Royal Botanic Gardens - Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was founded in the 17th century on an area the size of a tennis court. It now extends to 31 hectares (at Inverleith in Edinburgh), incorporates Specialist Gardens at three very different locations in Scotland (Younger, Logan and Dawyck; 50ha, 12ha and 25ha), and is one of the world's finest botanic gardens. The Garden is first and foremost a scientific institution, dedicated to the pursuit of research of the highest quality on the systematics and biology of plants. This research, which underpins other plant science and conservation, is made possible by the Garden's internationally important collections of living and preserved plants, by its library, one of the largest botanical libraries in Britain, and by its modern, well-equipped laboratories.

Scapa Flow - Orkney
Scapa Flow, surrounded by various of the southern Orkney islands, is one of the most sheltered anchorages in Europe. Hence the huge presence in Orkney of ships and personnel during both wars. The Germans scuttled 54 of their warships here in 1919 and many still lie in the bay. The Royal Oak was torpedoed in 1939 with the loss of 833 men. Much still remains of the war years (especially if you're a diver): the rusting hulks, the shore fortifications, the Churchill Barriers and the ghosts of a long-gone army at Scapa and Lyness on Hoy.

Scottish Fisheries Museum - Fife
Situated in Anstruther, the Scottish Fisheries Museum Trust is an award winning National museum which tells the story of the Scottish fishing industry from the earliest times to present. With 16 full size boats on display as well as one hundred boat models, clothing, fishing gear, and many fine photographs and paintings.

Scotland's Lighthouse Museum - Grampian
For over 200 years the Northern Lighthouse Board has lit the coast of Scotland. Discover for yourself the skill, the dedication, the science and the romance of Scotland's Lighthouses. Your visit to this purpose built museum with all its incredible displays including a multi screen projector show and touch screen technology, also includes a unique guided tour right to the very top of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. Just 75 yards and 72 steps from the museum in Fraserburgh, Kinnaird Head was the very first lighthouse built by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787. Now it stands as a fitting monument to Scotland's lighthouse service.

Scottish Mining Museum - Midlothian
This museum allows the visitor to experience the life and times of a coal miner - throughout history to the present day. The Scottish Mining Museum is a wonderful day out for all the family. The guides are former miners and they will give you a true insight into life "down the pit". A typical day in the life of a nineteenth century miner is portrayed in a series of award winning scenes with life size figures and all the sights, sounds and smells of a miners home, the colliery and the mining village of Newtongrange. The museum's audio-visual show gives a moving insight into the terrible conditions endured by men, women and children working underground.

Skara Brae - Orkney
It can be a windy walk to this remarkable shoreline site, the subterranean remains of a compact village 5,000 yrs old. It was engulfed by a sandstorm 600yrs later and lay perfectly preserved until uncovered by another storm in 1850. Now it permits one of the most evocative glimpses of truly ancient times in the UK.

Smailholm Tower - Borders
The classic Border tower; plenty of history and romance and a nice place to stop, picnic whatever. Good views - well signposted.

St Andrews Castle - Fife
The castle of the Archbishop of St Andrews. See the fascinating mine and counter-mine, rare examples of medieval siege techniques, and the bottle dungeon where death was the only escape. A fascinating exhibition in the visitor centre brings the history of the castle to life. The town itself is renowned for its University, and also has its own Museum, ruined Cathedral and Botanic Garden.

Stenness Standing Stones - Orkney
Together with the Ring of Brodgar and the great chambered tomb of Maes Howe, all within walking distance of the A965, 18km from Kirkwall, this is as impressive a ceremonial site as you'll find anywhere. The individual stones and the scale of the Ring are very imposing and deeply mysterious. The burial cairn is the best megalithic tomb in Scotland. Seen together, they will stimulate even the most jaded sense of wonder.

