Historic Environment Scotland

Coasts and Waters

Dive into 2021…and celebrate Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters
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Gin on the Rocks

Introducing Edinburgh Castle’s first ever gin, made in collaboration with the award-winning Edinburgh Gin distillery
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History Restarts

We are delighted to be reopening many of our sites once again and we look forward to welcoming you back. Become a member now and don’t miss out on the excitement.
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Learn, Create & Play

Enjoy activities inspired by Scotland’s heritage! #LearningWithHES
Learning with HES
Online Exhibitions

Transform your living room into your own personal gallery with our curated online exhibitions and let Scotland's history come to you.
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Become a Member

Help us cherish and protect Scotland’s national assets, archives and collections now and for generations to come
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Annual Operating Plan

Our 2021-22 plan outlines the key areas of focus, continuing to deliver our core activities and support for the wider heritage sector, while responding to the ongoing challenges of the COVID pandemic

Heritage search

Search Scotland’s designated heritage, along with our designation and scheduling consent decisions.

Collections

We care for over 35,000 objects, including many of Scotland's most culturally significant objects.

Membership

Thank you for your support – your membership contributes to keeping 5000 years of history alive for future generations.

Celebrating Columba

2021 has marked the 1500th anniversary of the birth of St Columba, or Colmcille as he’s known in Gaelic

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Site access update

07 June 2021

Planned inspections recently carried out at some of our properties identified a potential safety risk to visitors and staff from unstable masonry at high level. We have therefore taken the decision to close or partially close some sites as a precautionary measure until inspections can take place.