Moms Travel TipsTravel Tips and Vacation Ideas for the Whole Family

The city of Stirling has played an important role in Scotland’s history, especially during vitally important times. The city and surrounding area has an incredible number of superb visitor attractions and a multitude of photo opportunities. In article that follows I discuss three places to visit in Stirling; Stirling Castle, Stirling Old Town Jail and Argyll’s Lodging:

Stirling Castle

Two hundred and fifty feet above the city of Stirling, standing guard, and surrounded on three sides by steep cliffs is Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is incredibly important in Scotland’s history, there have been many coronations within the castle, including Mary Queen of Scots coronation in 1543. Stirling Castle was also witness to a shocking murder in 1452. The 8th Earl of Douglas was victim to James II in 1452. Stirling Castle is the home of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, although they are, unfortunately no longer stationed there. However, the regimental museum of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, can be found inside the castle.

Stirling Old Town Jail

The Stirling Old Town Jail of today was not the first jail in Stirling, for four hundred years, Stirling’s prisoners were housed in the Old Tollbooth Jail. This jail was shockingly overcrowded, and smelt foul, with 24 prisoners per cell, and zero toilet facilities. The Tollbooth jail was condemned, because of the awful living conditions there, and in 1847 the current jail was opened. Although the jail was classed as a custodial jail, from 1888 to 1935, it was also the only military jail in Scotland. Today the Stirling Old Town Jail is a tourist attraction, and was only renovated in the 1990’s. As well as guided tours, there is a glass paneled lift that rises to a viewing platform at the top of the jail. From commanding viewpoint a person is able to gaze out across the Forth Valley, and soak in the atmosphere of the Highland mountains.

Argyll’s Lodging

Argyll’s Lodging is on Castle Wynd, located in the middle of Stirling and is Scotland’s finest existing renaissance house. The house was erected circa 1630, by Sir William Alexander, founder of Nova Scotia and Viscount Canada. Sir William Alexander who became Secretary of State for Scotland, and then became the first Earl of Stirling. Argyll’s Lodging became the property of the Argyll family on his death and was extended by the ninth Earl in 1666. The rooms which include the dining room, drawing room, bed chamber and laigh hall, have all been sympathetically restored and furnished, as they would have been when the ninth Earl lived there, around 1680.

If you are thinking about having a short vacation in Stirling you will find a large amount of online Stirling hotels and guest houses and you will discover a broad selection at http://stirling.hotelreservationhelper.com/

The Scottish Highland city of Inverness  is found in some of the most aesthetically pleasing countryside in the United Kingdom of Great Britain. In and around the city are many places associated with historic Scotland, often these places lay witness to a large amount of violence and suffering. Happily the city of Inverness has a incredible number of visitor attractions (and the number is always growing). In the paragraphs below I introduce you to 3 places to visit in Inverness Inverness Museum, Beauly Priory and Inverness Castle:

Beauly Priory

It was in the Thirteenth century that Valliscaulian Monks founded  a community at Beauly Priory. Sadly nobody is able to state the factual date of the foundation of the settlement but it is commonly accepted that is would have been roughly around the year 1230. The landowner, and patron, of Beauly was Sir John Bisset, whose lands were almagamated with the Fraser’s of Lovat. The French monks, together with Sir John, are accredited with the naming of Beauly, derived from the French for beautiful place (beau lieu). Sadly, the priory was abandoned following the Scottish Reformation of 1582 and the stone was extracted for use in the construction of other structures. Today the ruins of Beauly Priory are in the hands of Historic Scotland as they were handed to the State in the year 1913.

Inverness Castle

There have been many structures on the site of Inverness Castle through the centuries, evidence shows that the site had a structure there as far back as 1057. King Robert I, of Scotland, almost destroyed the first Inverness Castle. The castle which stands today was designed and built by William Burn in 1836. The bold red sandstone structure, hold a prominent position on top of a cliff looking down across the the cathedral on the opposite side and the River Ness. King James I(of Scotland) held parliament at Inverness Castle in 1427, and instructed all the Northern Chieftains to be in attendance. Alarmingly three of these chieftains were later killed for their support of an independent monarchy.

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

Situated in the middle of Inverness is the recently renovated Inverness Museum and Art Gallery which is well worth a visit especially if the weather is poor. Inside the museum it is possible to investigate Scottish History and discover how the Highlands are connected with the rest of the world. It is also possible to learn about the people of the Highlands, their culture and traditions. There are a lot of different collections featuring, archaeology, costumes, crafts, fine arts, wildlife and textiles.

