RISE OF A DYNASTY

The House of Stewart – later Stuart – took the throne of Scotland in 1371, beginning a dynasty that came to rule Britain and Ireland. Jonathan Wilkes highlights five places where you can get a taste of the strife, struggles and skirmishes of the era

Charting the emergence of Scotland’s ruling family and its impact

1. DUNDONALD CASTLE AYRSHIRE Robert II became King of Scots in 1371, heralding the dawn of the royal house of Stewart. He celebrated by building this hilltop castle. Today, the ruins of this three-storey fort now boast a visitor centre, exhibition and a panoramic view of the picturesque Ayrshire scenery. £5. Open daily. Dundonald, KA2 9HD. 01563 851489, dundonaldcastle.org.uk

2. SCONE PALACE PERTH Many Stuart monarchs were crowned at Scone Palace, home of the Stone of Scone, or Stone of Destiny. The last Stuart crowned here was Charles II, in 1651. Located just north of Perth, the Palace has also been home to a monastery, flourishing abbey and the first Scottish parliament. £12. Open daily until 31

October. Perth, PH2 6BD. 01738 552300, scone-palace.co.uk

3. STIRLING CASTLE STIRLING The coronation of the infant Mary, Queen of Scots took place in 1542 at Stirling Castle, a key stronghold and residence that now stands as perhaps Scotland’s finest example of Renaissance architecture. £15. Open daily. Castle Esplanade, FK8 1EJ. 01786 450000, stirlingcastle.scot

4. LOCHLEVEN CASTLE KINROSS Raised in France, Mary, Queen of Scots adopted the French spelling of Stuart. Her dramatic reign ended in this fortress, built on an island in a loch near Kinross. She had been imprisoned by rebellious nobles and forced to

abdicate in 1567. Only reachable by boat, the ruins still include the tower rooms where she spent almost a year in captivity. £7.50. Open daily to 31 October. Pier Road, KY13 8UF. 0131 668 8600, historicenvironment.scot

5. TRAQUAIR HOUSE PEEBLESSHIRE The Stuart line ended following the union of Scotland and England in 1707, but the family’s legacy lives on at Traquair House. Claiming to be the country’s oldest inhabited house – people are said to have been living in it for 900 years – it was also a base of support for Jacobite attempts to restore the Stuarts. £8. Open daily to 31 October; weekends only in November. Innerleithen, EH44 6PW. 01896 830323, traquair.co.uk