1 Where can we visit?
2 Is our group eligible?
- nurseries and schools
- colleges and universities
- out of school clubs
- uniformed organisations like Scouts or Girl Guides (UK only)
- home educator groups (UK only)
Groups from third sector and charitable organisations delivering educational or wellbeing programmes are also eligible, including those supporting:
- adult learners
- youth work
- employability programmes
- groups with additional support needs.
- A member of the visiting learning organisation must make the booking. Formal educational groups must make the booking using their organisational email address.
- The free learning visits scheme does not cover commercial or leisure activity including residential language schools.
Staffing ratios
- Early Years - Nursery and P1/2 (or aged 7 and under) 1:6
- Primary P3-7 and Secondary S1-S4 (or aged 8-15) 1:10
- Senior Phase (or aged 16-18 but still in school) 1:15
Groups with participants aged 16+ (excluding school groups) must be accompanied by a named representative from the visiting organisation.
Contact
Please get in touch with us at learning@hes.scot if you'd like to check whether your group is eligible.
3 How can we book?
We are currently taking requests for visits up to the end of June 2024.
As we are currently receiving a high volume of booking enquiries please be aware that response times may be slower than normal. Thank you for your patience.
To book your free learning group visit:
- For booking requests for Edinburgh Castle or Stirling Castle, please fill in our booking enquiry form.
- For all other sites a provisional booking should be made by calling the site directly.
- We’ll then email you a booking confirmation with a voucher to bring along on the day (please note a booking is not guaranteed until you receive a confirmation email and voucher)
- After your booking is confirmed, group leaders can arrange a free planning visit to help with preparation of a risk assessment. Please arrange this for Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle by emailing learning@hes.scot and for all other sites please contact the site directly.
Please note:
- A member of the visiting learning organisation must make the booking. Formal educational groups must make the booking using their organisational email address.
- All our sites operate with daily visitor capacities. Early booking and some flexibility on date and time of the visit is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
- At least 10 days’ notice of the proposed visit date is required.
- Currently, we are only offering self-guided visits. We have a range of online resources available to support your visit.
Contact
Learning & Inclusion Team
Historic Environment Scotland
Email: learning@hes.scot
4 School visits travel subsidy
We are pleased to announce that the scheme for the 2024/25 financial year is now open. We can accept applications for visits taking place from 1 April 2024. The application form is available to download below.
Scottish schools can apply for help towards the travel costs of visiting heritage sites of national importance. The Scottish Government Heritage Travel Subsidy for Schools covers 75% of transport costs (up to a maximum of £300) to visit the chosen site. Scotland's special schools and units can apply for 100% of travel costs (up to a maximum of £300).
You can apply for a School Visits Travel Subsidy if visiting:
- Any Historic Environment Scotland site
- Certain National Trust for Scotland sites – The Battle of Bannockburn, Culloden and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum
- David Livingstone Birthplace
- New Lanark World Heritage Site
- Scottish Jewish Heritage Centre
Any Scottish school can apply. Funding is limited and priority will be given to schools in areas with high indicators of multiple deprivation (see Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation).
The travel subsidy process:
- The visit must be booked in advance and for a genuine educational purpose.
- Subsidy applications must be made before the visit.
- Receipts must be sent by the school after the visit (and within one month of the visit date).
- Payment will be made to the school usually within 30 days of receipt of a valid claim.
How to apply
- Make a provisional booking by contacting the site you wish to visit.
- Obtain a quote for travel costs (e.g. from a coach company).
- Complete the travel subsidy application form and return it to us at learning@hes.scot
How will I hear back about my application?
Historic Environment Scotland's Learning and Inclusion team will respond to you by email to let you know whether or not your application was successful.
How will I receive the subsidy?
After your visit, please send a copy of the paid bus company invoice or group travel receipt to learning@hes.scot.
75% of the total cost of travel (up to a maximum of £300) will be reimbursed to the school usually within 30 days of receipt of the invoice/group travel receipt. For Scotland's special schools and units, 100% of travel costs (up to a maximum of £300) will be reimbursed.
Contact
Email: learning@hes.scot
5 Site information sheets
Our site information sheets are here to help learning group leaders plan their visit to our historic places. They include key things to know, as well as a list of potential hazards, to help a group leader write their risk assessment.
B
C
Craigmillar Castle [PDF, 629KB]
D
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace [PDF, 799KB]
E
F
M
Maeshowe Chambered Cairn [PDF, 1.2MB]
R
S
Stones of Stenness [PDF, 466KB]
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U
6 FAQs
Here are answers to some of our frequently asked questions (FAQs):