Finlaggan, Islay

Finlaggan is the former home of Scotland’s ‘Lord of the Isles’ which is located a few miles southwest of Port Askaig on the Isle of Islay.

Access to Finlaggan is via a wooden walkway that leads from the visitor centre to a small island where tourists will discover a number of standing stones, graves, and ruined houses.

Discover Finlaggan with this guide which features an overview and lots of useful visiting tips and advice.

Dunbar Harbour

The historic harbour at Dunbar in East Lothian dates from the 17th century.

At that time it was primarily used for fishing vessels and while it is still used for commercial shellfishing today it is also a tourist attraction that offers visitors superb views across the North Sea from the Dunbar Battery.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace is a Renaissance ruin that was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. The fortified building is located in Linlithgow in West Lothian next to Linlithgow Loch.

Although the palace is partly in ruin and many sections are roofless it is still an impressive historic attraction. The site is managed by Historic Environment Scotland which allows access daily for a small admission cost.

John Knox House

John Knox House dates back to 1470 and can be found on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

The building is now a public museum that depicts the story of the Scottish enlightenment and the battles between Knox, Mossman, and Queen Mary through a series of displays and artefacts.

Bonawe Iron Furnace

Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace near Taynuilt, Argyll, is a restored ironworks that was founded in 1753. Although operations ceased in the 1870s it has since come under the management of Historic Environment Scotland and it is now a popular tourist attraction.

Visitors can explore the abandoned smelting buildings, storehouses and ironworks for a small fee. Discover Bonawe Iron Furnace with this complete visitor guide.

Castle Varrich

Perched on top of an exposed promontory on the Kyle of Tongue sits Castle Varrich, a small fortified tower that offers superb views of Ben Loyal mountain from its sturdy viewing platform.

The castle is easily accessed from a well-managed footpath that runs from the village of Tongue through woodland and fields.

Discover Castle Varrich with this complete visitor guide.

The University of Glasgow

The University of Glasgow was founded in 1451 and is the fourth-oldest university in the UK. It has more listed buildings inside the complex than any other university in Britain.

A visit allows tourists to explore the superb Hunterian Museum and Hunterian Art Gallery as well as the university grounds.

George Square, Glasgow

George Square is the main civic centre in Glasgow. The square hosts several major events throughout the year and is home to many historical monuments.

Glasgow’s main war memorial is sited at one end of the square in front of the Glasgow City Council Chamber and attractions including the city’s modern art gallery are within a short walking distance.