Historic Scotland Events Guide 2012

events & days out 2012

From jovial jesters to jousting knights, something for everyone

Cover Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace RobMcDougall.com

event highlights | 3 Enchanted Easter (Page 4)

discover stories of people, places & power Grand Tournament of Foote (Page 5)

Welcome to a fun-filled year packed with exciting Historic Scotland events.

From Jacobites to mounted knights, we will be bringing the past to life at castles, palaces and other historic attractions across Scotland.

Our fantastic programme will delight all ages.

Almost all of our daytime events are included in the normal admission price for the attraction.

Become a Historic Scotland member, for less than ÂŁ7 a month for families, and experience many of our daytime events for free.

Spectacular Jousting (Page 8)

On top of all the events in this guide, keep an eye out for hundreds of more intimate living history performances taking place throughout the year.

Whether it’s marching with a Roman Auxiliary or helping a Renaissance noblewoman dress for the Royal Court, delve into the nitty gritty of history.

Celebration of the Centuries (Page 11)

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

4 | april Enchanted Easter

may | 5 Must See Event

Must See Event

Grand Tournament of Foote

enchanted easter

grand tournament of foote

Saturday 7, Sunday 8 April Stirling Castle

Sunday 6, Monday 7 May Urquhart Castle

For a magical family day out this Easter visit Stirling Castle. Meet a 1,000 year old wizard, watch spectacular jugglers and jocular jesters and discover all about James IV’s personal alchemist who tried to fly from the castle walls.

Cheer on your champion as our fully armoured foot knights collide in a series of colourful and bone-jarring bouts. Visit the living history camp and discover how squires would prepare their knights for battle and how armour was made.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £6.50

• 11.00am – 4.30pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £7.40, Concession £5.90, Child £4.50

castle magic

for the king!

Saturday 7 April Stirling Castle

Come along for an evening of enchantment and amusement in the Great Hall.

Be entertained by our skilled magicians and some of the darker stories from the castle’s dramatic history. Bar available. Not suitable for young children.

• 8.00pm – 10.30pm • Adult £15.00, Concession & Historic Scotland members £10.00

Saturday 19, Sunday 20 May Blackness Castle The year is 1651. Join the castle’s embattled soldiers as they defend Scotland against Cromwell’s bloody onslaught. Visit the authentic military camp, and witness the clash of pike and the crash of fierce musket and cannon fire.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £5.00, Concession £4.00, Child £3.00

return of the murrays Sunday 27 May Bothwell Castle In 1337 Sir Andrew Murray came and took back his ancestral home from the invading English, with the aid of a powerful siege-engine ‘Bowstoure’.

Find out about the weapons of the medieval soldier and witness fast-paced combat displays.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £4.00, Concession £3.20, Child £2.40

6 | june

june | 7

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

the king’s new clothes Saturday 2, Sunday 3 June Stirling Castle As you enjoy the pomp and circumstance of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, come to Stirling Castle to discover how such things were done hundreds of years ago.

Join the Royal Court for an appreciation of Renaissance style through a host of entertaining presentations – including one on the king’s trousers.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £6.50

a midsummer night’s dream & romeo and juliet A Midsummer Night’s Dream / Thursday 7, Friday 8 June Romeo and Juliet / Saturday 9 June St Andrews Castle Come and join us in the beautiful surroundings of St Andrews Castle for a choice of enchanting and dramatic Shakespearean plays by Chapterhouse Theatre.

Make an evening of it by bringing a picnic. No seating is supplied so please bring something lawn-friendly to sit on. Hot and cold drinks available.

• Doors open at 6.30pm, performance starts at 7.30pm • Adult £13.50, Concession & Child £9.00, Family Ticket (2 Adults, 2 Children) £40.00 • Limited places, book in advance online at www.seetickets.com

A Witch’s Brew

the declaration of independence Saturday 9, Sunday 10 June Arbroath Abbey Meet some of the earls and barons who put their name to one of the most iconic documents in history. Find out about the bitter feuds between different nobles and see the violent means they took to pursue them.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £5.50, Concession £4.40, Child £3.30

scottish chamber orchestra Thursday 14 June Dunblane Cathedral The Scottish Chamber Orchestra brings a concert of popular classics to the wonderfully atmospheric surroundings of Dunblane Cathedral.

