scotland tourism pass

BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass

Pass Description

Travelling around Scotland couldn't be easier with the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass!

Demonstrating great integrated transport, the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass is valid on the National Rail Network of Scotland and certain coach routes too to make your Scottish holiday seamless.

Scotland has so much to see from the tallest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, to many long sandy beaches and remote islands. Travel the length and breadth of Scotland using the BritRail Spirit of Scotland Pass.

Important Notice

Please note that from 25th April 2023 ferry travel was discontinued from the Spirit of Scotland Pass. Any ferry travel should be purchased separately from www.calmac.co.uk .

Pass Details

Book your britrail spirit of scotland pass.

Travel from North America to Scotland

Planning a trip to Scotland from across the pond? We’re here to help you plan the ultimate vacation. Find direct flights to Scotland from the US and Canada, handy travel advice, things to do and how to get around our bonnie country via public transport links. 

Edinburgh Castle and National Galleries of Scotland

Find experiences

JavaScript needs to be enabled to see this product search form. You can turn this on in your browser settings.

Beinn Chuirn, Argyll

© @sassenach.photography

Make your holiday more green

Use our carbon calculator and make your trip to Scotland an eco-friendly one. Discover sustainable travel options and top tips on how to leave no trace behind. Help make Scotland a beautiful place to visit for future generations.  

Direct flights to Scotland from the US

Currently all flights from the US fly non-stop to Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city. Check out where you can fly from throughout the year:

Edinburgh Airport

Delta Air Lines 

• JFK (New York City) – Edinburgh – (daily) – March – December
• BOS (Boston) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – May – October
• ATL (Atlanta) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – May – October

Find more flight information on Delta Air Lines website

United Airlines 

• EWR (New York, Newark) – Edinburgh – year-round (daily) 
• IAD (Washington DC) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – March – October
• ORD (Chicago) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – May – October

Book your trip to Scotland with United Airlines

JetBlue 

• JFK (New York) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – May – September

Check current flight schedules to Scotland with JetBlue

American Airlines

• PHL (Philadelphia) – Edinburgh – seasonal (daily) – May – October

Book flights via American Airlines website

Virgin Atlantic 

• MCO (Orlando) – Edinburgh – seasonal (twice weekly) – April – October

Search Virgin Atlantic flights to Scotland

Ryanair aircraft at Glasgow Prestwick Airport

© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins

Direct flights from Canada 

Direct flights currently operate from some Canadian cities including Toronto, Calgary and Halifax to Edinburgh and Glasgow airport. Check out where you can fly from throughout the year. 

Air Canada 

• YYZ (Toronto) – Edinburgh – seasonal; May – December (operates several times per week) 

Book flights to Scotland with Air Canada

Air Transat 

• YYZ (Toronto) – Glasgow – year-round (weekly). Daily flights from May – October

Find more flight information via the Air Transat website

Toronto (YYZ) – Edinburgh – seasonal: 

• September – October – three times a week 
• April – once a week 
• Daily flights operating from the end of April to the end of August

Calgary (YYC) – Edinburgh – seasonal: 

• September to the beginning of October – four times a week
• Beginning to mid October  – three times a week 
• Mid to late October – once a week 
• Mid to late May – three times a week 
• Mid May to October – four times a week 

Halifax (YHZ) – Edinburgh – seasonal: 

• June – October – three times a week 
• Flights resume in April

Fly to Scotland with WestJet

Travelling from North America to Scotland – FAQs

It is essential you have the right travel documents before you fly to Scotland. Check out our guide on what you need to bring with you before booking your flight. 

An aerial view of the coastline on West Mainland

Do I need a visa when visiting Scotland? 

American visitors do not require a visa when entering Scotland or the rest of the UK, just a valid passport. Before landing, you’ll be asked to fill out a landing card with your name, date of birth, gender, nationality, occupation and the address of where you’ll be staying. 

For our Canadian visitors, make sure to bring a valid passport the day you travel. A visa to the UK is only required if you’re staying for more than six months. 

Do I need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)? 

Yes, if you’re travelling to Scotland from America or Canada, you’ll be eligible to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) from 27 November 2024 and will be able to travel to the UK with an ETA from 8 January 2025. This will give you permission to travel to the UK which is electronically linked to your passport. Check out our guide on how to apply for the new ETA scheme. 

Find out more information on the new ETA scheme 

Sheep at Barra Airport

What travel documentation is required for my trip to Scotland? 

US and Canadian visitors must have a valid passport and an ETA from 8 January 2025 before entering Scotland or the rest of the UK. This should be valid throughout your whole trip. You will also need a visa if you’re planning to stay for over six months. 

Are there any travel restrictions to Scotland? 

Caledonian Sleeper near Dalwhinnie

© Caledonian Sleeper

How long is a flight from the US or Canada to Scotland? 

A direct flight to Scotland from the US or Canada is usually between 6-8 hours, depending on where you’re flying from. 

• New York to Edinburgh – approximately 7 hours 
• Boston to Edinburgh – approximately 6 hours 20 minutes 
• Atlanta to Edinburgh – approximately 8 hours 
• Washington DC to Edinburgh – approximately 7 hours 10 minutes 
• Chicago to Edinburgh – approximately 8 hours 
• Orlando to Edinburgh – approximately 8 hours 

I’m planning to visit London before I travel to Scotland, what direct flights or public transport options are available? 

Travel from London to Scotland has never been easier. There are many budget airlines that fly direct to Scottish cities including Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Dundee and Aberdeen. Bus services to Scotland are operated by National Express , Megabus and FlixBus and run throughout the day, including overnight services.  

Sit back and enjoy the view on the train. Scotland’s well-connected rail network means you can get to many Scottish destinations in a matter of hours. Why not experience a night-time train ride on the Caledonian Sleeper ? Departing from London Euston every night (not Saturday) wake up in a bustling Scottish city, a magical Highland landscape or scenic coastal town. 

Find out more information on travel from London to Scotland 

Kelvingrove Park in autumn, Glasgow

I’m planning a trip to Europe first, which airlines operate flights to Scotland? 

Aer Lingus , KLM , Air France and Icelandair as well as many others, fly to many main European hubs, which can then be used for onward travel to Scotland. 

Can I travel to Scotland from the US or Canada at any time of year? Do flights only operate seasonally? 

New York and Toronto are currently the only destinations that offer year-round flights to Edinburgh or Glasgow. Other US and Canadian destinations run daily or weekly flights during peak season. This is typically from the end of April until late October. 

A family at a train station

© Scotrail

Prepare for your trip to Scotland

Ready to see what Scotland has to offer? Before you go, check out our top travel advice and information on car hire if you’re planning to explore the country.   

Edinburgh Tram

Getting around Scotland by public transport

You’ve arrived in Scotland, now the fun begins and the freedom to travel across the country. Check out Traveline Scotland’s website for more information on local bus services, rail links, ferries, tram routes in Edinburgh and the Subway in Glasgow. 

Ideas for things to do

Check out our amazing selection of tours to help you plan the ultimate trip to Scotland.   

Take an ancestral tour

Plan the holiday of a lifetime where your Scottish ancestors would have once travelled.

Castle tours

Join a castle tour for an in-depth look at some of our most interesting Scottish castles.

Whisky tours

Book a tour of a whisky distillery, or travel around Scotland visiting several whisky experiences.

