The Caledonian Canal
© VisitScotland / Airborne Lens
2 September 1834
The death of Sir Thomas Telford
Sir Thomas Telford was the pioneering Scottish civil engineer, architect, and stonemason who played a crucial role in the development of Britain’s road, bridge and canal systems during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was chief civil engineer of an innovative scheme to improve communications in the Highlands, as well as overseeing the construction of various canals, including the Caledonian Canal which links 60 miles of freshwater inlets connecting the east and west coasts of Scotland. He was involved in the design and building of nearly 1,000 miles of roads and 120 bridges over a 20-year period.
Telford gained a reputation as the finest civil engineer of his day. In recognition of his achievements, he was knighted in 1818 and became known as Sir Thomas Telford. He died on 2 September 19834.
What to see:
Caledonian Canal, Highlands
Dean Bridge, Edinburgh
The Forth Bridge in South Queensferry at sunset
4 September 1964
The opening of the Forth Road Bridge
On this day in 1964 the Forth Road Bridge was opened to the public by the late Queen Elizabeth II. Construction had begun in 1958, and at the time of opening, it was Europe's longest suspension bridge with a span of 1,006 metres between the two main towers – a length that could be run in 2 minutes and 11 seconds if by world record holder of that time, Noah Ngeny. The bridge spans the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry, connecting Edinburgh to Fife.
Tens of thousands of spectators turned up to watch the royal cavalcade slowly cross the bridge. Soldiers of Lowland regiments from the south linked up symbolically with a Highland brigade from the north to mark the opening of the new crossing.
The Forth Road Bridge sits beside its older sister, a cantilever rail bridge known as the Forth Bridge, opened in 1890 by the then Prince of Wales. The Queensferry Crossing, the newest of the three, was officially opened by The Queen on the same day, 4 September 2017.
What to see:
The Forth Bridges, Edinburgh
Plan your trip and explore South Queensferry and the local area
Balmoral Castle
7 September 1842
Queen Victoria's first visit to Edinburgh
Queen Victoria and her husband Prince Albert visited Scotland for the first time on 7 September 1842. The young Queen wrote in a letter to her uncle King Leopold of Belgium, that Edinburgh is “a thing to dream of…”. The city itself became a popular place for the royal couple to spend time away from London. Key developments were made to the city during their time here, including the addition of the gatehouse at Edinburgh Castle and laying the foundation stone of the National Museum of Scotland in 1861 by Prince Albert. Interestingly, Victoria remains the only female historical figure to be celebrated in statues in Edinburgh, which can be seen on Duke Street in Leith.
Victoria and Albert’s love for Scotland culminated in buying the stunning Balmoral Castle in Deeside in 1848, and today the royal family still spends a section of each summer at the Balmoral Estate.
What to see:
Stirling Castle
9 September 1543
Mary Queen of Scots crowned at Stirling Castle
At just nine months old, Mary Queen of Scots was crowned as Queen of Scotland. The ceremony took place on 9 September 1543 and in the Chapel Royal at Stirling Castle and marked her official ascension to the Scottish throne following the death of her father, James V of Scotland.
Throughout her life, Mary faced numerous challenges and political turmoil, from living in France in her early years to her eventual imprisonment in England, where she spent most of her life as a captive before being tragically executed during the reign of Elizabeth I, on charges of plotting to assassinate the English queen. Her reign remains a significant part of Scottish and European history.
Where to visit:
V&A Dundee
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
15 September 2018
The opening of The V&A Dundee
The V&A Dundee, a design museum located in Dundee, opened its doors to the public on 15 September, five years ago. The museum's building was, designed by Kengo Kuma., It’sis an impressive piece of modern architecture and an incredible feat of innovation and design to marvel at before you even set foot inside. Situated on the banks of the River Tay on the historic waterfront of the city, the V&A Dundee isit’s the first V&A museum in the world outside of London and the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland
Explore the world of design and how creativity can be provocative, ingenious or simply breathtaking. Visitors can experience the remarkable story of design past, present and future and the vital contribution design makes to all our lives, through permanent displays and changing exhibitions showcasing the very best of design from around the world.
What to see:
Flowers in bloom in the gardens of Sir Walter Scott's Abbotsford House.
© Abbotsford House
21 September 1832
The novelist and poet Sir Walter Scott died
Sir Walter Scott is considered one of the most celebrated Scots to have ever lived. Born in Edinburgh in 1771, at the age of two he was sent to live on his grandfather's farm near Kelso in the Scottish Borders in hopes of improving his health. He stayed at Abbotsford House until 1777, and it is thought that during his period of convalescence that he absorbed the historical and literary culture of the Borders, having heard the traditional ballads and legends about the Border heroes and reivers.
Many of Scott’s novels and poems are still regarded as classics of romantic literature; some of his notable works include The Heart of Midlothian, Waverley, Rob Roy, Ivanhoe, and The Lady of the Lake.
He died on 21 September 1832 and has been laid to rest at Dryburgh Abbey.
Place to visit:
The Kelpies, Helix Park
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
26 September 2014
The Kelpies were officially opened
The Kelpies, two horse-head sculptures designed by Scottish sculptor Andy Scott, are the largest pair of equine sculptures in the world. Standing at 100 ft tall, the magical Kelpies are a man-made wonder and a feat of engineering. Each made with 300 tonnes of structural steel, they are a monumental tribute to the horse power heritage that was vital to the early industries of central Scotland. This works of art has become iconic on the landscape after being modelled on real-life icons of times gone by — Clydesdale horses Duke and Baron. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of Falkirk.
Located in between Falkirk and Grangemouth, the Kelpies tower above the Forth & Clyde Canal in The Helix Park, an award-winning recreational park space.