If you are considering taking a vacation in the United Kingdom this year and you plan to spend some time in Scotland, have a think about spending some time staying in Inverness. Finding Inverness hotel accommodation online is relatively easy as the majority of establishments have their own web site.  Hotels in Inverness, small hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts are always superb and Scotland is well known for first class hospitality, so you can be certain of have a wonderful time.

Perth in Scotland a former royal burgh is situated at the head of the Tay estuary. Between the C12th and C15th the city competed with Dunfermline for the right to be the capital of the nation of Scotland. In the following article I introduce three places to visit in Perth, Scotland; Huntingtower Castle, Elcho Castle and Scone Palace:

Scone Palace

At this time, home of the Earls of Mansfield is Scone Palace, and a immensely popular attraction to travelers from all over the globe. The palace is an important part of Scotland’s history, as the kings of Scotland were once crowned there. In 1306, Robert the Bruce was crowned at Scone Palace, as well as Charles II when he took ownership of the Scottish Crown in 1651. There is a beautiful and mysterious atmosphere to the palace, which is rightly so.At one time the site acted as an important gathering place of the Picts and there was also an early Christian church situated there.

Elcho Castle

Located approximately 3 miles from Perth, with awe inspiring vistas across the River Tay, is Elcho Castle. The castle is one of the prime examples of Sixteenth century constructions in Scotland today. The Wemyss family commissioned the erection of the castle in the 1570’s. The land had been in the family since 1468, when it was assigned to them by King James III. In 1633, the leader of the family was given the titles of Earl of Wemyss and Lord Elcho. Elcho Castle and it’s lands stayed in possession of the Wemyss family until 1929. At this time, the 11th Earl of Wemyss, granted the castle to the nation of Scotland. The castle has recently been renovated and is now in the hands of Historic Scotland.

Huntingtower Castle

Situated just west of Perth is the medieval pile of Huntingtower Castle. Although the structure is medieval in origin, it has been significantly redeveloped throughout the majoprity of it’s history. The Ruthven family were occupiers of the lands and castle from the 12th to 17th century. During this time the castle consisted of 2 separate towers, built 3 meters apart. When the Murray family took possession, later on in the 1600’s, they decided to merge the two towers, making the house look more like a conventional country mansion. The bridging work between the two towers is still clearly visible today, on both the outside and the inside.

If you are considering a short break in Perth you will find a large selection of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will find a huge range at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

Because the Scottish town of Inverness is now a city, Fort William is the largest town in the Highlands of Scotland. The town is a massively popular tourist destination with countless folk arriving to climb Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland and the UK. In the following article I take a look at a small number of different visitor attractions worth visiting if you are taking a vacation in Fort William.

The Highly Educational West Highland Museum

The West Highland Museum in Fort William was founded in 1922. A group of people from Lochaber wanted to create a museum, about life in the Highlands, for the people of the Highlands. The current building was purchased in 1926 from the British Linen Bank, and is situated in Cameron Square, just off the Hight Street. Fascinating and small is how many people describe the museum. The collections of the museum present a delightful insight into life in the West Highlands throughout the years. Folk from all walks of life are represented, through the magnificent collections of picture’s, photograph’s and artefact’s

The Excellent Old Inverlochy Castle

In fort William there are two Inverlochy Castle’s, the Old Inverlochy Castle and the more recent Victorian, chateau-style Inverlochy Castle, constructed in nearby Torlundy (which is now a luxury hotel). The Old castle was said to of been erected between 1270-1280, by John “the Black” Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. Even though the castle is ruined, the layout hasn’t changed very much since it was built. Lord Abinger carried out alterations and enhancements to the house, in preparation of a visit by Queen Victoria. Old Inverlochy Castle is still an important part of Scottish and English history, due to the role it played during the Civil Wars of the 1640’s.

The Awe Inspiring Jacobite Steam Train

A trip on the Jacobite Steam Train, is an exciting way to experience the spectacular scenery of the Highlands. The Fort William to the Mallaig journey takes one on a breathtaking journey through the glens. One of the most riveting parts of the trip is traveling across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which the majority of folk|people will know thanks to the fact that it has appeared in the Harry Potter films. The 84 mile trip takes you past Loch Morar, Ben Nevis and Loch Nevis, with a stop in Glenfinnan before reaching Mallaig. There is about an hour and half in which to explore Mallaig, before the return journey, back to Fort William. This journey has frequently been described as, one of the Great Railway Journeys of the globe.

