Over 2,000 years of history will be celebrated this summer as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) announces its 2025 summer events programme today (Wednesday 12 March).
Kicking off the celebrations is the Unicorn event at Stirling Castle (Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 April) where visitors can learn about Scotland’s national animal and take part in themed activities including a jester led hunt, puppet show and heraldry.
Various Historic Scotland sites throughout the country will again be hosting Easter Eggsplorer Trails over the Easter weekend (Friday 18 to Monday 21 April) where children and their families can follow bird-themed clues to pick up a chocolate reward.
The annual Spectacular Jousting events will return to Linlithgow Palace (Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 June) and Caerlaverock Castle (Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 July) where visitors can experience exhilarating horsemanship and impressive skills as brave knights battle it out, visit the living history camp and watch birds of prey in flight.
Also returning this year is Celebration of the Centuries at Fort George (Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August) which is Historic Scotland’s largest re-enactment event celebrating over 2,000 years of Scottish history with living history camps showcasing what life was like for Picts and Romans, as well as a Robert the Bruce jousting show which is new for 2025.
This year there are also two brand new events. For the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 May), visitors to Stirling Castle are invited to step back in time and meet a variety of costumed performers from the 1940s, enjoy music from a swing band and find out how to make party food from rations. At Blackness Castle (Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 August), visitors can find out more about the stronghold’s starring role in film and TV shows from Mary Queen of Scots (2018) to Outlaw King (2018) and Outlander, try on costumes and take part in stunt works as part of the new On Location event.
From Saturday 5 to Sunday 20 April, as part of Historic Scotland’s Living History programme, various sites including Aberdour Castle, Dunstaffnage Castle and Melrose Abbey will feature costumed historical performers who will be on hand to tell visitors about the history of the site and the characters they portray.
Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at HES, said:
I am delighted to announce our action-packed summer events programme which offers something for all the family.
“The historical performances and interactive experiences offer a perfect opportunity for visitors to engage with 2,000 years of history under the backdrop of iconic sites from Caerlaverock Castle to Blackness Castle.”
Full list of events. Daytime events are free for Historic Scotland members.
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, 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 to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.
For further information, please contact:
Stacey Shaw
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot