How we manage Properties in Care

The Properties in Care (PiCs) and their associated collections represent around 5,000 years of Scotland’s past and are a precious national asset. One of the tasks given to Historic Environment Scotland by the Scottish Government is to protect these important places and objects for current and future generations.

The majority of the PiCs are free to everyone and accessible throughout the year. Around 75 PiCs operate with opening hours and admissions charges. We manage different types of events at PiCs, as well as monitoring for activities that are not permitted. We believe that Scotland’s history belongs to everyone, so we're working hard to ensure PiCs are accessible and understandable to all visitors and education groups, no matter their background, lifestyle or needs.

Using extensive research, we aim to bring a site's stories to life. We use exciting technology  to create digital models, audio guides and apps, but we've not forgotten the more-traditional methods like guided tours, guidebooks and information panels. Our programme of living history fills sites with storytelling, re-enactments, music and dance.

We have built a range of commercial products around the PiCs, from Historic Scotland membership and Explorer Passes to our shops, cafés and online product ranges. The income generated from these products is crucial to supporting our conservation work.

Explore Properties in Care

The functions delegated to HES by Scottish Ministers are outlined in documents called the Schemes of Delegation. This includes how we care for the historic environment and the management of access to Properties in Care. When we refer to 'access', in the context of PiCs, we mean: the ability of anyone to engage with Properties in Care and their Associated Collections.

Legislation 

The way we manage access to PiCs is largely governed by legislation. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 gives us legal powers to:

• set opening hours and admission charges

• exclude access to any PIC for safety reasons or to help maintain or preserve it

• refuse access to any PiC to anyone we think is likely to do something which would cause damage or disturb public enjoyment of the site

In some cases, site-specific legislation applies. For instance, we have legal powers for managing Holyrood Park and Linlithgow Peel and Loch. Additionally, access rights set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code do not apply to the PiCs, and many are legally protected as scheduled monuments.

Access Exceptions

Our standard admissions policy may vary at properties where operations are managed by third party organisations, such as museums who may set their own opening times or working churches that might close for services.

Edinburgh Castle and Fort George are active military bases and and Stirling Castle is an official flag flying station. As such, the British Army has a role in the management of these sites.

We facilitate different types of event at PiCs, including wedding ceremonies and receptions, corporate or private events and community events.

We welcome applications from organisers looking to hold a third-party public event at Holyrood Park. We'll help event organisers understand how we can work together to protect the park and look after park visitors and event attendees.

Although we do facilitate royal, military or ministerial activities at particular sites, as a public body, we are unable to accommodate requests for activities of a political nature.

Hire our spaces

Whether it's a castle dominating an urban skyline or a remote ruin surrounded by mountains, the PiCs look amazing in photo and video, both from the ground and from above. They've featured in many films and TV shows and are always popular with photographers seeking out a stunning image of Scotland.

You'll need our consent in advance for both non-commercial and commercial filming and photography, including the use of UAV/drones.

Find out more about film and photography

Holyrood Park has long been used for outdoor pursuits, including rock climbing on Salisbury Crags and boating and skating on the purpose-made Victorian lochs. Linlithgow Loch is a popular spot for fishing and boating.

Permission may be needed for recreational activities like climbing, fishing and water-sports taking place at Holyrood Park and Linlithgow Peel and Loch. More information is available from our ranger service, who are responsible for the management of these sites.

Our guidance on visiting scheduled monuments covers the rules around activities like metal detecting, magnet fishing and wild camping.

Find out more about our rangers

We're creating a new long-term strategy to guide how we look after these special places and collections.

The strategy sets out how we’ll manage Scotland’s Properties and Collections in the face of growing challenges, including climate change, rising costs and a shortage of traditional skills. It will also explore opportunities to do more with these assets, from supporting communities and local economies to enhancing learning and wellbeing.

As part of this work we ran a public consultation between October 2025 and January 2026. The feedback is currently being analysed by independent research organisation JRS, who are running the consultation on behalf of HES.