dudeman

My brother and I will be in Scotland starting and ending in Edinburgh. We would like to visit historic sites including Edinburgh, Sterling, Doune castles and probably more.
It seems like the Scottish Heritage Pass would be worthwhile to get. We can both get the 60+ Concession Pass.
Any advise anyone has on the Scottish Heritage Pass?

ESW

Having looked at the list of included attractions (Historic Scotland, National Trust for Scotand) this represents very good value. You will recoup your outlay with the three attractions you've listed.

It also means that you can pop into places in passing and don't have to spend long there to 'make it worth while'... It can save a lot of hassle as all you do is wave your pass and enter without having to buy tickets.

Add on Criagmillar Castle, Gladstone's Land and the Georgian House in Edinburgh. There's also Argyll's Lodgings in Sterling...

dwdvagamundo

The Scottish Heritage Pass seems to be good for seven consecutive days, but we will be in Scotland for fourteen.

I notice that there is also a Scottish Explorer Pass from the Historic Environment Scotland that is good for seven days within a fourteen day period. But it looks to cover only the Historic Scotland attractions.

So I guess the decision comes down to whether we will want to see a covered attraction every day we are in Scotland, or just every other day and whether we are going to want to see some attractions covered by both organizations.

Last time we went to the UK, we got a seven day (I think) Scottish Heritage Pass and it proved to be a very good bargain, so I guess we'll get two seven-day passes for this longer trip?

janisj

Look at your itinerary -- if you can arrange things so the <i>majority</i> of your covered sites are within 7 consecutive days -- then the Heritage Pass would be best. There are areas w/ fewer covered sites (like on Skye for instance)

Or if you have a boat load of covered sites throughout the whole trip -- consider each buying two 7-day Heritage passes to cover the entire time.

But generally -- a single Heritage Pass will be your best deal.

maitaitom

We finally ended up getting the Explorer Pass. It doesn't get you into all the stuff the Heritage Pass does (Gladstone's Land, Georgian House and Crathes Castle), but it gets you into a couple that Heritage Pass does not cover (St Andrews Castle and Cathedral). Even if it ends up being a few dollars more at the end, we can visit on any seven days instead of seven consecutive days, which means more time contemplating Rusty Nails and other Scotch drinks. Hey, we're on vacation!

It will be fun to figure out the difference at the end.

dwdvagamundo

Figure out the difference at the end? I never do that. I never look back once I've made a decision--whether to go somewhere, visit something, stay somewhere, or take some mode of transport because it only causes regret.

My spouse, on the other hand, is the world's biggest second-guesser.

maitaitom

"Figure out the difference at the end? I never do that. I never look back once I've made a decision--whether to go somewhere, visit something, stay somewhere, or take some mode of transport because it only causes regret."

It will be such a small amount, there will be no regret, but at least I can pass on my experience. Yes, second-guessing can drive you crazy, so we don't do that either (except maybe when we put the wrong petrol in the car).