Historic Environment Scotland – The NEN

National Trust for Scotland flies the flag for House of Binns anniversary

Conservation charity works with boatbuilder to replace historic flagpole on Binns Tower
Tower built as a result of wager on most frivolous use of £100
Flag raised to celebrate 80^th anniversary of House of Binns acquisition

Celebrating the 80^th anniversary of its acquisition of the House of the Binns in 1944, Scotland’s largest conservation charity is hoisting a flag on the prominent Binns Tower – for the first time in almost a decade.

The raising of the flag has been made possible by a newly-completed project by the National Trust for Scotland to replace the broken flagpole on top of the famous Binns folly, which was purportedly built as the result of a wager on the most frivolous way to spend £100.

To maintain a historical connection with the old mast, said to have been a ship’s mast from a nearby breakers’ yard, the Trust commissioned the new flagpole from Fairlie Boat Builders on Scotland’s west coast, fabricated using traditional techniques.

The Trust also carried out vital conservation on the Tower itself, ensuring it can be seen and enjoyed for generations to come. The Trust worked with Conservation Surveyors Adams Napier Partnership to develop a package of work, including high level harling repairs, maintenance to the roof structure, lime washing, and other repairs.

They were carried out by G Brown Stonemasons over a period of 10 weeks. The conservation works were made possible by the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, an ongoing partnership that enables the charity to not only carry out vital work but to support the continuation of traditional crafts and skills.

Leading the building conservation project was Maintenance Surveyor at the National Trust for Scotland, Megan Gardner, who said: “It sounds a simple thing to replace a flagpole, but in this case it really wasn’t.

“The whole process has been an interesting one, throwing up some unusual challenges along the way, particularly the location of the Tower at the highest point of Binns Hill.

“Being in such an exposed location, it gets a lot of wear from the weather, so it was important to find the right solution for the construction of the new flagpole that was appropriate to the structure and its location and heritage.

“Due to the Binns Tower’s prominent position and background, we felt that the traditional techniques used in the flagpole and its construction from a ship’s mast were a significant part of the building and its story.

“We looked at how masts were traditionally constructed and are delighted that we have been able to include these traditional shipbuilding elements in the new flagpole. It’s a great example of how we’re delivering our strategic objective to be a learning organisation by championing skills to support traditional conservation and innovation.”

There were also practical challenges in carrying out the work. The height of the Tower required significant access equipment, and scaffolding had to be carried up the hill manually because the amount of rainfall during the spring and early summer made it impossible for vehicles to get over the fields.

For internal work, space inside the Tower is extremely limited and the top is only accessible via two ladders and a narrow hatch onto the roof.

Stuart Maxwell, Edinburgh & East Regional Director at the National Trust for Scotland, added: “The Tower is such a prominent point in the countryside around the Binns, and we’re very pleased to once again raise the flag there.

“It’s a splendid way to mark the 80^th anniversary of the Dalyell family signing over the deeds of the Binns estate to our conservation charity. We’re grateful for the generosity of our members and supporters in our work to protect, care for, and share Scotland’s special places, and for the assistance of the Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant, which has made this project possible.”

The Binns Tower – also known as Dalyell’s Folly – was rumoured to have come about as the result of an after-dinner wager in 1825 as to who could spend £100 in the most pointless but amusing way. The story goes that Sir James won the bet with his suggestion of a folly overlooking his neighbour’s estate, and the Tower was completed in 1829.

From 1919 to 1935, the Tower was topped by a windmill rather than a flag, which was used to generate electricity.

The Historic Environment Scotland Partnership Fund Grant of £1,062,000 over 2023-26, enables the National Trust for Scotland to conduct vital conservation work across its built heritage properties, to use technology to better understand its built structures, and to invest in further training and skills development.

Award-winning architecture firm appointed by group working to save The George Cinema in Portobello

Glasgow-based, award-winning architecture firm Loader Monteith has been appointed to lead a design team undertaking detailed feasibility work on a community cinema project in Portobello,

The commission, by The Friends of George (FoTG) group, is supported by the award of a grant from The Architectural Heritage Fund.

The design team’s work will dovetail into an in-depth commercial and operational assessment being undertaken by independent cinema consultants, Mustard Studios, whose work is being funded by a grant from the Scottish Land Fund.

