From Balmoral tours to royal yacht excursions – 11 things to do over Jubilee weekend in Scotland

0

THE Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is just around the corner and there are plenty of ways to celebrate.

It’s been 70 years since Queen Elizabeth II became monarch after the sudden death of her father, King George.

5

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth attends the Chelsea Flower Show in LondonCredit: Reuters

From June 2-4, the country will celebrate the longest-serving monarch in UK history.

With Jubilee weekend set to be the hottest weekend of the year, there are plenty of tourist attractions to join in the fun.

From Edinburgh to Aberdeen and the Scottish Borders, there’s something for the whole family.

Rangers celebrate Queen's Platinum Jubilee with holiday fan announcement
Meghan Markle's father, Thomas, left unable to speak after suffering a severe stroke

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Edinburgh

From May 30 to June 3, former sailors will return to the Royal yacht, which has sailed more than a million miles around the globe, for ‘Yotties Week’.

Around 65 former Royal Yatchsmans will once again don their white overalls where they will work alongside the current maintenance crew to paint, scrub, sand and polish and share stories of what it was like on board the Royal Yacht.

The yacht will also offer a special behind-the-scenes tour of the life and work of the Royal Family and their 220 crew on board.

Visitors will hear stories about life on board and discover what made Britannia so special.

More information and ticketing information can be found here.

The Royal Yacht Britannia will once again welcome its Yachtsmen on board in a special Jubilee celebration.

5

The Royal Yacht Britannia will once again welcome its Yachtsmen on board in a special Jubilee celebration.Credit: The Sun

Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire

For the summer, the Scottish residence of the royal family opens its doors for a special exhibition “Life at Balmoral”.

Visitors will be able to see what life is like inside the castle, including Her Majesty’s wardrobe.

The exhibition celebrates all aspects of life at Balmoral “from the river to the royal family”.

This exhibition is open all summer until August 2.

Over the Jubilee weekend, Balmoral Estate will host a special Jubilee Celebration Afternoon Tea at Piper’s Hall Restaurant with live broadcast of celebration footage from around the country.

A pipe band will be there to perform as well as a birds of prey attraction and a vintage bus display.

Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £45 for adults and £22.50 for children.

Tickets also include entry to the castle.

Information on all Jubilee celebrations at Balmoral can be found here.

Balmoral Castle will open for visitors to see life inside the royal summer residence

5

Balmoral Castle will open for visitors to see life inside the royal summer residenceCredit: Getty

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh

Holyrood Palace takes you back in time as you explore how kings and queens have dressed over the centuries.

Visitors can explore their crafty side by making their own crown and transforming into a king or queen by dressing up in replica costumes and seeing what you would look like in the robes of King Charles II or the coronation robe of Queen Victoria.

The attraction runs June 2-4 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

More information, including tickets and admission, can be found here.

Holyrood Palace will host a special tour through the ages of kings and queens with fancy dress and crown making

5

Holyrood Palace will host a special tour through the ages of kings and queens with fancy dress and crown makingCredit: Getty

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration Cruise, Loch Ness by Jacobite

For one night and one night only, join the Jacobite Booze cruise on a sail across Loch Ness.

On Saturday, June 4, guests will be treated to drinks, dancing and DJs for “a night to remember”

From 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., guests can enjoy the “guaranteed good time” with DJs Simon and Scott who are sure to get you in the party mood.

Tickets cost £38.32 and purchasing information can be found here.

Platinum Jubilee Weekend at Musselburgh Racecourse

From June 4th to 5th, Musselburgh Racecourse offers a weekend of fun celebrations for the whole family.

It starts on Saturday with the £50,000 Inch’s Cider Sprint Cup Raceday.

Followed the following day by the Skybet Sunday Series Raceday, with the Queen of Scots Fillies Stakes and the Jubilee Family Fair.

Amid the shopping you can enjoy live music, fresh street food and a range of local beers and ciders.

Musselburgh Racecourse has a proud royal heritage having been opened by Princess Anne.

A distant relative of one of the Queen’s corgis called Paddy from Port Seaton will also be there to compete in a special race – ‘The Corgi Derby’, on Sunday.

People are encouraged to purchase in advance with ticketing information found here.

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Picnic, Aden Country Park, Peterhead, Aberdeen

Aden Country Park is having a picnic at the Mansion House.

There will be entertainment for children as well as food stands in the courtyard.

