EVENTS & DAYS OUT 2018/19 September March

EVENTS & DAYS OUT 2018/19 September March

1 CHRISTMAS 2018 THROUGHOUT DECEMBER Join in the Christmas festivities at a range of events at both Stirling and s. From learning the traditions of a Victorian Christmas to watching a beautiful period performance of A Christmas Carol, there's so much to enjoy this festive season. Festive Frolics, 2 Dec, Christmas Shopping Fayre, 4 Dec, A Canty Christmas, 6 Dec, Carols at the Castle, 9 Dec, Traditions and Tales of Christmas, 20-22 Dec, A Christmas Carol, 21 & 22 Dec, A Very Mary Christmas, 23-30 Dec (exc 25,26 & 27), Arthur's Amble Festive Special, 27 Dec, Holyrood Park Find out more at: historicenvironment.scot/highlights CHRISTMAS LUNCHES EDINBURGH CASTLE Make Christmas 2018 special with a three course lunch in the opulent Queen Anne Room at, and enjoy a dining experience fit for royalty. Fri 7 Sun 23 Dec (excluding 10, 11 & 12 Dec) Book tickets online: edinburghcastle.scot/festive STIRLING CASTLE Dine in the intimate Green Room in our beautiful castle and add a little festive magic to your Christmas lunch. Sat 15 Sun 23 Dec Book tickets online: stirlingcastle.scot/festive 2 A Very Mary Christmas Christmas Lunch at

3 RANGER EVENTS VARIOUS LOCATIONS Join our rangers to learn about the history, wildlife, and folklore of our parks. Each year a programme of guided walks, family events, kids holiday clubs and seasonal trails are created to provide educational fun for all the family. Choose from events at Holyrood Park, Linlithgow Peel, and the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site. Most of our ranger events are free to join, but pre-booking is essential. Keep up to date with our ranger activity at: historicenvironment.scot/ranger-service ENGINE SHED STIRLING Come along to our dedicated building conservation centre to unleash your inner building geek. Our interactive exhibits, 3D theatre, augmented reality experiences and hands-on activities bring Scotland s built heritage to life. Spend a day getting to grips with our interactive exhibits and enjoy activities for all ages. Open Monday to Saturday, 10am-4pm. Free entry. Find our more at: engineshed.scot 4 Ranger events at Holyrood Park, Linlithgow and Blackness Get hands on at the Engine Shed

5 SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 6 Sat 1 Sun 2 Sat 15 Sat 15 Sun 16 Sat 15 Sun 16 On Location: Blackness Blackness Castle On the banks of the Forth, Blackness has proven to be a popular spot throughout history and even in recent times as a filming location. Discover more about the rich history of the ship that never sailed and see how it is utilised today. Archaeology Day Holyrood Park Discover what life was like in the Iron Age by meeting characters from the past and trying your hand at skills from the period. Join a druid for walks into the past where you ll meet many colourful characters. Discover some artefacts uncovered within Holyrood. (Free, online booking essential) Michaelmas Step back into the sumptuous world of 's Royal Court as they enjoy Michaelmas, the traditional feast day that celebrates the collection of the harvest. Meet some colourful characters, hear all about the political double-dealings and see splendid food displays. A time for music, dance and feasting join us for a celebration fit for royalty! End of an Era Huntly Castle Hear the story of the Gordon family and their turbulent relationship with the Scottish Crown. 12-4pm 11am- 4pm 12-4pm 12-4pm Fri 5 Sat 6 Mon 15 Tue 16- Thu 18 Thu 18 Knight at the Castle Brand new for 2018 to celebrate the Year of Young People, take this opportunity to experience as you never have before! More information on p13. (Book tickets online) Volcano Fun Day Holyrood Park A fun-filled hands-on activity day to learn about Edinburgh s volcanoes in Holyrood Park. Learn about how volcanoes work from local scientists and erupt your own volcano before taking a walk up one of Edinburgh's own volcanoes. (Free) Urquhart Castle and its Archaeology Urquhart Castle Join us for an evening of archaeology, and hear all about the interesting finds at Urquhart Castle, as well as hear about the castle and its unique history. (Free, online booking essential) A Knights Jug Urquhart Castle Come and learn about life as a knight at a castle. Make a knight's jug to take away, and explore the archaeology of Urquhart Castle with our archaeology trail. OSSIAN The Pipes and the Story A unique combination of Scotland s richest traditions of bagpipe music with some of its oldest stories. Ossian: The Pipes and the Story brings together stories, songs and music in s Great Hall, re-mixing an entertainment that goes back to the first Stewart Kings. (Book tickets online) 7-10pm 11am- 4pm 7-8pm 11am-1pm & 2-4pm (drop in) 6.45 for 7.30pm start Tue 23- Thu 25 Chocolate Casting Workshop Learn all about how silver is cast, using chocolate! Make your own beautiful design inspired by the Early Silver exhibition and take away your edible treat. (Free, online booking essential) 11.30am- 12.30pm & 2.30-3.30pm