Loader Monteith approached Stefanie Fischer, a leading cinema architect within the UK’s independent cinema sector to join their team as a subconsultant. Her expertise as a cinema architect complements the expertise of Loader Monteith Architects as conservation architects.

The appointment of the Loader Monteith led team builds on a long running campaign by FoTG who have been working to save the art deco former cinema from demolition. With strong support from within their community, FoTG hope to acquire and restore the C-listed building, and operate it as a cinema for the community. These latest commissions will develop and refine the group’s ambitious plans and will also include input from educational and film industry partners.

Mike Griffiths, Friends of the George Chair said: “We are delighted to be able to appoint such an expert team of professionals to develop and refine our proposals as we continue to point the way towards a positive future for The George not only in the heart of the community of Portobello, but more broadly, to play a role in the cinema sector in Scotland.

“The consultants we have working on this bring extensive expertise and experience to the project and will be led by a firm of architects with a burgeoning reputation for exciting contemporary architectural design, deployed to breathe new life into historic buildings.

“We’re extremely grateful for the financial support we have received from the Architectural Heritage Fund, the Scottish Land Fund and our benefactor Victoria Schwab.”

Iain King, Specialist Conservation Architect and Director at Loader Monteith, said: “We are pleased to have been selected as the lead architects, alongside our expert team of consultants, to support the Friends of The George in developing the proposal for the George Cinema.

“Despite the building currently being on the Buildings at Risk Register, it benefits from strong community support and the dedication of the Friends of The George, a group committed to preserving this Art Deco gem and restoring it as a sustainable, independent cinema.

“We look forward to collaborating with them on this important project.”

Last year, Friends of The George Limited had the cinema building formally valued by a firm of professional surveyors and made an offer to purchase it as a “restoring purchaser”, based on that valuation. Funds for purchase were very generously offered by benefactor, writer V.E Schwab.

This offer was rejected by the current owners of the building who have tried – and failed – twice in recent years to secure consent to substantially demolish The George and develop the site with luxury flats.

Most recently, last October, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) published their decision notice on the application by the current owner to have The George ‘delisted’. HES confirmed that the building continues to meet the criteria of special architectural and historic interest and so there will be no statutory change to the current ‘C’ listing designation.

Recent silent, community protests, independent of the FoTG group, have called on the current owner of the building to clear up the mess outside of the cinema and to address the continued neglect and dereliction of the building.

Council welcomes funding to help protect and enhance Granton Waterfront’s heritage

The city council is to receive over £50,000 to develop plans for the heritage and restoration of four key historic buildings and structures in Granton Waterfront.

The funding will also be used for heritage skills training and community events. The announcement was made on Wednesday (17 May) by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic Environment Scotland’s Heritage and Place Programme (H&PP).

The money will be used to develop ideas and proposals for the refurbishment of Granton Lighthouse; the Edwardian former Granton Gasworks railway station building platforms; Madelvic House, which is ‘B’ listed from the 1890s, and Granton Castle Walled Garden.

This first phase of funding will support the creation of high-quality sustainable development plans over the next 12 months, with the potential that Historic Environment Scotland and Heritage Fund will then award further funding to deliver the projects in the coming years.

The project forms part of the Council’s wider strategic £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We have ambitious plans to make Granton Waterfront a new sustainable coastal town for Edinburgh.

“In keeping with our plans for the whole city we’re creating a £1.3bn 20 minute neighbourhood with 3,500 net zero homes, a new primary school, lots of green spaces. We want to make sure people can get around and access other parts of the city easily so we’re putting in active travel routes and improving transport links as well. You can see work has started to make the iconic Granton Gasholder a multi-functional public space and hundreds of the sustainable affordable homes we’ve planned are .

“As part of this project we have strong community support to protect the heritage of the area and bring its listed buildings back to life for local people and visitors to use and enjoy. The funding announced today will help us to develop our plans to secure future funding to make this happen.

“This project along with the refurbishment of the Gasholder demonstrates the Council’s commitment to celebrate the historical legacy of the area making sure that its heritage is revitalised for future generations to come.”

Edinburgh Castle reveals reimagined Scotch Whisky

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has revealed its refreshed Edinburgh Castle whisky recipe, packaging design and bottle shape, introducing a modern edge to the landmark Scotch.