Grab your finest picnic blankets and plastic plates and join in the fun.

The event is free but more information can be found on their Facebook page.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh

See the queen and her corgis in a whole new light with the unveiling of a giant Jubilee Kaleidosphere and one-of-a-kind Jubilee Queen in Corgi Rubin’s Vase.

The kaleidoscope will project multiple profiles of Her Majesty 70 times in recognition of her 70 years on the throne.

The Rubin’s Vase silhouette contains two hidden profiles, the first of Queen Elizabeth herself and the second will transform into one of her precious corgis.

This is a rare example of two hidden faces, as most Rubin vases have only one hidden face.

Camera Obscura extends its opening hours during the celebrations from May 28 to June 5 and will be open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

More information is available on their website.

Scottish thistle prices

The Scottish Sun has teamed up with VisitScotland to highlight the best pubs, restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions the country has to offer.

The Scottish Thistle Awards are Scotland’s premier tourism and events awards, recognizing the best individuals, companies, partnerships and events in the industry.

This year’s awards will recognize those who have worked tirelessly in the face of the pandemic to create the world-class destination and visitor experiences that Scotland is famous for.

Companies have until June 10 to participate in the regional award categories and until September 2 to participate in the national categories.

Full details on how to enter can be found at scottishthistleawards.co.uk

Jubilee Afternoon Tea at Greenbank Garden Centre, Clarkston, Glasgow

Relax and enjoy the elegant surroundings of their walled garden and enjoy an afternoon tea for the whole family.

To entertain your little ones there are craft tents and children are encouraged to come dressed as characters from British or Commonwealth history, from a prince or princess to Paddington and Robin Hood.

You can get into the competitive spirit with vintage lawn games or sit back and enjoy live music and a big-screen showing of the BBC Platinum Party in the Palace Concert.

The Afternoon Sleek Team is Saturday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets cost £12.95 for children and £16.95 for adults and purchasing information can be found here.

Great Scottish Tapestry, Jubilee Dinner, Galashiels, Scottish Borders

On the evening of Friday, June 3, guests can feast on a “sumptuous” three-course meal inspired by the Scottish pantry at Stitcher’s Café.

After dinner, guests will be treated to an exclusive evening tour of the Great Tapestry of Scotland.

Prices start from £70 for 2 people and can be purchased on their website.

The Great Scottish Tapestry will be seen exclusively by diners at Stitcher's Café, Galashiels

5

The Great Scottish Tapestry will be seen exclusively by diners at Stitcher’s Café, GalashielsCredit: The Times

Balintore Castle Platinum Jubilee Day, near Kirriemuir, Angus

Free tours of the castle will be available on Saturday June 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Visitors will be able to see restoration work completed and in progress at a castle where the Queen Mother used to stay as part of her shooting parties, which departed from nearby Glamis Castle.

Tickets are free, but you must register online to be allowed entry.

Nairn Jubilee Picnic at Loch Ness Park, Center and Exhibition

In the Viewfield, behind the Nairn Museum, visitors can bring their own picnic or enjoy food from Seasonal Flavour.

There will be community stalls, face painting, local entertainment and refreshments from St Ninian’s Bowling Club.

The event is free and runs from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 5.

Fife Weapons, Aberdeenshire

Scottish poet, Gillian Shearer creates a commemorative poem for Jubilee celebrations with the Braemar community.

Everyone is invited to send in a sentence of no more than 10 words on a number of Queen-related topics which will then be turned into a poem and shared over the Jubilee weekend.

From Monday 30 May to Monday 6 June, the Fife Arms will be offering a special Jubilee Afternoon Tea, inspired by some of the Monarch’s favorite flavours.

More information on all events is online here.

Jubilee Celebration Afternoon Team, Crossbasket Castle, East Kilbride

On Sunday, June 5, Crossbasket Castle hosts a special team-themed afternoon in its Grand Roosevelt Ballroom.

Guests will be treated to a glass of Pimm’s on arrival followed by a traditional British afternoon tea featuring a selection of the chef’s artisan sandwiches, freshly baked fruit and plain scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, a selection of homemade cakes and delicacies.

Also served with your choice of tea or coffee.

Tickets cost £45 and can be purchased at the link here.

We pay for your stories and videos! Do you have a story or video for The Scottish Sun? Email us at [email protected] or call 0141 420 5300

Share.

Comments are closed.