The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Right place, right time
From palaces and abbeys to crannogs and whisky, Courier Country is home to a wealth of historical attractions.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to live in Scotland hundreds of years ago? What the buildings looked like, where people lived, and what jobs they did? Well, in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, these eight fascinating attractions will answer your questions.
1. Not just for petrol heads, the Dundee Museum of Transport gives a glimpse of how the people of Dundee and Scotland used to travel – by bus, tram, car and more. Don’t miss their special exhibits – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and a recreation of Dundee’s first flying machine.
2. The eight galleries of McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery and Museum won’t just show you the history of the city – they’ll take you back 400 million years. Travel back through Egyptian archaeology, Pictish stones, old town models and see the animals that used to call this area home. A pretty impressive journey through the centuries on a single day out.
3. A fortress, a palace and a prison – the ruined coastal St Andrews Castle has many tales to tell and not all of them are pretty. Find out about those who lived and died here and see the bottle dungeon, underground mine and countermine. Back up in town, St Andrews Cathedral offers a much rosier perspective – climb to the top of St Rule’s Tower to gaze out over the community and the surrounding countryside.
4. A fantastic example of Romanesque architecture, the walls of Dunfermline Palace and Abbey hold stories of monks and monarchs. The tale begins in the 11th Century when the little priory became an abbey, before going on to be the final resting place of some of Scotland’s great kings and queens, including Robert the Bruce.
5. On the site of the first operational military airfield in Great Britain, Montrose Air Station Heritage Centre doesn’t just show the history of the base with replicas of aircraft, it also tells the human story through a great collection of photographs, artefacts and memorabilia, which give a real taste of what it was like to serve at the air station and live in the area more than 100 years ago.
6. Arbroath Abbey will give you the chance to experience history, heritage and archaeology. This magnificent structure has ties to the most famous document in Scottish history – the Declaration of Arbroath. Look out for the Round O, a circular window once used with a light to guide mariners home.
7. Whisky is an essential part of Scottish heritage and at the country’s oldest distillery, you can see the traditional handmade processes that have been in use since 1775. The Famous Grouse Experience at Glenturret Distillery near Crieff has a range of tours, an on-site restaurant and samples for you to try.
8. A crannog may lack the comforts of a modern day house but it certainly has a beautiful view of Loch Tay. The Scottish Crannog Centre at Kenmore is a living museum on the water – a reconstructed crannog with interactive exhibits taking you back 2,500 years. Dress up and try ancient crafts, including fire-making without matches.
For more inspiration go to the Visit Scotland online forum, Scotland’s Community, for hints on things to see and do in Scotland from locals and visitors.