Dumfries - Drumlanrig Castle

Must-see attractions nearby: Caerlaverock Castle Drumlanrig Castle Burns' House Grey Mares Tail Burns Centre Lochmaben Castle Dumfries Museum

This four-winged Renaissance palace with its decorative facade possesses a unique collection of French furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries. Highlights include fine chests of drawers, cupboards and inlaid tables by Charles Cressent, Pierre II Migeon, Jacques Denizot and Adrien Delorme. Carvings by Grinling Gibbons are highlights of the Lounge and Dining Room and the collection of paintings with portraits by Kneller, van Dyck, Ramsay, Reynolds and Gainsborough deserve attention but the three masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Hans Holbein the Younger and Rembrandt are the castle's most prized possessions. Some 17th century Brussels tapestries, Chelsea, Derby and Meissen porcelain are also of interest. "Bonnie Prince Charlie" is said to have stayed the night here on December 22, 1745 and a portrait and a gold casket belonging to the unfortunate Pretender are on display.