1 Lochleven Castle
A boat will ferry you to one of Scotland’s oldest castles, where Mary spent a traumatic year imprisoned. During her captivity here she miscarried twins and was forced to abdicate.
You can visit the room where she was probably held until her dramatic escape in 1568.
Find out more and plan your visit to Lochleven Castle.
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2 Huntingtower Castle
Colonies of bats may now fly around the castle’s twin tower houses, but legend holds that a love-struck maiden once made a perilous leap between them.
Huntingtower Castle was a resting place for Mary during the Chaseabout Raid of 1565 when she and Lord Darnley led their army against rebellious nobles. In 1582, the Earl of Ruthven abducted Mary’s son King James VI and held him prisoner at Huntingtower.
Find out more and plan your visit to Huntingtower Castle.
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3 Edzell Castle
Mary came to Edzell on ‘progress’ to visit her subjects in the north-east in 1562.
The castle had been extended a few years earlier, and her host Sir David Lindsay was doubtless eager to show off his new west range. While here she held a meeting of her privy council, her closest political advisors.
Find out more and plan your visit to Edzell Castle.
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