Scottish Castles - The Show is on
Concerts, jousting, birds of prey shows: In many Scottish castles, there is more to see than just old walls.
Eilean Donan Castle at the Scottish westcoast (Foto) is probably the most photographed castle in Scotland. In its long history, is has seen its fair share of fires, rebellions and rebuilds. Now, the tourists are there and Eilean Donan Castle proves once more, that Scottish castles have so much more to offer than history: Many owners and lords unlock the doors to treasure chambers and dungeons so that visitors can take a look inside. Scottish castles now offer an extensive leisure programme that could do credit to a concert organiser or theme park: There are concerts, medieval plays and Halloween parties. Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of the Scottish Queen Maria Stuart is not far from Edinburgh and hosts jousting events.
Scone Palace on its own has a fascinating story: Scottish kings were once crowned here. Scone Palace is located north of the city of Perth. Typical castle events include Highland safaris and guided walks. Balmoral Castle, the Queen's castle in the Highlands, has been the meeting point for tours with the rangers on site. Elsewhere, the castle grounds are used for Highland Games with bagpipe music, log throwing and Highland dancing.
A special exhibition about the former lady of the castle, Katherine, is on display at Blair Castle. Duchess Katherine was the first woman from Scotland to become a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons in London at the beginning of the 20th century. She began her political career at a time when women's suffrage was not a matter of course. Her party was the Conservative Tories. But she soon fell out with them: the then Conservative Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain (1869-1940) campaigned in favour of coming to terms with the Nazi party in Germany and Adolf Hitler - a policy that Stewart-Murray did not want to support.
The most famous event however is probably the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo, which can be seen every year in August on the forecourt of Edinburgh Castle. The Tattoo, with military bands from all over the world, dancers and folkloric music, has been a highlight of Edinburgh's cultural summer since it was founded almost 70 years ago.