Film & TV Tours

Explore a range of guided tours and trips that take you around Scotland's most popular film & TV locations.

Walking & Hiking Tours

Explore Scotland's trails and routes with an experienced and knowledgeable guide.

Train tours

Sit back and relax and watch the world go by on a train tour around Scotland.

Book a golf tour or package and play on some of Scotland's most famous golf courses.

Boat charter & wildlife cruises

See what you can spot on Scotland’s coastline with these wildlife boat tours and cruises.

Other things you might like

Airports & Flights in Scotland

Passports, visas & customs

Plan Your Holiday to Scotland

Things to See & Do in Scotland

Travel from England & Wales to Scotland

Join our newsletter clan.

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Is the Scotland Explorer Pass Worth It?

Almost all major cities have sightseeing passes ( Paris Pass , Venice Pass , London Pass, etc.). Scotland is a little different in that the country offers a similar pass covering some of Scotland’s historic sites. For those visiting Scotland (see  9 Day Scotland Nature, Castles, and Scotch Itinerary ), you may wonder if this is a way to save money on the sights that you want to see. These passes typically include a very long list of attractions. Organizers advertise them as saving travelers a lot of money. However, the reality is that they don’t generally save you nearly as much as expected because most people don’t go to all the sites. The question still remains – does it actually save you money? We will attempt to answer the question “Is the Scotland Explorer Pass Worth It?” below.

Overview of the Scotland Explorer Pass

The Historic Environment Scotland office sells the Scotland Explorer Pass. This is a government organization responsible for the investigation, care, and promotion of Scotland’s historic environment. Visitors who buy the pass are able to access several castles, forts, and other public sites. The places that can be accessed with the Explorer Pass include:

• Aberdour Castle and Gardens
• Arboath Abbey
• Blackness Castle
• Dryburgh Abbey
• Edinburgh Castle
• Elgin Cathedral
• Fort George
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Iona Abbey and Nunnery
• Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
• Jedburgh Abbey
• Melrose Abbey
• St. Andrews Cathedral
• Stirling Castle
• Urquhart Castle
• and many others….

The pass is good for 7 consecutive days from the start date selected at the time of purchase. There aren’t an unlimited number of passes available so they can and do sell out during the most popular times. For this reason, it is recommended to get a pass several days in advance if you are wanting to take advantage of it.

Unlike several other city passes, the Scotland Explorer Pass does not include any type of public transportation. It exclusively provides entrance to all historic Scotland sites as well as a couple of perks during those visits. For example, the perks include discounted audio guides (20% off) and guaranteed entry if you pre-book your ticket online before arriving.

Using the Scotland Explorer Pass

The Scotland Explorer Pass is emailed to you after purchase. I recommend printing out the Explorer Pass once you receive it and bring it with you. Many places will accept a digital copy but make sure it is downloaded locally to a phone because cell service can be spotty in some of the locations. In order to use the Explorer Pass, the majority of the castles require a reservation ahead of time. Many times these are controlled by timed entrance. Don’t expect to show up and walk in with the Explorer Pass.

In order to get a ticket to an attraction, go to the Historic Environment Scotland website and select the attraction that you want to visit. The vast majority of attractions will have the option to book a ticket on the website. When purchasing tickets, ensure you select the option for Historic Scotland (HS) Member and Explorer Pass Tickets. This will give you the option to select a date and time for your visit as well as reserve a ticket that won’t require payment online.

These tickets do require a valid Explorer Pass at the time of entry at the attraction, so be prepared to show the pass to gain entry. Because a check for a valid Explorer Pass isn’t performed online when selecting individual Explorer Pass tickets, visitors need to keep their validity period in mind. You don’t want to be surprised when you show up without a valid pass and are required to pay the on-site entrance fee. Finally, the Explorer Pass is limited to visiting each attraction once. This won’t be an issue for the vast majority of travelers but keep this in mind if you were thinking of splitting a site visit across multiple days.

Scotland Explorer Pass Cost

The Explorer Pass only comes in a 7-day length variety and includes entrance to all the sites within the Historical Environment Scotland portfolio. Despite these limits, there are several ticket options based on age, family, status, or student/senior status. An outline of the cost for each Explorer Pass ticket is below:

• Adult Pass (Age 16 – 64) – £44.00
• Senior Pass (Age 65+) – £35.00
• Student Pass (Must show student ID) – £35.00
• Child Pass (Age 7 – 15) – £26.00
• Family Pass (Includes 2 adults and up to 3 children) – £88.00

Analysis – 9 Day Scotland Itinerary

Finally, let’s look at a scenario as if we were getting the Explorer Pass and running it through a real life vacation itinerary. It should be obvious that if you’re visiting all places the ticket grants access to the pass is a good deal. However, I would guess that almost 100% of people are not able to visit all attractions included in the pass. With 37 sites currently included, travelers need to have extensive itineraries to visit all of them. Therefore, as a real-life test, we will compare the Scotland Explorer Pass against our 9 Day Scotland Nature, Castles, and Scotch Itinerary.

While there are 37 sites included in the pass, only three of them are visited during the 9 Day Scotland Nature, Castles, and Scotch Itinerary. It is conceivable that some travelers could see more in that time; however, many attractions are lesser known and out of the way making them hard to incorporate. The Explorer Pass includes the Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, and Urquhart Castle that are in our itinerary.

In this specific scenario, the Explorer Pass is cheaper than the individual cost of each attraction ticket so it would appear to be worth the purchase for all pass types. However, the difference in the cost isn’t very much for the adult, child, and senior pass types. The maximum cost difference was £6.00 for these pass types. Based on that, it’s not a resounding yes that the Explorer Pass is a must-purchase. If you’re confident in your itinerary, it’s always worth it to save a few bucks. However, if you miss one of these attractions, suddenly you are losing money by having the Explorer Pass. For that risk alone, I probably wouldn’t pick up the pass if I was purchasing one of these pass types.

On the other hand, purchasing an Explorer Pass if you are traveling as a family is a slam-dunk value proposition. I would definitely recommend picking this up. Family visitors are likely to save about 50% of what they would have paid at each site individually. This represents an extraordinary value that you won’t find anywhere else while going on a Scotland vacation.

Share this post:

Addison Osborn

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and site URL in my browser for next time I post a comment.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Scotland’s Explorer Pass: The Ultimate Way to Explore Scotland

Let’s face it, castles are not cheap to get into. The smaller, less popular castles may boast a cheaper entrance fee, but if you’re planning on visiting numerous ones it’ll quickly add up. And there are a lot of castles in Scotland to choose from. Luckily, Scotland’s Explorer Pass can save you a lot of time, and most importantly – money!

Historic Scotland offers 7 or 14 day passes which will give you access to all of their open sites during your selected period. The 7 day pass costs up to £44.00 but they are launching a 14 day pass for £44.00 starting March 2024 to replace the 7 day one. If you’re planning on visiting in the off season some sites may be closed so always check beforehand.

To ensure the Explorer Pass is worth it, you should always check the entry fees for the individual sites beforehand and add up the potential cost overall. If you’re only planning on visiting a few sites in Scotland then it may not be worth it, but for those of you wanting to see as much as possible then I couldn’t recommend this pass enough.

Here’s a look at some of the most popular sites on the Explorer Pass as well as what an individual entry ticket for each one costs without the pass.

