Central Scotland Tour
​Tour Central Scotland and see the sites on the way to Stirling once the capital of Scotland
Starting at the West End of Edinburgh you will visit South Queensferry where a ferry took people across the the water to Fife for over 300 years and a view of the 3 bridges. On to Blackness Castle where Outlander,
Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots films were made, The Binns, St Michael's Statue, Linlithgow Palace
(site of Outlander and Robert the Bruce). and St Michael’s Church,
Regent Murray Plaque first to be assassinated with a gun.
The Falkirk Wheel is a barge lift that replaces 18 Lochs taking barges from one level to another,
Rosebank Distillery Opened by James Rankine from 1840's Lowland Malt Whisky Distillers
The Kelpies two horses heads sculpted from steel, which signify the joining of the two main Scottish canals.
Bannockburn visitors Centre and Battle Site, where Scotland first gain independence from England,
Stirling Castle stands on a rock as Edinburgh Castle on an extinct volcano, it was also the home of
Mary Queen of Scots (Statue) and where she was crowned. The Wallace Monument, National Monument of Scotland.
Cambuskenneth Abbey James III Tomb and Home.
On the tour entrance to sites are not included.
Shorter trips can be designed for each group.
Queensferry
The Crossing of the Forth by Queen Margaret in the Late 11th Century created Queensferry
Where the Forth Rail Bridge stands today over the Firth of Forth was first known for a crossing in the 11th century by Queen Margaret, as she made frequent trips to Dunfermline and St Andrews. Queen Margaret founded a ferry service to help transport religious pilgrims across the river. The crossing was so well used that small communities emerged on the south and north banks of the river, the ports were both called Queensferry and later changed to South Queensferry and North Queensferry as they are today. The ferry service was used as a passenger ferry for over eight hundred years. There are 2 established Bridges over the Firth of Forth The oldest Steel constructed cantilever rail bridge in the world and the Forth Road Bridge built in 1964.
The latest bridge is the Queensferry Crossing opened 30 /08/2017.
The Queensferry Crossing will be the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world.
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Blackness - Linlithgow
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Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle was built in 1445 for the Crichton family one of Scotland's most powerful families.
Blackness Castle was taken from the Crichton's in 1453 by the then king James II.
This was a Castle that only Cromwell over came in 1650 during the rampage
Cromwell led through Scotland burning everything he could.
Blackness Castle was converted into a prison circa 1540 and was used to imprison the enemies of
James V and held many famous prisoners of the crown
Cardinal Beaton being the most famous.
Covenanters and later war prisoners from the wars with France, Spain and America
it ceased to be a prison circa 1850.
The original entrance to the castle was blocked of circa 1550
and moved to face the sea making it harder to breach.
The House of Binns
The House of Binns has been home to the Dalyell’s for 400 years.
This house was built circa 1620 by Thomas Dalyell
a wealthy merchant from Edinburgh during the reign of King James VI and 1st,
where he worked for the royal court in London.
On massing his fortune he returned to Edinburgh
and purchased the lands and manor house of the Binns.
He then demolished the old manor house and built the present house.
A fascinating house and well worth a visit.
The Winged St Michael Sculpture
Linlithgow town's ancient burgh seal
has the image of St Michael, and a dog (The Black Bitch).
To commemorate the Burgh seal
a sculpted bronze of each have been erected in Linlithgow.
St Michael slaying a Dragon
St Michael, is the patron saint of Linlithgow,
and the Guardian Angel
watching over the towns inhabitants.
Linlithgow Cross Well
The Cross Well or fountain where fresh spring water flowed is where the town Cross stood.
The Fountain in the shape of a Crown was erected in 1807.
The original Cross Well was built in 1628.
The present Cross Well Fountain is an exact replica.
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St Michaels Church
On 22nd May 1242, the Church of St Michael of Linlithgow was consecrated
by the Bishop of St Andrews
St Michael's church over the centuries has been burnt damaged used as a store house,
stables and barracks. It has even been used by the University of Edinburgh
during the plague.
James IV, when visiting the church saw a ghost which warned him
that no good would come of his exploits,
and the Battle of Flodden Field and not to go.
He was the last King to die in Battle.
Mary Queen of Scots was christened in
St Michaels next to Linlithgow Palace
where she was born.
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St Michael’s Church
Gothic Timber Pulpit
This is a magnificent Church which has had many of the rulers of Scotland attend.
The Gothic timber pulpit is surrounded by 3 carvings of Queens
Elizabeth II, Mary Queen of Scots and St Margaret.
St Michael’s Church
Stain Glass Window
St. Michael's Church on celebrating its 750th anniversary reinstalled a new stained glass window
in the St. Katherine's Aisle.
The window is designed around the theme of Pentecost and is a must see.
Mary Queen of Scots Statue
Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland.
(Dec 1542 – Feb 1587)
A Statue of Mary Queen of Scots stands in the grounds of Linlithgow Palace.
Mary, daughter of King James V of Scotland.
Was to became Queen,
6 days after she was born
on the death of her father.
Mary of Guise was her mother
and had a Palace built in Edinburgh
on the north side of Castlehill.
Mary, Queen of Scots
was born in Linlithgow Palace
on 8 December 1542.
Linlithgow Palace
In 1337 Edward III's English army set fire to Linlithgow,
which was largely built of wood.
In 1349 the Black Death (the plague) reached Scotland
and killed a third of the population of Edinburgh.
The King, his parliament and court took refuge in Linlithgow from Holyrood
to escape the plague.
There were more fires in 1411 and 1424 destroying most of the town.
In 1424 James I returned from exile in England
and built the Palace at Linlithgow, starting the work in 1425.
James IV and James V,
made changes to the Palace.
James V making it a home for his wife Mary of Guise.
James VI moved to London in 1603,
where he added to his title James I of England.
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Regent Moray’s Assassination
On January 23rd 1570 in Linlithgow, Scotland, James Stewart, 1st Earl of Moray,
Regent of Scotland on his way through Linlithgow was
shot and killed by James Hamilton of Bothwell Haugh.
He was the first assassination by a firearm in recorded history.
James Hamilton supported
Mary Queen of Scots
and fought against James Stewart,
1st Earl of Moray (Regent)
at the battle of Langside.
See the plaque on what was the Sherriff Court (now Court Residence)
commemorating this event.
A stain glass window can be seen of the
Regent Moray shooting in St. Giles Edinburgh.
The inscription on the plaque reads;
On the street opposite this tablet
James Stewart Earl of Murray Regent of Scotland
Was shot by James Hamilton of Bothwell Haugh
on 20th January 1570
Erected in 1875
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