DK Travel : Scotland : History & Culture

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St Andrews

The “home of golf” (see Golf Courses) has the oldest university in Scotland, and red-robed students add a colourful, carefree atmosphere to this pretty town. Once the ecclesiastical capital of the country, its cathedral is still a proud ruin, with a wealth of sculpture, and its castle has unrivalled examples of siege tunnels and a curious “bottle dungeon”. There’s also a mile of beach for fine walks, and plenty of hip cafés and bistros.
St Columba Founds a Monastery on Iona

In 563 this fiery Irish missionary went into self-imposed exile on Iona (known as the “home of christianity” in Europe), and here he founded a monastery. Columban monks travelled widely, consolidating the Christian faith and thus unifying Scotland’s tribes into one nation.
St Magnus Festival

The beautiful Orkney islands have worked hard to create a festival of exceptional quality. Events usually include at least one world premiere of either music or drama, and some of the world’s best musicians. Timed for midsummer, the festival uses Orkney’s remarkable landscape to striking effect.
Stirling Castle

A commanding rock-top castle, concealing architecture of an exceptional quality, most notably the restored Great Hall and the Royal Palace (see Stirling Castle) .
Stirling Castle

Dramatically perched on crags overlooking the plains where some of Scotland’s most decisive battles took place, this castle was one of the nation’s greatest strongholds and a key player in her history. The gatehouse, Great Hall and the Renaissance Royal Palace are outstanding. Check out the programme for special events, from tapestry weaving to sword fights (see Stirling Castle) .
T in the Park

Sponsored by the brewery Tennents (hence the T), this is Scotland’s biggest annual rock concert. The fields of Kinross are smothered in tents, while the bands get to perform in a giant castle of a marquee.
Tar Road Surfacing: John McAdam (1756–1836)

Having made a fortune in New York, McAdam returned to his native Ayrshire in 1783 and began experimenting with crushed stones and tar. The endeavour cost him his fortune, but Parliament eventually remunerated him and made him Surveyor-General of Metropolitan Roads in 1825.
Telephone: Alexander Graham Bell (1888–1946)

Bell trained as a teacher of the deaf before being appointed Professor of Vocal Physiology in Boston, where he came up with the telephone prototype. “Yes, Alec, it is I, your father speaking” were some of the first telephonic words uttered.
Television: John Logie Baird (1888–1946)

Ill-health dogged Baird, but it also allowed him time to conduct research. Without financial support, he built a television apparatus from scrap materials and gave the first demonstration in 1926.
The Ba’, Kirkwall

Wild ball game and free-for-all played in the town’s crowded streets (Kirkwall, Orkney, 1 Jan).