Top sites to visit using Scotland’s Explorer Pass

Urquhart castle.

Urquhart Castle sits along the shore of Loch Ness, and was once one of Scotland’s largest castles. Today it sits as a ruin but it’s in a very picturesque spot, and after your visit you can go on a boat tour to try and spot the Loch Ness monster. This is a great place to visit in Scotland by car, because the drive to it is just as beautiful as the castle’s location.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £13 online or £14.50 at the ticket office

Stirling Castle

Despite visiting a lot of Scottish castles, Stirling Castle is still my favourite. It has been an important castle throughout Scottish history, and was a key residence of the Stewart kings and queens. There has been extensive restorations done in the interior, so it looks how it would have done hundreds of years ago.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £17.50 online or £19.50 at the ticket office

Castle Campbell

Situated in the town of Dollar, just outside of Stirling, sits Castle Campbell . It’s quite a trek through the woods and up an enormous hill to get to the castle but the views from the top are worth it. It dates back to the 15th century, and was home to the powerful Campbell earls. It also has connections to Mary Queen of Scots and John Knox.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £7.50

Doune Castle

Doune Castle is also in the Stirling area, and was famously used in Outlander as Castle Leoch as well as in Monty Python and the Holy Grail . You may also recognize it from the pilot episode of Game of Thrones , where it was used as Winterfell . The castle dates back to the 14th century, and has one of the best preserved great halls in Scotland.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £10.00

Lochleven Castle

Lochleven Castle sits on its own island and you need to go on a short boat ride to get to it. It takes about 10 minutes to get to on the boat, but make sure you check the weather beforehand. We managed to get the last boat over to the island because there was a storm on its way so we were very lucky.

Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned at Lochleven Castle for a year towards the end of her reign. This is where she was forced to abdicate before making a daring escape to the mainland. The early 15th century tower still stands mostly intact, and offers stunning views across the loch.

Huntingtower Castle

You’ll find Huntingtower Castle in the Perth area. It has a strange layout inside and if you look closely you can see paintwork dating back to the 16th century on the ceiling. This castle is very easy to add to your Scotland road trip itinerary, and takes almost no time at all to explore.

Stanley Mills

Although it’s not a castle, admission to Stanley Mills is still on the Explorer Pass. It’s quite an interesting stop if you’re in the Perth area. These water-powered mills were used to produce cotton at the height of the Industrial Revolution, and eventually closed in 1989. It’s now a museum which gives great insight into an important part of Scottish history.

Threave Castle

One of the more interesting castles included in Scotland’s Explorer Pass is Threave Castle . It’s not a big castle by any means but in order to get to it you need to ring a bell, and a ferryman will appear to take you across the water to it – pretty cool!

Threave Castle dates back to the late 14th century, and became the stronghold of the Black Douglas’s. Before reaching the dock, you will need to walk for 10 minutes, which is nice if the weather cooperates.

Some of the castles on the Explorer Pass take a bit of walking to get to, so I find that the best time of the year to visit Scotland is in the summer months when the weather tends to be a little better.

Caerlaverock Castle

Located in the Dumfries and Galloway area of Scotland, Caerlaverock Castle is one historic site that should be near the top end of your list. I won’t bore you with historic facts or its architectural genius, because there’s a lot to talk about, except to say that it still has a moat around it and it dates back to the 13th century. It’s considered one of Scotland’s greatest medieval castles, and should definitely be on any Scottish road trip.

St Andrews Castle

This is a personal favourite of mine, since I went to university in St Andrews, but I promise I’m not being too biased. St Andrews Castle sits on top of a cliff overlooking the sea, and was once the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of the town. It dates back to the 13th century, and you can go underground and crawl through a 16th century siege mine too, which I would recommend doing as long as you don’t mind confined spaces.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £8.00

St Andrews Cathedral

Located in the stunning ruins of St Andrews Cathedral, St Rule’s Tower provides incredible views of the town and the Kingdom of Fife. It was once part of the 12th century Augustinian church that was first built on this site. Only a few people can fit at the top, and you need to climb up a lot of steps to get to it, but the view is definitely worth it! The cathedral grounds themselves are free to walk around.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £3.75

Linlithgow Palace

A lot of trips to Scotland include Edinburgh for obvious reasons, but there are a large number of historic locations to visit in the surrounding area too. Linlithgow Palace for example, is quite a short drive from Edinburgh and should definitely be added to any itinerary. It’s a very famous royal Scottish palace, and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

Craigmillar Castle

If you’re planning on visiting Edinburgh but are wondering what other castles the city has to offer, Craigmillar Castle is one of them. It’s one of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland and well worth stopping at, especially if you’ve rented a car. This 14th century castle is where Mary Queen of Scots fled to after the murder of her close friend Rizzio. It was also where the plot to murder her husband, Lord Darnley, was hatched.

Blackness Castle

There are a lot of castles near Edinburgh to explore, but Blackness Castle has to be one of the most unique ones. This boat-shaped 15th century castle was used in Outlander as Fort William and in the movie Mary Queen of Scots as the Palace of Holyroodhouse .

Throughout history it was mainly used as a garrison or state prison, and it provides gorgeous views of the Firth of Forth and Fife. If you’re looking for day trips in Scotland and are leaving from Edinburgh, you can easily see Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace in one trip.

Edinburgh Castle

You didn’t think I was going to miss Edinburgh Castle did you? I was actually very surprised that it was included in Scotland’s Explorer Pass because of its pricey entrance fee. This castle is one of the most famous castles in the world, and a key part of Edinburgh’s World Heritage old town.

It has been beautifully preserved, and its oldest part dates back to the 12th century. No tour of Scotland is complete without a stop here. Even if you’ve been in it before, you should still put your Explorer Pass to good use and visit it again.

Entry fee without Scotland’s Explorer Pass: £19.50 online or £22.00 at the ticket office

Is Scotland’s Explorer Pass worth it?

There are many more historic sites to visit with Scotland’s Explorer Pass not mentioned here. It’s certainly worth making a list of the ones you want to visit beforehand so you don’t miss out. But, the big question is how much did I save with the Explorer Pass?

I spent just £38 for the pass , and had I paid for each individual ticket at the sites, I would have ended up spending over £100 ! So, is the Explorer Pass really worth it? Definitely.

Scotland is full of beautiful places to discover, but my ultimate favourite spot is St Andrews . There is so much more to this coastal town than its golf courses and if you’re wondering where to stay, I would recommend treating yourself to the Rufflets Hotel .

Scotland is also very well known for its stunning landscapes, so if you’re a fan of walking, you’ll love the Fife Coastal Path . Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram to keep up to date with my travels!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.

Pin this blog post for later!

• X (Twitter)

Post navigation

Previous post.

No comments yet. Why don’t you start the discussion?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Where will your next adventure take you?

• More Networks

Related Content

Introducing two itinerary ideas, itinerary one: day 1 - visiting dundee / st andrews, itinerary two: day 1 - visiting galashiels / north berwick, itinerary one: day 2 - edinburgh to thurso, itinerary two: day 2 - edinburgh to aberdeen, (the grand tour route), (a return journey on the jacobite), itinerary one: day 4, skye to glasgow, itinerary two: day 4, fort william to tobermory, itinerary one: day 5, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary two: day 5, tobermory to glasgow, itinerary one: day 6, a day trip to bute, itinerary two: day 6, a day trip from glasgow, itinerary one: day 7, a day trip to oban, itinerary two: day 7, a day trip to arran, itinerary one: day 8, glasgow to newcastle, itinerary two: day 8, glasgow to the lake district, please support showmethejourney, other ideas for exploring scotland by train.

