OUTLANDER fans! Have you seen the scene were Jamie took a…read moredip in the mills pond on Lallybroch land to hide detection by the English? Well, now you can see this place live! The Mill is one of the oldest surviving mills in the country and I never have had such an interesting Mill tour in my life. Must confess, half of the explanations went over my head. LOL. Some of the words used were technical, but I learned a lot. Our guide was very knowledgeable and I loved listening. On the outside wall you will see water level marks, which tell you about the water levels from all over the years. AND very high they got. Quite a few floodings actually that flooded the mill. Milling with a windmill is harder than you might think! Anyway, it's a very peaceful place. The windmill is old, covered in spiderwebs, smells of grain and wood everywhere, the wheel is spinning and pushing through the water from the nearby river. Quite romantic actually, but maybe not so for the millers that actually had to work there, considering their health issues from all the dusty particles. Well, ladies, I also crossed path with a stranger who kept smiling at me. Not sure what this was all about, but you might also cross path with this flirtatious person Enjoy!

A beautiful old country house with historic charm. This gigantic mansion is home to one of the…read moreworlds finest art collections. The whole place can be rented for events and is truly worth it. Think Wayne Manor just for your group. We had a bbq reception there and it was just breathtaking to stand on the terrace and watch the sunset, and then going inside to listen to the jazz band playing their tunes.

There are not many ruins or castles left for which you do not need to pay any entry fee. Having…read moresaid this, Hailes castle was the first castle I encountered that is part of some sort of Trust called Historic Scotland and for which I did not have to pay any entry fee at all! Good start :-) Whilst driving along some country roads the other day, I saw a sign post near North Berwick, indicating a way to Hailes Castle. So I could not resist to drive back and check out this place. I made my way and followed my guide that is called "Sat Nav". After having left behind some suitable country roads and being asked to follow down a one way road with hardly any space to maneuver in case another car came the opposite way, I felt a bit too much exposed to the wilderness :-). Not sure what I would have done if there would have been a car approaching from the other side?!? Finally my Navigation system said that I had reached the destination, but all I could see was a bit of space for two cards to park on the side of the road. Thought the Sat Nav fooled me! Fortunately, I was not lost and after some looking around, I found the entrance to the castle grounds. No entrance fee! Whoop. Firstly a tablet tells you a bit about the history. The original tower was founded by a Northumbrian Gourlay family in the 13th century and was taken over by the Hepburn family in the 1400's. I believe Mary Stuart also stayed there once. Henry "Hotspur" tried to besiege this castle, but failed. Nowadays it's only a ruin, but if you have imagination you can appreciate its idyllic setting and past purpose. The castle is not a large one compared to other castles nearby, however, it has something special : untouched from the modern world! I walked around the ruins and even explored (from the top) a dungeon, which looked a bit scary from the outside. Am I glad we have hygiene in prisons today :-) A tor opened up to the back of the castle and it was soooo romantic. Nobody there either. Thinking back, some solitude could be a frighting thought, but because the scenery was so nice, it was easy to relax sitting down in the grass and watch the world go by - including the white swan that made its way down the banks of the river Tyne. Another reviewer mentioned a wedding party. Oh yes, I can definitely imagine that too. This place offers the perfect setting for an outdoor wedding. The only drawback is that there would not be enough parking spaces! I noticed that there were a few walkers passing by. So maybe an idea to plan a day of hiking and walking.

I'm in! I'm in! Hailes Castle, in kid-speak, is COOL. Its' partial remains still holds 2 pit…read moreprisons, and overlooks the river Tyne, where you can play spot the fish. On a summers day, it's clear that it made a perfect picnic spot for a few families, and later in the day, a wedding party as well. I could think of few spots that would be less picturesque to hold nuptials in. It is still free, and still in a stunning location - but beware - there are few passing places, so if you get stuck with a wedding car going the other way, one of you will have to switch to reverse.

