Thirlestane Woodland Lodges - Fun Days Out

Floors Castle is the seat of the Duke of Roxburghe, near Kelso in the Scottish Borders. Despite the name it is an estate house rather than a fortress, designed by William Adam in the 1720s and later given its turrets and battlements by William Playfair. It stands by the River Tweed with views over the Cheviot Hills, and the grounds are on Scotland's national inventory of gardens and designed landscapes.

Inside, you can see the castle's collections and learn about the Innes-Ker family, whose story runs from Border bandits to stewards of the land. Outside, the four-acre Walled Garden is an RHS Partner Garden, with herbaceous borders, glasshouses, a Victorian kitchen garden and a formal Millennium Garden with a French-style parterre. There are also woodland and riverside walks around the Roxburghe Estate, a play area, cafés and shops.

Tip: Different parts of the estate open at different times, so check the Floors Castle website for what is open and how to enter before you set off.

Britannia was the royal yacht of the British monarchy from 1954 to 1997, travelling more than a million nautical miles to ports in 135 countries. Now retired, she is permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith, Edinburgh, and you tour her five decks at your own pace with an audio guide available in 36 languages, plus BSL/ASL and Braille options.

Highlights include the Bridge, the State Apartments and Queen Elizabeth II's favourite room aboard. Below decks you can see the Crew's Quarters and the gleaming Engine Room, and there is a Royal Sailing Exhibition too. Finish with a stop at the Royal Deck Tearoom. Most of the visit is sheltered, so it works in wet weather, and lifts serve the decks to make the tour highly accessible.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance to save money, and allow about 2 hours; the tour starts on the second floor of Ocean Terminal, which has a free multi-storey car park.

Mellerstain House is a Borders country house, and one of the first buildings Robert Adam designed in his 'Castle' style. Guided tours take you through rooms with his delicate plasterwork ceilings and wall decoration. The library is the finest of them. On the top floor, the gallery displays costumes, fans, embroideries and documents.

Outside, the gardens and grounds are good for a wander. There is a woodland walk on the hillside above the water, with views towards the Cheviot Hills on a clear day. The path is steep in places and includes some old stone steps. A courtyard café is on site for refreshments. Dogs are welcome in the gardens, on a lead.

Tip: The house is open for tours only part of the year, while the gardens stay open year-round, so check the Mellerstain website before you set off.

Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century chapel in the village of Roslin, Midlothian, founded by Sir William St Clair. It is still a place of worship and remains in the ownership of the family who founded it. The ornate stonework and its symbolism have drawn writers, artists and visitors for generations, and the chapel featured in Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code and its 2006 film.

You can explore the inside and outside of the chapel and look round the visitor centre. Head for the richly adorned pillars, each one unique, including the Apprentice Pillar. There is a gift shop and coffee shop on site, and free online exhibitions of photographs of Roslin and the chapel. It is a good choice for history fans and anyone curious about the chapel's carvings and its Da Vinci Code link, whatever the weather.

Tip: Check the official website before you go and book your visit in advance.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland, standing at the bottom of Edinburgh's Royal Mile, opposite Edinburgh Castle. It is closely tied to Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and the tour takes in the State Apartments, the Great Gallery, the Throne Room and Mary's 16th-century rooms. A multimedia guide is available, including a version with British Sign Language and subtitles.

Beside the palace are the ruins of Holyrood Abbey, founded in 1128, and the palace gardens, which are still used for royal events. There is a café and a shop on site, and the café can be visited without a ticket. Children can follow drawing activities and trails. It suits history fans, families and anyone who wants a proper look at royal Scotland. The tour is mostly indoors, with some small rooms and access to outdoor areas.

Tip: Free coach parking is next to the palace via Abbeyhill, and accessible spaces are on Horse Wynd, first come, first served.

Edinburgh Castle stands on Castle Rock, the plug of an extinct volcano, and has been a royal castle since the 11th century. It has served as a royal residence, prison, arsenal and military fortress, and is now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Research has counted 26 sieges in its 1,100-year history.

Highlights include the Royal Palace, the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish regalia), the giant cannon Mons Meg and the Scottish National War Memorial. St Margaret's Chapel, from the early 12th century, is regarded as the oldest building in Edinburgh. You can also visit the National War Museum and the regimental museums, and there are cafés and shops on site. An audio guide is available in many languages, and official guided tours can be booked. The One o'Clock Gun is fired most days.

Tip: Book tickets online in advance, as they often sell out and none are sold at the castle once online tickets are gone. Allow at least 2 hours.

Smailholm Tower is a 15th-century tower house near Kelso, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. It is a remarkably complete laird's residence that still stands roofed and floored, perched on a crag with wide views over the surrounding countryside. Around it you can see the foundations of the outer hall and kitchen, and the massive enclosure wall that shows how well defended these borderlands had to be.

Inside, the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border exhibition explores the link between Sir Walter Scott, the tower and the ballads that inspired him, with model figures illustrating local stories. Climb to the battlements for the views, which on a clear day may stretch to Bamburgh Castle on the Northumberland coast. JMW Turner painted the tower, and it remains a favourite subject for artists. Dryburgh Abbey, Scott's resting place, is nearby if you want to extend the day.

Tip: Book your visit online in advance for a specific date and time, and consider pairing it with nearby Dryburgh Abbey.

The National Museum of Scotland stands on Chambers Street in central Edinburgh. It is made up of two connected buildings: the modern Museum of Scotland, which opened in 1998, and the former Royal Museum, with its Victorian façade and a grand cast-iron central hall. Entry is free, though some special exhibitions are charged for.

Inside, the collections cover Scottish archaeology and history, natural history, geology, science and technology, art and fashion, and world cultures. Highlights include Dolly the sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult cell, the Ancient Egyptian displays, the Millennium Clock and the Scottish Maiden, an early beheading machine. The Scotland galleries run from Pictish stones to the Industrial Revolution. There are cafés, a space for eating your own food, lifts and ramps to the galleries, and assistance dogs are welcome.

Tip: Self-service lockers in the Entrance Hall can store luggage, and the Lunch Space there is available if you bring your own food.