Things To Do
Edinburgh Castle
Spend a day in Edinburgh if you can, there's loads to do including seeing Edinburgh castle and dungeon tours. There will also be the world renowned fringe festival in Edinburgh from Aug 1 - 25. The festival comprises a variety of entertainers including comedians, musicians and magicians. We had a great time at the festival together a couple of years ago.
Dean Castle Country Park
Just a couple minutes down the road from Rowallan Castle, Dean Castle country park has a 14th century castle with a beautifully renovated interior, boasting displays of historical artifacts from the era. The park has deer, pig, goat and donkey enclosures, making it a great family outing on a sunny day. Bike friendly. Be sure to check opening times in advance of your trip, as castle entry closes mid-afternoon. Opening times can be found at the Dean Castle Website.
Pollok Country Park
This is a fantastic place for a quick highland cow viewing. Only a 30 minute drive from Rowallan Castle and just outside of Glasgow. Enjoy getting up close and personal with Scotlands unofficial national animal (officially a unicorn, but haven't seen one yet) . They are friendly and safe albeit a bit smelly. Inside the park you will also find a museum with ancient ceramics called the Burrell Collection and many scenic paths to take a stroll on.
Millport
A 45-minute drive from Rowallan, we highly recommend the site of our engagement on the Isle of Cumbrae. A perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon, an 8-minute ferry crossing will transport you from Largs on the Scottish mainland to the Isle, where a bus service will shuttle you to the town of Millport. We rented a pair of bikes and embarked on a leisurely lap around the isle, where Ewan then proposed along the beach. For those not as keen on biking, you can't go wrong with a Milllport lunch, followed by a walk along the coast. From our own experience, there are rock-skipping and sea glass collection opportunities abound!
St Andrews
St Andrews is a quaint seaside town that well worth a visit. If you are a fan of golf then you have no doubt heard of the historic Old Course at St Andrews. There's no shortage of golf courses in Scotland but none as prestigious as the Old Course. There is plenty more history than golf at St Andrew with a 13th century castle and 12th cathedral ruins. With white sand beaches and cafes, St Andrews is a great place to spend a day. It's located about an hour and 20 minute drive northeast of Edinburgh.
Glencoe
A classic highland destination, Glencoe boasts stunning landscapes with numerous hiking options. Speaking from experience, we definitely recommend downloading a trail map in advance of your hike to avoid getting lost on top of a munro (mountain). For those planning a road trip, Glencoe is a lovely option, which pairs well with a visit less than an hour away at Fort William - the gateway to Ben Nevis (highest mountain in Britain) and home of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the famous filming location for the Hogwarts Express!
Skye
The Isle of Skye is another classic highland destination known for its sweeping landscapes, including popular destinations such as Old Man Storr, Quiraing Valley, Fairy Glen, and the Fairy Pools. We spent an incredible weekend staying near Portree and driving the isle, although we definitely do not recommend trying the Fairy Pool hike in the rain!
Loch Ness
While we haven't had the chance to visit yet (please forgive this photo from a substitute loch), Loch Ness in Inverness is one of the top destinations of Scotland. If you get the chance to visit, we can't wait to hear if you're able to catch sight of that elusive Nessie!
Burns Cottage
Located just 30 minutes from Rowallan is a destination for our literary and poetry enthusiasts in the Burns Cottage. Both the birthplace of Scotland's national poet and bard, Robert Burns, as well as a museum, which houses over 5,000 Burns artifacts including handwritten manuscripts. The cottage is a lovely destination to appreciate Scotland's literary heritage.
Culzean Castle
A 45-minute drive away from Rowallan, Culzean boasts an opulent clifftop castle on the dramatic Ayrshire coastline. Culzean Castle is the perfect place for a day out whether you're a keen walker, enjoy admiring gardens, have an interest in architecture or just enjoy soaking up some history. And for those younger visitors, there are plenty of options to run wild in the Adventure Cove and Wild Woodland play areas. We recommend confirming entry prices prior to your trip.