Download our apps

1 Historic Scotland Visitor App

If you are looking to plan out your adventures to some of Scotland’s iconic historic attractions, the free Historic Scotland app is packed with everything you need to get inspired for your next holiday or day trip.

Intuitive and easy to use, the app allows you to search 300+ sites in the care of Historic Scotland by region or interest, such as ‘families’, ‘gardens’, ‘picnics’ and ‘military history’. You can also view all sites on an interactive map of Scotland.

Try out our new ‘Medal Hunter’ feature and earn a variety of badges, from Coast Cruiser to Castle Conqueror, and share your medal collection on social media. Plan your days out with our new map filter and see which Historic Scotland sites are open and which sites you have visited at a glance.

Not sure where you want to go? Don’t worry - the app offers you a variety of ideas, including events in your area and itinerary ideas for every region of Scotland, with new content added regularly to provide a source of inspiration.

Features:

• create your own Historic Itinerary and share on your social channels
• search ‘what’s near me?’ within a 50km radius of your current location
• ‘Inspire Me’ – find ideas on where to visit with the latest features and itineraries
• Earn badges for with our new ‘Medal Hunter' feature
• search by region or ‘best for’ category
• image galleries
• interactive map view with a filter for open and visited sites
• pricing, opening times and facilities information
• location and travel information
• events search
• Digital membership card

Are you having problems with the app? Do you think there is room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions. Email us at marketing@hes.scot

Read our app accessibility statement.

2 Caerlaverock Castle Quest

Meet the characters of Caerlaverock Castle and discover what their lives were like here in 1312, as you bring them to life with our Castle Quest augmented reality game.

Explore the castle and grounds as you undertake your quest, hearing tales as you go from the staff as they prepare for the return of Sir Eustace Maxwell to Caerlaverock after the siege of 1300.

• Hear stories from 11 members of the castle household; from our resident cook to a monk from neighbouring Sweetheart Abbey
• Collect a piece of flag from each character you meet
• Piece together your flag to complete your challenge

We will be expanding the quest to include the woodland walk and old castle when essential conservation works are complete. Stay tuned!

Learn about the fascinating history of Caerlaverock Castle and pre-download the app before your visit:

Feedback

Are you having problems with the app? Do you think there is room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions. Email us at marketing@hes.scot

Read our accessibility statement for this app.

3 Explore Maeshowe

Built over 5,000 years ago, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn is one the finest Neolithic buildings to survive in north-west Europe.

With our updated app ‘Explore Maeshowe’ you can discover the history of this awe-inspiring feat of engineering from the prehistoric people of Orkney – all from the comfort of your home!

With complete 360° views of the interior and exterior of the tomb you can truly appreciate the experience of visiting such a striking monument.

Learn about the fascinating history of Maeshowe Chambered Cairn and download the app before your visit:

Read our accessibility statement for Explore Maeshowe.

4 Holyrood Park Audio Tour

Holyrood Park, a unique place at the heart of Scotland’s capital city, has been used by people for thousands of years.

Find out about the park’s rich stories, prehistoric tales and abundant wildlife in our audio guide, available for free through the Geotourist app.

Download the app in advance, bring headphones and some sturdy walking shoes.

Please stick to the paths on your visit.

5 Rosslyn Chapel

Download this app to explore the enigmatic Rosslyn Chapel. Located just outside of Edinburgh, the chapel has caught imaginations for decades, all the more so since the chapel’s star appearance in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ book and film.

Learn about the history and construction of Rosslyn Chapel, step inside the unique and richly detailed interior, and get up close to examine the exterior through state-of-the art virtual recreations and interactive digital models.

Features:

• Virtual tour: Wander round the virtually recreated chapel and find key points of interest, including stunning stone carvings and the beautiful surrounding landscape.
• 360˚ Photo Panoramas: Explore the grounds and interior of the chapel from different locations through a series of photo panoramas.
• Digitising Rosslyn Chapel: Find out how digital visualisations and 3D models were created by Historic Environment Scotland and The Glasgow School of Art.
• About the chapel: Discover more on some of the more intriguing details of the building and the stone carvings, as well as legends associated with Rosslyn.

Visiting Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel is just seven miles south of Edinburgh’s city centre and close to the Scottish Borders. It is easily accessible, whether travelling by car, bus, train, bicycle or on foot. For more information on opening times, booking tickets and information on events visit: www.rosslynchapel.com

Please note that Rosslyn Chapel is not a property in the care of Historic Environment Scotland and Historic Scotland membership does not give members free or discounted access to the Rosslyn Chapel.

Got a question?

Are you having problems with the app? Do you think there is room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions. Email us at digital@hes.scot

Read our accessibility statement for the Rosslyn Chapel app.

6 Climate Change Explorer

Discover how unique historic places in Edinburgh's World Heritage Site are being impacted by the climate crisis.

Through 3D models of Scotland’s capital city, the app will highlight five key landmarks and the affects our changing climate are having on them.

Changes in our climate, such as the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, bring significant risks to the historic environment, to Scotland's people and even our traditions.

Features:

• Explore five key areas and landmarks around the city via our 3D models.
• Delve into points of interest in each area to find out how climate change is having an impact and how we are using science and technology to find out more.
• Learn more about climate impacts, our Climate Action Plan and other key climate change resources.

The models were created for the Scottish Ten project, which sought to accurately record Scotland’s World Heritage sites in 3D using cutting edge technologies. The project aimed to help support their conservation, management, interpretation and virtual accessibility. Today, these models are progressing our understanding of climate change impacts on our history and heritage, an essential part of our Climate Action Plan. 

Got a question?

Do you think there is room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions. Email us at digitaldocumentation@hes.scot

Read our accessibility statement for the Climate Change Explorer app.

7 Go Roman

Learn what life was like at Bar Hill fort, one of several Roman forts and fortlets built along the Antonine Wall in Scotland nearly 2,000 years ago. 

Features

• Play this interactive game as either Julius, an elite Roman archer or Verecunda, a new slave girl to find out what life was like at the fort and help them complete their tasks on time. As you play, collect hidden coins to discover the stories of those who lived in or near the fort.  
• Through state-of-the art interactive 3D models, explore this digital reconstruction of Bar Hill Fort at your own pace. 
• Examine 3D models of archaeological artefacts excavated at Bar Hill fort or along the Antonine Wall and learn what these items are, where they were likely made, and how they would have been used. 

Learn about the fascinating history of the Antonine Wall and download the app before your visit:

Got a question?

Do you think there is room for improvement? Let us know your thoughts and suggestions. Email us at digitaldocumentation@hes.scot

Read our accessibility statement for the Go Roman app.