Free Learning Visits to Historic Sites
Delivered by:
Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
Last updated:
25/06/2025
Free learning visits to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) historic sites make Scotland’s heritage accessible to learners of all ages - visits to historic sites give them the chance to experience history where it really happened. There are lots of different historic sites across Scotland to choose from - bringing to life more than 5,000 years of history. These special places tell Scotland’s story and provide excellent settings for exploration, discovery, inspiring creativity, outdoor learning and play-based learning.
Free learning visits are open to learning organisations:
- nurseries and schools
- colleges and universities
- out of school clubs
- uniformed organisations like Scouts or Girl Guides
- home educator groups
Groups from third sector and charitable organisations delivering educational or wellbeing programmes are also eligible, including those supporting:
- adult learners
- youth work
- employability programmes
- groups with additional support needs.
Addresses:
Navigate to each location using the following links below
Parking is available at Maeshowe Visitor Centre at Stenness, which has accessible bays and is level tarmac.
A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
There are a small number of parking spaces available for ticket holders with accessibility requirements on the Castle esplanade. These are available upon arrival at the Castle, and may also be booked in advance.
A mobility vehicle to Crown Square is available on request, and can be arranged by staff at the castle entrance. A maximum of three passengers plus one passenger that uses a wheelchair may use the car at once. It can accommodate wheelchairs and walking aids with the following dimensions:
height - 103cm, width - 73.5cm, length - 100cm and weight - 150kg.
Upon entering the castle, there is a set of adapted toilets to your left, and the ticket office to your right –however both are reached over an uneven cobbled surface.
Ear defenders are available from staff.
An audio guide is available to hire from the audio booth. It is free to blind and partially sighted visitors. Audio guides are available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Korean, Polish, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish and Ukrainian.
Sensory backpacks are available to borrow from the ticket office. These contain lots of sensory aids
Manual wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
The main car park is situated 200m from the castle. There is a small parking area behind the castle, 50m from the visitor centre, for visitors with limited mobility.
Visitors can be dropped off 10m from the visitor centre.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
There are five accessible spaces about 65m from the castle entrance and are offered on a first come, first served basis.
A mobility vehicle to the Inner Close is available on request, and can be arranged by staff at the castle entrance. It can accommodate most wheelchairs, motorised wheelchairs and mobility scooters, but this is dependent on their dimensions. Please note service is dependent on the availability of trained staff to come off their normal role, so there may be a delay between the request and the pickup.
There is an adapted toilet in the first courtyard.
The Great Hall has level access from the cobbled courtyard and an adapted toilet is available here.
Due to high demand, parking is limited. You may wish to use city centre parking or the Castleview Park and Ride Service (get off at the Old Town Jail, which is a 5 minute walk from the castle entrance).
A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff when your ticket is scanned if you want to borrow them.
Four manual wheelchairs are available for use on a first-come, first-served basis.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
The car park next to the visitor centre is smooth tarmac and has one accessible space.
Parking is limited at the castle and spaces are on a first come first served basis but there are good public transport links to nearby Old Dalkeith Road (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) or Peffermill Road.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
The part tarmac, part gravel car park has four accessible bays.
Adapted toilets at the centre of the site.
Fort George is a working military base and loud noises, bangs and low flying helicopters are a regular occurrence. However a limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Limited number of mobility scooters and manual wheelchairs available. Visitors can bring their own mobility scooter, drawbridge isn't suitable for them so alternative access route can be facilitated by staff.
Please note that not all areas are accessible by Mobility Scooter
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
The visitor centre has ramped access. Inside it is all level
The level, tarmac surfaced car park, next to the visitor centre has accessible bays. If visiting Skaill House, visitors with limited mobility can also be dropped off directly outside.
There is an adapted toilet in the visitor centre.
A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
A small car park next to the visitor centre has two accessible spaces. It is level tarmac.
Next to the ticket office, there is an adapted toilet.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
There is a Pay and Display public car park 75m from the abbey with two accessible bays, but this can be busy during summer months.
Print versions of the audio guide are available in both large print and Open Dyslexic large print.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
There is a level, tarmac surfaced car park with accessible bays.
There is an adapted toilet in the shop, café and castle area, although access to this area is down a steep tarmac ramp.
A limited number of adult and children’s ear defenders are available at this site. Please ask a member of staff if you want to borrow them.
Carers accompanying disabled visitors can receive free entry (limited to two carers per transaction). Please book online to guarantee entry.
Assistance dogs are permitted at all our sites and within roofed areas.
There are two mobility scooters and two wheelchairs available on a first come first served basis. Booking not available.
Creative and Cultural Activity
Activity
Heritage
Education and Employability
Children and Families
Contact information
You can use the information below to get in touch with Free Learning Visits to Historic Sites