About Us

7 June 2021

Site access update

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.

Where we are able to safely maintain access to sites we will do so with reduced ticket prices to visitors while inspection work on site takes place. However, some areas of these sites will be closed to visitors. A full list of the sites currently affected is below.

  • Abroath Abbey and Abbots House
  • Bothwell Castle
  • Caerlaverock Castle
  • Craigmillar Castle
  • Crichton Castle
  • Cross Kirk, Peebles
  • Dirleton Castle
  • Doune Castle
  • Dryburgh Abbey
  • Dundonald Castle
  • Jedburgh Abbey
  • Kelso Abbey
  • Linlithgow Palace
  • MacLellan’s Castle
  • Maybole Collegiate Church
  • Melrose Abbey
  • Rothesay Castle
  • St Andrews Cathedral
  • Tantallon Castle

Any visitors with pre-booked tickets to these sites have been contacted.

We know how keen visitors and members are to access sites however the safety of our visitors and staff is our first concern and we are prioritising a programme of further inspection works at these sites.

We are also continuing to reopen a number of other sites to our members and visitors including most recently Edzell Castle and Dundrennan Abbey and will be announcing more sites over the upcoming weeks.

About Year of Coasts and Waters 2021

The Year of Coasts and Waters (#YCW2021), led by VisitScotland, will be showcased throughout 2021. Activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink - whisky.

About Historic Environment Scotland (HES) 

  • We are the lead public body charged with caring for, protecting and promoting the historic environment. We will lead on delivering Scotland’s first strategy for the historic environment, Our Place in Time.
  • Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering for media release email alerts. If you wish to unsubscribe, please contact us.

Follow Historic Environment Scotland

Twitter: @HistEnvScot | @welovehistory

Facebook: @HistoricEnvScotland | @VisitHistoricScotland

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For further information, please contact:

Iona Matheson
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
Mobile: 07221 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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