Paying homage to the eponymous icon behind the single malt Scotch, the simplified label showcases a sketch of Edinburgh Castle, while allowing the russet-coloured liquid to speak for itself as it shines through the bottle.

With the updated whisky launching off the back of Burns Night celebrations, HES views this as the perfect opportunity for people to try the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky.

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, gives a hint of what people can expect from the new liquid: “On the nose, there are a myriad of shortbread biscuit notes with a hint of vanilla essence and honey.

“To taste, there are an abundance of earthy sherry flavours, orange peel with a vanilla, shortbread note, with just a hint of earthiness at the end from time spent in ex-sherry casks.”

In celebration of the launch, HES has also partnered with award-winning Scottish mixologist Sean Cavanagh to create a signature serve using the Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky.

Using Sean’s expertise and flair for flavour, he has identified key ingredients to enhance the flavour profile and tasting notes of the Scotch to deliver a delicious signature serve –

Edinburgh Castle Single Malt signature serve recipe:

o 40ml Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old whisky

o 10ml Creme de Banane

o 5ml Pedro Ximéne

o 25ml lemon juice

o 10ml honey/agave (if vegan)

o 1 drop orange blossom water

o 25ml egg white/ 4 drops vegan foamer (if vegan)

Simply shake, strain into a glass and garnish with 3 drops of angostura bitters.

Extending the range, the single malt – distilled and bottled in Scotland and exclusively sold at Edinburgh Castle shops and the Stòr online shop – is now also available in three sizes: 5cl (£7.50), 20cl (£24) and 70cl (£56).

Natasha added: “We’re excited to launch our refreshed product which has completely transformed the look, feel and taste of our whisky, bringing it into 2023 while reflecting the history and heritage of its Scottish roots.

“Whether you try your hand at Sean’s signature cocktail serve or prefer it neat, we hope this brand refresh will both remind connoisseur of the quality of our Scotch and intrigue those new to the category as we invite them to give it a try.”

The Edinburgh Castle 10-Year-Old Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky is available exclusively online at www.stor.scot and at Edinburgh Castle shops.

MSP attends event championing Scotland’s historic environment

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian has attended an event held to highlight the role Scotland’s unique heritage has to play in the country’s economic and green recovery.

The session at the Scottish Parliament was hosted by Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the lead public body that investigates, cares for and promotes the country’s historic environment, including over 300 properties in care.

The event, How Scotland’s Past Can Support Its Future, championed the important role that Scotland’s historic buildings, sites and heritage sector plays in creating jobs, promoting tourism and supporting the environment.

Figures from Historic Environment Scotland show the historic environment sector generated £4.4 billion for Scotland’s economy in 2019 and supported 68,000 full-time equivalent jobs in heritage, tourism and construction sectors. As many as 86 per cent of people also reported a wellbeing benefit from their local heritage.

The historic environment also has a key role to play in terms of the journey to net zero. A fifth of Scotland’s residential buildings were constructed before 1919 using traditional materials and building skills.

Making these buildings as energy efficient as possible is a crucial part of the road to net zero, as well as supporting opportunities for re-use and retrofit, helping to boost jobs and skills through the need for skilled labourers and craftspeople.

MSPs were also updated on progress on the high-level masonry inspections underway at HES to tackle the effects of climate change and other factors on a number of properties in care.

Since the programme started, HES has been able to reopen or increase access at more than 30 sites, including reopening Dundonald Castle, Burleigh Castle and Inchcolm Abbey, while Doune Castle has almost completely reopened with a safety corridor in place. Inspections have been completed at 25 sites with a further 13 sites due to be completed by spring.

Foysol Choudhury MSP for Lothian said: “It was great to meet Historic Environment Scotland at the Scottish Parliament, to learn more about Scotland’s heritage and how HES is supporting the economy and journey to net zero.

“I recently raised a question in the Chamber in support of Historic Environment Scotland. I asked the Scottish Government how it plans to ensure that Historic Environment Scotland’s properties will be able to open to a sufficient degree, to allow HES’ revenue to rise as predicted in the budget.

“I look forward to learning more about HES’ projects in the future and to seeing more of these important HES properties open again for the public.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at HES, said: “Scotland’s historic environment is a part of our everyday lives. It’s our homes and high streets, schools and hospitals. It’s also transport infrastructure like canals and bridges. The historic environment is central to our lives and our sense of place, identity and to our wellbeing.

