That's quite the story

Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 is all about celebrating the wealth of stories, past and present, inspired by, created or written right here in Scotland.

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And what better way to explore the places, people and cultures connected to them than by going to see them for yourself? That’s why VisitScotland has teamed up with dozens of awesome attractions across Scotland - ranging from the Highlands to the Borders, and from Edinburgh to Ayrshire - to help you plan Great Days Out. Many of these places are offering ticket deals, so you can have a great time, at a great price too. Here, we showcase 15 fabulous attractions - and some of the enchanting stories they have to tell - to help you get started.

ICONIC STORIES AND STORYTELLERS

VISIT the humble cottage where Scotland’s national poet was born and spent his early years, and explore the fascinating museum. It’s home to more than 5,000 Burns artefacts - including his handwritten manuscripts. Stroll down to Alloway Auld Kirk and the spectacular Brig o’ Doon, the setting for Burns’ most famous poem, Tam O’ Shanter.

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ROBERT BURNS BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, ALLOWAY, AYRSHIRE

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ICONIC STORIES AND STORYTELLERS

EXPERIENCE Edinburgh’s haunted past as you follow your cloaked storyteller through the shadowy closes, courtyards and homes of the Old Town, untouched by daylight, filled with an eerie silence. Blair Street Underground Vaults, which Mercat Tours has exclusive access to, is one of Edinburgh’s most haunted sites. You’ll hear tales about the grisly crimes, fascinating culture and intriguing politics of the world that used to exist beneath the Royal Mile. £2 off tickets on the 1pm Ghostly Underground Tours until March 2023. Call 0131 225 5445 and quote ‘Ghostly Winter’ to redeem.

MERCAT TOURS, EDINBURGH

FOUNDED in 1446, Rosslyn Chapel attracts thousands of visitors a year from all over the world, drawn by its unique, mysterious carvings, its beautiful setting and, of course, the Tom Hanks movie The Da Vinci Code. Author Dan Brown, who wrote the book on which the film was based, has described it as ‘the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth’. Discover the secrets of the chapel’s story, from its origins, through the Reformation, to the 2006 film at a new, state-of-the-art visitor centre.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL, ROSLIN, MIDLOTHIAN

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FOUNDED in 1446, Rosslyn Chapel attracts thousands of visitors a year from all over the world, drawn by its unique, mysterious carvings, its beautiful setting and, of course, the Tom Hanks movie Da Vinci Code. Author Dan Brown, who wrote the book on which the film was based, has described it as ‘the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth’. Discover the secrets of the chapel’s story, from its origins, through the Reformation, to the 2006 film at a new, state-of-the-art visitor centre. Open daily from 9am Mon to Sat and from 12pm on Sunday. Advanced online booking essential to guarantee your chosen 90-minute timeslot.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL, ROSLIN, MIDLOTHIAN

Abbotsford House, Melrose, Scottish Borders

NEW STORIES

SCOTLAND’S PEOPLE AND PLACES

LOCAL TALES AND LEGENDS

INSPIRED BY NATURE

10% off tickets on the 1pm Ghostly Underground Tours until March 2023. Call 0131 225 5445 and quote ‘Ghostly Winter’ to redeem.

Currently open daily from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday. Advanced online booking essential to guarantee your chosen 90-minute timeslot.

Burns Cottage is currently open daily from 11am to 3.30pm while the Museum opens 10am to 5pm. The last entry for both is 30 minutes before closing.

NEW STORIES

EXPLORE this formidable 14th century courtyard castle, with its striking 100ft high gatehouse and one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland. It’s easy to see why it’s such a popular film location. It featured as Castle Leoch in Outlander and many of the scenes in Monty Python and the Holy Grail were shot here too.

DOUNE CASTLE, DOUNE, STIRLINGSHIRE

Currently open daily, 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.30pm). Kids’ entry £1 each, with a full paying adult (up to six kids). Book online and use voucher code VSBEANO to redeem.

JOIN the jetset on board Scotland’s only Concorde, find out what made supersonic travel so special, and discover what transatlantic flight was like for passengers and crew on this iconic aircraft. Kids will love exploring three hands-on galleries to learn how planes fly, how they are built and what skills a pilot needs. Hear the fascinating stories of the people who built and flew the aircraft in the museum’s military and civil aviation hangars and uncover the secrets of this historic WWII airfield.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT, EAST FORTUNE AIRFIELD, EAST LOTHIAN

Currently open daily, 10am to 5pm.

HEAD to the home of Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature & Storytelling to discover the world of Peter Pan creator J.M. Barrie, who lived in Dumfries as a child. During this time he became friends with two boys, Hal and Stuart Gordon, who lived at Moat Brae with their parents - and the three boys often played together in the gardens there. These ‘enchanted lands’ later inspired him to write Peter Pan, in 1904. Don’t forget to explore the Neverland Discovery Garden - you never know what you might find among the flowerbeds!

MOAT BRAE, DUMFRIES, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

Currently open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm.

THIS fabulous art collection reopened in March this year after a major refurbishment and now includes more than 90 digital displays with immersive experiences for all ages. Discover the story of the man behind the Collection, Sir William Burrell, and his family and hear how he gathered one of the greatest art collections amassed by one person, which includes more than 9,000 objects spanning 6,000 years of history. The collection is housed in an award-winning building in the heart of Pollok Country Park, Glasgow’s largest green space.

