Places to Embrace Scotland's History: Part 2

Whether you want to explore your family history or simply learn more about historical sites in Scotland, why not explore the past from your own home from home and really feel the history of an area?  This is the second in our three part series on historical places to visit in Scotland - Places to Embrace Scotland's History: Part 1 focussed on Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perthshire and Fife, and Part 3 will head north to the Highlands, Outer Hebrides, Moray and Aberdeen.

It's so much more than just buildings, battlefields and monuments - Scotland's history beckons you, pulls you closer as you peer into the past.  There are so many historical places to visit in Scotland, these are just a few ideas of where to embrace Scotland's history in Western and Southern Scotland.

Argyll, Isles and Stirlingshire

Visit the many historic sites in and around Stirling, Scotland's heritage capital, for an insight into some of the most important events in Scotland's history (and learn more about the real Braveheart). In Stirlingshire, Lochend Chalets, near Callandar, and Portnellan, near Crianlarich, are great bases for exploring the area.  

Argyll, the Isles and Stirlingshire are known as the birthplace of Scotland and you can get a sense of the region's history from its landscapes, ancient monuments, churches and archaeological digs.  Just off the Isle of Mull lies the small island of Iona, where St Colomba built his first Celtic church in 563AD.  Explore the historic Iona Abbey and Mull from The Melfort Club, near Oban.   

Journey back to prehistoric times at Kilmartin Glen, an area of great archaeological importance.  There are over 800 ancient monuments in the area around the Argyll town, Kilmartin - visit Kilmartin House Museum to learn more about this incredible landscape and its hidden history.

Dumfries and Galloway

Dumfries and Galloway's history is written across its many castles, museums and ruins.  Follow the Robert the Bruce Trail to find out more about the Scottish King who won Scotland's independence and explore the many historic attractions including Glenluce Abbey, Cairnholly Chambered Cairns, the beautiful castles and St Ninian's Cave.  

Why not stay in your own home from home to really embrace the history of the region - browse a selection of self catering Dumfries on EmbraceScotland.

Ayrshire and Arran

Each age in the history of Ayrshire and Arran has left its mark on the landscape, with a great many historic attractions to explore, including the Machrie Moor and Auchagallon Stone Circles, Culzean Castle and Crossraguel Abbey.  Ayrshire was the birthplace of Robert Burns, Scotland's most famous poet, and a trip to the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum will give you a greater insight into his life.  Other famous Scotsmen that are intertwined with the region's history include Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

Bennan House, 14 miles from Ayr, is an ideal base for getting to know this area and discovering more of its history.

The Scottish Borders

The many castles, abbeys, museums and stately homes in the Scottish Borders tell the story of a troubled past between Scotland and England, and the region has witnessed many key events, such as the Battle of Flodden in 1513.  There are many historic attractions, from Roman times to the Border wars, that will bring its fascinating history to life before you. Don't miss the oldest inhabited house in Scotland, Traquair House, dating to 1107, Mary Queen of Scot's Visitor Centre and Neidpath Castle.  

Hendersyde Farm Cottages, near Kelso, would make a great home from home from which to explore historical attractions in the Borders.

Embrace Scotland's past with EmbraceScotland.

What's your favourite historic site in Scotland?  Where would you love to visit?  If you have suggestions of other places to visit in these areas, post your comments below.