Families visiting Edinburgh Castle and Craigmillar Castle during the October school holiday can meet characters from Scotland’s past as part of Historic Environment Scotland’s (HES) popular Living History programme returns this month.
At Edinburgh Castle, there will be daily performances from Saturday 11 October – Sunday 26 October. This includes the King’s master gunner (Saturday 11 – Monday 13 October) who will explain the extensive preparations that went into transporting Mons Meg to Northumberland in 1497, as well as an archer (Tuesday 14 – Thursday 16 October) who will tell visitors about his 15th century crossbow, protective clothing and archer’s shield.
From Monday 20 – Wednesday 22 October, the musician to both King James IV and King James V will be on-site to show visitors his collection of instruments. From Friday 17 – Sunday 19 and Thursday 23 and Friday 24 October, visitors will get to meet a variety of characters to find out what life was like in Edinburgh Castle in the medieval period and the 16th century, and on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 October, visitors will meet a range of characters from the Castle’s eerie past to celebrate Halloween.
At Craigmillar Castle, visitors will get to meet characters to find out what life was like at a medieval castle on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 October.
Gillian Urquhart, Events Manager at HES, said: “Autumn is a great time to visit our sites and this October we are offering visitors the opportunity to converse with a courtier, meet a medieval knight, speak to a royal King and Queen, and more. As an added extra to the visitor experience, our Living History programme is the perfect way to find out more about our sites and the people who lived and worked at them, and meet a range of historical characters along the way.”
Part of a nationwide programme at 15 historic sites across Scotland, the Living History programme features dynamic costumed performers who bring Scotland’s past vividly to life and is included in admission. To view the full programme, visit the HES website.
Entry is free for Historic Scotland members. The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass also allows visitors to explore 5,000 years of history over just 14 days. Entry to Edinburgh and Craigmillar castles, as well as sites across Scotland, is free for Explorer Pass holders.