Edinburgh: Image cortesy of Virtualtourist.com lou31

EDINBURGH & THE LOTHIANS

Caiy Stane
Caiystane View, Edinburgh
Open: all year, daily.

A 9ft tall prehistoric cup-marked stone, also known as general Kay’s Monument or the Kel Stone, marks the site of an ancient battle.

The Georgian House
7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh
Tel: (0131) 226 3318
Open: house and shop, 1 to 31 Mar and 1 to 30 Nov, daily 11–3; 1 Apr to 30 Jun and 1 Sep to 31 Oct, daily 10–5; 1 Jul to 31 Aug, daily 10–7.

Three floors of the house are furnished as they might have been by its first owners, reflecting the domestic surroundings and the social conditions of that age.

Gladstone’s Land
477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh
Tel: (0131) 226 5856
Open: Good Friday to 30 Jun and 1 Sep to 31 Oct, daily 10–5; 1 Jul to 31 Aug, daily 10–7.

A typical example of a 17th century tenement building in Edinburgh’s fascinating Old Town. Remarkable original painted ceilings.

House of the Binns
Linlithgow, West Lothian
Tel: (01506) 834 255
Open: House,1 Jun to 30 Sep, daily except Fri, 2–5. Parkland, all year, daily.

This is the historic home of the Dalyells, who have lived here since 1612. It shows the transition from a fortified stronghold to a more spacious mansion.

No. 28 Charlotte Square
Two minutes from west end of Princes Street.
Tel: (0131) 243 9300
Open: Drawing Room Gallery, 6 Jan to 24 Dec, Mon–Fri 11–3. Shops, Coffee House and Bistro, 6 Jan to 24 Dec, Mon–Sat 9.30–5.

Charlotte Square, in Edinburgh’s renowned New Town, is considered by many as the finest Georgian square in Britain. In 1996 the Trust bought Nos 26-31, with the vision of initiating a renaissance of the square. The houses are now the head office of the Trust, with exhibition, retail and catering areas open to visitors.

Inveresk Lodge Garden
Inveresk, Musselburgh, East Lothian
Tel: (0131) 665 1855
Open: all year, daily 10-6 or dusk if earlier.

An attractive terraced garden which displays a range of plants for the small garden. Below the garden, a woodland walk leads to the meadow pond, a haven for wildlife.

Malleny Garden
Balerno, Edinburgh
Tel: (0131) 449 2283
Open: garden, all year, daily 10–6, or dusk if earlier.

The walled garden is dominated by four 400 year old clipped yew trees which overlook herbaceous borders and roses.

Newhailes
Newhailes Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian
Tel: (0131) 653 5599
Open: House and Visitor Centre: Good Friday to Easter Monday and 1 May to 30 Sep, Thu–Mon 12–5. Policies, all year, daily.

Home in the 18th century to the Dalrymple family, prominent figures of the Enlightenment, this 17th-century house and estate retains many atmospheric original interiors and a fascinating but still largely undiscovered designed landscape.

Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot
East Linton, East Lothian
Tel: (01620) 860 426
Open: Good Friday to 30 Sep, Thu–Mon 12–5.

There has been a mill on the site for centuries, and the present stone buildings date from the 18th century. There is also an exhibition on milling.