Scotland's abounds with houses which echo with history-from romantic 10th century Traquair and its associations with the Jacobite cause, to the royal palaces of Holyrood, Falkland and Scone. Many a fortnight's holiday could be planned around visits to the countless, important mansion houses. Every region is studded with grand houses which, if they could speak, would have many a tale to tell.
The cities have also their share of glory. Edinburgh's new town has a wealth of Georgian architecture, Charlotte Square being the masterpiece. The capital's old town is just as thought-provoking. Gladstone's Land, for instance, is a symbol of 17th century urban architecture. Way out west, in Glasgow, there is Pollok House with its famous Burrell collection of arts and antiques, and Provand's Lordship an oddity from the Middle Ages.

STRONVAR HOUSE

BALQUHIDDER
PERTHSHIRE
SCOTLAND
FK19 8PB

A Historic Mansion which sleeps 12 in spacious self-catering vacation rental accommodation in the mountains of central Scotland.
A good touring base convenient for Edinburgh,Glasgow and 30 Golf Courses.
A family and friends gathering venue.
Site has lots of history of Balquhidder, Church, and Rob Roy the FAQs plus gaelic translations of local areas and Clans.

Telephone +44 (0) 1877 384688,
Facsimile +44 (0) 1877 384230
E-mail: thelaird@stronvar.co.uk
Home page: http://www.stronvar.co.uk/

The Royal Palace in the pretty Fife town of Falkland is of the Renaissance style and was built by James IV and James V between 1501 and 1541. A country residence of the Stewart kings, it was a favourite seat of James V, who died here in 1542. Mary, Queen of Scots spent the happiest days of her sad life here playing in the woods as a child, while her elders hunted deer and wild boar in the Fife forest. The showpiece of the palace is the Royal Chapel in the roofed south range, and the east range contains the King's bed chamber, and the Queen's Room restored in 1987 to commemorate Mary, Queen of Scots. In the beautiful gardens is an attractive lawn reflecting the 'lang butts' where James V practised archery. The tennis court for 'Real' or 'Royal' tennis, built in 1539, is the oldest in Britain, and is still used by the Falkland Real Tennis Club.
Facilities include a visitor centre, shop, picnic area and access for disabled people.

Charlotte Square was built at the end of the 18th century and is acknowledged as a masterpiece of European urban architecture. It is the showpiece of Edinburgh's New Town, and the north side is partly the result of a design by Robert Adam, the leading architect of his time. The square was built between 1792 and the early 19th century, and the lower floors of the Georgian house were restored by the trust and furnished as closely as possible to the late 18th century. It was opened in 1975 and is now a focal point for visitors to the New Town. There is an audio-visual display, reflecting the social conditions of he period. There are facilities for functions and a Trust Shop. Induction loop for people with hearing difficulties. Number 6, renamed Bute House, is the official residence of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Gledstones Land, originally the home of Thomas Gledstones, a city burgess, is a typical example of an old Town 17th century tenement building. In fact, it is the best example in Edinburgh. Gladstone's rebuilt the house around 1620 in six storeys. He removed the timber galleries and built a stone-arcaded front which projected five yards or so into the street. During the 1630s the building was home to five families. Particularly noteworthy are the splendid painted ceilings. The reconstructed shop booths exhibit replicas of 17th century goods. The main rooms of the house have been refurbished as a typical period residence. Facilities include a Trust Shop and an induction loop for people with hearing difficulties.

Throughout history romantic Holyrood-which stands against the background of Salisbury Crags-has been the scene of most of the turbulent and extraordinary events in Scottish history, the most dramatic of which was the murder of David Riccio, secretary to Mary Queen of Scots. Queen Mary met John Knox here and Prince Charles Edward Stuart held court in 1745. Charles I visited Holyrood twice and Charles II was crowned here. The bed chamber where Riccio was murdered had been rebuilt by James V in 1529 and is preserved in the town residence. George V and later Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, stayed at Holyrood regularly, as does the present Royal family. Facilities include a tea-room, wheelchair access on prior application, and a shop.

The House of Dun is a Palladian house overlooking the Montrose Basin, and built in 1730 by Donald Erskine, Lord Dun, to a William Adam design. The trust re-opened the building in 1989 after a £1 million restoration programme. An archway remains of the old 15th century castle of Dun. Augusta Clarence, the illegitimate daughter of William IV and the actress Mrs Jordan, renovated the house with her husband, John Erskine Kennedy Erskine. It later became a hotel. The trust has refurbished the house in early Georgian and late regency décor. The courtyard building houses a visitor centre and a tea-room called Lady Augusta's kitchen. There are woodland walks and trails, as well as a picnic area. Other facilities include toilets for disabled people and braille sheets for the blind and partially sighted.

Three miles from the city centre stands the ancestral home of the Maxwells, which was bequeathed to the City of Glasgow in 1966 along with its 361 acres of rolling parklands and gardens. The central block of the house is Glasgow's most significant surviving piece of 18th century domestic architecture. It is of the non-Palladia style. Additional wings were built at the turn of the century. Inside is one of the finest group of Spanish paintings in Britain-including works by El Greco, Goya and Murillo. Other European masters represented include Blake, Mengs and Signorelli. The furniture is from 1750 to 1820, and there are displays of high quality silver, ceramics and glass. The adjacent country park is Glasgow's largest and finest park-a wildlife haven in an urban setting. Other attractions include the world famous Burrell Collection; a herd of pedigree Highland cattle, a demonstration garden and a woodland garden. There is partial wheelchair access, a ranger service, a tea-room and shop.

This attractive town mansion is an excellent example of traditional 17th century Scottish domestic architecture, although the original building was erected in 1545. It is named after Sir George Skene, a wealthy merchant who was Provost of Aberdeen from 1676 until 1685. In 1746 the house was commandeered by the Duke of Cumberland, a scourge of the Jacobites, and in more recent years it was a lodging house. Restoration work began in 1951 and each room is now endowed with interesting relics and period décor and furniture. The painted ceilings are outstanding, and there are displays of local history and a videotape giving an introduction to the house. The top floor houses a museum of civic and domestic history.

Scone Palace is awash with history. Although the present building was erecting in 1803, the site was the seat of Government from Pictish times onwards, and the crowning place of Scottish Kings, including Macbeth and Robert the Bruce. The last coronation in Scotland - that of Charles II - took place here on Moat Hill in 1651. Scone was enlarged and embellished in 1802 by the Third Earl of Mansfield, although it incorporates a 16th century building. The palace houses a splendid collection of ivories, French furniture, clocks and 16th century needleworks, including bed-hangings by Mary, Queen of Scots. It has one of the finest collections of porcelain in Scotland. Scone also possesses a famous pinetum containing rare pines. There are pleasant walks through the grounds, a restaurant, a shop and access for disabled people.

Romantic Traquair in the Borders has the distinction of being Scotland's oldest continuously inhabited house, and is a thousand years old. Twenty-seven monarchs have stayed here and Alexander I signed a charter here 800 years ago. Traquair's famous Bear Gates have been kept closed since 1745, the year Prince Charles Edward Stuart stayed here, and they will not be re-opened until a Stuart ascends the throne. Another offbeat feature of the mansion house is its home brew. An 18th century brewery here produces up to 60,000 bottles of beer a year, most of them for export. The grounds have a maze, a croquet lawn and woodland walks beside the River Tweed. There is a restaurant, a gift shop, craft workshops and an art gallery. Other facilities include partial access for disabled people, and special toilets.