Your Detailed Itinerary RomanticScotland
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Cover: A medley of fresh Scottish seafood © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint Additional photography: Paul Dodds, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint
Day 1Take the road through Liddesdale in Scottish Borders for Hermitage Castle, visited by Mary, Queen of Scots, then head south west via Gretna Green which, like other places along the border, was a destination for eloping couples in the days when Scotland had less strict wedding laws!
Continue west for Dumfries, with its Robert Burns connections, and a good base for exploring other romantic connections in the area. These include, to the south, Sweetheart Abbey, a red sandstone ruin with a romantic tale, while, to the north-west on the B729, you’ll find Maxwelton House, a name famous in the world of traditional Scottish song.
Day 2Heading south and west brings you to the Solway coast and, on the A711, Dundrennan Abbey, another picturesque ruin associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Loop round via picturesque Kirkcudbright to head north for Ayrshire and the area
associated with Robert Burns, where a whole range of places, centred on the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum at Alloway, Ayr, are worth exploring for their connection to this romantic figure in Scotland’s literary life. In 1791 he famously wrote what is perhaps Scotland’s saddest and most romantic song of parting – ‘Ae fond kiss and then we sever’.
Day 3Head north-east for Glasgow, ideal for a romantic city break. For a start, it is the only city in the UK which is a burial site for the remains of St Valentine. With a wealth of art galleries, you can easily follow up themes such as the painters of the Romantic Movement – and, while enjoying the Hunterian Museum and Art Gallery, in particular, find out about one of Scotland’s most famous architects, Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Day 4There’s a special romance in the Loch Lomond area – and it lies close to Glasgow, to the north of the city. Perhaps it came about through the famous Scottish song ‘The Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’, with its poignant and romantic theme of the soldier destined never to walk with his true love again by the ‘bonnie banks’. In Balloch at the south end of the loch you can orientate yourself at the Gateway Centre, then enjoy the entertainments and shopping at the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre.
Next, take the east bank road, via Drymen and Balmaha, with plenty of places to stop off and take a walk by the wooded shores. The road stops at Rowardennan – though you can continue on foot to enjoy the loch and mountain views.
Day 5Retrace the shore-side route as far as Drymen and take the A811 eastwards, turning north on the A81 for the Trossachs. This is the part of Scotland where tourism first began at the dawning of the Romantic Age before the end of the 18th century, when Highland scenery was seen in a new way – as exciting, daring and filled with tales of adventure. The Highland clansmen themselves were likewise seen as adventurous and daring – and the most famous and romantic of them was Rob Roy Macgregor. Though a real-life Highlander (d.1734) his exploits became legendary. Even Sir Walter Scott wrote a novel about him. Beyond Aberfoyle (on A81) continue west past Loch Ard to Stronachlachar on Loch Katrine.
Rob Roy was born by the loch, a little further west. Take the road west through Glen Arklet, where Rob courted his wife Mary of Comar, and drop down to the shores of Loch Lomond at Inversnaid. Even this little place has its romantic overtones: it is the title of a romantic poem by the
English poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, who was inspired by the waterfall here.
Return east to Aberfoyle, going north over the Duke’s Pass (the A821) for Callander.
Romantic Scotland
Romantic Scotland
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HERMITAGE CASTLE – Borders strongholddating from the 14th century. Mary, Queen of Scots, rode from Jedburgh and back in a day (over 80km) to visit her lover Bothwell here.
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HIGHLAND MARY STATUE, MAUCHLINE – The statue commemorates Robert Burns parting from Mary Campbell, who died before he could fulfil his promise to marry her.
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GRETNA GREEN OLD BLACKSMITH’S SHOP – The original blacksmith's shop and cottage is now an exhibition explaining the romantic significance of Gretna Green as a destination for eloping couples in the olden days.
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MAXWELTON HOUSE – Near Moniaive, dates originally from 1370; it was the home of the beautiful Annie Laurie, heroine of a famous old Scots ballad still sung today.
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DUNDRENNAN ABBEY – Remains of this 12th century abbey in peaceful countryside notable as the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, spent her last night in Scotland.
