Places to Visit
The list is endless and only a few attractions are listed here. The Cottage is just over an hour from Stirling and the famous site of the Battle of Bannockburn, Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument (there is a like to Wallace at the town of Lanark too). Perth is also within easy distance and can be visited in a day perhaps going to Scone Palace where the Kings and Queens of Scotland were once crowned and the Stone of Destiny once resided.
Biggar Museum Trust
Biggar Museum Trust offers a wide range of visitor attractions for individuals & family, group tours and educational visits. To book your tour or find our more information please contact 01899 221 050 or email info@biggarmuseumtrust.co.uk
Biggar Puppet Theatre
The puppeteers, International Purves Puppets is a Victorian style theatre that has been in the heart of nearby town Biggar for over 40 years. Regarded as one of the best puppet companies in the world, this is an ideal place for families to visit. There are performances all year round including special glow in the dark shows for all ages as well as puppet making workshops and museum tours when you book in advance.
The award winning puppet theatre is the only one of its kind in Scotland and is a unique place to visit and enjoy and enjoy a magical experience.
Various performance times and ticket prices are available on the website.
Always book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Tel: 01899 220631
http://www.purvespuppets.com/
New Lanark World Heritage Site
New Lanark is a former 18th century cotton spinning mill village located on the banks of the Falls of Clyde just under 1 hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh. When it was built it was a far-reaching social experiment and today it is recognised as one of Scotland’s 6 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of ‘outstanding universal value’ and welcomes over 300,000 visitors annually.
For those who are walkers, the Clyde Walkway begins here and The Falls of Clyde was inspiration for the artist Turner in this beautiful wooded area. Although the Clyde is used for hydro-electric power and so controls the flow of the river, there are a couple of days a year when the power company allows the full flow of the water to see the falls in their original amazingly beautiful flow. You can do as much or as little of this easily accessible walkway through a very beautiful area along the banks of the Clyde.
Check out the website for what’s on http://www.newlanark.org
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/glasgow/falls-of-clyde.shtml
Tinto Hill Walking
A great little hill of 707m is the highest point in Central Scotland with a massive summit cairn and commanding views of the Clyde Valley. On a clear day it is possible to see as far as the mountains of Morne in Northern Ireland, the Lake District, Ailsa Craig and Arran in the Firth of Clyde, and as far north as Lochnagar in the Cairngorms. A very popular local landmark, the route is easy to follow and reasonably gentle with ample parking at the bottom. Don’t forget to carry your rock up with you to place on top of the cairn!
http://www.visitlanarkshire.com/things-to-see-and-do/walk-or-cycle-tinto-hill-walking-route/
Leadhills and Wanlockhead Villages
Both villages are situated in the very south of South Lanarkshire and Wanlockhead is officially the highest village in Scotland with Leadhills following a close second. Originally mining villages there is still an opportunity to go down a lead mine at the Visitor Centre at Wanlockhead and pan for gold as there really is gold in “them there hills”!!
Or perhaps take the kids on the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway which was once the means of moving the material from the mining sites and has been restored by railway enthusiasts. A great day out for everyone and sometimes Thomas the Tank Engine turns up! Take a picnic as there are amazingly beautiful areas just to stop at the side of the road where a burn flows and the scenery engulfs you.
http://www.leadminingmuseum.co.uk
http://www.leadhillsrailway.co.uk
Chatelherault Country Park
Originally built as a hunting lodge and summer house for the Dukes of Hamilton, the buildings have now been restored and are venues for weddings, conferences and functions as well as being open to the general public who go to look around this historic area. With its nature trails, talks and tours, and adventure playgrounds this is a another great day out for all the family.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/chatelherault-country-park-p252521
Slightly further afield
Scotland’s history means that every area you visit has fantastic attractions of interest to everyone. Here is a short list of some of the owner’s favourites, but the list goes on and on.
Drumlanrig Castle
The 90,000 acre estate really has something for everyone from tours of the historic house which is still privately owned by the Duke and Duchess of Bucclech and Queensferry. The grounds have beautiful paths for walking and dogs are welcome in certain parts of the grounds. In the summer they have planned activities that are available as well as country fairs and many outdoor activities for the children with picnic areas available too.
http://www.drumlanrigcastle.co.uk
The Falkirk Wheel
While in the area visiting the Kelpies, do not miss this amazing feat of engineering. While re-instating many of the canals from Scotland’s industrial past, the canals were originally meant to have a number of locks rebuilt but for various reasons it was decided to build a rotating boat lift to move the boats from one canal 24 metres to meet the other canal. It is the only rotating boat life in the world and the easy accessibility allows everyone to experience this amazing engineering design.
https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/the-falkirk-wheel-p248061
The Kelpies
A majestic site that has to be seen in the flesh to be truly appreciated. The Kelpies have become a national treasure in the short time since they were created next to the M9 motorway at Falkirk. The mystical 30 metre high structures are built at the eastern entrance to the Forth and Clyde canals and represent Scotland’s long history of horse powered industry, particularly in the area the Kelpies stand proudly. 8 years in the making by Scottish architect Andy Scott and opened in July 2015 by Princess Anne, the Kelpies are part of The Helix land transformation project which aims to improve the links between communities in the area. (Look out for more of the Artist’s work on roads and roundabouts around Central Scotland)
The Kelpies are always accessible to visit, but tours only run at certain times. The tours allow you to hear about these mythical equine creatures and see the structures from the inside.
