Mary Queen of Scots

• Linlithgow Palace

  Edinburgh & the Lothians × Scotland × Royal Palaces

  

  The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, burned out in 1746 and now one of Scotland’s best-loved ruins, with a royal Great Hall, a courtyard fountain and a cameo as Outlander’s Wentworth Prison.

• Craigmillar Castle

  Edinburgh & the Lothians × Scotland × Castles & Historic Attractions

  

  Edinburgh’s ‘other castle’: a medieval tower house where Mary Queen of Scots sheltered in 1566, and where, that same winter, her nobles are said to have discussed ridding her of her husband. Quieter, cheaper and far less crowded than the one on the rock.

• Stirling Castle

  Glasgow & the Central Belt × Scotland × Castles & Historic Attractions

  

  Until 1603, almost every Scottish monarch was crowned, lived in, or died at Stirling Castle — here’s the royal history behind Scotland’s most fought-over fortress, plus current entry prices and how to actually get there.