Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

Dalhousie Castle, Bonnyrigg, Scotland

This morning, our tour styarted with first call at Dalhousie Castle which is connected with Clan Ramsay. Here we had some refreshments and explored the sumptuous building which is now a high end hotel.

Next to the famous Rosslyn Chapel where we were able to hear by a local expert guide. The Chapel dates from the 15th century, took 40 years to complete and has recently achieved fame through connection with the Da Vinci Code.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Scotland

Next to Glenkinchie Distillery where we joined in a tour of the distillery to learn about the complicated malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation processes. Photos not permitted inside the distillery.

Tour of Glenkinchie Distillery, Scotland

Scotch Whisky at Glenkinchie Distillery, Scotland

Next we stopped for a late lunch at Lauder in the Scottish Borders.

Eagle Hotel, Lauder, Scottish Borders

After lunch we drove to nearby Melrose Abbey, which is a magnificent ruin dating back to the 12th century. Here is buried the heart of King Robert the Bruce who lived during the 14th century.

Melrose Abbey, Borders, Scotland

Final stop was nearby Jedburgh Abbey. Unfortunately, we arrive too late to visit but were able to take photos from the perimeter.

Jedburgh Abbey,Jedburgh, Scottish Borders

We continued south to England and reached our destination on Tynemouth about 7.15pm in readiness for tomorrow’s tour of Hadrian’s Wall.

This morning we departed our Falkirk lodgings and then drove into the town to view the former home of the Group’s relative who emigrated tio Canada.

Family House, Falkirk, Scotland

Next to  Glenkinchie Distillery. Here we enjoyed an exclusive tour learning about the malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation and maturation processes of whisky making.

Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland, Scotland

Tasting at Glenkinchie Distillery, Scotland

Next we had a light lunch at Roslin and then joined the 2.00pm tour of Rosslyn Chapel which dates from the 15th century and found recent fame in the Da Vinci Code.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Scotland

Next we drove to Edinburgh, checked into our hotel for the night and then walked up to High Street to visit Edinburgh Castle. Our timing was good as the crowds were leaving as we were going in which aided our enjoyment. At the castle we had a good vantage point of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. We visited all key aspects of the Castle including Mons Meg cannon, St Margaret’s Chapel, National War Memorial and Crown Jewels.

Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile, Scotland

Next we returned to our hotel in time for dinner. Later we returned to the Castle to  see the Military Tattoo.

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scotland

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scotland

Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Scotland

This morning we departed our Dunfermline lodgings at 9.00am and then drove for about 45 mins to Rosslyn Chapel, about 7 miles south of Edinburgh. This small church dates from the 15th century and took 40 years to complete. It is famous for (a) quality and intensity of the stone carvings which adorn the interior and (b) connection with Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code. Latter has been double edged in that visitor numbers have multiplied since release of film and book swamping facilities at the Chapel whilst on the plus side the increased revenue has proved of great help in funding the on-going repair and remediation work.

At Rosslyn we joined in the 10.00am tour which lasted about 30 mins and gave a useful and well informed overview of the 600 years of history associated with the chapel which today remains a living place of worship as part of the Scottish Episcopalian Church. Unfortunately, no photographs are permitted inside.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin, Scotland

Next we journeyed south for an hour to Melrose Abbey, one of the famous ‘Border Abbeys’. As will evident form the images below, Melrose is a romantic ruin. The building originally dates from the 12th century but suffered extensive damage during English invasions of Scotland during the wars of independence and later with the final coup de grace being the Reformation of the late 16th century. In the Abbey grounds is buried the heart of King Robert the Bruce. The romantic author, Sir Walter Scott was also associated with the Abbey.

Heart of Robert the Bruce, Melrose Abbey, Scotland

Melrose Abbey, Borders, Scotland

We enjoyed a spot of lunch at Melrose (sitting outdoors) and then continued our journey south to Lockerbie and our lodgings at Queens Hotel from where I am writing this post.

Restaurant, Melrose, Scotland

Queens Hotel, Lockerbie, Scotland

Below I have posted some general images of Lockerbie town centre taken this evening. Lockerbie is perhaps best known for the terrorist attack of 1988  when Pan Am 103 exploded over the town with resulting huge loss of life. Today, the town centre is somewhat ‘mixed’ with some retail premises boarded up.

Lockerbie Town Centre, Scottish Borders

Lockerbie Town Centre, Scottish Borders

Tomorrow, we tour important sites connected with Clan Armstrong.