Seeing Scotland By Train - With a Spirit Of Scotland Pass

These Spirit Of Scotland itineraries will take you to the isles of Orkney, Bute, Mull, Arran and Skye.

Spirit of Scotland Passes valid for 8 days of travel can be purchased from staffed station ticket offices in Scotlland. (Passes are also available for 4 days of travel). They come in two parts, a ticket with a date on it, which you can use to open ticket gates, and a calendar on which you write the dates of travel on which you'll be using the pass, you don't have to be travelling on consecutive days.

You can use a Spirit of Scotland pass to travel in Standard Class (First Class upgrades are not available) on any non peak hour train in Scotland on your travel dates; as well as trains over the border to Berwick-on-Tweed and Carlisle. Seat reservations are available, but optional on these Scottish long-distance rail routes: 1. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Aberdeen 2. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> Inverness 3. Glasgow <> Oban or Mallaig via Fort William 4. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Carlisle 5. Glasgow or Edinburgh <> the border and to/from Berwick upon Tweed

Opting to reserve is highly recommended, and reservations can be arranged free of charge at ticket offices.

ShowMeTheJourney has come up with two itinerary ideas for making the most of a Spirit of Scotland Pass , valid for 8 days of travel Both trip ideas are along circular routes starting and finishing in Edinburgh, so you can jump in at any of the suggested overnight stops.

The idea is that you can mix and match the destination suggestions to suit you. For example, instead of heading on to Glasgow from Fort William on day four of Itinerary One, you could spend the night there and then pick up Itinerary Two, so that you can then head to the likes of Mull via Oban.

Though as the trains don’t run particularly frequently on Scotland’s most beautiful railway routes, ShowMeTheJourney has focused in the practical aspects of making these trips. However, it’s best to confirm departure times before heading to the station or planning your overnight stops - you’ll find the links to the info you'll need to check within this guide.

Itinerary One: 1. Edinburgh to St Andrews and or Dundee and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Thurso (and Orkney) 3. Thurso to the Isle of Skye 4. The Isle of Skye to Glasgow, including a one-way ride on The Jacobite steam train 5. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 6. Glasgow to Bute back to Glasgow 7. Glasgow to Oban and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to Newcastle (Taking the train back from Newcastle to Edinburgh)

Itinerary Two: 1. Edinburgh to Galashiels and or North Berwick and back to Edinburgh 2. Edinburgh to Aberdeen 3. Aberdeen to Fort William; and a return journey to Mallaig on The Jacobite steam train 4. Fort William to Tobermory on Mull via Oban 5. Tobermory to Glasgow 6. A day trip from Glasgow to somewhere fabulous 7. Glasgow to Arran and back to Glasgow 8. Glasgow to Carlisle and on to The Lake District in England (Taking a train from The Lake District back to Edinburgh)

This first day of train travels allows you to leave your luggage in Edinburgh and head off for a day of exploring the attractions to the north of the Scottish capital. Frequent trains, which you can hop on and off with the pass, link the city to Dalmeny (for The Forth Bridge and South Queensferry), Leuchars (for St Andrews) and on to Dundee .

If the V & A Museum in Dundee is on your ‘must-see’ list, it’s best to see it on a day-trip from Edinburgh − this is because Dundee station doesn’t have any left-luggage facilities, meaning it’s comparatively awkward to stop off and visit the museum while on route to destinations further north.

An option is to head off on a day trip from Edinburgh to explore some beautiful destinations to the south and east of the Scottish capital.

Take a journey on the delightful Borders Railway to the charming town of Galashiels and here is a great guide to what you can do there on arrival.

Then if you have the time and energy to spare, when you’re back at Edinburgh station you can hop on another train and make the 35 minute trip to North Berwick and explore its beautiful beaches and more - as this local guide explains.

Head to Thurso via Inverness to experience the journey on the spectacular Far North Line . By taking the 14:00 train on from Inverness, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the dramatic scenery of this aptly named rail route, as Thurso is the UK’s most northerly railway station.

It’s worth taking a seat on the right of the train when boarding in Inverness as the secret of this route’s beauty is its mix of mountains, moors and sea - as far north as Helmsdale it offers one of Britain’s longest coastal train journeys. There are coastal and sea loch views available between these stations:

• Inverness > Muir of Ord
• Alness > Invergordon
• Tain > Culrain by the Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland.
• Golspie <> Helmsdale.

Though it’s wise to plan your itinerary so you’ll be making this journey from Edinburgh to Thurso on Mondays to Saturdays. You’ll then have time to lunch in Inverness between trains (the connections on the Edinburgh to Thurso journey are generally a tad awkward).

The 08:37 departure from Edinburgh, which arrives in Inverness just after midday, also makes one of Europe’s most incredible train journeys .

After departure from Perth, you’ll be travelling on Britain’s highest conventional railway, the aptly named ‘Highland Main Line’, which sounds wonderfully evocative and romantic; and it is!

Adding Orkney to a Spirit of Scotland itinerary

From May to September, if you’d like to take up the option of extending your journey north, in order to include spectacular Orkney on a round Scotland itinerary, there are two means of heading to the island from Thurso:

(1) Take local bus route/line 80 to John O’Groats. From there, you can travel on to Kirkwall, the main town on Orkney, by a combination of the John O’ Groats ferry and connecting bus on from Burwick.

(2) Take the North Link Ferries service from Scrabster to Stromeness on Orkney. On arrival in Stromness, bus route/line X1 can take you on to Kirkwall. This second option is also available year round, but the only means of accessing Scrabster from Thurso is to book a taxi, as no local buses serve the ferry terminal. The journey is under two miles but, in the summer, it’s best to contact one of the local taxi hire companies and book ahead of your travel date.

A simple day’s travel on board a direct train to Aberdeen from Edinburgh, though take seat on the right-hand side of the train so that you can experience the fabulous coastal views.

This journeys conveys travellers over the magnificent Forth Bridge...

... and the UK's longest railway bridge over the River Tay.

The videos were filmed from trains travelling in the opposite direction.

Itinerary One: Day 3 - Thurso to Skye

To make the most of the scenery later on, when taking the second journey of the day, it’s best to take the train due to depart from Thurso at 08:34 (Monday to Saturday). So if you’ve added to Orkney to your itinerary you’ll need to head back to Thurso and spend the night there before taking this train. (Or you could travel in one day from Orkney to Inverness, spending the night there before picking up Itinerary Two).

You'll be connecting in Inverness for a train to Kyle Of Lochalsh, sit on the right when boarding in Inverness for the best views. This journey really does save the best till last because, after departure from Strathcarron, the vistas over the sea lochs are phenomenal.

Then connect in Kyle of Lochalsh for a bus, on which you can use your pass, over to the stunning Isle of Skye (this is the timetable ). The bus stop is a three to five minute walk from the station exit; head up to the main road, turn left, and the bus stop is on the road named ‘the old Slipway’, which is second on the left.

Choose a location on Skye that’s served by both the bus from Kyle and the bus to Armadale which you’ll be taking on Day Four. Suitable options include Broadford , Sconser and Portree .