Stirling Castle - Stirling
The mighty Royal Castle of Stirling towers above some of the most important battlefields in Scotland's history; including William Wallace's victory over the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 and Robert the Bruce's defeat of the same foe at Bannockburn in 1314. Time and time again Stirling Castle was besieged, relieved and then besieged once again during the Scottish struggle against domination by the English. Stirling Castle is closely bound with the life of the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots. She spent her childhood in the castle. Mary's coronation took place in the Chapel Royal in 1543 and she narrowly escaped death by fire there in 1561.

Stonehaven - Grampian
Fishing is one of the oldest known industries and though the traditional methods of fishing have now died out, Stonehaven is a flourishing town, with agricultural, manufacturing and holiday interests, but nowadays the sea fishing involves only small craft and is mainly recreational.
While on his rampage up the Scottish east coast at the end of the 13th century, William Wallace captured Forfar, Dundee, Brechin and Montrose castles, killing all the soldiers he found within them. Pleased with this success and hearing that the majority of the officers at Dunnottar Castle had gone to consult with other English garrisons nearby, in 1297 Wallace quickly descended on Dunnottar Castle (still a wooden structure at this time). The fortress was fired and stormed and all the defenders were killed. Dunnottar still exists as a ruin and can be visited.
Benholm Mill is in an idyllic setting nestling snugly beside the Benholm Burn but the peace and tranquillity which makes the mill so appealing today belies its hustle and bustle of yesteryear. As you wind your way down the path to the small cluster of buildings at the foot of the brae, try to imagine what the scene would have been like 100 years ago. Then, there would have been a hive of activity as farmers drove their carts down with grain to be milled before returning to take away the finished product. This routine went on virtually unchanged for many, many years. It is clear from documentary evidence that milling has gone on at Benholm since the late 15th Century when the mill is mentioned in a charter by John Lunday, granting the lands and Barony of Benhame to his son Robert, and in the 17th century (at the time of the Cromwellian attack on Dunnottar Castle) grain was often reported stolen. But the recorded history of Benholm goes back to the 12th century when the family of De Benne or De Benham was granted a charter by William the Lion.

Stornoway - Western Isles
Capital of the Western Isles, once famed for its opposition to Sunday travel / drinking / anything remotely resembling fun, this image is fast fading. Things to see here include: Lewis Castle; Calanais Standing Stones and Visitors Centre - This archaeological treasure is one of the most remote and ancient monuments in Europe. Popular explanations link the stones to the complex astronomical theories of the Druids; Dun Carloway and Visitors Centre - This is one of the best preserved brochs in Scotland. Standing an impressive 30 feet high, this 2000 year old fortress tower was probably a defence against less welcome tourists during Roman times; and Gearrannan Blackhouse Village - Built by drystone masonery, and thatched roofs, the blackhouses of Gearrennan are the last group of traditional dwellings to survive in Lewis.

Stranraer - Dumfries
There has been much speculation over the origin of the name Stranraer - many authorities suggesting a Gaelic root denoting a topographical feature, while others maintain it was originally Stranrawer - the Raw or Row of dwellings on the Strand. Not just the place from where to catch the ferry to Eire. The older parts of the Royal Burgh suggest the haphazard growth of a little lochside settlement but a closer look will discover buildings and features which played a part in the history of Stranraer.

Strathaven - Lanarkshire
Stra'ven is a medium sized town in the heart of Lanarkshire. With a location in the midst of some fine countryside Strathaven is steeped in a history that includes a castle, a weaving industry and a covenanter's trail with battle locations near the village of Drumclog and Gilmourton, details of which can be found at the John Hastie Museum in the park of the same name.

Strathmiglo - Fife
Strathmiglo is a small Scottish village in north Fife. It lies on the upper reaches of the river Eden, which flows through the village green. The river valley is rich agricultural land, with the Lomond Hills rising to 522 metres (1,706 feet) in the south and the eastern end of the Ochil hills in the north. Strathmiglo is three miles north-west of Falkland (see above). In the surrounding countryside there is evidence of bronze age, iron age and Roman occupation. There is a Pictish symbol stone located just outside the village cemetery. However, there is little evidence of buildings in the village before the 17th century when the town was made a Burgh of Barony. At its height in the 19thcentury the village was a thriving milling and linen weaving centre, supporting a population of over 2,000 ,with over 50 shops and businesses. The last vestige of this industrial past closed recently; there are now four shops, a tavern, a garage, a small engineering workshop and two manufacturing joineries.