• 8.00pm • Adult £14.00, Senior Citizens and Historic Scotland members £12.00, Children, U26s, students, unemployed people and people with a disability (and carer) £5.00 • Tickets available from Albert Halls Box Office. Contact 01786 473 544 or email alberthalls@stirling.gov.uk

a witch’s brew Sunday 24 June Dirleton Castle In the year 1590 North Berwick was rife with rumour and hearsay as hundreds of suspected witches were arrested. Come to Dirleton Castle as the infamous witch-finder John Kincaid tries to get to the bottom of a particularly troublesome case. Gawp at the horrific methods and torturous tools used to draw out dark confessions!

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £5.00, Concession £4.00, Child £3.00

8 | june / july Spectacular Jousting

july | 9 Must See Event

Scottish Chamber Orchestra

A Grand Country Residence

spectacular jousting

scottish chamber orchestra

Saturday 30 June, Sunday 1, Saturday 7, Sunday 8 July Linlithgow Palace

Thursday 19 July Stirling Castle

Hear the thunder of hooves and the crack of lances splintering as our brave knights stage an unforgettable display of horsemanship and skill with the sword and lance.

Nicholas McGegan Conductor William Berger Baritone The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and popular guest conductor, Nicholas McGegan, are joined by South African baritone William Berger in a programme featuring both well-known favourites and rarities from 18th-century operatic repertoire, including works by Mozart and Cimarosa. The splendour of the Great Hall at Stirling Castle and music from one of the world’s finest chamber orchestras promise a perfect summer evening’s entertainment.

Enjoy a fantastic fun day out in the magnificent setting of Linlithgow Palace Peel, as you cheer on your chosen knight, wander through the colourful camps and see the exciting foot combat, living history displays and comedy shows.

• • • •

12.30pm – 4.30pm Adult £11, Concession £8.80, Child £6.60 Family ticket available Buy tickets in advance online and save 10% at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/jousting • Free park and ride • Guaranteed free entry for Historic Scotland members – simply show your membership card on the day

• 8.00pm • Adults £18.00, Senior Citizens & Historic Scotland members £15.00, Children, U26s, students, unemployed people and people with a disability (and carer) £5.00 • Tickets available from Albert Halls Box Office. Contact 01786 473 544 or email alberthalls@stirling.gov.uk

a grand country residence Sunday 22 July Aberdour Castle In the 17th century the 8th Earl of Morton, a man of great wealth and taste, spent a vast amount of money on his sumptuous castle. Come along to meet the man himself and get an introduction into the pastimes and leisure of a nobleman: archery, shooting and games of skill!

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £5.00, Concession £4.00, Child £3.00

10 | july / august Medieval Mayhem

august | 11 Games and Crafts in the Garden

Must See Event

Celebration of the Centuries

medieval mayhem

celebration of the centuries

Thursday 26, Friday 27, Saturday 28, Sunday 29 July Caerlaverock Castle

Saturday 11, Sunday 12 August Fort George

Experience medieval life first hand as this family favourite returns for another year.

Bring along your little lords and ladies to test their skills at archery, foam sword fighting and hobby-horse jousting. Meet a fully armoured knight and learn how to dress for battle on a day full of games and tales of derring do!

Do not miss this stunning event, Historic Scotland’s largest of the year.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Adult £7.00, Concession £6.00, Child £4.50, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £20.00

There’s so much to see and do: marvel at the daring displays of combat skills in the main arena, wander around the colourful living history camps and take your pick from a huge number of interactive activities. Dance along to the big-band sound in the 1940s zone and keep a look out for the highlight of the show – the most famous British fighter plane of World War II, the Spitfire.

games and crafts in the garden Sunday 5 August Dirleton Castle Come and enjoy a day in the beautiful gardens at Dirleton Castle. Whilst you’re there try your hand at medieval games, discover the surprising uses of plants throughout history and create your very own masterpiece with the help of our professional artist.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Adult £7.00, Concession £6.00, Child £4.50, Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £20.00

Join in the excitement and wonder as re-enactors from all over Britain come to the magnificent setting of Fort George to share their passion for history, along with an infectious sense of fun.

