As the daylight hours grow shorter, Historic Scotland has extended the opening hours of many of it’s attractions throughout the country. Visitors can now enjoy some of Scotland’s best historical houses, castles and cathedrals on weekends throughout the winter season. Promoted through VisitScotland’s Autumn Gold brochure, which also endeavours to attract visitors in the autumn months, Historic Scotland is doing there bit to ensure the sustainability of tourism by encouraging a more even spread of visitors throughout the year, one of the aims in the Tourism & Environment Forum’s Sustainability Statement.

All of the Historic Scotland properties and sites, which remain open throughout the year, will now be open on both Saturdays and Sundays (with the exception of the Black House at Arnol on Lewis, which remains closed on the Sabbath). Autumn visitors will be able to enjoy weekends at a range of over 40 splendid historic venues including major attractions, such as Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, St Andrews Cathedral, Linlithgow Palace, Fort George near Inverness, Urquhart Castle by Loch Ness, and the Border Abbeys of Melrose, Jedburgh and Dryburgh. Some of the more unusual include Dallas Dhu Distillery near Forres, New Abbey Corn Mill near Dumfries, and Maeshowe Chambered Cairn on Orkney.

Fiona Docherty, Head of Visitor Services and Business Development said:

"The Autumn Gold promotion is specifically designed to target the short break market, which is an important business sector. Our aim is to ensure that we can offer a wide selection of beautiful and interesting historic venues for people to enjoy when they come to Scotland for a short break, for those just taking a weekend away, or a Sunday drive into the countryside to see the seasonal colours. For visitors from home or away, and those of all ages, a trip to a splendid castle, cathedral, palace or abbey - and the chance to learn about its history and hear the rich tales it has to tell – is always a highlight and provides a memorable day out."

To encourage visitors to visit more than one attraction, Historic Scotland is also providing the incentive of 20% off a three-day Explorer pass. Visitors can take advantage of this special autumn offer by taking along the VisitScotland Autumn Gold brochure when they visit the sites.

For more information:

• Historic Scotland Press Release
• VisitScotland Autumn Gold Campaign