giving a glimpse of the once magnificent cathedral, now in ruins. Let your imagination run wild and soak up the atmosphere of the place and what it must have felt like for the pilgrims who arrived here by boat from Ireland, England or the Isle of Man. For more than 1,000 years this site has attracted travellers, pilgrims and kings to Whithorn.

Visit the crypt where superb Celtic stones and crosses of the early Christians are kept, probably including the tomb of St Ninian. The museum area focuses on the archaeological remains of the surrounding area through the different eras, and also explains how Scotland became Christian. It also goes further, tracing its transition to the Reformation. You can follow the same route as pilgrims did in the Middle Ages, with stops at other remarkable sites nearby: St. Ninian's Chapel, St. Ninian's Grotto and Finian Chapel.

On June 24, 1314, the forces of Robert the Bruce defeated the English troops of Edward II here in the First War of Independence. At that time, Stirling Castle was held by England, and the Scottish King's brother Edward II held it under siege. He concluded with his enemies that if they were not rescued before mid-summer, they would give up the stronghold, the gateway to the Highlands, to him. London, unable to ignore this agreement, marched its men north. The Scots, one against two or three, managed to win the victory after two days, despite their numerical and material inferiority. This success opened the way for military raids to the south and put an end to the first conflicts of independence. The discovery centre that now occupies the site offers an immersion in this key moment in national history. Thanks to its 3D technologies and interactive imagery, it recreates the conditions of the battle. Immersion is total! And it's fun too: you can take control of your virtual battlefield and try to recreate the battle... The winner will remain, in any case, the valiant Bruce! The attraction has been awarded several times for its educational and innovative character, which involves visitors in the story, making it more alive than ever. Outside, don't miss the statue of King Robert and discover the place where Robert the Bruce raised his standard.

The Highlands were long a land of agriculture where ranching and farming families lived in small communities called townships . In the ^nineteenth century, the Highland Clearances wiped out many of these communities, so that by 1850, most had disappeared. Those that survived mutated with new technologies and the Industrial Revolution. Here in Auchindrain, the change was much less noticeable than elsewhere and the area was preserved in its original form. A real trip back in time!

This 1880 cottage is a rare witness to island history and local traditions. Its last inhabitants left it as it was in 1966 and it has remained unchanged since then. There was no chimney and the peat fire was evacuated through the windows and thatched roof, keeping insects away. The white house across the street is the result of the hygiene regulations that were subsequently introduced. It is also owned by Historic Environment Scotland and is in stark contrast to its neighbour.

Under the auspices of the National Trust, the Glencoe Visitor Centre aims to provide a glimpse of the immense richness of the Glencoe Valley through its history, wildlife, geology and human occupation. The technology is at the service of nature and the whole thing is quite interactive and didactic. The Glencoe Massacre is not overlooked, but there is also talk of hiking and mountaineering. The site is also the starting point for hikes, hence a large car park, a snack bar, an information area and all the amenities.

This attraction will delight train enthusiasts, as it offers a ride in an old steam train. The Royal Deeside Railway recreates the line that used to run between Aberdeen and Ballater. The ride lasts between 15 and 20 minutes. It offers superb views of the River Dee and the surrounding hills. The original line ran from 1853 to 1966, taking the Royal Family and many prominent people from the UK on a journey. The station, renovated in 2015, is also a very pleasant place with its tea room and ice-cream shop.