• • • •

11.30am – 4.30pm Adult £11.00, Concession £8.80, Child £6.20 Family ticket available Buy tickets in advance online and save 10% at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/celebration • Guaranteed free entry for Historic Scotland members – simply show your membership card on the day

12 | september

september /october | 13

Monty Python Quest

The Road to Bannockburn

steadfast for the covenant

the road to bannockburn

Saturday 8, Sunday 9 September Aberdour Castle

Saturday 22, Sunday 23 September Stirling Castle

In the summer of 1651 Cromwell’s invading army had taken much of southern Scotland but was blocked from moving north by the Scots army at Stirling.

Cromwell decided to take the risk of crossing the Forth and attacking through Fife. Meet one of the Scottish regiments as they wait for the English army.

Experience an authentic military camp and see the soldiers in action firing their muskets and cannon.

Get the true story behind the turbulent events that led up to the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Hear about the real Robert the Bruce and see combat demonstrations by re-enactors with authentic arms and armour of the period.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £5.00, Concession £4.00, Child £3.00

monty python quest Sunday 16 September Doune Castle Gather your shrubberies and brush up on your knowledge of sparrow to coconut weight ratios – Historic Scotland’s Monty Python event is back. Come dressed as your favourite Python character and enjoy some of your favourite sketches, a quiz and a competition for the best costume.

• • • •

4.00pm – 7.00pm Adults £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £7.20 10% discount for members Limited to 500 tickets, book in advance online to avoid disappointment at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

Renaissance Revelry

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £6.50

renaissance revelry Thursday 11 – Tuesday 16 October Stirling Castle Get your kids out of the house this half term and bring them along to Stirling Castle for a programme packed full of fun activities. Test their skills with a crossbow, see how they would look as a Renaissance noble and help them design their very own coat of arms.

• 12 noon – 4.00pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £6.50

14 | october Fright Night!

october | 15 Spooky Tales

Holyrood’s Halloween

fright night!

holyrood’s halloween

Friday 12, Saturday 13, Friday 19, Saturday 20 October Linlithgow Palace

Monday 29, Tuesday 30 October Holyrood Park

As night falls, come to Linlithgow Palace to meet some of the less pleasant characters and re-live the gruesome events in its history. But don’t worry – you’re brave, not afraid of the dark, and are perfectly safe... or are you?

Accompany an undead Ranger on a fright-filled Halloween walk through the park – if you dare! You’ll meet characters from Holyrood’s ghoulish past and uncover some grisly secrets. Suitable for children.

Enjoy this fascinating and scary experience, which is genuinely NOT recommended for young children.

• 6.00pm – 8.00pm • Adult £5.00, Concession £3.00, Child £2.00. Discount for Historic Scotland members • To book call 0131 652 8150 or email hs.rangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk

• • • •

7.30pm, 8.30pm and 9.30pm Tickets £10.00 (all categories) 10% discount for members Limited places, book in advance online at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

spooky tales Saturday 27, Sunday 28 October Linlithgow Palace Bring your little terrors along to find out all about the glaistigs, bogies and brownies, and how to properly guise this All Hallows’ Eve. • • • •

6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm Tickets £7.50 (all categories) 10% discount for members Limited places, book in advance online at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

16 | november

december | 17

St Andrew’s Day Celebrations

23

st andrew’s day celebrations

Story of Christmas

24

story of christmas

Selected dates in November Various locations

Sunday 16 December Stirling Castle

This November, look out for a programme of events celebrating the anniversary of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint. And get involved in activities at some of Scotland’s most iconic historic places as the nationwide Winter Festivals kick off!

Experience 500 years of Christmas. Discover how our celebrations have evolved through history and where some our modern traditions come from, through a series of amusing and entertaining shows.

