Frommer's Scotland 8th Edition - To Parent Directory

THE BEST CASTLES & PALACES 11• The West Highland Way: This isone of Scotland’s great walks.Beginning north of Glasgow inMilngavie, the footpath stretchesfor 153km (95 miles) north alongLoch Lomond, going throughGlencoe to Fort William and eventuallyto Ben Nevis, Britain’s highestmountain. Even if you walkonly part of this path, you need tomake plans in advance. Contactthe Edinburgh & Scotland InformationCentre, Deer Park Rd.,Edinburgh (& 0131/473-3800).See chapter 8.7 The Best Castles & Palaces• Edinburgh Castle (Edinburgh):Few other buildings symbolize thegrandeur of an independent Scotlandas clearly as this one. Begunaround A.D. 1000 on a hilltophigh above the rest of Edinburgh,it witnessed some of the bloodiestand most treacherous events inScottish history, including itsdoomed 1573 defense by Scottishpatriot Grange in the name ofMary Queen of Scots. See p. 98.• Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh):Throughout the clan battlesfor independence fromEngland, this palace served as apawn between opposing forces. Inits changing fortunes, it hashoused a strange assortment ofmonarchs involved in traumaticevents: Mary Queen of Scots,Bonnie Prince Charlie, James VII(before his ascendancy to thethrone), and French king CharlesX (on his forced abdication afteran 1830 revolution). The building’spresent form dates from thelate 1600s, when it was rebuilt ina dignified neo-Palladian style.Today, Holyroodhouse is one ofQueen Elizabeth’s official residences.See p. 101.• Ben Nevis: Six kilometers(4 miles) southeast of the town ofFort William looms Ben Nevis,Britain’s highest mountain at1,342m (4,406 ft.). The snowcappedgranite mass dominatesthis entire region of Scotland.This trip can be done in a day, butyou’ll need to massage your feetin the evening at a local pub. Seethe box labeled “ClimbingBritain’s Tallest Mountain” inchapter 10.• Drumlanrig Castle (Dumfries):Begun in 1679, this castlerequired 12 years to build and somuch money that its patron, thethird earl and first duke ofQueensbury, complained to anyonewho would listen how deeplyhe resented its existence. Later, itwas embroiled in dynastic inheritancescandals worthy of a gothicnovel. One of the most prestigiousbuildings in Scotland, it containsthe antiques and artwork of fourillustrious families. See p. 151.• Culzean Castle (near Maybole):Designed for comfort and prestige,this castle was built in the late1700s by Scotland’s most celebratedarchitect, Robert Adam, asa replacement for a dark, danktower that had stood for longerthan anyone could remember. Itwas donated to the National Trustfor Scotland just after World WarII. A suite was granted to GeneralEisenhower for his lifetime use, ingratitude for his role in staving offa foreign invasion of Britain. Seep. 206.• Stirling Castle (Stirling): Stirlingis a triumph of Renaissance ornamentation,a startling contrast tothe severe bulk of many other