Historic Scotland is offering a credit-crunch special for families, "Make Your Own History", whereby people get six months free membership when they buy 12 months. This means a family will pay just £6.16 a month for free access to over 70 properties run by Historic Scotland.
The membership includes access to some of Scotland's top tourist destinations including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle, Linlithgow Palace and Skara Brae on Orkney.
A trip to Edinburgh Castle costs £39 at peak times for two adults and two kids with Stirling Castle costing £27. Families just need to make one more trip to any Historic Scotland attraction and they are starting to save money.
Monarch of the Glen star Hamish Clark and Michael Russell, Minister for Culture, External Affairs and the Constitution joined kids at Edinburgh Castle yesterday to mark the launch of the Make Your Own History offer.
"One of my favourite memories from my childhood is visiting Edinburgh Castle, hearing the One O' Clock Gun, and imagining armies marching on it hundreds of years before," said Clark.
"Scotland has such a rich and varied history and we are lucky we still have so many connections with the past that we can experience for ourselves. It is important that our next generation understand and are aware of our nation's history. Nothing brings it to life like a visit to the place itself."
"The great thing about the Historic Scotland membership is that you can explore the country, from Shetland to the Borders, and it doesn't cost you a penny once you've joined. There are also lots of activities for children and big kids too to enjoy."
Historic Scotland's activities and events programme is also free with the membership. Events this year include the recreation of a 1640 siege at Urquhart Castle. Visitors can see Highlanders, Lowlanders, Royalists and Covenanters with pikes, muskets, cannons and swords in action.
Families can also experience knights jousting at Linlithgow Palace and meet some of Scotland's most famous icons at Stirling Castle including Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.