QUEEN’S GAMBIT
The Scottish highlands provide a stunning backdrop for history buffs and royalty afficionados to learn more about Mary, Queen of Scots’ dramatic story.
Journey to Scotland for a tour of Mary Queen of Scots’ favourite haunts
From the quaint alleys of its cities to its historic castles atop craggy hills, Scotland’s surreal vistas provide a stunning backdrop for its equally dramatic history.
Stories of Scotland’s royals and its many battlegrounds continue to enthral audiences all over the world. The highlands and lochs in particular attract quite the footfall of intrepid tourists eager to learn more about Scottish history – in particular, its clan conflicts and wars with the British that provide fascinating plots for books or cinematic adaptations. While the country’s natural bounty promises a tremendous visual experience in itself, it takes a specialised tour guide to narrate the stories that the land witnessed over centuries.
Discerning travellers will be delighted to know that in celebration of the highly anticipated Hollywood film Mary Queen of
Scots, The Gleneagles Hotel has launched a brand new experience for guests. Set off to explore the fascinating history behind the star-crossed Queen Mary of Scotland who reigned over Scotland during the politically turbulent 16th century. Combining bespoke luxury with rich heritage and an accessible location, the hotel is the perfect starting point for such an adventure.
Fit for royalty
Nestled in the heart of Scotland, The Gleneagles Hotel was touted the ‘Riviera of the Highlands’ upon its opening in 1924. The resplendent five-star hotel marries luxurious facilities with unobstructed countryside panoramas and historic architecture.
Built by the former Caledonian Railway Company, the hotel once had its own dedicated railway branch line. Within its sprawling estate, the property offers a wealth of attractions – including three championship golf courses, an award-winning spa, equestrian centre, and archery lessons. But what is expected to fascinate history buffs is the exclusive tour featuring Mary, Queen of Scots.
Journey back in time
The private historical tours hosted by Gleneagles will take guests on a guided tour through the landmark locations that dotted Queen Mary’s eventful life. The property’s in-house Blue badge guide, Iris Marhencke, will accompany guests along the tour. An expert on Queen Mary and her era, she will detail the historic significance of each locale along the way.
Two of the prime highlights of the tour include Linlithgow Palace where Queen Mary was born, and Stirling Castle where she was crowned Queen of Scotland in 1543. Along the drive en route to these landmarks, the tour will also cover key attractions, such as Sheriffmuir, the site of a major Jacobite Rebellion in 1715 and The Church of The Holy Rude, where Queen Mary’s son King James VI of Scotland (or James I of England) was crowned in 1567.
As an additional perk, the tour allows guests to skip past the queues and larger group tours to enjoy a personalised exploration of the queen’s life and times. The specialised tour offers a closer glimpse into snippets from Queen Mary’s life – such as how she hosted the first ever firework show at Stirling Castle to celebrate her son’s christening in the Chapel Royal – with the exact settings to visualise the narration. Should guests find themselves too engrossed to stop when the tour does, they can request additional pit stops to Drummond Castle (where she spent part of her honeymoon), Loch Leven Castle, and The Palace of Holyroodhouse. A Rolls Royce transfer to these destinations is available upon request.
After the tour, guests end the day back at The Gleneagles Hotel where they can unwind with a smooth vintage cocktail – a heady mix of Benedectine, Johnnie Walker and absinthe with a lemon garnish – at The Century Bar. The bar is also known to offer some of Scotland’s finest whiskies for guests to sample. The hotel ends the tour with a gift – a specially picked out book on the star-crossed queen.
Speckled with the memories of stories from her fascinating life, perhaps the Highlands guests take back with will be far less bleak and even more beautiful than the one they thought they knew.