There is plenty of accommodation in Fort William available to book online but you will find a comprehensive list of hotels in Fort William at http://www.fortwilliamhotelscotland.com/

Glasgow is Scotland’s largest, and most lively, city with excellent shopping and an incredible nightlife. For the more artistic visitor there are numerous places to visit in Glasgow’s West End which features boutiques, cafés, tea rooms, bars, restaurants and clubs as well as some superb Glasgow bed and breakfast accommodation. In the following article I will describe three tourist attractions in Glasgow which will be of special interest to those people who have an interest in the world of art; the Burrell Collection, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and the House For An Art Lover:

Burrell Collection

In 1944 The Brurrel Collection was gifted, by Sir william and Lady Burrell, to the city of Glasgow and the collection can be seen at Pollok Country Park in the south of the city of Glasgow This magnificent collection of works of art is made up of over 9,000 items. The collection is incredibly diverse containing some modern art sculptures and a superb collection of Islamic art. There are paintings by artists such as Cezanne and Degas. Besides paintings and sculptures visitors is able to enjoy the beautiful collections of tapestries, alabasters, stained glass and English furniture. On top of all this, the Burrell Collection also has an incredibly important selection of medieval art plus collections from ancient Egypt & China.

House For An Art Lover

The House For An Art Lover is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Glasgow. The house is of an Art Nouveau design originally designed by Glasgow’s most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh plus input from Margaret Macdonald, his incredibly talented wife.

In actual fact the design was made for a competition of 1901 to make plans for a ‘House for an Art Lover’, but, the entry by Charles and his wife was disqualified because it was submitted after the closing date. Luckily, more than one hundred years later the house stands completed in Bellahouston Park because of the efforts of the architect Professor Andy Macmillan and the engineer Graham Roxburgh. Building commenced in the year nineteen eighty nine, ceased for a short time but started again in nineteen ninety four thanks to the collaboration between the Glasgow City Council and Glasgow School of Art.

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

The Kelvingrove Art Gallery is home to one of Europe’s great civic art collections and one of Glasgow’s, and Scotland’s premier museums and art galleries, but also it is one of the most popular free to enter tourist attractions to be found in Scotland.

You will discover Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on the banks of the River Kelvin, on Argyle Street, in the West End of Glasgow. The gallery was built in a Spanish Baroque styleusing the traditional Glaswegian material of red sandstone. The gallery was designed by Sir John W. Simpson and E.J. Milner Allen and opened for the first time in 1901. The collections in the museum were originally from the old Kelvingrove House Museum in Kelvingrove Park and the McLellan Galleries.

If you are considering having a weekend break in the city of Glasgoiw you will find plenty of online hotels and guest houses providing Glasgow bed and breakfast. You will find a huge range of Glasgow guest houses and hotels at http://www.glasgowhotelscotland.com/

The ‘Fair City’ of Perth is also frequently called to as the  ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. Situated on the banks of the River Tay, the town of Perth was, for centuries, the capital of Scotland and during medieval times the bustling small town was locally known as St. John’s Toun (St. John’s Town). Perth’s name, or Peairt in the Gaelic language, derives from a word of the Picts which has the meaning of a copse. Nowadays  this idyllic small town is an excellent location as a base for a touring vacation with lots Perth bed and breakfasts to choose from.

Whether you choose to stay for a single day or longer you will very quickly realise that there is a large choice of exciting things to do and see in and around the town of Perth. attractions range from; historical attractions, restaurants, sport and leisure pursuits and shopping and many other entertainments. It was not too long ago that the town was a prosperous port dealing with exports of whisky, leather, bleached products and linen. In more modern times tourism generates income and much appreciated jobs for the area’s youth who keenly take up employment in the increasing number of hotels in Perth and similar enterprises.

Probably the most visited visitor attraction, nearby Perth, is Scone Palace, one of the nation’s finest historical homes. Here tourists can explore the highly interesting history of the palace, the place where at one time, Scottish kings were crowned for example, Robert The Bruce who took to the throne in 1306.

About 3m away, from Perth, one can find the 16C Elcho Castle, which features the most glorious vistas over the River Tay. Elcho Castle can be dated back to the year fifteen seventy when the Wemyss family commissioned it’s construction who remained in possession until the year 1929. The Castle is now cared for by Historic Scotland.