• Included in normal admission price: Adult £14.00, Concession £11.20, Child £8.20 • Visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events to find out more

• 12.30pm – 3.30pm • Included in normal admission price: Adult £13.00, Concession £10.00, Child £6.50 • For more information visit www.festivefun.co.uk

christmas lunch at the castle Make this Christmas special with a feast in one of Scotland’s finest castles. Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle both offer festive lunches fit for a king throughout December. And with free entry to the castle included, you can explore all of the historic highlights at no extra cost.

For more information visit www.festivefun.co.uk

20 | ranger activities

| 21 Community Fun Day and Dog Show

a great way to explore our landscape Family-friendly activities run by our Rangers.

Get outdoors and join our Rangers amongst some of Scotland’s most precious cultural and natural sites.

Discover how our ancient ancestors lived and uncover more about our famous natural and geological heritage.

holyrood park highlights landscape painting for beginners

Our Ranger Service is based in three stunning locations: the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and Scotland’s two royal parks – Holyrood Park in Edinburgh and Linlithgow Peel. The Rangers also run events at a range of other attractions including Cairnpapple Hill, the Antonine Wall, Stanley Mills and Blackness Castle.

Ever wanted to paint beautiful scenery? Then come along on this two-day beginners’ session in the dramatic landscape of Holyrood Park. Run by Iona Leishman, Historic Scotland’s first artist in residence, this course will improve your technique and help you produce paintings to be proud of.

View the full programme at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

Sunday 6 & Sunday 13 May, 10.00am – 3.30pm Holyrood Park Education Centre

• For ticket information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

edinburgh biodiversity week Arthur’s Eat / Saturday 19 May, 12 noon – 2.30pm Minibeast – Monsterbeast / Sunday 20 May, 1.00pm – 3.30pm Holyrood Park Education Centre Part of Edinburgh Biodiversity Week. Discover the food uses and folklore of the plants in Holyrood. What myths and legends surround everyday plants?

How were they used as food and medicine? All this and more on this walk.

Then, the following day, discover all about giant insects and spiders from around the world, handle them if you dare.

• FREE, booking essential. Visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

holyrood park community fun day and dog show Sunday 12 August, 11.00am – 3.00pm Holyrood Park Education Centre Come along for a fun day out in the park, take part in some of our sports activities such as tossing the volcanic rock and the three-legged gull race or enter your prized pooch in the fun dog show. You can also meet the Ranger team and a number of the emergency services and other organisations that we work with in the Park.

• FREE

22 | ranger activities

| 23

Bird Watching from the Battlements

Guided Tours

linlithgow & west highlights bronze age beltane

orkney highlights archaeology and birds

Saturday 12, Sunday 13 May, 12 noon – 4.00pm Cairnpapple Hill

A two-in-one! / Thursdays from 3 May – 12 July, leaves 10.00am from Brodgar Car Park Ring of Brodgar

Go back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age at Cairnpapple burial mound. Listen to stories of the ancient Beltane fire festival, go foraging for natural food and materials, and take part in many more activities. Learn how people lived millennia ago at these fascinating drop-in sessions.

Guided walk around the Ring of Brodgar led jointly by Historic Scotland Rangers and RSPB staff. Learn all about history as well as the birds and wildlife in and around this fascinating Neolithic site.

• Included in normal admission price

• FREE

inspired by nature

guided walks

Sunday 26 August, 11.00am – 4.00pm Blackness Castle

Daily June - August, leaves 1.00pm from Brodgar Car Park Ring of Brodgar

Nature in all its beauty and complexity has been an integral part of our lives throughout history. This workshop will help you appreciate nature in a completely different light. Using cameras, natural materials, your senses and your imagination you will make a connection with nature and see beyond the obvious.

Explore the area around the Ring of Brodgar in this guided walk with the Ranger and find out the special significance of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney.

• Booking essential

bird watching from the battlements Sunday 25 November, 11.00am – 3.00pm Dumbarton Castle Join Historic Scotland Ranger Service, RSPB and British Trust for Ornithology for a look out over the Firth of Clyde Special Protection Area. Take part in a bird count, learn why the Clyde estuary is so important for wintering birds, and chat with experts.