Sutherland Monument on Ben Bhraggie - Sutherland
Atop the hill that dominates the town, the domineering statue and plinth (over 35m) of the dreaded first Duke of Sutherland; there's been a fierce debate recently raging in the local press over whether it should be demolished. Climb from town fountain on marked path.

Sweetheart Abbey - Dumfries
The magnificent remains of a late 13th and early 14th Century red sandstone Cistercian abbey founded by Devorgilla, Lady of Galloway, in memory of her husband John Balliol. An heiress of the Royal house in Dunkeld, Devorgilla is buried in the presbytery in a casket which also contains her husband's embalmed heart which she carried around with her for 22 years until her own death in 1290. Apart from the Abbey, the most prominent feature is a well-preserved precinct wall.

Tain - Easter Ross
The Royal Burgh of Tain has a long and fascinating history. It was granted its first royal charter in 1066, making Tain Scotland's oldest Royal Burgh. The 1066 charter, granted by King Malcolm III, confirmed Tain both as a sanctuary, where people could claim the protection of the church, and an 'immunity', whose resident merchants and traders were exempt from certain types of taxes. Little is know of the earlier history of the town; even the origin of the name Tain is uncertain. It may come from the Norse ' Thing', a place of assembly, or from an older root meaning water or river. However, the town's Gaelic name is quite clear, Baile Dubhthaich, Duthac's town, and it is to Duthac that the town owed its early importance. He was an early Christian figure, perhaps 8th or 9th century, whose shrine had become so important by 1066 that it resulted in the royal charter already mentioned. The ruined chapel near the mouth of the river was said to have been built on the site of his birth. Duthac became an official saint in 1419 and by the late middle ages his shrine was established as one of the most important places of pilgrimage in Scotland. The most famous pilgrim was King James IV, who came at least once a year throughout his reign to achieve both spiritual and political aims. The extent of the sanctuary of Tain, based around St Duthac's shrine, was marked by four girth crosses. The boundaries were inspected by the burgh council in a regular perambulation of the marches which continued well into the 18th century. The fame of the sanctuary was such that Robert the Bruce sent his family here in 1306 to keep them safe from the English. William Earl of Ross captured them, ignoring the sanctuary, and handed them over to Edward I. The endowments made by William a few years later in restitution led directly to the foundation of the beautiful collegiate church that is still at the heart of the town today. That episode in 1306 was just one of many dramatic events in Tain during the last thousand years. In 1427 a clan feud led to the burning down of the old church and the hurried completion of the collegiate church. In 1650 the Marquis of Montrose spent a night here on the way to his execution in Edinburgh after the battle of Carbisdale. A century later, in 1745, the troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie were in Tain and Easter Ross, and a century later again the repercussions of the Highland clearances were being felt in Tain's court-house. During the Second World War many Royal Air Force and Army personnel were stationed in the area. Military structures, including huts, control towers and runways, mostly derelict, can still be seen. The village of Inver and its surrounding area was completely cleared in 1944 for secret D-Day landing exercises, causing enormous disruption to the lives of the local people.

Tantallon Castle - East Lothian
3 miles east of North Berwick by the coast road; 500m to dramatic cliff top setting with views to Bass Rock. Dates from 1350 with massive 'curtain wall' to see it through stormy weather and stormy history. The Red Douglases and their friends kept the world at bay. Wonderful beach nearby.

