1Glasgow Cathedral
Dedicated to the city's patron saint, St Mungo or Kentigern, Glasgow Cathedral was the only cathedral in mainland Scotland to survive the Reformation intact.
The bell, bird, fish and tree on Glasgow's coat of arms are stories from St Mungo's life, said to be the city's founder.
The present cathedral was built in the thirteenth century and the fan-vaulted chapel in the crypt, built to house St Mungo's relics, is one of the glories of Scottish medieval architecture. St Mungo's tomb is still there though his relics were removed in the Middle Ages.
Glasgow Cathedral, Cathedral Square, High Street; admission free. Tel: 0141 552 6891.
2Paisley Abbey
Melrose Abbey got part of Robert I ''the Bruce'' in the form of his embalmed heart, but Paisley Abbey got his daughter Marjorie Bruce and his great-grandson Robert III. Or so legend would have it.
An embalmed heart in a lead casket did turn up during excavations at Melrose in the 1920s.
After the Reformation and the collapse of the tower, the choir in which they lie was roofless for more than four centuries.
Today the tomb chest of Marjorie Bruce is inside the Abbey, while the remains of Robert III are marked by a marble tombstone gifted in 1888 by his fifteenth lineal descendant - Queen Victoria.
Paisley Abbey, Abbey Close; entry free. Tel: 0141 889 7654.
3Arbroath Abbey Founded by William I ''the Lion'' in 1178, the abbey once owned not only the town and outlying region, but lands, fisheries, ferries and salt pans across Scotland, as well as trading rights.
It had custody of the important Monymusk Reliquary and William was buried here at the high altar.
Arbroath was still powerful when the Scottish nobles met to sign the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath swearing independence from England.
In 1951, the Stone of Scone was set before the high altar.
The abbey didn't survive the Reformation intact but the recessed doorway and gallery of the west front remain, along with the south nave and transept with its lancet windows and ''The Round O'' once used as a beacon for ships.
A new visitors' centre underlines the abbey's place in Scottish history.
Arbroath Abbey, Arbroath town centre on the A92. Closed Thursday afternoon, Friday and Sunday morning in winter; adult (pounds) 2.50, child (pounds) 1. Tel: 01241 878 756.
4St Duthus Chapel
St Duthus Chapel and Church Medieval Tain was home to the shrine of St Duthus or Duthac and a pilgrimage site.
The relics of the saint were returned to his birthplace after he died in Ireland in 1065.
The ruined chapel by the sea was a focus of pilgrimage and a place of sanctuary, but that didn't stop Robert I's wife and daughter being taken prisoner here. Another St Duthus Church was built around 1400.
Tain through Time visitors' centre, Tower Street. Open Saturday noon-4pm. Opening daily from March 18, closed Sunday afternoon. Adult admission of (pounds) 3.50, includes tour of church and museum. Tel: 01862 894 089.
5The Monymusk Relinquary
When Iona was abandoned after Viking raids, its treasures were disbursed for safekeeping. The manuscript, later known as the Book of Kells, went to Ireland, while the relics of St Columba went to Dunkeld.
In the Museum of Scotland you can see an intricately decorated eighth-century Celtic box, the Monymusk Reliquary believed to contain a relic of St Columba.
It was enshrined at Arbroath Abbey and was carried before Bruce's army at Bannockburn.
Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh. Closed Sunday morning. Season ticket (pounds) 5 adult, (pounds) 3 child. Tel: 0131 247 4422.
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