Hamilton Mausoleum | Scotland Photo Spot

The Hamilton family tomb was built between 1842 and 1858 and is the former resting place of one duchess and five of the dukes of Hamilton, who were moved elsewhere in the 1920s over subsidence fears (which also led to the demolition of nearby Hamilton Palace). Guarded by two stone lions – one awake, one asleep to ensure one is always watching – the 123-foot building boasts one of the longest echoes in the world (15 seconds) and fascinating masonic and biblical symbolism in the floors, doors and architecture. Another curiosity of the interior architecture is the “Whispering Wa’s” or walls. Two people can stand at either end of one of the curved interior walls, facing away from each other into the niche of the wall, and hold a whispered conversation. The remarkable acoustics of the walls project the sound to the listener at the other side. Tours of the Mausoleum are available on the first and third Sunday of each month from February to early November. (Hamilton, Scotland)