Best historic experience

1 ST ANDREWS CASTLE

North Street, St Andrews, Fife, 01334 477196

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

You can relive the history of St Andrews with people such as John Knox as you walk through the indoor exhibition on your way out. Looking round the castle itself, you can get some great views of the West Sands, if you're not afraid to climb up to some of the upper levels. The bottle dungeon is an experience in itself.

2 CULLODEN BATTLEFIELD

Culloden Moor, Inverness-shire, 0844 493 2159

www.nts.org.uk

Steeped in history, there's lots of Scottish experience here as soon as you step out on to the scene of the last pitched battle on British soil, which took place in 1746. I could sense an eerie atmosphere as I walked around the moor. Well worth a visit.

3 FALKLAND PALACE

Falkland, Cupar, Fife, 01337 857397

www.nts.org.uk

This is full of winding staircases and elegant bedrooms. One room at the top is where Mary, Queen of Scots, slept, and her death mask lies above the door. She also played tennis here, at the court built in 1539. My favourite part is the little library with the hidden door. The chapel is amazing too.

4 GLAMIS CASTLE

Glamis, Angus, 01307 840393

www.glamis-castle.co.uk

This would be a great place to visit at Halloween, and then to come back for another visit. The famous haunted castle is set right at the end of a long driveway. The ghost of Lindsay, 4th Earl of Crawford, is reported to haunt a walled-up room where he played cards with the devil - and lost.

5 ST SALVATOR'S TOWER

North Street, St Andrews Fife

www.st-andrews.ac.uk

As you walk along North Street, you have to stop for this fantastic piece of history and photo opportunity. The entrance to St Salvator's College quadrangle - part of St Andrews University - was built in 1550. If you look four or five bricks up from the arch, you will see a face believed to be that of Patrick Hamilton, who was burnt at the stake in 1527, accused of heresy. His initials are also on the ground in front of the tower. St Andrews' students won't walk over the letters for fear of failing their degree examinations.

Comments 

1. Steve Ev, Malta / 11:06am 7 Jul 2007

Without doubt Culloden, and highly recommend if you can listen to John Preebles Culloden on talking book whilst sitting on the mound in the Jacobite line and overlooking the battlefield. Gripping stuff !!! Only hope that Preebles books can all be made into talking books, a great writer.