00:00I'm Lily Douse and this is Grand Voyager. In this series, I travel the world to discover incredible places filled
00:10with culture, luxury and adventure.
00:13Along the way, I meet the people, taste the flavours and experience the moments that make each destination unforgettable.
00:27Today, I'm travelling to Scotland, where historic cities, proud traditions and stunning landscapes come together.
00:35From sandstone streets and dramatic views, this is a country full of character.
00:41Hello and welcome to Scotland. In this episode, I'll be exploring its wild beauty, timeless heritage and of course,
00:51vibrant culture that makes this country the muse for many storytellers.
00:57My journey begins in Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, famous for its towering monuments and medieval castle.
01:06I'm meeting Alice, a local history enthusiast, who's going to show me around this historic city.
01:13Edinburgh is built, shaped by fire and ice. The castle sits on top of a volcanic plug and that's a
01:20glacial ridge.
01:21So the city goes up and down, up and down. Edinburgh really is a small city, big personality, a lot
01:29of dramatic scenes, but it's very, very easy to explore.
01:33We begin our walk through the city. With its tall buildings and courtyards, Edinburgh feels like something straight out of
01:40a novel.
01:41When you look at a courtyard like this, you've got all these little architectural details.
01:46You can see the date up there, 1587, and this gorgeous, rich yellow saffron colour.
01:52And they got this colour by mixing iron filings through the mix, just to get this lovely gold colour.
01:57It's the same colour they used on the King's Great Hall at Stirling Castle.
02:01And it's a marvellous little space.
02:03Edinburgh Castle is the city's most iconic landmark and has long been fought over by English and Scottish armies.
02:12Inside the castle walls, we explore the centuries-old defences and inner courtyards where daily life once took place.
02:20So this was a really important part of the castle.
02:22This is the heart of the castle, yes.
02:23You've got all the living things like blacksmithing, weaponsmithing, food production.
02:27And then up here, this is where the monarchs lived.
02:31Close by is the Great Hall, a medieval space with an original wooden ceiling, historic weapons, and centuries of royal
02:40history.
02:41From here, we head to one of the castle's smallest buildings, St Margaret's Chapel.
02:47This is the oldest building in the whole of Edinburgh Castle.
02:50It's the oldest building still standing in Edinburgh.
02:52It was built in the 1100s by King David of Scotland in memory of his mother, St Margaret, Queen of
02:59Scots.
03:00As we explore the castle, it's clear how much history is stored within its walls.
03:06From here, you can just see why Edinburgh Castle is so iconic.
03:10You know, we've come up and down secret staircases around the battlements.
03:14And you really get a feeling for how this castle is not just one building.
03:19It's a fortress, a whole fortified community living up here on the rock.
03:24And when you look out, just look at that view.
03:29Scotland is a land of castles and grand buildings shaped by centuries of history.
03:36Just outside Edinburgh city centre, Preston Fieldhouse is one of them.
03:41Once a private residence, the hotel dates back more than 300 years and will be my base during my time
03:49in Edinburgh.
03:50Inside, it's packed with antiques, paintings, sculptures and dramatic dining rooms.
03:57Over the years, it has welcomed famous guests, from prime ministers and presidents to Hollywood movie stars.
04:04If the walls and furniture could talk, I'm sure they would tell a fascinating story.
04:10The Scottish charm continues at breakfast, with fresh salmon, poached eggs and crusty bread.
04:18For anyone who loves heritage, character and a touch of luxury, this hotel really does tick all the boxes.
04:31Nothing says Scotland quite like the sound of bagpipes.
04:35This instrument has been played here for centuries, often during ceremonies and celebrations, or simply to welcome guests.
04:46Today, it's my introduction to Loch Cleven Castle.
04:51Hello, Mac.
04:52How are you doing?
04:52What an amazing entrance for me.
04:55You're welcome, you're welcome.
04:56Oh, gosh, that looks a very hard instrument to play.
04:59It's not easy.
05:01With the castle walls behind us, I learn why the ruins have such an important place in Scottish history.
05:08The history goes back to the 13th century.
05:11Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned here for a year until she managed to escape.
05:15And she went on to many years in prison in England, eventually lost her head.
05:22Mary Queen of Scots remains at the heart of Loch Leven Castle's story.
05:27As we explore the grounds, I'm curious to find out more about the ruins and her time here.
05:33So this is the very building where Mary would have lived for a year.
05:36That's it, the tower house.
05:38Not much left, but you can make out, you know, where the floors were.
05:42There was no escape from this island.
05:44It was easy to guard, surrounded by water, and they could keep an eye on her with very few guards.
05:50Her imprisonment came at a time of deep political tension, when some viewed her as a threat to the country.
05:57Mary would have been kept in pretty much at the lap of luxury as far as prisoners go, and she
06:03would have had her attendants, you know, serving her as well.
06:07Today, the ruins remain closely tied to the story of Mary, Queen of Scots.
06:13Leaving the island behind, Mac and I continue our journey to St Andrews.