You know something, Hopetoun Monument is everywhere you drive in East Lothian. It feels no matter…read morewhere you look, it's there. I didn't even know the name of the place until 2 weeks ago, but it is ever-present. What was it for? An ornate lookout post, a fancy dovecote? Well, I've climbed up Byres Hill, as well as the rickety stairs up to the top of Hopetoun and I can tell you now. It's a monument erected to the 4th Earl of Hopetoun. That 4th Earl, he must have been some dude, especially if you think about lugging up the bricks up that hill. To get to the monument, you have to find the blooming thing first - I eventually got there via Athelstaneford (if you are coming from Haddington), then having found it on my horizon, just kept following the roads until I stumbled across the car park. Let it be known, this place is not well signposted. Nor maintained. At least one path is too overgrown to try to navigate, so it's the steep up and down option for all. A soggy muddy path semi-overgrown up a steep incline means that for some, this will be an unsuccessful trip. The last few hundred metres are over rugged, rocky ground. By then, if you are like unhealthy me, you will be wheezing like a woman twice your age and wondering why you didn't go to the gym more often. But, once you get to the top, you are faced with the enormity of the monument (now now, no smutty puns), and the views that stretch from Fife over to the Lammermuir hills. It is a view like no other. If you are feeling brave, climb the 132 stairs (of varying quality) up to the top. There is a warning at the car park that you need a torch - in fairness, that instead of the sunglasses i was wearing would have been more useful, as small incisions into the wall left pockets of like for your eyes to grab hold of, but ultimately there were gaps of darkness where you just had to trust in yourself. Just as well, as my sunnies were prescription and unfortunately being blind as a bat still is only a metaphor in my case. But again, you are definitely rewarded for the burning thighs and the pressure in your chest because what you get when you are arrive is the final flourish. No trees, no nothing stand in your way and with realtively clear blue skies, there was almost no limit to what can be seen. There are placards at the top to give you an idea of what you are looking at, but for me, watching the shadows of clouds trail by on the fields below, staring out to Fife and to the Lomond Hills beyond, listening to the occasional noisy car far far far away, here is somewhere where you can find peace, both inner and outer.

This trip to the UK has been an awakening. A beautiful one…read more First a whole day at the magnificent Kew Gardens( separate Yelp review) and now this glorious 5 hour drive from London up to St Abbs Head in eastern Scotland to catch this breathtaking sunrise( Yelp photo)- probably the best sunrise and dawn I have witnessed in Europe and specifically here at the North Sea which is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. We got there just before daylight and the goose bumps started with the really scenic and easy 3.7 mile trek to the water. En route to the lighthouse is the gorgeous National Natural Reserve. Fishing boats were setting out with happy faces and coffee and tea flasks. This is the spot where "Avengers End Game" and also the "Avengers Infinity Wars "movies were filmed. This is an absolute must do. Away from the city - just 5 hours from London with green around, that intoxicating air, one of the biggest seabird colonies consisting of puffins, razorbills, kittiwakes, ravens flycatchers and herring gulls. The big bonus -we get to try and understand and speak with that lovely Scottish accent with the locals who are just amazing and dynamite. I also was itching to do that 52 feet cliff dive which I did. The water temp was about 45 degrees F and it felt sooooo good. The lighthouse is closed to the public but every other adjacent area is open year round. Beautiful St Abbs Head!!

Oh gosh... what can I say about St. Abb's Head? We set out to find a lighthouse but really what we…read morefound was a lot more. There is a path of sorts that takes you either from near Saint Abb's (the town), just further down the main road from the Nature Reserve car park, or you can head out from the car park itself. The longer path that we took, takes you past fields of cows, up a steepish incline over to the coast, with volcanic rocks covered in seabirds. Turns out this area is a National Nature Reserve, with the majority of east coast seabirds nesting here before scattering out across the sea. The sea looks beautiful and clear here. It isn't quiet, as you constantly have birds milling around and when we went, warm but with a cool wind that we took shelter from in order to picnic on the cliff edge. The lighthouse itself was built in the 19th century, but hasn't been manned since the early nineties. The buildings themselves are offlimits to walkers, but you can continue along the walker-beaten paths (if heading towards Saint Abbs) or along the road if you are heading back to the car park. You can drive up to the top for the cost of a couple of quid (honesty box) but please drive slowly as there are walkers every where - some were definitely defying the concept of 'slow'. There are some easier paths than others, but this is on a rocky coastal outlook so get ready for some uphill climbs. Again, for bird spotters, or for those who love the outdoors, it's a treasure. Note to self in future, if a 7th centure monk like St Abb made this place her home, you know you are going to be in for something special.

This is a not very wel known castle ruin on top of a hill near norham castle its on a side road off…read morethe a698 and you stop at the bridge where there is room for two or three cars Its a walk up the hill and be careful with little ones and a climb over a still but well worth it when you get up there and if you are adventorous you can explore the ruin It was a 15th century tower house with had a mansion built onto it in the 18th century which was never finished and which went to ruin so it ended up as kind of a folly but an unfinished one Dont think many people go here as its not that well known but worth a look

Twizel has become very close to my heart, as my other half's brother had his ashes scattered here…read more Twizel castle is, as sharnad pointed out, one of Northumberland's sadly lesser known ruined castles. I say sadly, because it is really a beautiful spot, with a great position next to the Till. As well as an explore of the ruins themselves, there is also a large circular walk (running through the Tillmouth Estate?) but be careful, it becomes VERY muddy when wet!

