Big Living History Week is back across Scotland

Big Living History Week is kicking off once again at historic sites across Scotland. From Saturday 10 to Sunday 18 October, Historic Scotland is encouraging visitors to get stuck into the past for the school holidays by exploring iconic heritage sites and meeting Living History characters across the country.

Across the week, there's the chance to meet a knight on the shores of Loch Ness at the iconic Urquhart Castle, one of Scotland's largest castles that saw great conflict as ownership was passed back and forth between the Scots and English during the Wars of Independence. Or head to Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, to learn about sewing and craftsmanship from a 'broidster' (an embroider). Caerlaverock Castle, Doune Castle and Fort George will also be hosting historic characters, who will be on hand to tell tales from their fascinating historic pasts and give an insight into what life was like for the people who have lived at these sites over the centuries.

Shona Burns, Assistant Visitor Events Manager at HES, said:

"We're thrilled to be bringing Big Living History Week back to our sites this October. It's always a highlight for us and such a joy to see history coming to life again this half term. We hope that visitors have fun discovering more about these historic Scottish places, meeting people from the past, getting stuck into stories and, of course, posing for a few photos with the characters they meet!"

Big Living History Week takes place from Saturday 10 October to Sunday 18 October 2026 at Caerlaverock Castle, Doune Castle, Fort George, Linlithgow Palace and Urquhart Castle.

Tickets are included in admission and under 7s go free. Visitors aged 7 to 25 can use a Saltire Card (National Entitlement Card) or YoungScot Card to visit any Historic Scotland site for just £1 all year round. Select the Scottish Young Person discount when purchasing tickets.

Daytime entry to sites is free for Historic Scotland members.

The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass also allows visitors to explore 5,000 years of history over 14 days. Entry to all five sites participating in Big Living History Week, as well as other sites across Scotland, is free for Explorer Pass holders. Advance booking is required.

We're the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. We are at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future. Across Scotland, we investigate and record architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes and care for more than 300 properties of national importance. HES is also working with sector partners to deliver Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.

Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.

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Historic Environment Scotland Communications Office
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