Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel and Blair Castle: Day trip

Founded in the mid-15th century, Rosslyn Chapel is an artistic masterpiece, with nearly every surface completely covered in intricate carvings, but it’s the strange symbolism that’s been captivating curious minds for centuries. One father-son duo believe the hundreds of intricately carved stone boxes protruding from the pillars represent the patterns formed by vibrating powder. There are also over 110 carvings of "Green Men", which might represent pagan deities, and shapes are said to be corn, even though Columbus hadn’t yet set sail for the New World. Then there’s the famed ‘Apprentice Pillar’, a masterfully carved column said to have been made by an apprentice mason who was murdered by his master in a fit of jealousy - as punishment the master’s face was carved in the opposite wall to forever gave upon his apprentice’s handiwork. However, the juiciest mystery is the chapel’s mysterious crypt and the secret Templar treasure, which could be anything from Jesus’ head to the original Scottish Crown Jewels.

Founded in the 13th century, Blair Castle and Hercules Gardens have been home to 19 generations of Stewarts and Murrays of Atholl. Over its long history, the castle has been visited by notable figures including Mary Queen of Scots, Viscount Dundee, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Queen Victoria, who granted permission to Duke Murray to found the Atholl Highlanders - Europe's last (legal) private army. Today, over 30 historic rooms exhibit period furnishings, family portraits, landscape paintings, weapons and armour, and lavish decorations for a full serving of Scottish culture. A walk through the nine acre walled garden brings visitors past fruit trees and vegetable, a Chinese bridge and Gothic folly, and a path lined with both contemporary and 18th Century sculptures. In a quiet grove, visitors will find the second tallest tree in Britain, and the ruins of St Brides Kirk, the final resting place of Jacobite leader Bonnie Dundee. For more information, please visit blair-castle.co.uk