Tourist Attractions

Loch Leven Castle & Island

The lodges are situated on the shores of Loch Leven where Mary Queen of Scots was held prisoner on Castle Island in 1567 and forced to abdicate. She escaped when one of the young pages assigned to guard her stole the keys and rowed her across to the shore.

Castle Island is in the care of Historic Scotland and is accessible from Kinross by boat from the main pier.

Distance from site: 5 miles
For more information see the Castle Island website

Kinross House & Gardens

The estate on which Kinross House stands was originally owned by the Earl of Morton but in 1675 it was bought by Sir William Bruce. Bruce had been a major player in the restoration of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 and that no doubt helped his career as an architect - not of monarchy, but of buildings.

Although the gardens are open to the public, the inside of the house is private.

Distance from site: 6 miles
For more information see the Kinross House website

Dunfermline Abbey

Built by King David 1 of Scotland in the 11th century in honour of his mother you can also find the tomb of King Robert the Bruce here.

Distance from site: 12 miles
For more information see the Dunfermline Abbey website

Falkland Palace

Built in the 16th century Falkland Palace was the country residence and hunting lodge of eight Stuart monarchs, including Mary Queen of Scots. Here you will find what is reputedly the oldest tennis court in the world.

Distance from site: 13 miles
For more information see the Falkland Palace website

Further afield there are other popular historical venues worth a visit during your break:

Edinburgh Castle - 26 miles
Linlithgow Palace - 25 miles
Inchcolm Island 16 miles
Stirling Castle - 30 miles

Hopetoun House

Originally built by Sir William Bruce, the same architect as Kinross House, and extended by William Adam this building is more of a Palace than a country house. It remains the Hope family home and its apartments are filled with 18th Century furniture and paintings including works by Canaletto and Gainsborough.

Distance from site; 19 miles
For more information see the Hopetoun House website

Scottish Fisheries Museum

Located in Anstruther in the East Neuk of Fife, the Fisheries Museum tells the story of how fishing has changed over the years an into the 21st century.

Distance from site: 30 miles
For more information see the Scottish Fisheries Museum website

Caithness Glass

At the Caithness Glass factory & Visitor Centre you can watch as master craftsmen turn molten glass into stunning and original glass paperwieghts which you can purchase and have personalised by their Resident Engraver

Distance from site: 25 miles
For more information see the Caithness Glass website

British Golf Museum

The British Golf Museum, appropriately located in St Andrews the home of golf, tells the story of British golf from its origins in the middle ages through to the present day.

Distance from site: 29 miles
For more information see the British Golf Museum website

Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boat-lift, built to transfer boats between the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals. The Wheel is 35m in diameter and is capable of of transfering 300tonnes (at least eight boats) from one canal to the other in approximately 15 minutes.

Distance from site: 33 miles
For more information see the Falkirk Wheel website

Deep Sea World

Deep Sea World is Scotland's National Aquarium with on one of the longest underwater safari tunnels through which you can see an amazing array of underwater creatures as they swim all around you.

Distance from site: 15 miles
For more information see the Deep Sea World website

Scottish Deer Centre

At the Scottish Deer Centre you can see many different species of deer from all over the world. With falconry displays, Ranger guided tours , indoor and outdoor playgrounds and scenic walkways there's plenty to see and do for all the family.

Distance from site: 17 miles
For more information see the Scottish Deer Centre website

Discovery Point

Discovery Point in Dundee tells the story of the Antarctic adventures of Robert Falcon Scott aboard the RRS Discovery. Climb aboard the ship and discover for yourself what it was like for the crew who survived two long winters locked in the ice.

Distance from site: 31 miles
For more information see the Discovery Point website

Sea Life Centre, St Andrews

This Aquarium provides a educational and enjoyable insight into the world which exists below the water. There are over 30 exhibition tanks where you can view all kinds of aquatic lifeforms and in some cases touch them as well!

Distance from site: 30 mile
For more information see the Sea Life Centre website

Scotland's Secret Bunker

An underground nuclear command bunker used by the Govenrment during the Cold War and built to withstand nuclear attack, this is where Scotland's Govenrment and military commanders would have run the country in the event of a nuclear war.

Distance from site: 30 miles
For more information see Scotland's Secret Bunker website