Historic Environment Scotland announces summer events programme
Over 1,000 years of history is set to come alive across many of Scotland’s most iconic historic attractions as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) launches its 2023 summer events programme.
As part of this year’s fun packed programme, Easter sees the much loved Unicorn back at Stirling Castle (8-9 April), celebrating Scotland’s mythical national creature with a weekend of family friendly activities around the iconic castle; while annual favourite Spectacular Jousting will again take place in the grounds of both Linlithgow Palace (1-2 July) and Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway (29-30 July).
The Easter holiday weekend (April 7-10) will also see a range of HES sites and attractions across the country host the annual Easter Eggsplorer Trails where younger kids and their families can enjoy fun themed historical challenges and have the chance to pick up some chocolatey treats as well.
A series of Living History events are also planned at many HES sites where costumed historical performers will be on hand to tell visitors about the history of the site and the characters they portray. The programme will take place at attractions including Edinburgh Castle, Melrose Abbey, and Elgin Cathedral on selected dates from April 1-16.
Fort George near Inverness again hosts Celebration of the Centuries (12-13 August), HES’s largest re-enactment event providing a living timeline of Scotland’s history where visitors can wander through the Living History camps boasting everything from Picts and Romans to Vikings, Jacobites and First World War soldiers as well as being able to dance along to a big band and Swing dancers in the 40s Zone. The two-day spectacular will also see stunt horse riders from the TV series Outlander performing a show inspired by the events of the ’45 Jacobite Rising.
