DK Travel : Scotland : History & Culture

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Kelvingrove Art Collection

The most visited collection in Scotland has paintings of inestimable value, including works by Botticelli, Giorgione (The Adulteress brought before Christ ) and Rembrandt. Its outstanding representation of 17th-century Dutch and 19th-century French art is augmented by the home-grown talent of the Glasgow Boys and the Scottish Colourists. Note: the Kelvingrove Museum and Gallery will be closed for a major refit between 2003 and 2006; the best works from the collection will be on display at the McLellan Galleries.
Kilts and Tartans

No one knows why Highlanders adopted this distinctive mode of dress or exactly when clans adopted a family “pattern” or tartan. The oldest tartan is dated at around AD 245, and by 1746 there were enough clan tartans to be prohibited for 38 years in a purge on Highland culture. Today, with over 2,000 registered designs, tartans are flourishing.
Lanimer Day

Based on the annual custom of walking the town’s boundaries (which started in 1140), this festival has developed into a week of fun events and fairground thrills. The highlight is the long parade of decorated floats, usually covered in thousands of paper flowers, and children dressed in outlandish costumes. A great community atmosphere prevails.
Lawnmower

A “mechanical reaper” was how the Reverend Patrick Bell described the lawnmower he invented in 1826.
Linlithgow Palace

One of only four royal palaces in Scotland, Linlithgow was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and provided a temporary safe haven for Bonnie Prince Charlie during the Jacobite Rebellion (see Moments in History) . Solid and fortress-like on the banks of Linlithgow Loch, the palace still looks majestic in its semi-ruined state. This was the finest building of its day, and its master masons have left a wealth of carvings. Look around the Great Hall and chapel and marvel at the expertise of the craftsmen who laboured upon this wonderful building.
Linoleum

This revolutionary floor covering was first produced by Frederick Walton in 1860.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

The broad, friendly mountains and poetic scenery of Scotland’s first national park are ideal for the casual walker and watersport lover. Luss is the prettiest village. It hosts a popular Highland Games (see Highland Traditions) in June and has a welcoming tea shop or two. Cruises run from here, and from Balloch, Tarbet and Balmaha.
Logarithm Tables

John Napier spent 20 years divising his ingenious system (1594) for multiplying and dividing large numbers.
Mackintosh

Charles Mackintosh gave his name to the rubberized waterproof material he developed in 1823.
Mellerstain House

Scotland’s most splendid Georgian house (early 18th century) is another creation by architect Robert Adam. A vast edifice of perfect symmetry on the outside contains rooms of perfect proportions within. The delicate plasterwork of the library, resembling fine china, is considered one of Adam’s greatest accomplishments. Exquisite details abound throughout the interior, while, outside, splendid terraced gardens run down to an ornamental lake.