The winter months are often some of the best times to go castle-hunting. After the hectic summer, our sites are quieter and have a greater sense of solitude about them. Of course, it’s always best to go well-prepared in cases of bad weather so you don’t get caught out by the rain or snow! Here are some of my personal favourites to visit during winter:
1. A renaissance palace
Linlithgow Palace has always been a long-standing favourite of mine, and I especially enjoy walking around the Palace in cooler weather, when I can see the trees in all their autumnal glory from the top of Queen Margaret’s Bower.
Mary Queen of Scots was born here in the bitter winter of 1542, not long before Christmas. It’s nice to imagine the palace buzzing with guests for Yuletide festivities way back in the 16th century.
Afterwards, you can walk around Linlithgow Loch (here’s a handy map) and enjoy watching the ducks, swans and cormorants. You may even occasionally spot the heron that has been known to visit the loch from time to time.
If you don’t fancy the walk or if the weather gets a bit too cold, you can always go into one of the local cafes in the town and get warmed up with a bowl of soup or a cup of tea.
Bonus tip: To continue your day out, you might want to head up to Blackness Castle, which is only a few miles away. In the winter, you can see lots of birds in the mudflats to the east (this is a Site of Special Scientific interest or SSSI).
2. A medieval castle
Huntingtower Castle becomes even more beautiful as the year draws to a close. As winter shortens the days, at around midday you can see the sun create shadowy effects on the walls that look almost magical. The painted ceiling at Huntingtower is also well worth a visit.
To the untrained eye the castle looks like one building, but it’s actually two towers joined together. The east and west towers were probably joined on at least one side fairly early in their history – but not before inspiring an excellent legend!
Be sure to read the story of the Maiden’s Leap before you go, and imagine the young lovers looking at each other from opposite towers.
The painted ceiling at Huntingtower Castle
3. A peaceful abbey
Melrose Abbey is fantastic to visit – the wintry sun causes the details on the stonework to stand out even more than usual. The memorials and quietness surrounding the Abbey in cooler weather leave you with a feeling of solitude and calmness.
The abbey is perhaps most associated in the popular imagination with Robert I
(the Bruce), because his heart was buried there.
Sir Walter Scott is also closely associated with the abbey ruins, and was instrumental in J.M.W. Turner painting it. The ‘Melrose Pig’ carving high up on the south side is a particular favourite with visitors.
It is also a short walk to local cafes where you can warm up afterwards.
These are just 3 of my favourite places to visit in the winter. What are your winter trip recommendations?
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