• Booking essential for talk For information and bookings, contact Linlithgow Rangers on hs.rangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or phone 01506 842065.

• FREE

guided tours Monday, Wednesday & Fridays throughout June, July & August, leaves 10.00am from Standing Stones of Stenness Car Park Stones of Stenness and Barnhouse Village Join the Ranger Service for a guided tour of our oldest stone circle and explore the fascinating links with the nearby Neolithic village of Barnhouse.

• FREE For further information on the Orkney Ranger Service’s events programme contact orkneyrangers@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or phone 01856 841732.

24 | events index

| 25

All event details are correct at time of going to print. Check online for updates.

Date Event / Venue

Page

Date Event / Venue

April

Page

July

Saturday 7 Sunday 8

Enchanted Easter Stirling Castle

4

Saturday 7

Castle Magic Stirling Castle

4

May Sunday 6 Monday 7

Grand Tournament of Foote Urquhart Castle

Saturday 19 Sunday 20

For the King!

Blackness Castle

5

Sunday 27

Return of the Murrays Bothwell Castle

5

5

Sunday 1 Saturday 7 Sunday 8

Spectacular Jousting Linlithgow Palace

8

Thursday 19

Scottish Chamber Orchestra Stirling Castle

9

Sunday 22

A Grand Country Residence Aberdour Castle

9

Medieval Mayhem Caerlaverock Castle

10

Sunday 5

Games and Crafts in the Garden Dirleton Castle

10

Saturday 11 Sunday 12

Celebration of the Centuries Fort George

11

Thursday 26 Friday 27 Saturday 28 Sunday 29

August

June Saturday 2 Sunday 3

The King’s New Clothes Stirling Castle

Thursday 7 Friday 8

A Midsummer Night’s Dream St Andrews Castle

6

Saturday 9

Romeo and Juliet St Andrews Castle

6

Saturday 8 Sunday 9

Steadfast for the Covenant Aberdour Castle

12

Saturday 9 Sunday 10

The Declaration of Independence Arbroath Abbey

7

Sunday 16

Monty Python Quest Doune Castle

12

Thursday 14

Scottish Chamber Orchestra Dunblane Cathedral

7

Saturday 22 Sunday 23

The Road to Bannockburn Stirling Castle

13

Sunday 24

A Witch’s Brew Dirleton Castle

7

Saturday 30

Spectacular Jousting Linlithgow Palace

8

6

September

26 | events index

keep in touch

All event details are correct at time of going to print. Check online for updates.

Date Event / Venue

Page

Email alerts Keep up to date with events and promotions by registering for our email alerts. Subscribe at www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

13

Text alerts Get event updates straight to your phone when you sign up to our text alerts service. To sign up, text EVENTS to 84118

October

Thursday 11 Friday 12 Saturday 13 Sunday 14 Monday 15 Tuesday 16

Renaissance Revelry Stirling Castle

Friday 12 Saturday 13 Friday 19 Saturday 20

Fright Night!

Linlithgow Palace

Saturday 27 Sunday 28

Spooky Tales Linlithgow Palace

14

Monday 29 Tuesday 30

Holyrood’s Halloween Holyrood Park

15

St Andrew’s Day Celebrations Various locations

16

Story of Christmas Stirling Castle

17

14

Find us on

November Various dates

December Sunday 16

Keep up to date: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events

Sneak preview Get a taste for what’s in store at our fantastic events this year. Watch our events trailer on www.youtube.com/historicscotlandtv

Become a member Enjoy our events for free and get unlimited access to attractions all year round when you become a Historic Scotland member. Benefits also include a quarterly membership magazine and a 20% discount in our shops.

For details ask at any site, visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member or contact us on 0131 668 8999

join up...

For less than ÂŁ3 a month you can become a member and enjoy free entry to more than 70 fantastic historic attractions across Scotland.

Find out more at: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/member

contact us

Historic Scotland, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH Telephone 0131 668 8885 | www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/events