“There is clear economic value in investing in the historic environment to deliver these core agendas, with the reuse and adaptation of existing heritage assets being integral to a net zero transition.

“I would like to thank Graeme Dey for welcoming us to the Scottish Parliament and to all the MSPs who came to find out more about how Scotland’s past can support its future”.

Edinburgh Castle to shine a light this Christmas in support of the NSPCC’s Childline service

Edinburgh Castle will be illuminated green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC’s Walk for Children campaign.

On Wednesday, December 21, the NSPCC is asking people in Edinburgh to dust off their walking boots and to get into the festive spirit by taking part in the charity’s 5k fundraiser. The children’s charity is inviting families, friends and colleagues to get together for the sponsored walk to raise money to support it and its Childline service this Christmas.

Emma Bowie, Regional Visitor and Community Manager (Edinburgh) at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be turning Edinburgh Castle green on the 21st of December, the longest night of the year, joining other landmarks across the UK in shining a light on the NSPCC and their invaluable work.”

On average, two children a minute contact Childline. The service’s counsellors receive calls about many concerns and issues, including abuse, neglect, self-harm, and anxiety.

Caroline Renton, Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support given by Edinburgh Castle to help raise awareness of the NSPCC’s Walk for Children campaign.

“The NSPCC relies on public donations for the majority of its income, which is why we’re calling on people in Edinburgh and Scotland to support the NSPCC and Childline this festive season.

“By joining our Walk for Children, every step that participants take and every pound they raise will help Childline be there for all children, even on the longest night of the year. Together let’s make a difference.”

As well Edinburgh Castle, several other landmarks and venues across Scotland will be participating on December 21. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions in Edinburgh, Dundee Science Centre, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Glasgow Science Centre, will all be showing their support by illuminating green.

To sign up for Walk for Children and to see a list of local participating landmarks search Walk for Children on the NSPCC website.

For anyone taking part in Walk for Children in Edinburgh, please remember to share any photos on social media using #WalkforChildren.

Historic Environment Scotland unveils exclusive Coorie tartan collection

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has collaborated with world leading tartan manufacturer, Lochcarron of Scotland, to create luxury fashion and homeware accessories as part of its latest retail range, ‘Coorie’.

The exclusive tartan collection, which launched yesterday, features a stylish lambswool scarf, cosy fine wool scarf, and luxurious 100% Bowhill lambswool throw. Designed and woven at one of the oldest weaving mills in the country, the quality garments use soft heathery tones inspired by Scottish nature to bring the true sense of Coorie comfort to life, with colours which complement any season.

With a shared passion for preserving Scotland’s rich heritage, the partnership is a celebration of timeless design, blending style and innovation with traditional techniques. Created by some of the most experienced craftspeople in the industry, the Coorie collection showcases the best of the country’s textiles, using natural fibres to create premium, durable products.

The tartan Coorie collection is also linked to a wider Coorie retail offering, made up of a range of lifestyle products, including ceramics by Clod & Pebble, chocolates by Quirky Gift Library and candles by The Coorie Company. Made to encapsulate a deep sense of comfort, warmth and happiness, the range offers an elusive feeling of cosiness as the colder months creep in.

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “We’re excited to have joined forces with Lochcarron of Scotland, whose team are renowned for their attention to detail and craftsmanship, to help us bring our vision to life in creating the ultimate timeless tartan collection.

“The Coorie range is designed to provide the optimal cosy haven – indoors or when out and about. With all items beautifully crafted across different areas of the country, we’re able to support both local businesses and manufacturers and spotlight true Scottish talent.

“And with Christmas just around the corner, the collection offers a wonderful selection of items, from stylish home additions to seasonal must-have accessories, perfect for gifting to your loved ones.”

The full Coorie collection is available to shop now, online at www.stor.scot or at selected Historic Environment Scotland sites .

Edinburgh Castle launches first collaboration with award-winning brewery

Edinburgh Castle has announced the launch of a brand-new IPA – its first collaboration with the award-winning brewery, Stewart Brewing.

The IPA is the latest addition to the Edinburgh Castle range and is brewed and bottled in the Scottish capital by Stewart Brewing. Heaped with American Hops, the beer provides notes of tangy grapefruit, balanced out by Scottish malts to create an exceptionally smooth drink.