L i tt l e
M
i n ch
Th e M
i nch
M o ra y Fi r t h
Fi r t h o f Fo r t h
LochShin
LochNess
LochEricht
Loch Tay
LochAwe
Loch Earn
Loch LomondLoch Lomond
LochShiel
A712
A96
A96
A701
A702
A167A746
A702
A713
A816
A816
A848
A68A844
A702
A697
A688
A868
A947A940
A84
A811
A7
A7
A72
A596
A857
A71
A595
A815
A98
A77
A90
A920
A714
A710
A926
A9
A97
A75
A77
A701
A701
A711
A69
A855
A755
A867
A716
A941
A7
A82
A822
A837
A696
A957
A592
A95
A839
A941
A77
A77
A858
A944
A78 A737
A78
A83
A83 A82
A6
A933
A1087
A875
A814
A90
A821
A689
A93
A939
A686
A6088
A198
A831
A1
A920
A75
A75 A75
A75
A850
A830
A846
A709
A841
A99
A66
A835
A965
A83
A6112
A866
A930
A847
A948
A698
A751
A76
A76
A76
A81
A917
A69
A97
A917
A708
A68
A68
A760
A1
A980
A916
A923
A70
A9
A9
A721
A1068
A92
A699
A975
A91
A859
A986
A919
A966
A981
A967
A960
A15
A1
A1
A6105
A937
A70
A85
A706
A886
A913
A836
A90
A90
A689
A827
A888
A86
A990
A865
A938
A880
A698
A94
A95
A95
A591
A838
A894
A823
A819
A939
A6089
A762
A712
A85
A863
A928
A964
A849
A941
A719
A747
A861
A85 A85
A9
A934
A882
A924
A961
A828A884
A832
A950
A698
A822
A944
A889
A826
A817
A952
A832
A833
A699
A949
A703
A923
A920
A82
A87
A87
A87
A890
A890
A839
A836
A851
A836
A887
A99
A835
A689
A897A894
A846
A896
M74
A194(M)
M9
M74
M8
A1(M)
M77
A74(M)
M80
M8
M6
M8
M90
M9
M6
M8
E N G L A N D
N O R T H E R NI R E L A N D
SPEY VALLEY
StromnessKirkwall
John o’ GroatsGills Bay
Scrabster
ThursoMelvichBettyhill
Tongue
Durness
Scourie
Altnaharra
Lochinver
Wick
Dunbeath
Helmsdale
BroraGolspie
Dornoch
Tain
Lairg
Ullapool
Gairloch
Torridon
Stornoway
Arnol
Port of Ness
Callanish
Tarbert
Leverburgh
Otternish
Dingwall Nairn Elgin
CromartyBanff Fraserburgh
Peterhead
Turriff
Huntly
Grantown-on-Spey
AviemoreBoat ofGarten
KingussieRalia
Muir of Ord
CullenMacduff
GardenstownForres
Dufftown
Craigellachie
AchnasheenStrathpeffer
Portree
Elgol
Uig
Dunvegan
Sconser
Lochcarron
Kyle ofLochalsh
Broadford
Carbost
Armadale
Mallaig
Glenelg
Shiel Bridge
Kylerhea
Lochmaddy
Lochboisdale
Isle of Eriskay
Castlebay
DrumnadrochitUrquhartCastle
Fort Augustus
Invergarry
Spean Bridge
Newtonmore
Braemar
Glenshee
BallaterCrathie
Aboyne
Edzell
AlfordInverurie
Ellon
Banchory
Stonehaven
Forfar
Kirriemuir
Glamis
Arbroath
Montrose
Crieff
Carnoustie
BrechinPitlochry
Blairgowrie
Aberfeldy
Killin
Dunkeld
Scone
KinlochRannoch
BlairAtholl
Bruar
Fort William
Oban
Corran
Strontian GlencoeBallachulish
LochalineFishnish
Craignure
Acharacle
Kilchoan
Tobermory
Fionnphort
Feolin
PortAskaig
Bowmore
PortEllen
Crinan
Lochgilphead
Tarbert
Tayinloan
Carradale
Dunoon
Rothesay Largs
Irvine
DumbartonBalloch
Drymen
Dunblane
Helensburgh
Wemyss Bay
Crianlarich
Tyndrum
Tarbet
Inveraray
Lochearnhead
Callander
AberfoyleArdgartan
GourockGreenock
ColintraiveRhubodach
PortavadieKennacraig
Claonaig
Lochranza
Brodick
Campbeltown
Ardrossan
Troon
Prestwick
Kilmarnock
Millport
Ayr
Maybole
LanarkPeebles
Penicuik
Biggar
Abington
Newton Stewart
Girvan
Stranraer
Whithorn
WigtownPortpatrick
Port Logan
Cairnryan CastleDouglas
Gatehouseof Fleet
Kirkcudbright
Dalbeattie
NewAbbey
Langholm
Gretna
LockerbieDumfries
