Castle baggers and historical buildings buffs mark your diaries: Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution, Michael Russell, has announced a weekend of free entry to 47 Historic Scotland sites throughout Scotland on Saturday 28th November and Sunday 29th November to mark St Andrew's Day.
In Edinburgh and Lothians this includes Edinburgh Castle, which will be open for a third day on St Andrew's Day (30th) itself, as well as Craigmillar Castle and Dirleton Castle.
Michael Russell called the free event “a wonderful way for us, as Scots, to mark our country’s national day and celebrate the end of a highly successful year of Homecoming."
“We, as a nation, are terribly proud and passionate about our history, culture and what made us who we are today. We can celebrate these amazing places and the stories of our country, this weekend."
All the participating historic sites are run by Historic Scotland, the government agency charged with the preservation and promotion of a total of 345 sites. Among the 47 sites that will be open for free are Stirling Castle (with additional surprise events) and Urquhart Castle, Dunfermline Palace, Linlithgow Palace, the Border Abbeys, and further afield, the wonderfully preserved Neolithic coastal settlement of Skara Brae in Orkney.
Said Russell: “The challenge will be – how many can you fit into two days? We know that people have seen it as a personal or family challenge in the past to see how many they can tick off. So, calling all Castle Baggers, Neolithic Hunters and Abbey Seekers – on your marks!”
Last year’s St Andrew’s Free Weekend saw over 35,500 visitors attending Historic Scotland sites across the length and breadth of the country.
There are free events throughout the city as part of the St. Andrew's Do weekend celebrations, including: at the National Museum of Scotland, a photographic competition, a family trail, historical sketches, and concerts, at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High street a variety of storytelling events and workshops, and events in marquees in St Andrew Square.
Other venues that will be open for free on St. Andrew's Day itself are Edinburgh Zoo and the Scottish Parliament (booking required)
Historic Scotland's St Andrew’s Free Weekend sites
- Aberdour Castle
- Arbroath Abbey
- Arnol Blackhouse (Saturday only)
- Blackness Castle
- Bothwell Castle
- Caerlaverock Castle
- Cardoness Castle
- Castle Campbell
- Corgarff Castle
- Craigmillar Castle
- Craignethan Castle
- Dallas Dhu Distillery
- Dirleton Castle
- Doune Castle
- Dryburgh Abbey
- Dumbarton Castle
- Dunblane Cathedral
- Dunfermline Palace
- Dundrennan Abbey
- Dunstaffnage Castle
- Edinburgh Castle (free entry also on Monday 30th November)
- Edzell Castle
- Elgin Cathedral
- Fort George
- Glasgow Cathedral (normally a donation-based site)
- Huntingtower Castle
- Huntly Castle
- Iona Abbey
- Jedburgh Abbey
- Linlithgow Palace
- Maeshowe Chambered Cairn
- Melrose Abbey
- New Abbey Corn Mill
- Rothesay Castle
- Skara Brae
- Smailholm Tower
- Spynie Palace
- St Andrews Castle
- St Andrews Cathedral
- St Vigeans Sculptured Stones Museum
- Stanley Mills
- Stirling Castle
- Sweetheart Abbey
- Tantallon Castle
- Tolquhon Castle
- Trinity House
- Urquhart Castle
Text service
With Historic Scotland's ‘text for nearest’ attractions service people can text ‘WEEKEND’ to 84118, and they will receive information on their closest free attraction and its opening times.
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