Scotland’s colourful past bursts to life this summer as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) returns with its popular Living History programme for 2025.
From Saturday 28 June to Sunday 17 August, costumed performers will animate 16 castles and heritage sites with storytelling, music and more - fun for all ages. A fresh lineup of characters will deliver lively, family-friendly experiences that make history unforgettable.
The programme features dynamic costumed performers who bring Scotland’s past vividly to life. Expect everything from knights and musicians to skilled craftspeople and colourful courtiers - with engaging encounters that spark imagination, deepen understanding and create lasting memories.
Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, said:
Living History is a much-loved part of our summer programme - kids absolutely love meeting the characters, and adults do too. It’s a brilliant way to bring local history to life. We look forward to welcoming visitors this summer to experience it for themselves.”
Highlights include:
Aberdour Castle (Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Step into the colourful world of the Renaissance at Aberdour Castle every Wednesday and Thursday this summer. Meet the talented ‘broidster’ on Wednesdays to learn about intricate embroidery and life at court, including the often-overlooked stories of early Black Britons in the Stewart and Tudor periods. On Thursdays, enjoy the sounds of the past with a medieval musician, who’ll introduce you to period instruments and perform historic tunes.
Caerlaverock Castle (Mondays to Wednesdays)
Characters from the past return to Caerlaverock Castle each week. On Wednesdays, meet the fletcher to learn about the craft of arrow-making and the fascinating - if slightly squeamish - methods of medieval surgical tools. Mondays and Tuesdays feature other engaging characters who share what life was like in Scotland through the ages.
Dumbarton Castle (Fridays and Saturdays)
Explore Dumbarton Castle’s rich heritage with costumed characters appearing every Friday and Saturday. On Fridays, meet a figure from the castle’s storied past. On Saturdays, the fletcher returns to demonstrate the skills of a medieval archer, explaining how arrows were designed and the vital role archery played in defence and survival.
Elgin Cathedral (Tuesdays and Fridays)
Meet Cardinal David Beaton, the powerful statesman and the last Scottish Cardinal before the Reformation. Learn why he chose to visit the “Lantern of the North”, the powerful allies he met with, and the outcome which included murder, execution and the demise of the once awe-inspiring cathedral.
Fort George (Wednesdays to Sundays)
Explore Fort George’s military history by finding out what life was like in the Black Watch on Wednesdays and learn about the life of a soldier from Sgt Hugh Fraser, the Power Sgt, on Thursdays. On Fridays, visitors can meet one of the barrack’s Military Police, and on Saturdays and Sundays, discover what it was like to serve in the Seaforth Highlanders who were based at Fort George for over 80 years.
Linlithgow Palace (Mondays and Tuesdays)
Historic music and craftsmanship bring Linlithgow Palace to life each Monday and Tuesday. Hear the stirring sounds of Renaissance music on Mondays, performed on instruments like the lute, cittern and Renaissance guitar by the ‘Lauter’. Then on Tuesdays, meet the ‘broidster’ and discover the art of courtly embroidery, along with stories of life in the royal court - including the presence of early Black Britons during the Stewart and Tudor eras.
Urquhart Castle (Everyday)
Meet a medieval knight at Urquhart Castle every weekday this summer. While he may not be clad in full shining armour, he’ll share what life was really like for a knight at this iconic stronghold - from daily routines to military duties. On weekends, return to hear different voices from the castle’s past, offering fresh perspectives on Urquhart’s dramatic history.
Travel back in time this summer and meet a cast of colourful characters as part of our Living History programme. Included in the standard ticket price, the characters can be found at 16 sites across Scotland - view the full programme.
Entry is free for Historic Scotland Members and Explorer Pass holders. The Explorer Pass allows visitors to explore 5,000 years of history over just 14 days.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering 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, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.
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For further information, please contact:
Stacey Shaw
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07881 512 379
communications@hes.scot