It’s also wise to book your accommodation on Skye before you base the rest of your itinerary around staying here; when ShowMeTheJourney followed this route, I planned the journey about a month beforehand and then discovered that trying to find anywhere to stay in a suitable location on Skye, was nigh on impossible.

If the idea of including Skye on an around Scotland itinerary is what appeals the most, then the Grand Tour Ticket sold by Scotrail could be a better alternative than the Spirit Of Scotland Pass. It includes:

• A journey from Glasgow to Inverness
• The journey described above from Inverness to Skye
• The route onwards from Skye back to Glasgow, if you travel by the Scotrail trains from Mallaig.

Itinerary Two: Day 3 - Aberdeen to Fort William

Take a train from Aberdeen on the lovely route to Inverness...

...and then from there, at 13:00 and 15:00 a City Link bus on route 919 departs for Fort William (the journey, on which Spirit of Scotland passes can be used, takes 2hrs 5mins).

It’s best to confirm the train and bus times ahead, the connections in Inverness are usually conveniently timed, so you’ll want to make the most of them. The bus station in Inverness is a five-minute walk from the station. Turn right when exiting from the front of the station, then take the second right onto Margaret Street.

During its operating season from late May to late October the Jacobite steam train makes a return journey from Fort William on the spectacular route to Mallaig, including the journey over the Glenfinnan Viaduct showcased in the Harry Potter movies.

Because you’ll be waking in Fort William, you’ll be able to take the morning departure from there, so will be able to travel to and from Mallaig on the steam train. Though book ahead as the most popular departures sell out weeks in advance.

It’s worth putting up with the connections on this day of travel as this is an unforgettable journey! The first stage is the beautiful journey across Skye on the bus to Armadale which is where the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland will depart from – the Spirit Of Scotland Pass is valid on the bus, but you will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

The train you’ll take from Mallaig is no ordinary train though. The optimum connection is to take the Jacobite steam train which, during its operating season from late May to late October, departs daily from Mallaig at 14:10. You’ll need to pre-book separate tickets for the Jacobite − ideally at least a month ahead, as seats typically sell out well in advance.

The Jacobite train arrives at Fort William station more than an hour before the train to Glasgow departs at 17:37. In summer, when days at their longest, it’s possible to enjoy the stunning West Highland Line scenery on this final leg of the journey (take a seat on the right-hand side when boarding in Fort William, in order to see the best of the views). Your train will arrive in Glasgow, at Queen Street station before 21:30.

Before committing to this route, it’s worth confirming the schedules of the bus to Armadale. The bus may arrive in Armadale around an hour before the ferry departs and then the ferry may get to Mallaig more than hour before you depart on the steam train – time enough for a lovely fish and chip lunch in the café at Mallaig station.

If you don’t take The Jacobite, or will be travelling on days when it isn’t operating, that train from Fort William to Glasgow, will commence its journey in Mallaig around an hour after the steam train is scheduled to depart. There are multiple pubs and cafes in Mallaig in which to wait for the direct train to Glasgow.

Take the train, which usually departs Fort William at 11:40 to Crianlarich, it will be the train heading to Glasgow and take a seat on the right to make the most of the spectacular views!

On arrival in Crianlarich there should be a connection of around 50 minutes into a train to Oban, which will arrive there just before 15:30. If you want to head to Tobermory, on the Island of Mull, there’s usually a ferry to Craignure , departing at 15:55, which connects with a bus on to Tobermory (the ferry terminal in Oban is a five-minute walk from the train station). You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Or spend a couple of nights in Oban and make a day trip on the ferries to Mull or beautiful Lismore – the ferry crossings to both islands take under an hour.

This is an opportunity to make a comparatively short day trip by train from Glasgow, the options include.

- Loch Lomond – by taking a train to Balloch - New Lanark – by taking the trains to Lanark - Stirling Castle - take a frequent train from Glasgow Queen Street - The Falkirk Wheel - take bus route/line 6 from Falkirk Grahamston station, which is served by 2 x trains per hour from Glasgow Queen Street - avoid the trains to Falkirk High station. (Both the castle and the wheel can be easily be combined on one day trip, there are frequent trains between Falkirk and Stirling).

When boarding the train in Oban it’s best to take seats on the right, as during the journey you’ll then be able to see the stunning views over Loch Awe, Lochan na Bi, Loch Gare, Loch Long and the River Clyde.

If you’ve opted to stay in Tobermory, the journey from there to Glasgow, can take only around 4hr 30 mins, with the optimum transfers from bus, to ferry and then on to the train. You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Every hour, a train from Glasgow Central journeys to Wemyss Bay railway station. There will be time to appreciate this truly magical station before the ferry departs for Rothesay (in the summer, the boats connect with every train arrival).

This delightful ferry crossing takes around 35 minutes and, on arrival, you can see the best of Bute touring the island on an open-topped bus.

You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

Take one of those comparatively short day trips from Glasgow listed above, or head off on the day trip to Bute.

At 10:33 a train will usually depart from Queen Street station for Oban .

The charming coastal town is pretty much the perfect location for a late lunch. On Mondays to Saturdays the train from Glasgow will arrive there at 13:43 and the trains back to Glasgow should be departing at 16:11 and 18:11.

But on the fresh part of the journey between Clanriach and Oban, from the left of the train there will be views over Lochan na Bi and then after Dalmeny the railway is by the shore of Loch Awe.

Then before and after Connel Ferry station , there are some coastal views to be savoured over on the right. So it can be a good idea to take a seat on the other side of the train on the return journey to Glasgow.

Trains from Glasgow Central station take less than 45 minutes to make the journey to Ardrossan Harbour station, where an easy transfer is available to the ferries that travel over to Brodick, the main town on the island of Arran . You will need to buy tickets for the ferry crossing .

It’s possible to depart Glasgow after 11:00 and see the best of the island on a straightforward day trip, but you should **[check the Due to the variety seen in its majestic landscape, Arran has been described as ‘Scotland in miniature’ and a network of local bus routes link the ferry terminal in Brodick to beauty spots across the island. Though the buses are timed to connect with the ferry arrivals, so it’s best to take time out to explore the charms of Brodick when arriving back in the village; before awaiting the ferry back to the mainland.

The Mondays to Saturday only schedule is:

• Depart Glasgow Central by train at 11:18
• Arrive Ardrossan Harbour at 12;05
• Depart Ardrossan Harbour at 12:30
• Arrive Brodick at 13:25
• Depart Brodick on bus/line route 324 at 13:40; the route goes along the island's north coast
• Arrive Blackwater at 15:02
• Depart Blackwater at 15:40 on bus/line route 322 , which takes the The String road through the mountains across the island
• Arrive Brodick at 16:08
• Depart Brodick at 16:40
• Arrive Glasgow at 18:50

During the summer, the final ferry of the day usually departs from Brodick at 19:20.

Make a diversion into England and spend some time in the fabulous city of Newcastle . At the ticket office in Glasgow, you can book a ticket from Carlisle to Newcastle (the Spirit of Scotland Pass will take you as far as Carlisle). On arrival in Carlisle, you’ll usually need to connect for a train on to Newcastle , but the train that departs Glasgow at 16:13 provides a direct link.

Having spent some time enjoying Newcastle, it’s then an easy and spectacular journey back to Edinburgh on your 9th day of travels; try to sit on the right-hand side of the train to make the most of the fabulous sea views pictured above (you’ll also save money if you book an advance ticket for the trip back to Edinburgh).

