Heritage sites in Scotland

Scotland's Heritage Trail

This collection spans Scotland’s history from Jurassic-era dinosaur footprints on Skye to the modern architecture of the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. It features iconic fortresses like Edinburgh Castle, home to the Honours of Scotland, and ancient stone structures such as the Clickimin Broch in Shetland. The trail includes ruined Cistercian abbeys, 13th-century stone castles like Dunstaffnage, and unique landmarks like the Great Polish Map of Scotland, a large-scale outdoor relief model.

Mactographer / Attribution

Edinburgh Castle

Historic fortress and national monument with a history dating back to the 9th century, featuring royal artifacts and panoramic views of the city.

Daniel / CC BY 2.0

Royal Mile

Historic street connecting Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, known for its shops, dining, and cultural heritage.

[Duncan] / CC BY 2.0

Calton Hill

Historic hill featuring panoramic city views, iconic monuments, and cultural heritage. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Remi Mathis / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kilchurn Castle

Kilchurn Castle () is a ruined structure on a rocky peninsula at the northeastern end of Loch Awe, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

Graham Mitchell / CC BY 2.0

The Scottish Parliament

Devolved legislature responsible for scrutinising the Scottish Government and passing laws on devolved matters. Notable for its modern architecture and political significance.

maproom / CC BY-SA 3.0

Staffin Dinosaur Footprints

Located on the shore at An Corran, these 165-million-year-old tracks were left by Ornithopod dinosaurs during the Middle Jurassic period and are most visible at low tide.

Wandernder Weltreisender / CC BY-SA 3.0

Nelson Monument

Visit the monument dedicated to Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson, who lost his life at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

Astrid Horn / CC BY-SA 2.0

Invergarry Castle

Invergarry Castle in the Scottish Highlands was the seat of the Chiefs of the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, a powerful branch of the Clan…

HARTLEPOOLMARINA2014 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Dunstaffnage Castle

Constructed before 1240, it is considered to be one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland.

Kim Traynor / CC BY-SA 3.0

Kelso Abbey

Kelso Abbey is a ruined Scottish abbey in Kelso, Scotland. It was founded in the 12th century by a community of Tironensian monks first…

Novemberscot / CC BY-SA 4.0

The Great Polish Map of Scotland

The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a large three-dimensional, outdoor concrete scale model of Scotland, located in the grounds of the…

Wojsyl / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Strome Castle

Strome Castle is a ruined castle on the shore of Loch Carron in Stromemore, 3.5 miles south-west of the village of Lochcarron, on the…

Chmee2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Earl's Palace

The Earl's Palace in Birsay, Orkney, Scotland, is a ruined 16th-century castle.

Orikrin1998 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Glenluce Abbey

Glenluce Abbey, near to Glenluce, Scotland, was a Cistercian monastery called also Abbey of Luce or Vallis Lucis and founded around 1190…

Yi Yang / CC-BY-SA

St Anthony's Chapel

The ruins of a 15th-century chapel overlooking Holyrood Park and St Margaret's Loch, likely originally built as a beacon for pilgrims visiting the nearby abbey.