Historic Sundays will run from October 1, 2023, through to March 3, 2024. Simply pre-book online and show your proof of address on arrival. Although many of the free tickets have already been snapped up for the October Historic Sunday, more tickets are due to be released for the coming months shortly. Visitors are advised by Historic Environment Scotland to keep up to date at their website.
21. Duff House
Duff House in the Highlands was a hugely expensive project – and a giant status symbol. But the cost of the build was Duff House’s undoing, as client and architect fell out over money. Duff House was intended as the chief seat of William Duff, Lord Braco (later 1st Earl Fife). The astute businessman and politician wanted not only to succeed, but also to be seen to succeed. Architect William Adam rose to the challenge by designing an ambitious baroque mansion. Work began in 1735, with elaborate carved details mostly produced in Adam’s own stoneworks in Queensferry. Photo: Donald MacLeod
22. Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn in the Orkney Isles is the finest chambered tomb in north-west Europe and more than 5000 years old. It was broken into the mid-twelfth century by Viking crusaders who carved grafitti runes on the wall of the main chamber. In 1999, Maeshowe was designated part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, along with Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar and the Stones of Stenness. Photo: Santiago Arribas Pena
23. Doune Castle
Doune has a long history of fortification. A Roman fort is nearby, and the masonry and earthworks of the present castle probably include parts of an earlier castle that stood here. But the way the castle looks today is largely down to ‘Scotland’s uncrowned king’. Doune was the seat of Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany and Governor of Scotland. He acquired the castle in 1361, when he married Margaret Graham, Countess of Menteith. Photo: Duncan A Peet
24. Melrose Abbey
David I founded Melrose Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in Scotland, in 1136. It was one of a number of abbeys that he set up in the Borders to show both his piety and his power over this contested territory. The Cistercians were drawn to this fertile spot beside the River Tweed by its close associations with St Aidan and St Cuthbert. The monks came from Rievaulx Abbey in Yorkshire, the Cistercians’ great northern English missionary base. Monastic life continued at Melrose for the next 450 years. The last monk, John Watson, died around 1590. The crumbling abbey church was used as a parish church until a new kirk was built nearby in 1810. Photo: Matt Cartney