Our pass includes entry to Historic Scotland (HS) properties that are open including Edinburgh, Stirling, and Urquhart Castles. See a full list of sites that are open
Explorer Pass holders can visit HS properties within regular opening hours. We recommend pre-booking your visit in advance to guarantee entry. For a list of properties and opening times, please visit www.historyawaits.scot.
Numbers of Explorer Passes are limited. We recommend purchasing online in advance to avoid disappointment, but passes may be available to purchase at the first property you visit.
Please check our individual site listings to see whether your furry friend can join you on your visit.
Where sites normally have toilets, they will be open. Please see individual site listings. Enhanced cleaning measures will be in place across all facilities.
Unfortunately to ensure that we manage our capacities at sites, you can only visit each site once.
Unfortunately, entry to Holyrood Palace is not included.
We accept Visa, Visa Debit, Mastercard and American Express.
We do not have the facilities to process payments over the phone.
Yes, we recommend pre-booking your visits in advance to guarantee entry. For a list of sites and opening times, please visit www.historyawaits.scot
Passes may be available on site on the day of your visit. As numbers of Explorer Passes are limited we recommend purchasing online in advance to avoid disappointment.
Explorer Pass visits can be booked online at www.historyawaits.scot. Ensure you choose the option ‘Standard Admissions, Member and Explorer Pass Tickets’.
In line with best practice in the visitor attractions industry, visitors with disabilities are treated on an equal basis with all other visitors and entry is charged at the appropriate admission category rate - Adult/Concession/Child. Proof of disability is not required.
We recognise that some visitors with disabilities may need help to visit our properties and we offer free entry for carers accompanying visitors with disabilities. To book a free carer ticket visit www.historyawaits.scot, and ensure you choose the option ‘Standard Admissions, Member and Explorer Pass Tickets', or email ticketing@hes.scot and quote your order number.
Your Explorer Pass will be attached in your email confirmation in a PDF document. Please print your tickets and bring them with you for entry or show on a mobile device. You can also opt to collect your tickets on arrival and print them at the designated ticket collection points on arrival.
No, we are unable to post Explorer Passes. Passes will be emailed to you.
No, your email confirmation email should arrive shortly after booking. If you have not received this, please check your junk folder in the first instance. If you have not received this please contact ticketing@hes.scot with details of your booking (name on booking, email address used and property visiting) and they will investigate and get back to you as soon as possible.
If the web page is not displaying correctly, we advise you to clear the cache/cookies on your browser then close the browser and reopen it. The ticketing page should now load correctly. If this doesn’t work the date/time slot you wish may be sold out – please check for an alternative date/time.
If you cannot find the email confirmation please email ticketing@hes.scot with your booking details (name on booking, email address used and property visiting).
All visitors aged 65+, full-time students and UK visitors who are unemployed are eligible for Concession tickets. You will be asked to show proof of eligibility on arrival.
Yes, full-time students are eligible for the Explorer Pass concession category.
Not all sites have the facilities so if you have selected Print at Home as your delivery method, please print your tickets and bring them with you for entry. You can also opt to collect your tickets on arrival and print them at the designated ticket collection points.
Some of our sites do have parking however each site is different so you may need to book a car space when booking your ticket. Please check the information on the web page for the site you wish to visit.
We do have blue badge spaces at some of our sites. Please check the information on the web page for the site you wish to visit.
Please check the information on the web page for the site you wish to visit.
Please contact our Admissions & Sales Team, ticketing@hes.scot or call 0131 668 8831
In the event of severe weather such as strong winds or snow, we may need to close our sites. The sites will close if the weather presents a hazard and a risk to visitors.
We recommend that you check our website and our social media channels on the day you are going to visit, especially if severe weather is forecast, as a closure notice will be posted here first.
Customers who have pre-booked admission will be contacted by us shortly afterwards with details regarding how to rebook or how to claim a refund. If you have not been contacted within 48 hours please contact ticketing@hes.scot.
All tickets purchased are non-refundable as per our terms and conditions however if tickets are available for different dates then we can alter your existing booking. Please contact refunds@hes.scot with your booking details or fill out our refund request form.
If we have availability then yes, we can alter the date of your Explorer Pass, please contact ticketing@hes.scot with your booking details.