06:18This famous coastal town is home to the oldest golf course in the world.
06:24Scotland is the home of golf, and we're here at St Andrews.
06:27It is, that's right. The oldest golf course in the world.
06:30That's very impressive. It's like Holy Grail touching it.
06:33Pretty much. Sacred hallowed turf, as they say.
06:35And why is golf so important to the Scottish people?
06:39It's one of our national sports. This is the home of golf. It's very popular, and we've been playing it
06:45for centuries.
06:46So there is a lot of history where we're standing right now. You feel the history, like it's all around
06:51you.
06:52After hearing about the club's special place in golfing history, it's time to try it for myself.
06:59Mac shows me the basics, where even the simplest shots take a lot of practice.
07:04It's a fun way to experience the game.
07:06And of course, there's nowhere better to play golf than the home of golf.
07:13Back in Edinburgh, I'm in the mood for something creative, so I'm visiting a local workshop to make my own
07:20Scottish-inspired handbag.
07:23One of the instructors is helping me get started.
07:27Wow, this is definitely heaven for me, being in a handbag workshop.
07:32I've never heard of this anywhere in the world, so this is very special.
07:35We start by looking at the different sizes and styles of the bag in more detail.
07:40Many of them feature Harris tweed, a traditional Scottish textile.
07:45They're all so beautiful.
07:47Like, I don't actually know how anyone decides between these different sizes.
07:51They're all incredible.
07:53Next, we look at the different materials, colours and textures.
07:58Over here, we have medium bases, medium Harris tweed lids, top handles, straps, shoulder straps.
08:05Everything's able to mix and match as long as you try and stick to the right size.
08:10Now it's my turn to look around and pick out the pieces for my own bag.
08:15Once chosen, we start putting everything together.
08:18Why are these patterns so important to people in Scotland?
08:23Well, it's really interesting.
08:24A lot of them are based on the beautiful landscapes on the Outer Hebrides, which is just on the coast
08:28of Scotland.
08:29But it's all 100% well.
08:30Harris tweed is actually the only material in the whole world that has its own act of parliament.
08:35So it is hand-woven in the Outer Hebrides using no electricity.
08:40And it's a technique that's been used for, like, centuries.
08:43As we add the screws and accessories, our bags start to take shape.
08:47Definitely easier said than done.
08:49There's definitely a technique to it.
08:50But you've got to be pretty crafty.
08:53For visitors to Edinburgh, this is a perfect way to spend an afternoon, making something personal, learning a Scottish craft,
09:01and having a lot of fun along the way.
09:03This is looking amazing. I'm very proud.
09:06It looks fantastic. Congratulations.
09:08You have officially made your very old Harris tweed bag.
09:11This is a new obsession now, getting to make handbags.
09:15Everyone's going to be so impressed.
09:16Wherever I travel, I have my amazing Islander bag.
09:20You can say, Harris tweed made in Scotland, satchel made by me.
09:28Edinburgh has inspired writers and poets for centuries.
09:32To learn more, I'm meeting a local historian at an old surgical hospital with a surprising story.
09:39Where we're standing now is effectively the birthplace of the two most famous characters in fiction.
09:48I suppose you could say the world's first two superheroes.
09:51Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Holmes.
09:53Sherlock Holmes, of course.
09:55Okay, yeah, yeah.
09:56Because this is where their creator, Arthur Conan Doyle, studied medicine.
10:00This is where he met the man who inspired Sherlock Holmes.
10:04His teacher, Dr. Joseph Bell.
10:08But the author's time here inspired more than just Sherlock Holmes.
10:12It also helped inspire his famous companion, Dr. Watson.
10:16It's really interesting to think that for all the times I've watched Sherlock Holmes,
10:22this is where the inspiration came from.
10:24The building also has a connection to poet William Ernest Henley,
10:28who was treated here and is best remembered for one of his famous poems.
10:33And Victor's was the name of Henley's poem.
10:37And it was said to be Mandela's favourite poem.
10:39The last verse goes something like,
10:42It matters not how straight the gate,
10:45or how charged with punishments the scroll.
10:47I am the master of my fate,
10:49I am the captain of my soul.
10:52So you can see where Mandela was inspired by it.
10:55A short walk away is another stop on Edinburgh's literary trail.
10:59Can you see the Drummond Street sign?
11:02Well, it's behind the window, a table, above the sign, above it,
11:06that J.K. Rowling wrote some of the early chapters of the very first Harry Potter novel.
11:11She said she liked the cafe because she could buy one espresso,
11:17probably the cheapest,
11:19sit for a couple of hours and write and write and write,
11:21and they wouldn't throw her out.
11:23And now she can afford way more than an espresso.
11:26Yeah, yeah, it made mine look better.
11:29Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes are two of many characters connected to Edinburgh.
11:34A city full of history, stories and royal heritage.
11:39I've had an incredible time exploring the capital
11:43and seeing more of what Scotland has to offer.
11:46From ancient castles to breathtaking landscapes,
11:50Scotland truly has captured my imagination.
11:53But now, time for my next adventure.
