Scottish Highlands - Historic Properties

An unusual detached, fortified bell tower, built in 1655 to serve the parish church of Ardclach. The tower stands on a hillock at the north-west corner of Ardclach, while the church it was built to serve is down in a loop of the River Findhorn several hundred yards away.
Ardclach, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV12 5JF

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A historic 19th-century lighthouse stands on the most westerly point of the British mainland. The lighthouse was designed by Alan Stevenson, uncle of novelist Robert Louis Stevenson. There are regular tours of the lighthouse and the former keeper's cottage is now an exhibition centre covering the history of the lighthouse.
Ardnamurchan Point, Kilchoan, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, PH36 4LN

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Heritage Highlight: Unusual Egyptian style buildings
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The Birsay Earl's Palace is a 16th-century residence on the shores of Birsay Bay, built by Earl Robert Stewart. Extensive walls still stand, though not to any great height. Earl Robert was known for his harsh treatment of his people and may have used forced labour to build his palace.
Birsay, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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The Bishop's Palace is a 12th-century hall house, with a tower built in the mid 16th century. You can ascend the tower for wonderful views of St Magnus Cathedral and the rooftops of Kirkwall. Directly opposite is the 17th-century Earl's Palace.
Watergate, Kirkwall, Mainland, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, KW15 1PD

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Heritage Highlight: Site of Hakon IV's death in 1263
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A late 17th-century round dovecote under a conical roof. The doocot stands on a 12th-century motte built by William the Lion, and looks over the site of the Battle of Auldearn, 1645.
A96, Auldearn, Highlands and Islands, Scotland, IV12 5TE

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Heritage Highlight: Built atop a 12th-century castle motte
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An innovative suspension bridge across the River Oich built in 1854 by James Dredge. Dredge's design broke new ground in bridge architecture, incorporating a unique double cantilever chain support system anchored by huge granite pylons on either shore.
Aberchalder, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Bridge
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Captain Fraser's Folly stands on a hill south of Uig harbour and offers wonderful views over Uig and west towards the Western Isles. Owned by the Uig Hotel and built in 1860, this little tower has arched windows and arrow-slits. The interior of the Folly is not open to the public.
A87, Uig, Isle of Skye, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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One of the most iconic visitor attractions in the Cairngorms, the old packhorse bridge across the River Dulnain at Carrbridge was built in 1717. The bridge was built to allow funeral processions to access Duthil Church when the river was in spate. Because of this, the bridge was known locally as 'the coffin bridge'.
Carrbridge, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Bridge
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Castle Lodge was built beside the gatehouse leading to Thurso Castle in 1875. A fanciful example of Gothic Revival romanticism, the Lodge is an ornate building with a square block, tower and turrets like a fantasy medieval castle.
Thurso, Highlands, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

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One of the great feats of civil engineering in history, the Churchill Barriers are a series of causeways linking South Ronaldsay to Orkney Mainland. They were erected during World War II to prevent the passage of German submarines into Scapa Flow, used as a naval base by the British.
St Margaret's Hope, South Ronaldsay, Orkney, Highlands and Islands, Scotland

Attraction Type: Historic Property - Bridge
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