The Kelpies Tours run from month to month. Times vary between 10am and 5pm. There’s a chance that a reduced service for The Kelpies Tours will run during the winter months (October – March).
Edinburgh and the surrounding area
Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World
Experience a burst of colour and tropical creatures in the world’s longest running indoor butterfly house. There are hundreds of free flying butterflies to see as well as an array of other exotic creatures.
An all-day pass offers you a bit more of an access-all-areas experience where you can feed the animals and even cure those phobias by holding a tarantula, a giant millipede and a snake.
Opening times:
Summer: 9.30am – 5.30pm
Winter: 10am – 5pm
Open 7 days a week all year round. Check the website for times and ticket prices.
Roslyn Chapel
Join in the search for clues while visiting one of the settings in the Da Vinci Code. This historic chapel is much more than just a part of a book. The history of the building and the preservation to save the building makes it an amazing tourist attraction and one that should be on every tourists list. A real hidden gem!
Edinburgh Zoo
There are penguins, lemurs, koalas and, of course, Edinburgh’s world famous Pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang. For families and animals lovers, Edinburgh Zoo is a must.
Opening times:
April – September: 9am-6pm
October & March 9am-5pm
November – February 9am-4.30pm
Details of ticket prices and family tickets are available online.
The Real Mary Kings Close
Deep beneath the streets of Scotland’s capital, lies another world of underground streets, spaces and vaults. The hidden closes of Old Town Edinburgh from the 1600s are full of ancient myths and tales of ghosts and murder. Take a tour of The Real Mary Kings Close to see the underground town for yourself.
Opening times: times vary from the summer to winter. For November 1st 2014 – March 20th 2015, opening times are Monday – Sunday 10am-5pm.
Check website for the ticket prices and best to book in advance.
Please note that this attraction is not suitable for children under 5, therefore they will not be admitted.
Stewart Brewing
Established in 2004, Stewart Brewing is an independent craft brewery based on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Producing premium beers, these golden flavours are found in pubs in the Edinburgh area and north east of England. The brewery are always happy to welcome beer lovers for a tour of the brewery to learn all about crafting your own tasty ales.
Tours take place every Thursday and Friday at 7pm until 9.30pm and can be booked in advance.
Check out the website for ticket prices.
Kailzie Gardens
Open throughout the year, see a variety of different flowers through the different seasons including daffodils, bluebells and an array of plants in their walled garden. Other attractions include a live viewing of the Tweed Valley Ospreys from Easter through the summer to August as well as a restaurant, a gift shop and more.
Kailzie also have a private 2-mile stretch of the River Tweed for fly fishing. For further information on this call 01721 720009.
Opening times:
Summer – End of March to end of October, Walled and Wild Gardens, Woodland Walks, 11a.m. – 5.30p.m.
Winter – End of October to March, Wild Garden and Woodland Walks during daylight hours. Please note that although the Woodland and Wild Garden are open for walks the Walled garden is closed during the winter months.
Check the website for the ticket prices.
Velvet Hall Alpacas
To find out about attending workshops, contact 01721 760229.
Based in the heart of the beautiful Tweed Valley, venture into the world of Alpacas. You can simply visit to meet their beautiful Alpacas or go on a trek.
Opening times:
Monday – Friday 10am – 8pm
Saturday and Sunday 10am – 9pm
Prices: Contact details for pricing on website.
Dawyck Botanic Garden
Visit one of the world’s most beautiful botanic gardens, home to many exotic seasonal plants and flowers all year round. There’s also an award-winning visitor centre.
Opening times:
Open daily from February 1st – November 30th from 10am – 4pm/5pm/6pm
Check the website for ticket prices and opening times
Glasgow and Ayrshire
Glasgow is a city built by merchants when it became the heart of industrial life exporting and importing via great ships from its ports to the New World.
Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
The building itself is worth a visit for its architecture alone as it is built on a massive grand scale. The items it houses are part of its history from priceless art to dinosaur bones to aircraft to animals and a whole day can be spent here wandering around the galleries and rooms at absolutely no cost!
http://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/kelvingrove/Pages/default.aspx
Glasgow Science Museum
Everyone gets a chance to be a scientist for the time that they are visiting this museum with their interactive displays. Set on the Clyde, look across at what were once the shipbuilding areas of Scotland.
“Doon the watter” on the Waverly
The Waverly is the last sea-going paddle steamer. Join the steamer and experience the nostalgia of what it was like when people would sail down to Dunoon for the day. Take a trip and explore the islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae and relax on deck as you cruise through the Kyles of Bute.
http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/plan-your-trip/scotland/
Culzean Castle
Part of the National Trust for Scotland’s properties, this castle is situated on a headland overlooking the sea. With large well attended gardens and parkland as well as tours in the castle itself, this is a great historic area in Ayrshire that can be visited with other tourist attractions in the area, eg, Burns’ Cottage and sites of his poems.
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Culzean-Castle-and-Country-Park/
http://www.burnsmuseum.org.uk
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Souter-Johnnies-Cottage/