Currently open daily, 10am to 5pm; 11am to 5pm on Fridays and Sundays - FREE entry.

BURRELL COLLECTION, GLASGOW

SCOTLAND’S PEOPLE AND PLACES

VISIT the ancestral home of the 19th century novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott, and enjoy a free exhibition to learn how he brought tartan to the masses, saved the Scottish banknote - and even rediscovered his country’s Crown Jewels. One of the most famous houses in the world, Abbotsford sits on the picturesque banks of the River Tweed - so take time out to relax in the Regency Walled Gardens and woodlands while you’re there too.

ABBOTSFORD, MELROSE, SCOTTISH BORDERS

Currently open daily, 10am to 5pm (last entry to house at 4pm). Kids tickets for £3 with a paying adult for An 1820s Christmas in Abbotsford's historic house throughout December. Offer valid when booked on the Abbotsford website. Tickets include access to house and gardens.

HEAR the stories of the life of Andrew Carnegie, one of the great Scots of the 19th century, a man whose humble start in life didn’t stop him becoming a renowned philanthropist and entrepreneur. Discover the surprising links between him and other famous folk including Marie Curie, former US President Teddy Roosevelt - as well as kids’ TV show Sesame Street and the Diplodocus carnegii dinosaur. Visit the cottage where Carnegie was born and learn what it was like to emigrate to America with just a few belongings.

ANDREW CARNEGIE BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, DUNFERMLINE, FIFE

Currently open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4pm (last entry 3pm).

THIS traditional thatched home in Arnol, on the Isle of Lewis, gives visitors a unique insight into life on the island. Almost preserved as the last inhabitants left it in 1966, the house, barn and byre tell stories of Hebridean crofters. The attraction also includes a new visitor centre, shop and exhibition area and Gaelic-speaking guides are often on-hand to answer questions.

Currently open daily, except Wednesday and Sunday, from 10am to 4pm.

THE BLACKHOUSE, OUTER HEBRIDES

LOCAL TALES AND LEGENDS

UNCOVER the grim and gruesome history of crime and punishment in the Royal Burgh of Stirling and learn what life was really like for the inmates. See these characters come to life through live performance tours, or go at your own pace on a self-guided audio tour as you explore the cells, ‘Scene of the Crime’ exhibition and stunning observation tower. Try one of the Jail’s top-rated Escape Rooms for a truly immersive experience in a real Victorian prison

Currently open daily from 10am to 6pm.

STIRLING OLD TOWN JAIL, STIRLINGSHIRE

VISIT the Gretna Green Experience at the Famous Blacksmith's Shop - home of the anvil wedding - and hear the real-life stories of runaway lovers who have tied the knot here for more than 260 years. Built in 1713, this spot was the first stop over the border and soon became the go-to wedding destination for young couples wanting to marry without their parent’s consent. Now the five- star, immersive visitor attraction tells the World’s Greatest Love Story.

Currently open daily from 9am to 5pm.

FAMOUS BLACKSMITHS SHOP, GRETNA GREEN, DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY

DISCOVER the inspiring story of how this beautiful garden was created by Scottish adventurer Ella Christie in 1908, after a trip to Japan. This tranquil paradise is the only garden of its scale and type to have been designed by a Japanese woman, Taki Handa. Closed to the public in 1955, it has recently undergone several years of extensive restoration. Stroll through acres of Japanese influenced landscape, enjoy woodland walks and the children’s play park, as well as games and activities.

THE JAPANESE GARDEN AT COWDEN, CLACKMANNANSHIRE

Currently open Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4pm (last entry 3pm).

INSPIRED BY NATURE

VISIT one of the finest botanic gardens in the world and uncover a fascinating history which dates back over 350 years. Set in 72 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this garden also offers a panoramic view of the capital. Learn about its rich and diverse Living Collection, unwind in the peace and calm of the Chinese Hillside and explore the world-famous Rock Garden.

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN, EDINBURGH

Currently open daily from 10am to 4pm (last entry 3.15pm) - FREE entry.

STEEPED in four centuries of history, the site has seen settlers since Neolithic times with the first people moving in around 2700 BC. There’s been some incredible finds over the years from Bronze Age homes to Norse longhouses and it is regarded as an archaeological treasure trove. Visitors can get involved in a hands-on display of local materials traditionally used on site and learn about prehistoric life on Shetland.

JARLSHOF PREHISTORIC AND NORSE SETTLEMENT, SHETLAND

Currently open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm. Kids’ entry £1 each, with a full paying adult (up to six kids). Book online and use voucher code VSBEANO to redeem.

PIC: Mark Foster

To find out more about these, and other Great Days Out offers across Scotland, go to

Make sure to check individual attraction websites for up-to-date opening times.

visitscotland.com/greatdaysout

MOAT BRAE, DUMFRIES

THE BLACKHOUSE, OUTER HEBRIDES

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FLIGHT, EAST FORTUNE AIRFIELD, EAST LOTHIAN

PIC: VISITSCOTLAND/Paul Tomkins

PIC: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

PIC: VISITSCOTLAND/Paul Tomkins

PIC: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

PIC: VISITSCOTLAND/Paul Tomkins

PIC: VISITSCOTLAND/PRImaging

PIC: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

PIC: VISITSCOTLAND/PRImaging

PIC: VisitScotland/Kenny Lam