The Royal Route

The historic route that connects Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle via Linlithgow Palace known as ‘The Royal Route’ offers plenty to see. It has been in use for over 900 years and in part was a roman road connecting with The Antonine Wall. It was later connected to Edinburgh as a means of safe passage between the two settlements and was used extensively during the Scottish Wars of Independence.

Linlithgow Palace

Home to the Scottish Monarchy during the 15th & 16th centuries, Linlithgow Palace is a grand building overlooking Linlithgow Loch. Step inside and see the birthplace of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots and marvel at the ornate stone carved fountain installed around 1536 during the reign of James V. Legend has it that Bonnie Prince Charlie replaced the water of the fountain with wine during a Jacobite propaganda meeting in 1745.

The Kelpies

A recent addition to the landscape, The Kelpies is a modern art installation designed by Andy Scott. Built as a symbol of central-Scotland’s industrial heritage it has taken on the guise of ‘kelpies’; mythical sea creatures that plagued ships as they sailed around the far north. We stop here to see the Kelpies close up.

The Dunmore Pineapple

A unique and quirky building, The Pineapple was built by John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore as part of an extensive collection of hothouses built in the 18th century. The rare pineapple had associations of power, wealth, and hospitality after their introduction to European culture in the 15th century. It was a retreat (or follie) for the Earl and his wife but also served a practical function of growing a wide variety of unusual fruits and vegetables grew in the extensive glasshouses and pineapple pits of the walled garden.

Stirling Castle

As we arrive in the City of Stirling we see Stirling Castle sitting on an imposing volcanic plug overlooking the Carse Of Stirling. Driving up the cobbled streets to the castle gives you a good understanding of why the castle and the town held such importance in historic Scotland. The views from the castle ramparts across the Carse of Stirling towards the Wallace Monument are outstanding.

Your guide will conduct a full guided tour of Stirling Castle including the Royal apartments, Great Hall, Kitchens and gardens before walking along the ‘wall walk’ that affords stunning views for miles around.

Alloa Tower

Alloa Tower dates from the 14th century and was built to guard an important ferry crossing on the nearby River Forth. It became the ancestral seat of the Erskine family, the Earls of Mar and Kellie, loyal supporters of the Stuart monarchs. Mary, Queen of Scots and her son, James VI, both spent some of their childhoods at Alloa. James attended the wedding of Marie Stewart here and she later became one of his wife’s ladies in waiting.

Alloa tower is the largest surviving Keep in Scotland and was home to the 6th Earl of Mar with was the leader of the 1715 Jacobite uprising.

Royal Burgh of Culross

Culross is a beautiful and historic village on the northern bank of The River Forth. Centre-stage is Culross Palace, a grand 16th century lodging that has been used for both interior and exterior filming of Outlander.

Beyond the Palace is a collection of quaint medieval properties connected by ancient cobbled streets. Visit The Study and Mercat Cross and climb the steep path to Culross Abbey founded in 1217. The Protestant reformation thwarted plans to reinstate a Monastery at this location that was destroyed around 1500.

North Queensferry

Before crossing The Forth Bridges and returning to Edinburgh we stop in the small harbour town of North Queensferry that offers a fantastic and unusual view of The Forth Railway Bridge. Watch trains trundle overhead and ships pass in the estuary beneath as we learn about this unique historical setting.

We return to Edinburgh after a fantastic day along the River Forth.