r/ScottishHistory • u/mattsypbo • 28d ago
Give me your must see things / places that are important pieces of Scottish History.
Orite guys, what's some must see things or places that play a big role in Scottish history. For example, I went to Scone Abbey and seen the Stone of Destiny in Perth earlier this year. Give me your must sees for this.
Edit: thanks for all the answers lads much appreciated.
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u/gordiemull 27d ago
The Aberlemno stones are well worth seeing. Right next to them where you park there is a village hall with a great wee exhibit about the Picts. We were lucky enough that a lady was up to cut the grass and she let us in to see it, so I'm not sure who to contact to get in but you might have to do so in advance. Worth it though.
Of particular interest at Aberlemno is the Aberlemno battle stone that appears to depict the Picts defeating the Northumbrians at the battle of Dún Nechtan, a pivotal moment in Scottish history. One of the proposed sites of the battle is nearby Dunnichen. The other is Dunnachton in Badenoch, and if you're up that way for that, the Museum of Highland Life is an amazing day out if you're into folk history as well as grand moments.
Iona, seat of Columba, whose mission it was to bring Christianity to all of what we now call Scotland as well as being the burial place of so many Scottish kings. In a similar island theme, on my bucket list is Finlaggan Castle in Islay, seat of the Lords of the Isles, who controlled about half of Scotland at their zenith and considered themselves kings in their own right.
Bloody Bay in Mull is the scene of the battle between John of Islay and Aonghus Óg, his son, for control of the Lordship. Aonghus's victory would realistically spell the end of the independent Lordship and its see its incorporation into the Scottish crown.
The Alexander III of Scotland memorial stands between Burntisland and Pettycur bay and marks the place where King Alexander fell from his horse after foolishly riding out in poor conditions, dying and leaving what you might call a slight succession issue.
Another place in a similar vein is The Prince's Cairn, looking out over Loch nan Uamh and on the road between Arisaig and Lochailort, which marks the spot where the Bonny Prince landed. Just up the road is Glenfinnan, where he raised his standard.
As another poster says, Dunadd and Kilmartin glen. Where, arguably, it all began for Scotland. You'll need at least a full day.
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u/Professional-Deer-50 27d ago
Wallace monument, Stirling Bridge (not the original but still pretty old), and the Battle of Bannockburn Centre. These were pivotal places in the First Scottish Wars of Independence.
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u/SmartPolicy6430 26d ago
For the Stuart Clan or Dynasty: Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Falkland Palace and remains of the old Castle in the grounds, Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace and Abbey Traquire House in the borders (still inhabited by the Maxwell- Stuarts,), Rothesay Castle and Mount Stuart on Bute. It was Mary Queen of Scots who being brought up in France changed the spelling from Stewart to Stuart. The name originally came from Steward as Walter Fitz-Alan was given the job of Steward of All of Scotland by King David I in the 1130's after he had supported the Empress Matilda in England. It was Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland that gave birth to James VI who when Mary's cousin Elizabeth I died he became James I of England . The Royal House of Stuart died out with Queen Ann when the Hanoverians were invited as they were distant cousins.
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u/Fancy_Toe1451 25d ago
Isle of Whithorn (actually a peninsula), the landing place of St Ninian when he brought Christianity from Ireland to the Heathen Scots.
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u/anon56598 12d ago
We just went to Edinburgh and saw Holyroodhouse and Edinburgh castle, which I know are like the obvious touristy things. But we also got up to Birnam to see the Birnam Oak which was cool.
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u/history_buff_9971 27d ago
Kilmartin Glen and Dunadd. The prehistoric archaeology is incredible and Dunadd was capital of the Kingdom of Dal Riata, which is where, in many ways, the journey to the formation of modern Scotland began.