Heritage Explorer
393 historic sites across Scotland — from Edinburgh Castle and prehistoric Skara Brae to remote island monuments and Borders abbeys.
Find HES sites near youExplore by location
Scotland's 393 HES sites range from the Central Belt to the far north and the Western Isles. Search by location to discover what's nearby.
Search by location →Some of Scotland's most celebrated castles, prehistoric monuments and historic landmarks, in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.
Scotland's most visited paid attraction, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline from its volcanic rock perch and houses the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny.
One of Scotland's greatest Renaissance palaces, Stirling Castle was a favourite royal residence and the setting for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots in 1543.
A Neolithic village preserved beneath the dunes of Orkney for 5,000 years, Skara Brae is older than Stonehenge and offers a remarkable glimpse into prehistoric life.
A cross-shaped setting of standing stones on the Isle of Lewis, Calanais predates Stonehenge and remains one of Scotland's most atmospheric prehistoric monuments.
A remarkably well-preserved 14th-century castle, Doune is famous as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail and later Outlander, while its great hall and towers remain genuinely impressive.
Known as 'the ship that never sailed' for its unusual hull-shaped plan, Blackness Castle stands on a promontory in the Firth of Forth and has served as royal castle, state prison and ammunition depot.
See all 393 Historic Environment Scotland properties on the Land & Legacy map, alongside places cared for by the UK's other heritage organisations.
Open the map →Enter a start and end point and the route planner lists the historic places within a few miles of the road, in the order you reach them.
Plan a route →Our free weekly newsletter covers castles, manor houses, gardens and estates across Britain. A few remarkable places, chosen and checked, every week.
Read Hidden Britain →Log your visits, build a wishlist and track how much your HES membership saves you across the year.
Create a free account →Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body for Scotland's historic environment, investigating, protecting and promoting over 300 sites in state care. From the iconic battlements of Edinburgh Castle to the extraordinary Neolithic village of Skara Brae on Orkney, the HES collection spans more than 5,000 years of Scottish history.
The HES Explorer Pass offers free unlimited access to over 70 paid sites for a set period, making it ideal for visitors planning several days in Scotland. Annual membership options are also available, with proceeds supporting conservation across the estate.
The UK's historic environment is cared for by five major organisations, each covering a different territory and type of site. Understanding which is which helps you choose the right membership and plan better heritage days out.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is the lead public body responsible for investigating, caring for and promoting Scotland's historic environment. It manages over 300 properties in state care, including some of Scotland's most iconic sites such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle and Skara Brae.
Land & Legacy features 393 Historic Environment Scotland sites across Scotland, from prehistoric monuments and Viking settlements to medieval castles and 20th-century industrial heritage.
The Historic Environment Scotland Explorer Pass gives unlimited free entry to over 70 paid properties for a set period. It is ideal for visitors spending several days in Scotland who want to visit multiple HES sites without paying individual entry fees. Annual memberships are also available.
Historic Environment Scotland is a government agency managing properties in state care, focusing particularly on castles, abbeys and archaeological sites. The National Trust for Scotland is an independent charity that cares for country houses, gardens and natural landscapes. Scotland is the only UK nation served by two major heritage organisations, giving visitors a remarkable range of sites to explore.
