Overview
Our Explorer Pass is a great and easy way to visit many of our properties across Scotland. The pass is valid for 7 consecutive days. The pass includes entry to Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart Castles, Skara Brae and Fort George. It’s a great way to explore Scotland’s iconic sites and get the most out of its fascinating history and heritage.
The number of Explorer Passes are limited. They often sell out a week or more in advance, so please plan ahead.
Find out where you can use your Explorer Pass on the Sites you can visit page above.
Winter Offer
From 1 November 2023 you can take advantage of our winter offer.
Receive 20% discount on your Explorer Pass and visit any of our 30+ sites open throughout the winter months at no extra cost. First date of use must be on or before 28 March 2024, any unused passes will expire thereafter. The 20% discount will be applied at checkout once you have selected dates between 1 November 2023 and 28 March 2024.
Exclusions
Explorer Passes do not include access to the following:
- Properties in the care of The National Trust for Scotland
- Members of the Historic Houses Association
- The Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey
- Or properties in the care of private trusts including Calanais Visitor Centre and Kinnaird Head Lighthouse
How it works
How it works
- The pass is valid for 7 consecutive days from your selected start date
- It includes entry to all of our open properties
- The pass is available to purchase online
- Book your visit online in advance
Benefits
- Visit all our sites with one pass
- Guaranteed entry when you pre-book
- 20% discount on audio guides at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles and Glasgow Cathedral
- Pre-book your visits
Sites you can visit
We strongly recommend checking the opening days and times of the sites you would like to visit prior to purchasing your pass. Use the links below to check opening times and make your advance bookings:
Balvenie Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Biggar Gaswork Museum (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Bishop's & Earls Palaces, Kirkwall (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Broch of Gurness (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Brough of Birsay (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Cairnpapple Hill (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Caroness Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Castle Campbell & Gardens (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Corgarff Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Craignethan Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Crichton Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Crossraguel Abbey (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Dundrennan Abbey (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Edzell Castle & Garden (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Elcho Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Glenluce Abbey (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Hackness Martell Tower & Battery (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Hermitage Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Inchcolm Abbey (open 1 Apr - 31 Oct)
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Kildrummy Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Kisimul Castle (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Lochleven Castle (open 1 Apr - 31 Oct)
MacLellan's Castle (open 1 Apr - 31 Oct)
Melrose Abbey (grounds and museum only)
Spynie Palace (open 1 Apr - 30 Sept)
Prices
Visit more, save more!
Prices from 1 November 2023 to 28 March 2024
| Pass types | Definition | Price |
| Adult | Aged 16-64yrs | £35.00 |
| Concession | Aged 65yrs+, full-time students (with valid ID) and unemployed (proof of Universal Credit or other qualifying benefit required) | £28.00 |
| Child | Aged 7-15yrs. Under 7s free. Children must be accompanied by an adult | £21.00 |
| Family | 2 adults and up to 3 children (7-15yrs) | £70.00 |
Now all there’s left to do is enjoy exploring
Buy your Explorer Pass
Pass Benefits
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Free admission
Free entry to all Historic Scotland sites that are open
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Great Value for money
Includes entry to Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart Castles plus many more sites
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Discounted audio guide
20% discount on audio tours at Edinburgh and Stirling Castles and Glasgow Cathedral
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Guaranteed entry
Just pre-book your ticket with your explorer pass online before you visit
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Winter offer
20% off pass prices 1 Nov 2023 - 28 Mar 2024