Just a little distance west of Perth is found the fine medieval structure of Huntingtower Castle. Constructed in stunning Huntingtower has undergone many minor alterations and redevelopments over the centuries. Huntingtower Castle began life as two separate towers but located rather close together.

As well as the tourist attractions discussed earlier Perth has many more, meaning that it is a perfect town for a vacation for the family. Visitor attractions and places, worth seeing, found in Perthshire include the following; Kinnoull Hill, Perth Ice Rink, Perthshire Visitor Centre, the Crannog Centre and Loch Tay.

If you are planning to have a city break in Perth you will discover a large amount of online Perth hotels and guest houses and you will discover a broad range at http://www.perthhotelscotland.com/

Staying on the beach for the majority of my summer vacation has never really been the type of thing I would do. Please do not get the wrong idea, I do enjoy a relaxing visit to a sandy beach, but, I like to travel inland a little too. I really like to spend time just soaking in the atmosphere of the place, I also like to experience the local food and culture. In truth each year I enjoy visiting new places and I try extremely hard trying to find something 100% unique. This is the most probable reason why I enjoy visits to the Hebrides island called the Isle of Harris and why I regularly choose to book a Harris self catering cottage.

The Isle of Harris is a tiny island situated just off the Scottish west coast. Harris is one of over 300 of little islands  which are known as the the Outer Hebrides, although strictly speaking the UK postal address is the Western Isles. Known as either/or the Western Isles or the Outer Hebrides the islands are extremely beautiful and incredibly unique. For those tourists who need to spend time relaxing on a beach with golden sands the island of Harris has a multitude to choose from and all are incredibly picturesque and nearly always deserted. It would seem as though beyond turn you are greeted by an awesome sight. The roads on the Isle of Harris are drastically different to those experienced on the Scottish mainland you commonly come across stretches of single track road and you will often be forced to used passing places to safely let oncoming traffic past and also let traffic from behind to pass too. Simply come to a halt on the left. But, If the vehicle wishing to pass is large and cumbersome and the passing place is to the right of the road you can carefully pull over into to it to allow the big vehicle pass more easily but at all time take care not to drive off the road too much.

One of the main reasons folk visit the Isle of Harris is to enjoy the islands landscape and culture. The culture of the Isle of Harris has, over hundreds of years been strongly influenced by the English, Scottish, Celtic and Norse races. These days Gaelic is the most widely spoken language and though many speak English, it is more often than not their 2nd language. The folk of the Isle of Harris are amongst the most friendly on the planet earth and the hospitality is extremely well known. The people of Harris are justifiably proud of the immensely beautiful Harris countryside and go to great lengths to keep the island very tidy so it is crucially important not to leave any litter behind.

On the Isle of Harris you will find some of the most stunningly beautiful sandy beaches in the whole of Scotland, and many folk say the whole of Great Britain. The waters are extremely clear and it is true to say that the beaches on Harris are lovely and clean. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid debris washing up from Atlantic shipping but surprisingly there isn’t much.

If you are currently deciding about taking a vacation Harris the why not think about hiring a self catering house on the Isle of Harris please visit http://www.isleofharrisselfcateringhouse.co.uk/

Dundee has been the site of a settlement ever since the time of the Picts. Dundee, the fourth largest city to be found in the Scottish nation, has long been associated with commerce and trade. The three primary trades, in Dundee, were “journalism, jam and jute”.  Even though the city can be described as city which is post-industrial it has an economy which is mixed and a large proportion of its inhabitants are still employed in the manufacturing industry (compared to the rest of the country), about 13.5 percent. Over recent decades tourism has begun to become a rather important part in the city’s economy and there are a growing number of guest houses and hotels providing bed and breakfast in Dundee and in the following text I introduce the reader to 3 tourist attractions in Dundee; Sensation Science Centre, Verdant Works and Discover Point Visitor Centre:

The Discover Point Visitor Centre

Discovery Point is a highly interesting and award-winning visitor attraction in Dundee that introduces the story of one of the most heroic  exploration voyages ever, the tale of the world famous Antarctic explorer, Captain Robert Falcon Scott, and the first ship he used,  RRS Discovery. On March the twenty first, nineteen hundred and one, the Discovery was launched at Dundee’s Panmure Shipyard. Captain Scott and his crew set off for Antarctica on 6th August nineteen hundred and one, reaching there in January nineteen hundred and two. The RRS Discovery is the most prestigious element of the visitor centre having been fully renovated inside and out. Steep stairs and narrow passageways can create problems in getting around for some, fortunately, visitors will find that there is an audio visual presentation at the dockside.

