My Favorite Historic Spots in Scotland

This country is so full of history!
 After 5 years living here I have my favorite places.
I want to share them with you.

These are all places that I felt I had a personal connection to. 

Here are some of my favorites so far:: 

Bothwell Castle 

This is our favorite picnic spot. It is about a 15 min drive from our flat and we spend many weekends here walking and enjoying the grounds. We don't always go inside. Sometimes we just sit and enjoy the sun or walk down by the river. But, we always have fun.

Bothwell Castle was built in the 13th century! Part of the old circular tower is still intact and you can climb the stairs all the way to the top for a breathtaking view of the River Clyde. There are all these secret pockets and passages throughout for you to imagine what life was like back then. Even if the castle is just a shell.

The William Wallace Monument 

Get ready for a mini hike to the top. It is about a 15 min walk {all uphill} through the woods before you reach this amazing structure. Then there are steps that go on and on {...and on...}. You're going straight up to the top! Inside there are rooms full of history that tell you about William Wallace and about the history of Scotland. Personally they were more like mini breaks to catch my breath before moving onward.

When you reach the top you are greeted with some of the most breathtaking views I've ever seen in my life. The wind is fierce up there but I could have sat there for hours. It's the most amazing feeling.

The Glasgow Cathedral

I'm partial to this one. This is where LD proposed to me. He stood up on the steps of that statue {he's 3 inches shorter than me} and looked down at me and asked me to be his wife. He was fumbling in his pocket for the ring before he asked and I didn't know what he was doing except ruining a perfectly romantic moment. Oops. That'll teach me!

There are all sorts of special places inside to sit and enjoy the stained glass. Rooms to hide and slip away from the world. They have choral practices and events you can attend. My favorite is the little visitors shop. They have all manor of knickknacks and postcards that I like to pour over before I leave.

Stirling Castle

We took my sister and her family to see Stirling Castle this past summer. It was our first time here. We haven't even begun to crack into this castle yet. One day wasn't enough. We're dying to go back this summer for a few days and really see her. We spent the full day going around and barely saw one wing! It is huge!

She is surrounded by gorgeous farmland and the most quaint village. The castle is fully intact on the inside and there were plenty of interactive rooms to see what life was really like back then. History comes to life. They have people dressed up all throughout the castle and you can ask them any manner of questions. It's really fun!

We ate at the Unicorn Cafe and...wow. The traditional Scottish food was amazing. We couldn't get enough of the Millionaire Shortbread.

Edinburgh Castle

This is the crowning jewel of Scotland. Oh, and the actual crown jewels are inside too {As well as The Stone of Destiny}!!! I have been here too many times to count and each time it amazes me. I always find something new.

Edinburgh Castle is a fort. She sits upon a hill and I can imagine the enemy trying to take her but where she stands makes it near impossible. Inside the Castle there are many different buildings-- barracks, churches, prison cells, you name it. There is even a soldiers dog cemetery! You'll want to be there by 1:00 pm to hear the gun go off. There is story all about it.

I love this castle and I never pass up an opportunity to go!

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These are just a few of my favorite places I wanted to share with you. 

Have you been to Scotland? 

What are your favorites?


ps. I'm starting a series about my Top 5 favorites in Scotland. I'll include places to eat, shops, historic landmarks, the whole lot. So stick around this spring and summer for all the goods.