Get ready for your autumn visits
We are delighted that many of our sites are now open again, so enjoy the autumnal days and get ready for a historic visit!
Whether you are looking for exciting day trips to take in the bright seasonal colours or an educational escape no matter the weather, there are so many benefits that come with taking a step back in time at our sites 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 welcome back events to our sites, including Castle of Light: A Kingdom of Colours at Edinburgh Castle, Tales from the Castle at Stirling Castle, exciting exhibitions and much more.
Check out our events programmeDon’t miss out! To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry to our sites. Also, booking online gives you the best price for Edinburgh, Stirling & Urquhart Castles and Skara Brae.
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 Visitor Centre and exhibition are open. The abbey and grounds are closed while high-level conservation works take place.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry
The castle is closed, but the castle grounds are accessible. No booking required.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
The gardens, exhibition and shop are open. The castle and Doocot remain closed. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
The castle is open for you to enjoy but there are currently some access restrictions in place as a precautionary measure.
The abbey nave, grounds, shop and toilets are open. There is no visitor access to the abbey. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
Visits will be by guided tour. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open (free of charge) when you visit, please view the site listing
You must book online in advance. Some restrictions are in place, but the exterior of the castle, Laigh Hall, first floor gallery, visitor centre and tearoom are open.
Book tickets
The abbey nave and shop are open (free of charge). The palace and refectory remain closed. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
Please book your tickets in advance. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
To find out what will be open (free of charge) when you visit, please view the site listing. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
There is currently no visitor access to the west of the island and some minor access restrictions remain externally.
Book tickets
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry. Sun to Tues: visitors can explore the grounds free of charge (the visitor centre will be closed)
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry. The grounds and shop are now open. The abbey remains closed.
For house tours please book your date and time in advance to guarantee entry. The grounds are open year-round free of charge.
The gatehouse and grounds are open. No booking required. There is no visitor access to the palace.
Visits are by guided tour only. Due to limited capacity, it is strongly recommended to reserve your visit online to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.
The abbey grounds, cloister and museum are open. The abbey remains closed. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry
Booking in advance is recommended to guarantee entry.
We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry. There are minor access restrictions in the North Range and Sea Tower due to nesting birds.
St Rule's Tower is not accessible. We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry
For guaranteed entry please book your tickets in advance. To find out what will be open when you visit, please view the site listing
The castle grounds are open (free of charge). The castle and Doocot remain closed. We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
We recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.
As we continue to have reduced capacities in order to keep visitors and staff safe, we recommend booking in advance online to guarantee entry.
(Carrier pigeons and town criers work too, but the website is preferable)
Protecting ourselves might look a little different today to how it did when our castles were built, but it’s still just as important.
Please wash your hands thoroughly before, during and after your visit.
There will be hand sanitising stations located throughout our sites but if you have anti bac hand gel - remember to bring it too.
A suit of armour doesn't always mean there's going to be a battle. So let's not get carried away.
Please be aware of the people around you, give them space and be patient. There's enough time and room for everyone to see everything.
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 visitWe want everyone to be able to enjoy our sites safely, and so we ask that you respect the following before and during your visit:
Take a look at our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about visiting our sites
Find out more