Overview
Our Explorer Pass is the perfect way to dive into Scotland’s fascinating history and heritage and explore many of our properties.
The pass is valid for 14 consecutive days. The pass includes entry to Edinburgh, Stirling and Urquhart Castles, Skara Brae, and Fort George.
The number of Explorer Passes is 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 tab above.
Winter Offer
From 1 November 2024 you can take advantage of our winter offer.
Receive a 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 31 March 2025, any unused passes will expire thereafter. The discount will be applied at checkout once you have selected dates between 1 November 2024 and 31 March 2025.
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 14 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
- Carers do not require a pass, simply book a carer ticket for each site you are visiting
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 any access restrictions and make your advance bookings:
Balvenie Castle (summer only)
Biggar Gasworks Museum (summer only)
Bishop's & Earls Palaces, Kirkwall (summer only)
Broch of Gurness (summer only)
Cairnpapple Hill (summer only)
Castle Campbell (summer only)
Corgarff Castle (summer only)
Dundrennan Abbey (summer only)
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Elcho Castle (summer only)
Glenluce Abbey (summer only)
Hackness Martell Tower & Battery (summer only)
Hermitage Castle (summer only)
Inchcolm Abbey (summer only)
Inchmahome Priory (summer only)
Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
Kildrummy Castle (summer only)
Lochleven Castle (summer only)
Newark Castle (summer only)
Smailholm Tower (summer only)
Spynie Palace (summer only)
St Vigeans Stones and Museum (summer only)
Stanley Mills (summer only)
Tolquhon Castle (summer only)
Trinity House (summer only)
Prices
Visit more, save more!
Prices from 1 November 2024 to 31 March 2025
| Pass types | Definition | Price |
| Adult | Aged 16-64yrs | £40.00 |
| Concession | Aged 65yrs+, full-time students (with valid ID) and unemployed (proof of Universal Credit or other qualifying benefit required) | £32.00 |
| Child | Aged 7-15yrs. Under 7s free. Children must be accompanied by an adult | £24.00 |
| Family | 2 adults and up to 3 children (7-15yrs) | £80.00 |
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
Discount on pass prices 1 Nov 2024 to 31 Mar 2025