The Spirit Of Scotland Pass will convey you over the English border to Carlisle, so an option is take the slower and longer route to that city on the wonderful and aptly named Carlisle Line . Then from Carlisle in less than 30 minutes you’ll be at Penrith North Lakes station , which is so named because of the access it offers by public transport to The Lake District .

Hourly buses on routes X4 or X5 stop just outside the station and provide a connection to Keswick , on Derwentwater (journey time 41 minutes) and guaranteed connections are available in Keswick on to Basenthwaite village and Cockermouth. Route 555 provides an hourly service on from Keswick to Ambleside , the location of Wordsworth’s cottage at Rydale and to Windermere.

There are also comparatively frequent direct trains from Glasgow to Penrith , you can buy a ticket for the part of the journey from Carlisle to Penrith at Glasgow Central station.

There also multiple direct trains per day from Penrith North Lakes that will take you back to your starting point in Edinburgh in under two hours; and this journey makes for a wonderful climax to your adventure.

Penrith North Lakes station also has direct trains to Birmingham, London, Manchester and Liverpool; though book ahead to save money with Advance tickets on the journey from Penrith.

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help. We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

Instead of advertising or paywalls, your financial support will make a positive difference to delivering an enhanced service, as there’s a lot of ideas which we want to make happen.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please go here to say thank you .

Simon Harper

I wanted to share my passion for train travel and explain how anyone can take the fantastic journeys I have taken.

This is one of more than 100 train travel guides available on ShowMeTheJourney , which will make it easier to take the train journeys you want or need to make. As always, all images were captured on trips taken by ShowMeTheJourney.

Help keep us advertising and paywall free!

This second version of ShowMeTheJourney is exciting and new, so we are genuinely thrilled that you are here and reading this, but we also need your help.

We’re striving not to let anything get in the way of providing the most useful service possible, hence a facility has been set up with DonorBox which can be used to support the running costs and make improvements.

So if you have found the info provided here to be useful, please consider saying thank you.

• Europe by Train
• Journey Guides
• Rail Stations
• Trip Planning
• Travel Articles
• Tips from 100s of journeys
• How to take a night train
• Good to know about daytime trains
• Travelling with Children
• Taking Bikes on Trains
• Travelling with Luggage
• Taking dogs on trains
• Common benefits of first class travel
• Journeys with multiple connections
• Money saving advice
• The best permanent deals and offers
• Intro to seat reservations
• Step-by-step booking guides
• InterRail/Eurail
• Access over 500 rail holidays
• Save 5% on more than 30 Swiss rail holidays
• Book a range of Swiss rail passes
• Buy Half Fare Cards for Switzerland
• Book train tickets with Trainline
• Book rail holidays worldwide with Bookmundi

Unforgettable experiences

at our iconic historical sites

Ready for autumnal adventure?

Experience Scotland's autumn with a visit to our historic sites, where you can discover a world of history, heritage, and breathtaking views.

Come and see our sites in all their colourful autumnal beauty before the winter sets in, but don't forget to pack your hats and scarves!

Whether you're seeking a leisurely stroll, a thrilling adventure in a historic fortress, or simply a chance to relax and unwind with family and friends, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

We can't wait to welcome you.

Become a member

Become a member today and help us protect and preserve Scotland’s national assets now and for future generations.

Take a look at our full list of exciting autumn and winter events coming up, book now for Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle as it returns for its 5th year. Secure your spot with our early bird discount using the code COLSM24 at the checkout.

Don’t miss out! To avoid disappointment, we recommend booking tickets online in advance to guarantee entry to our sites. This is essential when planning a visit to some of our busiest sites including Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, Edinburgh Castle, Inchmahome Priory, Lochleven Castle, Maeshowe Chambered Cairn, Skara Brae, Stirling Castle, and Urquhart Castle.

Explore iconic sites and Scotland's fascinating history with our Explorer Pass - a great and easy way to visit many of our properties! The pass is valid for 14 consecutive days. The pass includes entry to the sites mentioned below. Visits must be booked in advance.

Select a ticket option

Visiting us.

We are pleased that many of our sites are open again. While some of the buildings may be closed, the grounds can still be enjoyed by all. Please check individual listings for more information. For our ticketed sites, we do recommend booking in advance to guarantee entry.

Find out more

Aberdour Castle and Gardens

Arbroath Abbey

The grounds and visitor centre (exhibition, shop & toilets) are open

The abbey is closed while high-level conservation works take place.

Balvenie Castle

Biggar Gasworks Museum

Bishop's and Earl's Palaces, Kirkwall

Blackness Castle

We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry.

Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace

Bothwell Castle

Broch of Gurness

Caerlaverock Castle

There is currently no visitor access to the West range, outer stair and North West and East towers.

Cairnpapple Hill

Castle Campbell

Corgarff Castle

Opening on Wednesday 1 May

Craigmillar Castle

Open, some restrictions in place

Crossraguel Abbey

The gatehouse, cloisters, nave and shop are open

Dirleton Castle

There is currently no visitor access to the Guard House, South Entrance and De Vaux range

Doune Castle

We recommend booking online in advance to guarantee entry

Dryburgh Abbey

Visits will be by guided tour

Dumbarton Castle

Dunblane Cathedral

Free of charge, donations welcome

Dundonald Castle

Dundrennan Abbey

Some restrictions in place

Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

Edinburgh Castle

Tickets often sell out in advance. Book your tickets online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.

Elcho Castle

Please note that tickets can currently only be purchased on-site.

Elgin Cathedral

Fort George

Glasgow Cathedral

Glenluce Abbey

Hackness Martello Tower and Battery

Hermitage Castle

Huntingtower Castle

Huntly Castle

Inchcolm Abbey

Inchmahome Priory

Iona Abbey and Nunnery

Jarlshof Prehistoric and Norse Settlement

Jedburgh Abbey

Access to the Abbey Church is through the east processional door.

Kildrummy Castle

Kinneil House

House tours available, must be pre-booked

The grounds are open year-round free of charge

Kisimul Castle

The castle is closed, but we are running boat trips around Castlebay

Linlithgow Palace

Lochleven Castle

Maeshowe Chambered Cairn

Visits by guided tour only

Due to limited capacity, it is recommended to reserve your visit online to guarantee entry and avoid disappointment.

Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum

Melrose Abbey

The abbey grounds, cloister and museum are open

There is currently no visitor access to the abbey church

New Abbey Corn Mill

Newark Castle

Rothesay Castle

Smailholm Tower

Spynie Palace

St Andrews Castle

There is no access to foretower

St Andrews Cathedral

The grounds of the cathedral are open, free of charge

St Rule's Tower and the Museum are currently closed.

St Vigeans Stones and Museum

Please note the site will be closed 13-30 July.

Stanley Mills

Stirling Castle

We recommend booking online in advance for the best price and to guarantee entry.

Sweetheart Abbey

The cloister is open

You can visit the cloister, but there is currently no visitor access to the rest of the site

Tantallon Castle

There is currently no visitor access to the east tower and doocot.

The Blackhouse, Arnol

Threave Castle

The island and grounds are open

The castle is closed while high-level conservation works take place.

