Itinerary followed throughout Scotland

Stirling - Linlithgow - Edinburgh - Oban - Glencoe - Fort William - Eilean Donan - Skye Island - Plockton - Strathpeffer Highland Games - Loch Ness - Inverness - Western Ross - Fort George - Glasgow

I start at Stirling, although we were accommodated in Glasgow for the first days. However we visited Glasgow in the last day of our trip. We chose Glasgow to sleep because Edinburgh celebrated many festivals and there were no rooms available. In addition Glasgow is near Stirling, Linlithgow or Edinburgh, only one hour far by car or train.
In my opinion the smartest way to see Scotland at your own flow is the car. We had booked online one car in advance, in the company Arnold Clark, with a relatively cheap price and for several days. They attended us very kindly and since they hadn't got the model we had asked for they gave us a better car. As for driving along the left side, you manage to get used to. The most complicated moments are the first minutes, since you circulate across a city with heavy traffic and you have to pay much attention to keep the distances on both sides of the car and to enter the roundabout in the opposite direction. The Scottish drive very slowly and respectful, so they facilitate your drive. When there is traffic, it is difficult to fail, you only have to follow them.

So we drove towards Stirling and we arrived in around 45 min. from Glasgow. Stirling is interesting because of its castle, its history and the old town nearby the castle.

The history to understand this spot could start in 1058, when the Canmore's family gained the country's throne as successors of MacBeth (the king who inspired Shakespeare's tragedy). A member of the family, William, was caught by the English and in exchange for his liberation they agreed that Scotland became part of England. The situation changed when Richard Lion heart sold to Scotland the independence due to problems with the treasurership. At the end of the 13th century the Canmore dynasty was interrupted and two cousins reclaimed the crown: Robert Bruce and John Baillol. The Baillol's supporters demanded the judgement of Edward I of England , and the king, in exchange for recognizing John as the legitimate king of Scotland, proposed that Scotland should accept the English sovereignty. They agree and Edward designs John, but soon later John revealed against England. Edward defeated him quickly, and the English army invaded Scotland. At this moment the most ancient of the European alliances was signed, between France and Scotland, to face the common enemy, England. William Wallace headed a revolt and crushed the English army in the battle of the Stirling's bridge in 1297. However Wallace was abandoned by the noblemen, captured and cut into pieces (the modified story is told in the movie Braveheart) in 1305. Robert Bruce followed the path opened by Wallace (despite Robert previously swore faithfulness to the English king) and became the leader of Scotland (although his cause was selfish, he wanted the Scottish throne). He defeated the English troops commanded by Edward II at Bannockburn in 1314, despite the independence of Scotland was officially recognized in 1328, by means of the Northampton's treaty. He was a good king and after his death agitated years arrived due to the uselessness of the royalty until 1371, when the last member of the Bruce's dynasty, David II, died. The Stuart reached the power and inherited a decadent Scotland.

The Stuart family seemed to be cursed. The four reigning James died violently. The fifth died of sorrow after having a daughter called Mary. Mary Stuart was executed and her son James VI became king. James VI unified the crowns of Scotland and England, as the English queen didn't have successors. The story of the Stuart is explained in Edinburgh more in deep.

The actual castle was built in the 16th century over a rock. It was a key military spot during 13th and 14th centuries during the independence wars, and later it became the favourite residence of the Stuart monarchs.
The kings James IV, V and VI left their mark in the several interesting buildings, such as the Renaissance palace of James V, the Great Hall or the Royal Chapel. Despite they have found evidences of fortified components from the 11th century, nowadays everything you see come from the 16th century, in a Renaissance style.

The palace from 1538 presents a beautiful facade full of decorations and sculptures. The spacious Great Hall was constructed in the 16th century but it had to be restored due to its degradation suffered after being used as military barrack huts. There are two yards. The first one is exterior, with walls, cannons and nice views of the plain. The second one is interior and warmer, surrounded with the most outstanding buildings.

They show also an exposition with objects form the castle, and we visited the kitchens and the museum of the highlanders. It is a marvel to walk through this stronghold, looking at the horizon, or letting you being transported to another époque.
The panorama from this imposing castle that dominates the surroundings is incredible, and you cover with the sight the plain, the village and the monument to William Wallace.

You may attend interesting live performances that in a funny way inform about the different aspects of this castle. We entered an interesting one that explained the medieval sieges. They told us that perhaps there was a most important person than William Wallace in the army that reached the victory in Stirling , but much less known: Andrew Marie.

We were lucky to meet a folkloric piper band, that wore the typical clothes and that played several pieces in an incomparable scenario nearby the castle. You feel how the hair make stand on end when you hear the mot famous song called Amazing Grace (see video of the Amazing Grace 4 MB). The Scottish bands are formed by pipers and drummers, dressed up in the typical Scottish costume.

It will be difficult that you miss the Scottish pipers if you stay in Scotland.
The old city keeps many noblemen's residences with a medieval air. There are houses from 16th and 17th centuries and a church form the 15th century in ruins. Go on until the Market square and the old city hall from the beginning of the 18th century.
From the historical centre we could highlight the Argyll´s Lodging . It is the biggest house of Stirling, from the 17th century, and the residence of the Argyll Counts, one of the big families across Scotland.

The welcoming yard is wonderful.
Several rooms are seen with furniture from the 17th century, so can make an idea of how the noblemen of the 17th century lived. The best spots are the dining room and the mauve room.

The monument dedicated to William Wallace is reached by car or in a bus that leaves from the village. It is an imposing tower in Neogothic style opened in 1297. Wallace is considered the greatest Scottish patriot in the history. Edward I defeated him in 1298. He travelled to France to ask for the French king help. He returned in 1303 and found a worrying decrease in the support towards him, and finally he was betrayed. He was judged, disembowelled and cut into pieces. His pieces were distributed across the diverse cities as a warning signal.
The building houses an exposition dedicated to the most important Scottish figures as well. You can go up to the top and admire the magnificent panorama.

We needed half day to visit these spots. We continued towards the Linthingow's palace, 30 min. Far from Stirling by car.