Sensation Science Centre

If you are looking for an attraction which will provide enjoyment for the family, then Dundee’s Sensation Science Centre is the ideal place to go. Sensation Dundee is the Britain’s only science centre which is based on the five senses of the body. You are able to discover the wonders of sciences  through the human body’s senses through over 80 hands-on exhibits. Visitors will also find live scientific experiments and demonstrations, which demonstrate how everyday ingredients found in the home can be used to to create fascinating effects. Folk interested in surgery are able to have an attempt at trying keyhole surgery. Sensation brings science to life in a number of interesting ways.

The Verdant Works

Verdant Works  was, once, a fully working jute mill. At it’s peak, in the 1860’s and 1870’s, the jute industry in Dundee employed about fifty thousand workers in more than sixty factories across the city of Dundee. These days,  Verdant Works brings the jute industry to life, by utilising a variety of displays which include, interactive computers, film shows and original machinery. This incredible museum was once home to three immense steam engines which ran 70 looms and two thousand eight hundred spindles.  There was also a workforce of some 5 hundred people, spinning and preparing jute for it to be weaved over the road in  a different factory. Renovation of the mill began in nineteen ninety two and it opened its doors to the public for the first time on September the sixteenth, nineteen ninety six.

If you are planning to have a city break in Dundee you will find a large amount of online hotels and guest houses offering bed and breakfast accommodation in Dundee. You will find a massive listing of Dundee guest houses and hotels at http://dundee.hotelreservationhelper.com/

Renting a car in Scotland and touring the wild and dramatic surroundings is the highlight of most vacations in Scotland. Cheap Scotland car rental is straightforward and available in all major cities.

Here is a suggestion for a three day castle exploration.

Day 1

From Glasgow or Edinburgh, join the A93 at Perth and follow it through Glenshee, to Braemar, the eastern doorway to the Cairngorm Mountains. Drop in on Braemar Highland Heritage Centre and 17th century Braemar Castle, which is at this moment administered by the local community. Keep on the A93 to Balmoral Castle, Queen Victoria’s ‘dear cloud nine where everywhere you look seems to breathe liberty and serenity.

Further east, the old royal station at Ballater includes a royal carriage and royal waiting room built for Queen Victoria. You can unearth extra ancient history at the Kinord Stone, a 9th century Celtic symbol stone in Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve before leaving the A93 for the A97 up to Strathdon, where a little alternative route will bring you to the ruined 16th century Glenbuchat Castle, now protected by Historic Scotland, who also preserve fantastic Corgarff Castle, a 16th century tower house set in untamed landscape in Upper Strathdon on the A939 to Tomintoul.

Take a breather at the bottom of the Lecht pass to visit the Lecht Mine – active during the 18th and 19th centuries.Carry on to the intended 18th century township of Tomintoul with its square, museum, Telford church and manse.

Day 2

Start off the day from Tomintoul and go north on the A939 and take the right hand turning after Bridge of Avon. Just next to the road is Fodderletter Lum – located there by early road menders to provide cover at night. Keep on Strathavon and turn left onto the B9136 to spectacular 15th century Drumin Castle, sometime home of the Wolf of Badenoch. Continue to Bridgend of Glenlivet and turn right onto the B9008 to the ancient Livet pack horse bridge after quarter of a mile.

Continue to Auchnarrow and take a left turning signposted Chapeltown and Scalan. Park at the end of the road and walk a mile on level ground to uncover the glorious Forbidden College of Scalan where Roman Catholic priests were trained in secret during the 18th century. End the day at Grantown and enjoy an evening of local hospitality.

Day 3

From Grantown, head south and maybe visit magnificent Castle Roy by Nethybridge on your way to the ruined 18th century Ruthven Barracks near Kingussie, which were built following the first Jacobite uprising. From here it’s on to Clan MacPherson Museum at Newtonmore, where you will also find part of the multi award winning outstanding Highland Folk Museum where a 1700s township has been recreated.

Lastly head south past Dun da Lamh Pictish Hillfort at Laggan Bridge before taking the A9 south to Blair Atholl and splendid Blair Castle, home of the Atholl Highlanders – the only remaining private army in the UK.

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