Historic Walking Tours

Introduction

Time: All Year

Accommodation: 5 Star Hotel

Start Date: 5 Nights / 6 Days

Group Size: Singles, Couples, Families and Small Groups

Scotland has a wealth of history and is a spectacular location for walking. You see important historical sites and walk in areas not usually seen by tourists. Starting with the capital city, Edinburgh, you travel both North and South of the city, and see the hidden sites of Stirling and Glasgow and the wonderful scenery of the Antonine Wall and the Pentland Hills.

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The aim of this tour is to see some of the hidden sites and landscapes of Scotland by taking walks near some of the cities and important historical attractions. Beginning with Edinburgh, you travel to Stirling where you see the imposing castle and the battlefields associated with William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. The tour includes beautiful rural locations such as Rough Castle on the Antonine Wall and the Pentland Hills, overlooking the city of Edinburgh.

Tours can cover any area of interest and last for any number of days.

Why not create your own tour? As with all our tours the attractions you see will take account of your interests and can be adapted to what you want to see. So, if you want to see places not on the list below, just let us know. Complete our enquiry form to find out more »

Itinerary

Day 1: Edinburgh City, Castle and Royal Mile

Edinburgh's attraction are within walking distance and we start with a stroll down one of the World’s most famous streets, the ROYAL MILE. At the top is Edinburgh CASTLE, this most famous of Scottish castles dates from the C12th. Your will hear the history and see the Crown Jewels of Scotland. The Royal Mile has numerous hidden alleys and legends and about half way down is ST GILES Cathedral, often referred to as the “Cradle of Presbyterianism”. At the bottom of the street is the Palace of HOLYROODHOUSE - the Queen’s official residence in Scotland. It is probably best known as the home of Mary Queen of Scots.

Day 2: Stirling Castle - Battlesites

STIRLING was the home of some of Scotland‘s most famous warriors including William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. There are two main battlesites within the city. In 1297, the narrow river crossing of STIRLING BRIDGE saw a small Scottish force repel a larger English Army. Walking up towards the castle we will see the exquisite architecture and cobbled streets of the Old Town. The CASTLE is one of the country’s most important buildings and the home to the Scottish royalty for hundreds of years. A few miles to the south, BANNOCKBURN was a decisive battle between the Scottish and English and we will walk the battlefield.

Day 3: Antonine Wall - Rough Castle

Once the Romans had abandoned their ambition to conquer the whole of Britain they had to decide on a northern frontier. In the mid C2nd, the ANTONINE WALL was a turf wall built at Britain’s narrowest land crossing. It became the most northerly division between the Empire and the outside world. The best preserved section of the wall is at ROUGH Castle and this gentle walk discovers the remains and history of what still exists of this World Heritage Site. Within the wall were sixteen forts, a military road and signal stations.

Day 4: Falkland Palace - Pictish Hillfort

FALKALND PALACE was the favourite home of Mary Queen of Scots. The palace was the country home of the Stewart kings and the current building was built on the site of an older castle. Inside are the King’s Bedchamber and numerous portraits of the Stewarts. The town of Falkland has many lovely buildings, some with rare marriage lintels and walking through the streets, we will progress out into beech wood. This is where Mary Queen of Scots hunted with a falcon on her wrist. The circular route back to the Palace has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and includes an Pictish hill fort.

Day 5: Pentland Hills - Edinburgh

The Covenanters were a Scottish religious movement that played an important role in the history of the country. The Covenanters bound themselves to maintain the Presbyterian doctrine as the sole religion of Scotland. Disputes between the King together with the Church and the Covenanters resulted in riots and battles ending finally in the Battle of Rullion Green with the death of 18,000 men. This walk through the glorious PENTLAND HILLS passes through the site of the battle and around the modern reservoirs feeding Edinburgh. Outstanding views of the city and Arthur’s Seat can be seen from the hilltops.

Day 6: Glasgow City - Cathedral - Art School

GLASGOW is Scotland’s largest city and has many elegant streets with outstanding Victorian architecture. The city has many famous sons including Charles Rennie Mackintosh , an architect who founded the famous Glasgow SCHOOL OF ART. Built in the C13th the CATHEDRAL is a wonderful example of gothic architecture. It is a shrine to St Mungo - the patron saint of Glasgow. Overlooking the Cathedral is Glasgow Necropolis, essentially a graveyard to the rich of Victorian Scotland. To the south, is the BURRELL COLLECTION founded by Sir William Burrell in the early C20th. It has over 8000 artefacts to see.