Historic Scotland is offering free entrance to many of its sites in the run up to St Andrew's Day. For the past four years, the government heritage agency has opened its doors for free at a wide range of its properties as part of a special Scotland-wide St Andrew’s Day promotion.
This year, the free entry offer has been extended to four days: Saturday 27th through to St Andrew’s Day itself on Tuesday 30th November. In Edinburgh and the Lothians, a blue-covered Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle and Dirleton Castle are three of the 48 attractions throughout Scotland that you can see for free.
Fiona Hyslop MSP, Minister for Culture and External Affairs said: “Enjoying a visit to one of Scotland’s finest historic properties is a wonderful way to mark our country’s national day and celebrate our rich heritage and culture as part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals.
“The offer of free admission, on the run-up to St Andrew’s Day and the 30th itself, will encourage and enable as many people as possible to do just that. It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a memorable day out whilst appreciating and taking pride in our nation’s rich built heritage.”
Beyond Edinburgh, the St Andrew’s free entry offer covers a selection of leading historic attractions across the length and breadth of Scotland.
This includes sites in Orkney and the Western Isles – Skara Brae and the Arnol Blackhouse; in the North and Grampian – including Corgarff Castle, Elgin Cathedral, Fort George and Urquhart Castle; in Perthshire, Kinross and Angus - including Arbroath Abbey, Edzell Castle, and Huntingtower Castle; in the Central and West region – including Castle Campbell, Doune Castle, Iona Abbey, and Stirling Castle; in the Glasgow and Clyde region – including Bothwell Castle, Dumbarton Castle, and Glasgow Cathedral; in Fife - including Dunfermline Palace and St Andrews Cathedral, in the Borders - including Melrose Abbey and Smailholm Tower, and in Dumfries and Galloway - including Caerlaverock Castle, New Abbey Corn Mill, and Sweetheart Abbey.
To find out your nearest participating attraction and details of opening times, you can text GO FREE to 84118. A listing of properties included in the St Andrew’s free entry offer is also provided below.
Historic Scotland sites open free are:
- Arbroath Abbey
- Arnol Blackhouse (not open on 28th November, Sunday)
- Blackness Castle
- Bothwell Castle
- Caerlaverock Castle
- Cardoness Castle
- Castle Campbell
- Corgarff Castle
- Craigmillar Castle
- Craignethan Castle
- Dallas Dhu Distillery
- Dirleton Castle
- Doune Castle
- Dryburgh Abbey
- Duff House
- Dumbarton Castle
- Dunblane Cathedral
- Dunfermline Palace
- Dundrennan Abbey
- Dunstaffnage Castle
- Edinburgh Castle
- Edzell Castle
- Elgin Cathedral
- Fort George
- Glasgow Cathedral (normally a donation only based site without admission charges)
- Huntingtower Castle
- Huntly Castle
- Iona Abbey
- Jedburgh Abbey
- Linlithgow Palace
- Maeshowe Visitor Centre
- Melrose Abbey
- New Abbey Corn Mill
- Rothesay Castle
- Skara Brae
- Smailholm Tower
- Spynie Palace
- St Andrews Castle
- St Andrews Cathedral
- St Vigeans
- Stanley Mills
- Stirling Castle
- Sweetheart Abbey
- Tantallon Castle
- Tolquhon Castle
- Trinity House
- Urquhart Castle
Opening times for Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle are from 9.30am to 5pm.
For all other properties listed above, opening times are from 9.30am to 4.30pm.