Grand Tours of Scotland Season 3 Episode 2 The Feminine Touch

In episode 2 of season 3 of Grand Tours of Scotland, entitled "The Feminine Touch", viewers are taken on a tour of some of Scotland's historically significant landmarks and buildings that have been designed or influenced by women.

Kicking off the tour is a visit to Hill House, a stunning property in Helensburgh, designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh's wife, Margaret. The house has been beautifully preserved and restored, with its innovative design and decorative details still as relevant and inspiring today as they were when it was first built.

Next up is Dunure Castle, which dates back to the 13th century and was once the home of the Kennedy clan. Theresa, the female owner, has a passion for history and shares fascinating tales about life in the castle throughout the centuries. A highlight of the visit is exploring the castle's impressive tower, which offers spectacular views over the sea.

Moving further North, the presenter takes viewers to the Haddo House, near Aberdeen, which was designed by William Adam in the 18th century. But most fascinating is the story of the Countess of Aberdeen and her remarkable journey in securing the rights of women to attend university in Scotland. At Haddo House, where the Countess once lived, viewers get a glimpse of the grandeur and elegance of the era, as well as the Countess's contributions to the social welfare and feminist movement.

The programme then goes to Inverness to visit the Highland Archive Centre, where Judith, the archivist, shares stories of some of the fascinating women who have contributed to Scottish history, whether it was the first female lawyer in Scotland, the first female factory inspector, or the first woman to be ordained as a minster in the Church of Scotland.

The next stop is Falkland Palace, with its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. Here, viewers learn about Mary, Queen of Scots, and her love of falconry, and how she and her court used to stay at the palace. But it's not just Mary, Queen of Scots, who made the palace a significant place in Scotland's history. Victoria Stuart, who was one of the first women in Scotland to be trained as an individual, once lived here, and viewers get a glimpse of her unique job and her importance in Scottish history.

Finally, the presenter takes viewers to the Shetland Islands to visit the Hoswick Visitor Centre, where Anna, a talented lace-maker and designer, shares her passion for lace-making and the history of textile production in the islands. Anna's craft is incredible, as she shares the intricacies of knitting and lace-making that were once so central to the economy of the Shetland Islands.

Throughout "The Feminine Touch", viewers are taken on a journey not just through Scotland's stunning landscapes and architecture but also through its rich history and the contributions made by women over the centuries. Each site is unique, with its own fascinating stories, and each woman, whether a designer, a lace-maker, or a feminist pioneer, has added her own unique touch to Scotland's wealth of history and culture.