This new, exclusive bottling celebrates Scottish history, local businesses and innovation across the industry, with the label design taking inspiration from the topology of castle rock. Capturing both modern and historic artwork, the distinctive packaging offers a great memento particularly for tourists and beer fans.

Retailing at £3.50 per bottle and bottled at 5.0% ALC, the IPA will be available to purchase from the Edinburgh Castle shops and online through the Historic Environment Scotland website.

The Queen Anne’s Tea Room at the castle will also stock the new beer where visitors can enjoy the deliciously refreshing drink while taking a break from touring the iconic landmark.

Steve Stewart, founder and managing director at Stewart Brewing said: “It’s extremely exciting to see our partnership with Historic Environment Scotland come to life with the official launch of the Edinburgh Castle IPA.

“Quality and provenance are at the heart of both Stewart Brewing and Edinburgh Castle, and our team has worked extremely hard, using the finest ingredients, to brew this delicious beer and we hope consumers enjoy drinking Edinburgh Castle IPA as much as we enjoyed crafting it.”

Natasha Troitino, head of retail at Historic Environment Scotland, which operates Edinburgh Castle, said: “We were keen to continue to expand our Edinburgh Castle range following the success of previous launches. With Scotland renowned for its leading craft beer industry, we knew we wanted to explore this further.

“The collaboration with Stewart Brewing felt like a natural partnership, using their expertise to capture the perfect flavour profile and offer something unique to our customers. It was important for us to team up with a local Edinburgh business to celebrate the very best of Scottish beer and the rich history of the castle.”

For more information and to purchase the new IPA, visit: www.stor.scot

ECHO Trails gets off the ground

Project seeks to showcase east Cowal (Argyll) historic landmarks

The ECHO (East Cowal Heritage Outdoors) Trails project, a network of landmarks and walking trails encompassing the shores of Holy Loch, Loch Eck, Loch Long and Loch Goil, has been officially launched after a two-year delay due to Covid-19.

Representatives from Forestry & Land Scotland, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, the AITC (Argyll & Isles Tourism Co-operative), Dunoon Area Alliance, Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Bookpoint Dunoon gathered recently at Historic Kilmun to celebrate the launch.

The ECHO Trails incorporates ten key landmarks around the east Cowal peninsula, including Puck’s Glen, Benmore Botanic Garden and the beach at Ardentinny, as well as a number of places of interest that reflect the rich heritage and notable, historic personalities associated with this small corner of Argyll.

Funding for the project has come from Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park, Bookpoint Dunoon, HES and the Culture and Business Fund Scotland.

Jenni Minto, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Argyll and Bute, commented: “Cowal is such a beautiful part of the world, rich in landmarks and history, so anything that can be done to help showcase this should be encouraged and the ECHO trails project does just that!”

Ciorsdan Taylor, AITC Community Engagement Agent for Cowal, commented: “The ECHO Trails are a wonderful way of showcasing the interesting heritage and landmarks we have here in Cowal and there are many of them to see.

“The AITC is very glad to be supporting and promoting this great resource within Cowal and we hope that many visitors to the area and local people will use it for many years to come.”

Dinah McDonald, owner of the Bookpoint bookshop in Dunoon, said: “We are delighted to sponsor this fascinating project which will enable so many more people to explore and appreciate the amazing heritage of this peaceful corner of Argyll.

“Stunning scenery, amazing wildlife and a historical heritage going back over 3000 years, it feels like the heritage of Scotland all in one small area.”

Rob Wilkinson, appointed co-ordinator for the project earlier this year, commented: “The ECHO Trails builds on the great work of Robin Patel carried out before the arrival of the coronavirus and seeks to create an identity for this part of the world in much the same way as the Secret Coast and the Clyde Sea Lochs Trail around Dumbarton and Helensburgh.

“Links have been established with a number of community-focused organisations and individuals and we will soon be appointing a “Friends of the ECHO Trails” committee to determine the future direction of the project. There is so much potential when it comes to building a vibrant community network”.

Amy Eastwood, Head of Grants at HES, said: “We’re pleased to support this project as part of our Organisational Support Fund. The ECHO Trail is a fantastic way to encourage visitors to explore the history and heritage of East Cowal.”