Thornhill
GretnaGreen
Carlisle
Moffat
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Haddington
Galashiels
St Andrews
North BerwickDunbar
Cupar
GlenrothesKinross
Dunfermline
LinlithgowFalkirk
Selkirk
JedburghHawick
Poolewe
Tomintoul
Daviot
Spittal ofGlenshee
Arisaig
Kirkcaldy
Eyemouth
CrailAnstruther
Sanquhar
New Galloway
Melrose KelsoColdstream
Burwick
St Margaret’s Hope
Aultbea
Mellon Udrigle
Buckie
KeithFochabers
Lossiemouth
Carrbridge
Kincraig
Hamilton
Coatbridge
Motherwell
Paisley
Larne
Alva
Bo'nessRosyth
Auchterarder
Burntisland
RoslinNewtongrangeDalkeithOld Craighall
Leven
Mauchline
NorthKessock
Drimnin
Laga
Ballycastle
Beauly
GLASGOW
ABERDEEN
INVERNESS
DUNDEEPERTH
NEWCASTLEUPON TYNE
EDINBURGH
BELFAST
STIRLING
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
Cairngorms
National Park
Loch Lomond and the TrossachsNational Park
LEWIS
HARRIS
BARRA
Canna
Rum
Eigg
Muck
Coll
Tiree
Colonsay
Iona
GighaBute
Seil
Lismore
Ardnamurchan
Luing
RAASAY
NORTHUIST
SOUTHUIST
MULL
JURA
ISLAY
ARRAN
Mull OfGalloway
SKYE
SCALPAY
BERNERAY
ORKNEY
SANDAY
STRONSAYEday
ROUSAY
HOYSOUTH RONALDSAY
BENBECULA
BurnsCottage
MaxweltonHouse
SweetheartAbbey
DundrennanAbbey
Gretna Green FamousBlacksmith’s Shop
Highland MarySatatue,Mauchline
Boat Trips onLoch Lomond
Mackintosh House,Hunterian Museum
& Art Gallery
Hermitage Castle
Loch Lomond Shores
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2
4
8
5
7
6
9
10
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0 10 20 30 405 Miles
0 25 5012.5 Kilometers
© MFAtech [email protected]+44 (0) 207 871 1332Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2011
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Poets celebrate it and songs are sung – but perhaps everyone has their own definition of romance. For some, it is the drama and poignancy in the lives of historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots. For others, the romance is in the landscape itself – the silent glens and soaring hills speak of tales from long ago.
Romantic Scotland
6
BURNS COTTAGE – Humble birthplace of Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, composer and collector of many romantic songs. Adjacent museum.
9
LOCH LOMOND SHORES – Spectacularly positioned visitor centre overlooking ‘the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond’ and offering magnificent views northwards up the loch.
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BOAT TRIPS ON LOCH LOMOND Combine a short boat trip and a gentle walk: visit the island of Inchcailloch to enjoy its oakwoods and loch views from the nature trail. Regular sailings from nearby Balmaha.
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MACKINTOSH HOUSE, HUNTERIAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY – The Mackintosh House is an intimate recreation of the stylish interiors designed by the famous architect and his wife for his own home.
SWEETHEART ABBEY – Definitely a romantic ruin – an abbey built for love. In 1273, Lady Devorgilla founded it in memory of her husband, John Balliol.
3