castles & whiskies

Scottish Castles

The whole surrounding area is steeped in history and features a glittering array of famous castles, castle ruins and historic houses. So apart form Airth Castle itself, enjoy:

Stirling Castle

A visit to Stirling Castle is an absolutely essential part of any visit to central Scotland.

Sitting on an 80 metre high, volcanic plug, you will be fascinated by a visit to Scotland's finest castle. The Visitor Centre on the esplanade has an educational and entertaining free video show which is screened throughout the day. Stirling’s history is probably one of the most famous in the world, especially since the major motion picture ‘Braveheart’, starring Mel Gibson, was released. You can relive the movie experience with staged battle scenarios as well as other historical reconstructions laid on at the castle. These scenarios are on all through the summer as part of Stirling's tourist attractions.

Doune Castle

Doune is 8 miles South of Callendar on the A84 Medieval castle which includes a splendid Lord's Hall with carved oak screen, musicians gallery and double fireplace, spiral staircases, a portcullis and a well. The castle is much in demand for location filming and you may have seen it before in Ivanhoe or Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Castle Campbell and Dollar Glen

The castle used to be known as Castle Gloom and is situated above two burns named Care and Sorrow. There are spectacular walks by both burns as they twist and cascade down narrow ravines. Take great care especially with young children after heavy rain and in Autumn as the paths, walkways and bridges can be slippery.

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is an impressive 15th century stone courtyard fortress, which was used as the state prison. All the castle along with the square 15th century four storey keep was massively strengthened in the 16th century for artillery.

Linlithgow Palace

Linlithgow Palace is a magnificent 15th century stone Royal fortress, encasing the remains of an earlier 12th century castle. An impressive great hall and chapel, are set around a rectangular courtyard, James V in 1512 and Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542 were both born here.

Scotch whisky

Whilst at Airth you are well within a short drive of a host of surrounding malt whisky distilleries, notably at Glenturret at Crieff (Scotland’s oldest, which houses ‘the Famous Grouse Experience’) and Edradour at Pitlochry (Scotland’s smallest) – as well as the superb interactive centre at Dewar’s World of Whisky at Aberfeldy.

A must visit is also the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre in Edinburgh - The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre visitor attraction brings 300 years of Scotch Whisky history to life.

This unique interactive visitor attraction in Edinburgh, allows you to experience the sights, sounds and smells of whisky, and the opportunity to discover how scotch whisky is made.

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