Tolquhon Castle

Trinity House

Urquhart Castle

Whithorn Priory and Museum

Many of our unstaffed sites are open

From standing stones to castle grounds, many of the sites in our care are open to visit for free. Be sure to check a site is open before you travel.

Still have questions?

Take a look at our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about visiting our sites

• What You Get
• Attractions
• Pick Your Pass

No products in the cart.

save up to 40% with your Edinburgh city pass

Pick your Pass One, two or three consecutive days

Download your Pass Print or save on your phone

Show your Pass Scan for free entry at our favourite places

how it works

Each pass is valid for either one, two or three consecutive calendar days and is simply scanned at each experience to gain entry.  Passes are only activated when you enter the first experience of your visit.  We email your pass right away so you can print or simply show it on your phone. You might need to book ahead for some experiences but we will always keep you right. 

what's included

Open return airport transfer, hop-on hop-off city bus, local boat trip and free entry to our favourite experiences and walking tours from around Edinburgh. We also share our favourite local spots perfect for when you’re thirsty, hungry or just a bit curious. These experiences are curated by people who live here based on what visitors and locals love to see and do. 

planning ahead

You will need to pre-book for some experiences, but we will always keep you right. Our attractions page is kept up to date with what’s included (and open). Any new experiences added (or re-opened) before your visit will of course be included in your pass.

we love and live Edinburgh

Visit vaults under old Edinburgh, stand on top of towering monuments, see inside stately homes, delve deep in a coal mine, escape on a boat trip on the River Forth, be super-enthralled by the supernatural on a haunted history tour, marvel within a medieval house … pop them all and more into your pocket. Enjoy sights worth seeing, off the beaten track, away from the crowds, beyond the usual and near perfect.

Save up to 40%

Folks love what we do

Free 24 hour cancellation

what's included?

Free 24 hour hop-on hop-off ticket -normally £18 per person

Free return ticket from airport to city centre - normally £9.50 per person

Free entry to Hollyrood Distillery - normally £20 per person

Free boat tour of the three bridges - normally £24 per person

Free south bridge vaults walking tour - normally £18 per person

Free entry to Dynamic Earth - normally £19.50 per person

Free Harry Potter Walking Tour - normally £15 per person

There’s plenty more to choose from, just click below

Edinburgh city pass reviews

Is the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass worth it? Our review

We visit Scotland all the time and it’s one of our most favourite places to go.  I love exploring the country and even through I grew up there there is so much still to see!  

Over the years we’ve visited many castles and historic properties in Scotland and this past visit we decided to purchase the Scotland Explorer Pass which we’d never done before.  If you’re considering buying it but then wondering is the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass worth it then perhaps our review will help you to decide on your purchase.

The Historic Scotland pass (also called the Scottish Explorer pass) is perfect for lovers of history and exploring the past of the places you travel – it includes castles, abbeys, churches, towers, gardens, prehistoric villages and much more!   Spoiler alert – we really made the most of ours!  

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

How much is the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass?

The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is currently priced at £35 for the 5 day pass and £45 for the 14 day pass.  When you consider that getting in to just Edinburgh castle alone is £19.50 you can see that this could certainly be worth purchasing!

There are concession prices of £28 / £36 for students and adults over 60.  

Child prices are £21/£27 (aged 5 – 15).  If you’re going as a family it might be worth getting the family pass which is £70/£90 and is for 2 adults and up to 6 children!  

These prices are correct as at October 2019

Buy the pass in advance here: Scotland Explorer Pass

What sites are included in the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass

The main sites that people want to see are Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Doune Castle (there are a lot of castles near Edinburgh ), Skara Brae (tick off those UK World Heritage sites !) and Melrose Abbey but there are so many more places that are included.  Whether you’re interested in castles, abbeys, prehistory or more recent history there will be something to suit.   The following is a list of the 70+ included sites in October 2019:  

Edinburgh & the Lothians

• Blackness castle
• Carinpapple Hill
• Craigmillar Castle
• Chrichton Castle
• Dirleton Castle and Gardens
• Edinburgh castle
• Inchcolm Abbey and Island
• Linlithgow Palace
• Seton Collegiate Church
• Tantallon Castle
• Trinity House Maritime Museum ( advance booking required )

The Scottish Borders

• Dryburgh Abbey
• Hermitage Castle
• Jedburgh Abbey
• Melrose Abbey
• Smailholm Tower

Dumfries and Galloway

• Caerlaverock Castle
• Cardoness Castle
• Dundrennan Abbey
• Glenluce Abbey
• MacLellan’s Castle
• New Abbey Corn Mill
• Sweetheart Abbey
• Threave Castle
• Whithorn Priory and Museum

Glasgow, Clyde and Ayrshire

• Bothwell Castle
• Craignethan Castle
• Crossraguel Abbey
• Dumbarton Castle
• Dundonald Castle
• Glasgow Cathedral
• Newark Castle
• Rothesay Castle

Central and West Scotland

• Argyll’s Lodging
• Bonawe Historic Iron Furnace
• Castle Campbell and Gardens
• Doune Castle
• Dunblane Cathedral
• Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
• Inchmahome Priory
• Iona Abbey and Nunnery
• Stirling Castle
• Aberdour Castle and Gardens
• Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
• St Andrews Castle
• St Andrews Cathedral

Perthsire, Kinross and Angus

• Arbroath Abbey
• Edzell Castle and Gardens
• Elcho Castle
• Huntingtown Castle
• Lochleven Castle ( Prior advance booking recommended )
• Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum
• St Serf’s Church and Dupplin Cross
• St Vigeans Sculptured Stones ( Open by appointment only )
• Stanley Mills

North Scotland and Grampian

• Balvenie Castle
• Corgaff Castle
• Dallas Dhu Historic Distillery
• Elgin Cathedral
• Fort George
• Huntly Castle
• Kildrummy Castle
• Kinnaird Head Castle and Lighthouse and The Museums of Scottish Lighthouses
• Spynie Palace
• Tolquhon Castle
• Urquhart Castle

The Western Isles

• The Blackhouse, Arnol
• Calanais Standing Stones (Callanish)
• Kisimul Castle

Orkney and Shetland Isles

• The Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces, Kirkwall
• Broch of Gurness
• Brough of Birsay
• Hackness Martello Tower and Battery
• Jarlshoff Prehistoric and Norse Settlement
• Maeshow Chambered Cairn ( advance booking advised )
• Skara Brae prehistoric Village

What is not included is entrance to Holyrood Palace which although is a Historic Scotland property comes under the Holyroodhouse Palace entrance fee.  Do bear that in mind if you fancy seeing that while in Edinburgh.  

How long does the pass last for?

There are two different pass lengths you can choose from: 5 days and 14 days.   The days you can use the pass are consecutive and you validate and start using the pass when you get to your first attraction.  You can visit more than one attraction each day and there’s no limit to how many you can visit (although you can only visit each attraction once).    

So, is the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass worth it?

The heritage pass is definitely worth it on a monetary level if you were planning to visit the locations anyway.  Whether it’s worth buying is going to depend on a few things: where you’re based, how long you have for your trip, whether you have a car or are relying on public transport and how many other things are on your must see list for your vacation time.  

For us we planned a trip to solely explore the historic abbeys in the Scottish Borders and as we had our dog on the trip it meant we could enjoy days out with her tagging along (not all sites allowed dogs but a good many do so check it out if you have your furry friend with you).  

