Guided Historic Tours in Scotland

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  • Duration: 8 Hours (approx.)
  • Location: Day 1 in Edinburgh, Day 2 beginning in Linlithgow, a short train ride from Edinburgh

The Mary, Queen of Scots Tour is a two-day experience including a full day escorted tour with a driver/guide around the castles and palaces in Central Scotland, plus a self – guided tour in Edinburgh (information pack provided).

Discover:

  • Holyrood Palace*
  • Edinburgh Castle*
  • Royal Mile*
  • Linlithgow Palace
  • St Michael’s Parish Church (if available)
  • Stirling Castle
  • Loch Leven Castle
  • Falkland Palace

*self-guided with a free information pack

Highlights

  • Follow in the footsteps of Mary, Queen of Scots in the wild and beautiful heartland of Scotland
  • At your leisure, explore the grandeur of Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood on the Royal Mile.
  • Visit Linlithgow Palace, where she was born, and a “pleasure palace’ during her reign
  • Enjoy an unforgettable visit to Stirling Castle, where Mary was crowned Queen, and saw her only son for the last time. ,
  • Discover sinister Loch Leven Castle, Mary’s prison for a year
  • Revel in the grandeur of Falkland Palace, where Mary enjoyed some of her happiest times.

Itinerary

Follow in the footsteps of our namesake, Mary, Queen of Scots. Spend a day on a self – guided tour of Edinburgh, visiting Holyrood Palace and Edinburgh Castle, and enjoying the flavour of the Royal Mile. We will provide you with a free information pack to ensure you get the most from your day.

Then join us as we visit key sites associated with Mary, on a fully guided day tour. Begin at the beginning – Linlithgow Palace, where Mary was born in 1542. Imagine yourself meandering around this magnificent “pleasure palace” enjoying the sights and sounds of The Court.

We will also visit the beautiful medieval St Michael’s Parish Church (subject to restricted opening hours) where Mary was baptised and you will see the beautiful new bronze statue of Mary, overlooking Linlithgow Peel.

Then we move to Stirling Castle where Mary herself was brought to be crowned as an infant. This was her home until she was 5 yrs old. Visit the beautifully restored Royal Apartments, where you will usually be greeted by costumed guides. Hear tales of magnificent celebrations such as the baptism of her son, James VI, tinged with sadness, as this is also where she sees him for the last time.

On our way to Falkland Palace, we will pass one of the more sombre places associated in Mary’s life. Loch Leven Castle, where Mary was imprisoned for nearly a year, suffered a miscarriage and was forced to abdicate in favour of her son James. She eventually escaped with the help of George Douglas but went on to suffer defeat at The Battle of Langside, and on to imprisonment in England.

Finally, we finish the day on a happier note at Falkland Palace, the favourite retreat of the Stewarts. Mary is thought to have enjoyed some of her happiest days here, enjoying hunting and hawking and playing tennis on the world’s oldest tennis court. On a more haunting note, it is here that her father James V was said to utter the prophecy of The Stewart Dynasty “It cam’ wi’ a lass and it’ll gang wi’ a lass” and you can also see a copy of her death mask.

Finish back in Linlithgow, where you can enjoy a drink or a meal in The Four Mary’s – historic pub, with parts dating back to the 16th century, and full of Mary, Queen of Scot’s memorabilia.

Know before you go

  • Day 1 of this tour is self-guided using Mary’s Meanders information pack. Day 2 lasts around 8 hours.
  • Times are dependent on local traffic conditions.
  • Mary’s Meanders cannot be held responsible for any site closures, which sometimes happen at short notice. Suitable alternatives will be offered.
  • Tours are capped at 14 people.
  • Please note that tour prices do not include admission fees to any paid sites, hotels, meals or tips.
  • Many of the locations on this tour have uneven terrain or cobblestones and are not suitable for those with mobility restrictions.

What To Bring

  • Your tour confirmation email
  • Comfortable footwear, such as walking boots, trainers and sneakers
  • Cash, credit card, or Historic Scotland Explorer Pass for entrance fees (see below)
  • Camera, and a love of all things to do with Mary, Queen of Scots.

Extra Information

The paid sites in the 2-day tour include:

Holyrood Palace – Royal Palaces Collection. Not covered by any passes – £12.50 (£11.40)

*Edinburgh Castle- £17.00 (£13.60)

* Linlithgow Palace – £6 (£4.80)

* Stirling Castle – £15.00 (£12.00)

* Loch Leven Castle – £7.50 (£6)

Falkland Palace – £13.00 (£9.00)

* An Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is great value if you are planning to travel in Scotland after your tour. As well as giving you access to the properties marked with an *, you can also visit any of their 70 properties, for no additional cost. More details here. 

The prices listed here are for guidance only and can change at any time.

Meeting Point

We will meet you at Linlithgow Train station. It is a small station and we are easy to spot as we will have blue or red jackets on with Mary’s Meanders on them and a big sign! We will be standing in the main car park which is the side you disembark from if coming from Edinburgh.

Drop off 5 pm Linlithgow Railway Station.

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