Mark Simms Photography

Dunblane Cathedral

With parts of the building dating back to the 1100’s Dunblane Cathedral is one of Scotland’s finest medieval churches:

Dunblane Cathedral, Stirling, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

The once mighty fortress of Doune Castle, a few miles north of Stirling, was the stronghold of Robert Stewart, the 1st Duke of Albany, and younger brother of King Robert III. Robert was both physically infirm and politically weak and as a result Albany became governor and effective ruler of Scotland from 1386 to his death in 1420.

In recent years the castle has been used extensively as a film and TV set, most notably in productions such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail; Game of Thrones and Outlander.

Doune Castle, Stirling, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

Church of the Holy Rude

Stirling’s Church of the Holy Rude (which dates back to the 1130’s) is the only active church in the United Kingdom, apart from Westminster Abbey, to have held a coronation. It was here on 29 July 1567 that the infant son of Mary Queen of Scots, James VI, was crowned King of Scotland.

Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

Stirling Castle

Often referred to as the key to the kingdom of Scotland because of it’s strategic location at the heart of the country, there has been a castle on this site since at least the early 12th century when its first mentioned in the written record.

The castle has endured an often turbulant past, at one point changing hands 8 times in 50 years during the Scottish Wars of Independence from English rule. During this period the famous battles of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn were fought within sight of its walls.

In later years, especially during the reign of the Stuart dynasty in both Scotland and England during the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle was transformed into a royal household with the addition of the Great Hall, the Chapel Royal and most notably the Palace of James V.

Despite the heavy overcast and wet conditions when we visited, it’s still one of my favourite castles of all time:

Stirling Castle, Stirling, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

The Wallace Monument

Opened in 1869 to honour William Wallace (popularised by Mel Gibson in the film “Braveheart”) The National Wallace Monument stands on the outcrop of rock known as Abbey Craig. It overlooks the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge where Wallace defeated an English army in 1297.

Inside, the monument contains exhibitions to William Wallace himself (including his mighty two-handed sword); the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Hall of Heroes with it’s sculptures and stained glass depicting other famous Scots including Robert the Bruce amongst others.

The Wallace Monument, Stirling, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

The Kelpies

The Kelpies near Falkirk are huge 100ft tall metal sculptures created by Scottish artist Andy Scott. Named after the equine water spirits of ancient Scottish myth (but modelled on two beautiful Clydesdale horses) they rise majestically above the Forth and Clyde Canal and pay homage to the areas industrial and working past.

I’ve wanted to see these for ages, and they lived up to all my expectations:

The Kelpies, Falkirk, Scotland, UK

© Mark Simms Photography (2019)

Verdant Works

For much of the 19th century Dundee was famous the world over for the manufacture of goods made from Indian jute. So much so that it became known as Juteopolis. At it’s height the industry employed 50,000 people in hundreds of mills throughout the city.

Verdant Works was one such mill which has now been converted into a museum dedicated to telling the story of Dundee’s industrial textile heritage. Victorian Dundee was very much a tale of two cities – on the one hand the incredibaly harsh and dangerous conditions suffered by the mill workers and on the other the Jute Barons, with their wealthy and privilaged lifestyles.

Verdant Works, Dundee, Scotland, UK

RSS Discovery

Right next door to the V&A in Dundee is the fascinating Discovery Museum.

The RSS Discovery has two main claims to fame. First and foremost it was the ship that took the world reknowned artic explorers Captain Scott and Ernest Shackleton on their first expedition to Antartica in 1901.

Second she was the last traditional wooden three-masted ship to be built in the United Kingdom.