Steve Gillen of Forestry & Land Scotland said: “It’s fantastic to see this project finally coming to fruition after so much hard work by the ECHO team over the past few years.

“It is a great opportunity to highlight the number and variety of destinations in the area, and to promote and encourage responsible public access across them.”

The ECHO Trails project will be linking up with the Cowal Open Studios network to showcase the work of local artists on the 24^th and 25^th September at Historic Kilmun to coincide with the COS open studios weekend (23^rd to 26^th September).

For more information please visit www.echotrails.org. A free app “ECHO Trails” is also available for download.

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£1 entry to Scotland’s historic sites returns for all Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders

The initiative between National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland, seeks to engage the next generation with Scotland’s heritage

The National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland, today announces the relaunch of its campaign to offer all Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders access to over 600 historic sites across the country for only £1.

The initiative encourages young people to get out and explore many of the historic sites Scotland has to offer. With natural and built sites across the country there’s an experience for everyone to enjoy, from stunning landscapes through to castles, magnificent gardens, historic dwellings, and significant places, such as the battlefields on which the nation’s future turned.

The £1 offer means that anyone aged 11-25 with a Young Scot National Entitlement Card will be able to visit 100 National Trust for Scotland properties, such as the spectacular Culzean Castle in Ayrshire and the carefully restored Gladstone’s Land in Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It also enables access to over 70 Historic Environment Scotland properties across the length and breadth of the country, including iconic sites such as Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle.

In addition to offering £1 entry to all National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland sites, Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders can also access the following Historic Houses Scotland sites this year: Inveraray Castle, Ballindalloch Castle, Blair Castle, Hopetoun House, Cawdor Castle, Floors Castle & Drummond Castle.

Originally introduced in 2018, the initiative has seen young people across the country save hundreds of thousands of pounds in entry fees to enjoy and explore Scotland’s rich heritage.

Philip Long OBE, Chief Executive of the National Trust for Scotland, said: “The last two years have been a challenging time for all of us and exploration of the beautiful places Scotland has to offer was a cherished respite.

“Now that we are largely free from restrictions, we hope to welcome more people back to our sites and encourage young people with a Young Scot card to get out there and explore the wealth of places available to them across the country.

“At the Trust we know how much of a positive impact access to Scotland’s heritage can have on wellbeing and happiness and we hope to share this with the next generation – something so important to us that we’ve made engagement with young people one of our key aims in our new strategy, Nature, Beauty & Heritage for Everyone. Since 2018, we’ve seen many young people at our sites reaping the benefits of the reduced £1 entry and we look forward to welcoming many more in the coming months.”

Kirsten Urquhart, Chief Executive of Young Scot, commented: “Young Scot is delighted to be continuing our partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, and Historic Houses Scotland – and supporting young people to access Scotland’s remarkable historic sites using their free Young Scot National Entitlement Card.

“If they are under 22 years old, they are also eligible for free nationwide bus travel using their card, making it even easier to enjoy the hundreds of historic sites Scotland offers.”

Alex Paterson, Chief Executive at Historic Environment Scotland said: “We are delighted to once more be a part of this initiative and be able to offer Young Scot cardholders the opportunity to explore many of our historic sites for only £1.

“This summer I would like to encourage as many of Scotland’s young people as possible to take advantage of this initiative and explore some of our much-loved heritage attractions, from castles to cairns, and enjoy our rich and diverse historic environment and the many benefits it brings.”

Andrew Hopetoun, Chairman of Historic Houses Scotland, said: “We are thrilled to be involved with this initiative. We represent the nation’s largest collection of independently owned historic houses and gardens and are here to ensure these historic homes stay alive for generations to come.

“Making these sites more accessible to young people is of huge importance to us and we hope that Young Scot card holders enjoy exploring our fascinating homes.”

Young Scot Card holders aged 11-25 will be able to access over 600 sites across the country. Since the scheme first started in 2018 sites including Crathes Castle, Pollok House and Brodick Castle have proven to be most popular with Young Scot National Entitlement Card holders.

To find out more and explore the full list of properties and locations available as part of the scheme, please visit all participating organisations’ websites:

nts.org.uk,

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/ ,

or historichouses.org,

or visit young.scot/the-young-scot-card for more information on the National Entitlement Card.