In case you weren’t aware, every year Historic Scotland has free entry to many of it’s sites that charge admission.

They usually have a free weekend in April and on St. Andrew’s Day.

This can save you a fortune as you can visit as many sites as you like during these times.

Here’s some of the sites that are included –

Aberdeen and Grampian

* Balvenie Castle
* Corgarff Castle
* Dallas Dhu Distillery
* Duff House, Banff 11am – 5pm
* Elgin Cathedral
* Huntly Castle
* Kildrummy Castle
* Kinnaird Head Castle and Lighthouse, Museum (11am-5pm)
* Spynie Palace
* Tolquhon Castle

Edinburgh and Lothians

* Cairnpapple Hill
* Craigmillar Castle
* Crichton Castle, Pathhead
* Dirleton Castle and Garden
* Edinburgh Castle (9.30am- 6pm, last admission 5.15pm)
* Linlithgow Palace
* Seton Collegiate Church
* Tantallon Castle, North Berwick
* Torphicen Preceptory (Sat 10am to 5pm, Sun 2pm to 5pm)

Fife

* Aberdour Castle and garden
* Dunfermline Palace and Abbey
* St Andrews Castle
* St Andrews Cathedral
* Inchcolm Abbey (charge for ferry crossing)

Angus and City of Dundee

* Arbroath Abbey
* Edzell Castle and Garden
* Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum

Argyll the Isles, Loch Lomond, Stirling and the Trossachs

* Blackness Castle
* Bonawe Iron Furnace
* Castle Campbell and Gardens, Dollar
* Doune Castle
* Dumbarton Castle
* Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel, near Oban
* Inchmahome Priory, Lake of Menteith
* Iona Abbey
* Stirling Castle (9.30am-6pm, last admission 5.15pm)
* Argyll’s Lodging, Stirling (9.30am-6pm, last admission 5.15pm)

Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley

* Bothwell Castle, Uddingston
* Craignethan Castle
* Glasgow Cathedral (9.30pm-6.00pm Sunday 1pm – 5pm)
* Newark Castle, Port Glasgow

Highlands

* Rothesay Castle
* Fort George, Ardersier (last admission 5.45pm)
* Urquhart Castle (last admission 5.45pm)

Orkney

* Skara Brae and Skaill House
* Broch of Gurness
* Bishop’s Earl’s Palaces, Kirkwall
* Maes Howe

Ayrshire and Arran

* Crossaguel Abbey, near Maybole
* Dundonald Castle (10am-5pm, both days)

Scottish Borders

* Dryburgh Abbey
* Hermitage Castle
* Jedburgh Abbey
* Melrose Abbey and Cloister House (10am-5pm)
* Smailholm Tower

Perthshire

* Elcho Castle
* Huntingtower Castle
* Lochlevan Castle, Kinross
* St Serf’s Church & Dupplin Cross, Dunning

Shetland

* Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

Dumfries and Galloway

* Caerlaverock Castle
* Cardoness Castle
* Dundrennan Abbey
* Glenluce Abbey
* MacLellan’s Castle, Kircudbright
* New Abbey Corn Mill
* Sweetheart Abbey
* Threave Castle
* Whithorn Priory (10.30am-5pm)

Western Isles (open Saturday only)

* Blackhouse Complex, Arnol (open Sat only)
* Calanais Standing Stones and visitor centre open Saturday only.
* Kisimul Castle – Barra open Sat & Sun

I have emailed Historic Scotland as there isn’t any info on the 2008 dates on their website as yet. I will update ASAP.

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/index.htm

raaa

There are also Doors Open Days that gives you free access to hundreds of fascinating buildings across Scotland. Every weekend in September you can explore places that are normally closed to the public. Some open up once a year, some just once in a lifetime. This is your chance to discover the heritage on your doorstep or explore a new part of the country.

Buildings of every age, shape and function take part, from ancient forts to cutting-edge arts venues. We have even had a crematorium, paddle steamer and cave in the programme!

There are also many different activities running. Events include a bicycle tour, musical concert, canal trip, art exhibition, model aeroplane fly-by and storytelling. You could be treated to demonstrations of everything from guide-dog training and star-gazing to archery and honey production.

http://www.doorsopendays.org.uk/opendays/

Please note that this link also has links to other UK and European events too.

raaa