Tarbert - Argyll
Tarbert village sits by Loch Fyne on the Argyll coast. For as long as ships have sailed the waters of Argyll's rugged sea lochs, the snug anchorage of Tarbert has offered a safe haven to weary sailors. Tarbert today is still an active fishing port as well as being a regular port of call for the many yachts that cruise the West Coast of Scotland. Tarbert sits between the ancient lands of Knapdale and Kintyre, within easy reach of many historic castles and kirks. Tarbert castle itself is strategically and dramatically placed overlooking the sheltered harbour. Unsafe to clamber over, it's for the timeless view rather than an evocation of tangible history that it's worth finding the way up. Steps on Harbour Rd next to dental surgery. To the south lie the sculptured grave-slabs of Saddel Abbey, while to the north are the 12th century ruins of Castle Sween and the ancient stone circles at Kilmartin. Those visitors to the area who are keen golfers may be interested to visit the magnificent Golf Course at Machrihanish . This is a championship links course, designed in 1876 by Tom Morris, who was quoted as saying "When the Almighty made Machrihanish he had gowf in his mind".

Temple Wood - Argyll
Just south of Kilmartin from A816, 2 distinct stone circles from a long period of history between 3000-1200 BC. Story and speculations described on boards. Pastoral countryside and wide skies. There are many other sites in the vicinity. The Centre for Archaeology and Landscape Interpretation, beside the kirk, goes into it in more detail.

Tenement House - Glasgow
A typical Victorian tenement flat of 1892, a fascinating time capsule of the first half of the 20th century. It was the home of an ordinary shorthand typist, who lived up this 'close' for more than 50 years. The flat contains many if the original fittings and family items. There is also an exhibition on the ground floor about tenement life.

Thirlestane Castle - Borders
Just outside Lauder, on the banks of the Leader, is Thirlestane Castle, seat of the Earl of Lauderdale. Thirlestane Castle started life as a defensive fort built by the English army during the War of Rough Wooing in 1548. Two years later, in 1550, Lauder Fort was surrendered during the Peace Treaty of Bologne and was dismantled. The present castle dates from the 1590s, and the magnificent main rooms have beautiful plasterwork ceilings. The old nurseries hold a collection of historic toys.

Tomb of the Eagles - Orkney
20 miles south of Kirkwall at the foot of South Ronaldsay. A 'recent' discovery, the excavation of this cliff cave is on private land. You should call in at the house first and they'll tell you the whole story. Then there's a 2km walk. Allow time; this is ethereal stuff.

Ullapool - Wester Ross
Ullapool was established in 1788 as a fishing village, and has grown exceptionally with a population of 1600. The village is a well known tourist resort. Ullapool makes an ideal centre for hillwalking, birdwatching, fishing and cruising as well as golf! There is a leisure complex with a beautiful indoor swimming pool to give wet-weather entertainment, and Ullapool's situation as a ferry terminal makes it an ideal stopping-off point for exploring the Western Isles.

Urquhart Castle - Highlands
Set near the banks of Loch Ness this remains as one of the largest castles in Scotland. From here you will be able to see some of the most magnificent views of the Loch.

Wallace Monument - Stirling
Visible for miles and with great views, though not as dramatic as Stirling Castle, a 150yard walk from the car park and 246 steps up. Victorian gothic spire marking the place where Scotland's great patriot swooped down upon the English at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. The famous sword is very big. Cliff top walk through Abbey Craig woods is worth the detour.

Withorn Dig - Borders
1986 excavations are still ongoing at the medieval priory, the shrine of St Ninian and home of the earliest church in Scotland in Whithorn. Not much to see but a serene spot behind the main street of a forgotten town.

Wick - Caithness
Caithness lies at the north-east tip of Scotland, a flat and fertile county renowned for it's big skies, magnificent cliffs and seascapes. Wick and Thurso are the main towns, offering a variety of facilities and well-stocked shops. On the north coast, by the Pentland Firth, lies famous John O' Groats. Small communities like Keiss, Freswick and Lybster reflect the area's Viking past, while several castles testify to the more recent influence of clan chiefs. You used to be able to visit the world famous headquarters of Caithness Glass, now unfortunately shut down by its erstwhile English owners, and day trips may be made to the Orkney Islands by vehicle or passenger ferry.