Historic Sundays will run from October 1, 2023, through to March 3, 2024. Simply pre-book online and show your proof of address on arrival. Although many of the free tickets have already been snapped up for the October Historic Sunday, more tickets are due to be released for the coming months shortly. Visitors are advised by Historic Environment Scotland to keep up to date at their website.
25. Dryburgh Abbey
The graceful ruins of Dryburgh Abbey in the Borders nestle secluded in woodland by the River Tweed. Even now, it’s easy for visitors to get a sense of the contemplative life of a medieval monk. The abbey was established by Premonstratensian canons in 1150. Hugh de Moreville, Constable of Scotland and Lord of Lauderdale, had invited them to this idyllic spot from Alnwick Priory, Northumberland. (Moreville was himself an incomer from England.) Dryburgh became the premier house in Scotland of the French order, which was established by St Norbert of Xanten in 1121 at Prémontré. Its six Scottish houses also included Whithorn Priory. Dryburgh was never as wealthy or influential as the abbeys at Kelso, Jedburgh and Melrose, and monastic life was on the whole pretty quiet. The abbey did suffer four savage attacks, however – the most famous in 1322. Edward II’s soldiers turned back to set fire to Dryburgh having heard its bells ringing out as the English army retreated. The Protestant Reformation of 1560 effectively ended monastic life at Dryburgh Abbey. By 1584, just two brethren remained alive. Photo: Matt Cartney
Craigmillar Castle in Edinburgh has many nooks and crannies to explore. Originally a simple tower house residence, the castle grew into a complex of structures and spaces as each owner improved its comfort and facilities. Its gardens and parkland were also important. The present day Craigmillar Castle Park reminds us of the castle’s days as a rural retreat a short distance from Scotland’s capital. The original tower house of the late 1300s is at the core. Craigmillar was among the first of this type of castle to be built in Scotland. Photo: Santiago Arribas Historic Scotland
Huntingtower Castle near Perth has hosted some notable visitors, and been party to some dramatic events. Most famously, Mary Queen of Scots stayed here in 1565, while on honeymoon with Lord Darnley. A lordly residence for 300 years – from the 1400s to the 1700s – the castle is linked to both the Ruthvens (later earls of Gowrie) and the Murrays (earls of Tullibardine and later dukes of Atholl). Before 1600, Huntingtower was known as the Place of Ruthven. In a famous episode known as the ‘Ruthven Raid’, the 1st Earl of Gowrie held James VI, Mary’s son, here against his will in 1582. An equally bizarre event called the ‘Gowrie Conspiracy’ led to the downfall of the 3rd Earl of Gowrie in 1600. The Ruthvens were disinherited and their forfeited castle was renamed Huntingtower. Photo: Matthew Cartney
Urquhart Castle overlooks Loch Ness from the rocky promontory that it dominates and upon which some famous names have set foot. St Columba may have visited around AD 580. Adomnan, his biographer, tells of the saint’s encounter with a monster in the loch. Urquhart has a lively history. It was one of the great castles taken by the English when Edward I invaded in 1296. The Lords of the Isles then seized the castle repeatedly in the later Middle Ages, in an effort to expand their territory into the north-east. In the 1500s, Clan Grant was given the castle and charged with its repair and with bringing it back into use. Urquhart Castle was garrisoned for the last time in 1689, following the exile of the Catholic King James VII, and his replacement by the Protestant monarchs William II and Mary II. In 1692, the towering gatehouse was deliberately blown up so that the castle could never again be a military stronghold. Photo: MATT CARTNEY