We planned it out, checked out the cost with and without and it made sense for us.  We had our own car so could add a few sites in to each day and we were actually really lucky with the weather too so that didn’t call off any days for us.

If we’d had a few days of doing non pass related activities I think we’d have found that it wouldn’t have been as worth it and we’d have struggled to fit everything in.  

If we’d been there for 2 weeks and had the 14 day pass it would be better as the cost is not too much more for the longer pass so if you’re in the country for that long I’d definitely suggest that.  

One thing I like about having these passes is that it forces me to get out and make the most of it – I can be quite bad for not being decisive enough when I go on holiday and we can end up not doing very much, especially when I have to pay out on the day for 4 adults!  Having the pass paid for in advance really helps me.  I’m not sure if anyone else is like that – I think it goes back to when we used to go on holiday with hardly any money and I just had to stretch the pounds!  

Where can you get the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass?

You can buy the Historic Scotland Explorer Pass at any of the sites where there is a manned entry point so if you’re not sure and just want to decide when you get there you can do that.   If you know you definitely want to take advantage of the pass then I’d recommend getting the pass in advance.  

I always use Viator lately – you can buy the pass through them and it keeps your booking on your mobile (less paper!) ready for you to validate when you get to Scotland.  

You can get the pass in advance here: Scotland Explorer Pass

A note about using the Passes in Winter

Our trip to use the passes was in Scotland in Winter and so I did quite a bit of research to make sure that we’d get our money’s worth at this time.  You need to bear in mind that in winter some sites close completely and some sites operate much more reduced opening times.  

As it gets dark so early you might not get time to travel to all the places you want and get time to adequately look around.  As it was, most of what we wanted to do were pretty close together and so it worked out well – we did still manage to plan a trip to somewhere that was closed though!

Weather can, of course, be an issue all year round in Scotland but also be aware that it could make or break a trip for you especially if you are doing outside attractions for the most part.  Many castles have indoor areas but many of the more ruined castles and abbeys don’t so you’ll need an umbrella, sturdy boots and a plan for a hot chocolate afterwards!  

Thankfully most sites have a small shop and sometimes a cafe.  Do also check on social media before hand in case the weather causes any closures before you travel as it does happen.  

Regional Passes

There is another option if you’re visiting specific regions only.  Historic Scotland does some regional passes which last for 30 days but they are only valid from April to September.  They are perfect if you want to visit all of the sites and have the time frame to do so at a more leisurely pace.  

Obviously these don’t include all the sites and none include Edinburgh Castle.  

Scottish Borders

Orkney  

You can buy these at the properties or online at the links above.    

Historic Scotland Membership vs Explorer Pass

If you live in Scotland, have an extended stay in the country or visit a number of times a year then perhaps a 12 month membership might be worth it for you. An adult’s annual cost is £52.20 so if you will have plenty of visits it could definitely work out better value for you – you wouldn’t be restricted to just one visit to each property too – see more about it here .  

If you just have one visit to Scotland planned then I’d recommend just having the Explorer Pass – it is cheaper and is perfect for what you’ll want.  

Book your Scotland Vacation:

Check flights: Skyscanner Book Car Rental: DiscoverCars Book hotels: Booking.com Book Vacation Rentals: VRBO.com

And don’t forget to pick up a guide book !

Pin for later!

Kirsty Bartholomew

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• More to Explore
• Things To Do

Do Pre-Paid Touring Passes Give You More Bang for Your Buck?

Compare Some of the Best

Pre-paid, discount visitor passes that offer "free" entry to a large number of landmarks, historic buildings, gardens and parks can be a boon if you are watching the pennies. But a pass can also be a double edged sword. Here's why - 

On the plus side

• You can budget your sightseeing expenses in advance so you have fewer costly surprises while touring.
• If you make good use of a pass, you'll save a lot on normal entry fees.
• You usually won't have to wait in long lines during busy vacation and holiday seasons because most passes give you priority entry.
• The variety of attractions featured usually gives you and your family plenty of choice for planning your itinerary.

On the minus side

• Passes are sold with time limits - usually 7, 14 or 21 days. You need to balance what they cost with how many attractions you are likely to want visit or to be able to fit in during the allotted time.
• There can be a lot of pressure to rush around trying to see everything within the time limit. so that you get your money's worth. This can be particularly true of 1 and 3 day city passes which are not always good value.
• You need to take a good look at what's included to make sure you're really interested in enough of the attractions to get your money's worth.
• Some passes have imposed limitations - days of the week when you can't use your pass or parts of the attractions that are not included. Read the small print carefully.

Which Pass?

We used to recommend the Great British Heritage Pass which offered overseas visitors entry to hundreds of attractions of all different kinds in England, Scotland and Wales. Privately owned, English Heritage and National Trust attractions were all included.

Sadly, this pass was discontinued. It was replaced with an England-only pass that offers fewer attractions. But there is a silver lining. The new heritage pass is more focused on the most popular attractions - the ones you've probably read about and are looking forward to seeing. It's also much cheaper than the old pass so it's easier to add one or two of the other passes - English Heritage, National Trust, Wales or Scotland Explorer. And it's available to both overseas and home country visitors.

These are the passes available as of 2018:

• The English Heritage Overseas Visitor's Pass is available for 9 or 16 days in single adult, two adults or family versions with prices, in 2018 starting at $48 for a single adult. It is only sold to overseas visitors and is available online through the VisitBritain shop or the English Heritage website. This is a very good pass if you're planning your first trip to England because it includes unlimited visits to all English Heritage properties including Stonehenge with its fabulous new visitor center, Battle Abbey near the 1066 battlefield where William the Conqueror...well conquered, castles, abbeys, prehistoric monuments, ruins, Hadrian's Wall and lots more. There are more than 100 sites and attractions on this pass. It also includes a free overseas visitors guidebook and free or reduced entry to special events such as re-enactments and jousts.  Find out more about the pass and how to buy it.
• Scottish Passes  The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is flexible enough to give you plenty of time to enjoy Scotland's landscapes, lochs, coasts and mountains as well as its castles, abbeys, museums and prehistoric sites. Unlike some visitors passes that are only worthwhile if you commit yourself to a relentless trek from one landmark to another, this one is good for a number of days within a longer period (three days in a five day period or seven days in 14) giving you plenty of time for hill rambles, nature walks, loch fishing, golf and boating - all that good, outdoorsy stuff for which Scotland is best known. And the sights you can visit include castles, abbeys, prehistoric settlements and my favorites Maes Howe and Skara Brae on Orkney. The pass starts at $45 for a single adult in 2018. If you're really keen on historic sites,you might want to consider the Scottish Heritage Pass , starting at $72 in 2018. You can use it to visit 120 sites across Scotland, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Culzean Castle, Glasgow Cathedral and the Culloden Battlefield. Its good for unlimited use during seven consecutive days between April 1 and September 30. Both passes are available in dollars through the Visit Britain website. Find out more about them including how to buy them.

More Passes Worth Considering

The National Trust Touring Pass - all the trust's treasures for one fee, starting at $45 in 2018. Only available for buyers outside of the UK.

The Wales Explorer Pass  - 3 or 7 day passes, starting at £22, good for the castles, abbeys, manors and ruins in the care of CADW, the Welsh government heritage arm. The pass can be purchased at any of the CADW sites. Click here and scroll down for a full list.

Related Articles

More related articles.