Surroundings, Dundee

The Barry Mill near Carnoustie has occupied this site since 1539. The present building was rebuilt in 1814 after a fire. The mill was the last water-powered meal mill to work in Angus, producing oatmeal until the late 1970s. Currently, it works on a demonstration basis only.

The Pictish king Nechtan is said to have laid the foundation stone to the little church of St Peter (1.5mi/2.4km northeast of Forfar). It is, after St Ninian in Whithorn, the oldest stone church in Scotland. King David I ordered the church to be rebuilt in 1153 for the Augustinians, but the spire for the Norman tower was not added until the 15th century. The abandoned monastery buildings and other parts date from later years.

The Benedictine abbey was built out of red sandstone in 1178 by William the Lion. In 1320 it played an important part in Scottish history when six years after the decisive Battle of Bannockburn, noblemen and clergy met in the tower of the gatehouse to sign a letter to Pope John XXII, the so-called Declaration of Arbroath, which resulted in Robert the Bruce becoming king. Only sections of the richly-ornamented Romanesque west portal, the south transept of the sacristy and the presbytery survive from this once vast, cruciform abbey. Some of the original vaulting remains in the sacristy where capitals imaginatively decorate the surrounding blind arcades. The "O of Arbroath", a rose window which faces out to sea above a round-arched triforium in the south transept, served as a beacon for vessels out at sea during the Middle Ages. The restored hall in the old Abbots House is now a museum where exhibits include medieval frescoes and a copy of the Declaration of Arbroath.

The history of tartans, plaids and kilts is covered in some detail at Comrie's Tartan Museum. This collection belonging to the Scottish Tartans Society illustrates how the traditional patterns were made and how they are linked to the various clans.

The upper terrace provides the best view of these terraced gardens which were laid out in 1630 by John Drummond. After Cromwell's troops had burned down the medieval castle (15th century), it was gradually rebuilt. The castle was extended in the 19th century and in early Victorian times alterations were also made to the lower sections of the parkland.The grounds include a parterre garden and a multi-faceted sundial, designed by John Mylne, Master Mason to King Charles I.

Perthshire's center offers riding through secluded Scottish glens. Trails are set in mountain paths, moorland and deer-filled forests, with no road work. Horses are available for riders of all abilities.

The Round Tower built in Irish-Celtic style during the 11th century is perhaps the most interesting sight in Brechin. The only other comparable tower is in Abernethy. The narrow doorway some 6ft/2m above ground proves that it had a double function: as an early Christian church and also as a place of refuge. The nearby cathedral was founded in 1150 by David I, but the tower (ca. 1360), the early Gothic west portal and a few interesting gravestones all date from the Middle Ages.

A walled garden is to be found at this 13th century fortress, Brechin Castle. A fair portion of the yews, borders and paths have been preserved.

A closer look is worthwhile not just for the castle's fortifications but also for the marvelous 16th century Renaissance gardens that were laid out in 1604 by Sir David Lindsay. In the summer a colorful display of blooms in the colors of the Lindsay coat-of-arms decorates the red enclosure walls. A Neo-gothic summer house and an attractive ruined 17th century bath house are among the delights of the garden.