Online booking opens today (Wednesday, April 14) for some of Scotland’s most iconic sites, as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) prepares to open the gates to allow visitors to enjoy over 5,000 years of history.
The historic sites – which include Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Urquhart Castle – will reopen on Friday, 30 April following the Scottish Government’s proposed dates for the reopening of the tourism sector and mainland Scotland moving to level three of its routemap out of lockdown.
Tickets must be booked online in advance from the HES website. To book tickets, visit: restarthistory.scot
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. Historical sites
The iconic historical sites across Scotland which will reopen next month as restrictions ease. Photo: Contributed
. Aberdour Castle
Aberdour Castle in Fife is among those preparing to reopen under Historic Environment Scotland on April 30 (Photo: Walter Neilson). Photo: walter neilson
. Blackness Castle
If it wasn't for Blackness Castle in Falkirk we'd probably have no Braveheart. Mel Gibson and Glen Close filmed here for the 1990 epic Hamlet. It will join the list of sites reopening in late April. Photo: Contributed
. Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries will also bring down the drawbridge in April. Photo: Matt Cartney
. Craigmillar Castle
Opening in April, it might not be as famous as Edinburgh's other castle, but what Craigmillar Castle lacks in picture postcard renown, it more than makes up for in the movie star stakes. You will recognise from television productions, including Outlander and Ivanhoe, but the castle also starred in the Netflix hit Outlaw King. Photo: Contributed
. Dirleton Castle
Dating to the 13th century, this medieval fortress sits just a couple of miles west of North Berwick and is one of Scotland’s oldest surviving strongholds. Open from late April. Photo: Shutterstock
. Doune Castle
A mecca for Monty Python fans since its inclusion in the 1975 hit Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Doune Castle in Stirling has firmly established itself as a prime location for directors on the hunt for historic backdrops. In recent years it has also appeared in Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Outlaw King. Movie and castle lovers will be able to visit it from next month. Photo: Contributed
. Dryburgh Abbey
Nestled on the banks of the River Tweed in the Scottish Borders, this medieval ruin dates back to 1150. Open from late April. Photo: Shutterstock
. Dunblane Cathedral
Opening in late April, Dunblane Cathedral is the larger of the two Church of Scotland parish churches serving Dunblane, near the city of Stirling, in central Scotland. The lower half of the tower is pre-Romanesque from the 11th century, with an upper part added in the 15th century. Photo: Michael Gillen
1. Aberdour Castle
Aberdour Castle in Fife is among those preparing to reopen under Historic Environment Scotland on April 30 (Photo: Walter Neilson). Photo: walter neilson
2. Blackness Castle
If it wasn't for Blackness Castle in Falkirk we'd probably have no Braveheart. Mel Gibson and Glen Close filmed here for the 1990 epic Hamlet. It will join the list of sites reopening in late April. Photo: Contributed
3. Caerlaverock Castle
Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries will also bring down the drawbridge in April. Photo: Matt Cartney
4. Craigmillar Castle
Opening in April, it might not be as famous as Edinburgh's other castle, but what Craigmillar Castle lacks in picture postcard renown, it more than makes up for in the movie star stakes. You will recognise from television productions, including Outlander and Ivanhoe, but the castle also starred in the Netflix hit Outlaw King. Photo: Contributed