at our iconic historical sites
Immerse yourself in Scotland’s history and explore our fantastic historic sites. Enjoy a day trip with friends and family or take timeout for yourself, history awaits everyone.
Whether you’re looking for exciting day trips to our majestic castles and cathedrals, or walks in our beautiful gardens, our action-packed sites, events, and activities are perfect for you and all the family.
Due to access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure while we undertake high level masonry inspections, there is currently no visitor access to some of our sites.
Find out more about our conservation work
We are delighted to present our Autumn/Winter programme of events for 2023, including new event Regal Renaissance at Stirling Castle and so much more. There is lots for you and the whole family to enjoy.
Check out our events programmeDon’t miss out! To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry to our sites. This is essential when planning a visit to some of our busiest sites including Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Skara Brae and Urquhart Castle.
Explore iconic sites and Scotland's fascinating history with our Explorer Pass - a great and easy way to visit many of our properties! The pass is valid for 7 consecutive days. The pass includes entry to the sites mentioned above. Visits must be booked in advance.
We are pleased that many of our sites are open again, and are reopening soon. While some of the buildings may be closed, the grounds can still be enjoyed by all. Please check individual listings for more information. For our ticketed sites, we do recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
The abbey is closed while high-level conservation works take place.
We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry.
There is currently no visitor access to the West range, outer stair and North West and East towers.
The Visitor Centre is owned and managed by Urras Nan Tursachan. For opening times of the shop, café and exhibition, visit www.calanais.org
Book tickets for 'Story of the Stones' exhibition
There is currently no visitor access to the Guard House, South Entrance and De Vaux range
We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry.
Visits will be by guided tour
Free of charge, donations welcome
The palace and refectory are closed.
Tickets often sell out in advance. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.
Book tickets
There is currently no visitor access to the abbey church
The grounds are open year-round free of charge
There is currently no visitor access to the castle
Due to limited capacity, it is recommended to reserve your visit online to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.
There is currently no visitor access to the abbey church
We recommend booking online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.
You can visit the cloister, but there is currently no visitor access to the rest of the site
There is currently no visitor access to the Great Hall, Pit Prison and Gun Room
We recommend booking online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.
There is currently no visitor access to the internal crypt and Lady Chapel
From standing stones to castle grounds, many of the sites in our care are open to visit for free. Be sure to check a site is open before you travel.
Find a place to visit
Take a look at our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about visiting our sites
Find out more