I'm literally speechless how awesome this place is and not to mention its remote location makes it…read moreone jewel of its kind. Crichton castle is kept and maintained by Historic Scotland and only open to visitors from April to September. Entry for non members is about £4.50. There is a small car park not far from the castle and a 10 min walk to get to the main castle entrance. The scenery surrounding the castle is awe inspiring. No need to hurry, just walk slowly, take in the amazing scenery and breath the fresh air. I believe the tower was build in the 14th century by John Crichton. His son became a very powerful magnate in Scottish history and started the castle's extension. During the 1600's the castle changed hands and later was neglected and became a ruin. The inside is not large and you can get around very quickly. You can see the italian style inpired inner wall, the old ruined tower, a well, wonderful views surrounding the castle and various chambers. It was a windy day and the walls offered me shelter.I could also listen to the sounds of pigeons giving the place a mystic background. There is a keeper who watches the place and ensures that the entrance is paid. He is a lovely soul. Outside I walked down to the stables that sheltered the horses. Needless to say, the horses were spoilt :-) Above the entrance you can still see a horseshoe imprint. Behind the stable starts a hiking path. Best you wear ideal shoes for the adventure. I defo will be back and a picnic will definitiely be on the cards as well as a wee wonder around.

This place is totally forgotten... this makes it perfect for very private, romantic picnic ;-)read more

Definitely recommend! The tour guide Lesley is very friendly and helpful. The rooms are beautiful…read moreinside, and you can take photos and videos. Super interesting to hear the history of the castle! Can take an uber from Edinburgh, but will have to call a private car for a ride to the closest train station.

I chose a lovely day to visit Thirlestane Castle in Lauder in the Borders in Scotland.Its easily…read moreaccessible from Edinburgh or even Newcastle. From Edinburgh, it takes you about an hour to get there, down the A68. The castle is located on the Lauderdale estate and nowadays is part of a trust. It's a fairy tale castle and has been in the possession of the Maitland family for over 500 years. One part of the castle is still lived in by the current family, the Duke of Lauderdale. The family tree I'd displayed in one of their rooms and you will notice family connections with other famous aristocratic families like the Dysart's, Home, Lauder, Ogilvie etc The castle is definitely worth a visit. There are many rooms to explore, one grander than the previous. Must confess that my most favourite piece in the castle was an amazingly well preserved toy, a children's play mansion. I have never seen such a grandiose master piece. Every room in this miniature mansion was filled with dolls, furnishings and any possible accessories you can imagine! The staff in the castle are very kind, knowledgeable and very proud of its historic value. There is a small gift shop and a lovely tea room. The tea shop interior is very colourful and warm. They offer plenty of food choices. Sometimes, the service felt a bit chaotic, but they made it up with their very kind attitude. The estate is vast, but I did not get the impression that there is much to explore in the gardens (in the back) However, there is a playground for the children, a large picnic area and a woodland walk that also leads you to the lower car park. Check out their website. There might be some events on that you might like. When I was there they had lots of Rovers (mostly old timers) displayed in the front garden and people were really proud of their cars. This place had lots of character and it's pride in heritage! It's worth a visit - don't miss out! I will be back!

You might have dined at the Goblin Ha' in Gifford but this, ladies and gents is the Real Deal…read more There is no website (the link here gives you directions), there are no guided tours. This is a 12th century fortification, with it's visible ruins barely there but down below, an amazingly preserved hall, where, it is thought, Hugo de Gifford, the first wizard of East Lothian (I might have made the 'first' bit up) practiced his magic there. It's absolutely fantastic. You will need a good torch, as it gets really dark in there. After a crouched entrance through an archway, it opens up to the stunning hall. Another steps to the left takes you down to a well. You really, really, need a torch. Bats live here, so tread considerately, my friend. The best way to find Yester Castle is to use co-ordinates: Yester Castle: 55.891366N 2.711065W There is a path (Yester Path) that runs around the base, but you have to go off the main track up a hill to find the fort - sometimes the best places don't make it easy for you to find them. We entered the track from the Duns Road, opposite Danskine Loch (parking is limited to the verge and be considerate to the private property here), but there is also access from the Golf Course. I should also mention, being February after a winter of incessant rain, it was insanely muddy, and I didn't make it out there without skiting around on my butt. An absolute gem, that kicks the pants out of any tourist attraction in this area.