7 OCTOBER NOVEMBER 8 Sat 27 Sun 28 Fri 26- Sun 28 Tue 6- Fri 9 Nov Saints and Sinners Holyrood Park Join us for a Hallowee en and All Saints Day themed walk, uncovering the light and dark sides of Holyrood Park s history of saints and sinners. (Free, booking required) Kinneil House Open Day Kinneil House Once home to the Dukes of Hamilton, you'll get the chance to see inside this impressive mansion, which dates back to the 15th century and boasts some of the best Renaissance wall paintings in Scotland. (Free) Linlithgow ExFEARience: Portal to the Past Linlithgow Palace As you tour the magnificent palace you will soon discover all is not what it seems. Will you be brave enough to face what the archaeologists have unleashed? (Book tickets online) 1918: Victory and Remembrance Meet a Highland soldier from 1918 and learn about his experiences. Should we celebrate victory or the end of the War? Should we commemorate noble sacrifice or waste? What did it mean to him? And why should it matter to you? 1-12-4pm 6.30pm, 8pm, 9.30pm Thu 1- Sun 4 Sat 10 Sun 11 Sat 10 Nov to Fri 21 Dec Tue 27 Wed 28 Spotlight on Mary Craigmillar Castle Experience Craigmillar Castle in a new light as the story of the infamous Craigmillar Bond is brought to life through illumination and projection. Listen in on the dark plot of 1566 and encounter key characters as you tour the castle and hear of the fate that befell Mary Queen of Scots husband Lord Darnley. Timed tour buses will depart from Holyrood Park for this event. (Book tickets online) Their Name Liveth The fighting is over by a decade and the Scottish War Memorial is open for the first time. Hear the true stories of a veteran as they recount their tales of service across four years of war and many battlefields and continents. Visible Girls: Revisited Summerhall Visible Girls: Revisited features portraits of women from different cultural groups and subcultures that Corbin captured in the 1980s from skinheads to new romantics and traces their lives and experiences with newly commissioned portraits of the same women now. This is a special event brought to Summerhall by Historic Environment Scotland as part of the Year of Young People. (Free) Study Days Learn more about the unique and varied collections at in this two-day event that will focus on the theme of portraiture. Talks, tours and lunch are all provided. (Book tickets online) Timed evening tours 11am-6pm 9.30am- 4pm Spotlight on Mary

9 DECEMBER FEBRUARY DECEMBER FEBRUARY 10 Sun 2 Tue 4 Thu 6 Sun 9 Festive Frolics Get into the Christmas spirit with the magic of panto. Join us for a Christmas ceilidh and learn all about the 'daft days' in the Renaissance palace. Christmas Shopping Fayre We're delighted to be bringing back our fantastically festive and incredibly popular Christmas Shopping Fayre back to the castle. We'll be showcasing the very best of local Scottish brands, crafts and fine foods and drink. (Book tickets online) A Canty Christmas Scottish medieval ensemble Canty presents an evening of Advent and Christmas delights, performed by three singers and medieval harp, featuring glorious medieval carols, traditional seasonal songs and gorgeous new carols. They'll encourage audience participation in favourite folk carols and get you in the mood for the festive season! (Book tickets online) Carols at the Castle It's the most wonderful time of the year, so be sure to enjoy a glass of mulled wine as the Stirling contingent of the National Youth Choir of Scotland performs classic carols and Christmas songs. (Book tickets online) 12.30-3.30pm 6-9pm 7 for a 7.30pm start 6.15 for a 7pm start Sun 23- Sun 30 (excl. 25-27) A Very Mary Christmas It is the festive season at Court. While Reformation Scotland shuns Christmas festivities, Mary Queen of Scots is celebrating the Twelve Days of Christmas with her courtiers. Come and be part of this and join in the fun of celebration. Sun 27- Burns for Beginners Wed 30 Jan Robert Burns is one of Scotland's literary 2019 greats, but what exactly was he talking about? Come along for a light-hearted introduction to the bard and some of his works. Crowd participation highly encouraged! Thu 7- Tue 12 Feb 2019 Crime and Punishment in Medieval Scotland Gilbert Savage was an Englishman and a prisoner of the Scots who was given the choice to kill or be killed. He is now the Executioner. He recounts the nature of crime and punishment during the turbulent times in Medieval Scotland. All manner of crimes demanded horrendous punishments, but the bloodiest punishment was reserved for the most serious of crimes: treason! Fri 21 Sat 22 A Christmas Carol Charles Dickens classic ghost story is brought to life in this most traditional of productions, complete with beautiful period costume, song, dance and a magnificent musical score. Join critically acclaimed theatre company Chapterhouse as Scrooge s frozen heart begins to melt and he finally embraces the festive spirit in this most Christmassy of Christmas tales. British Sign Language interpreted on Sat 22. (Book tickets online) 6.15 for a 7pm start Christmas at

11 EXHIBITIONS EXHIBITIONS 12 Sat 14 Jul to Sun 23 Sept Thu 9 Aug to Sun 12 May Brick Wonders Glasgow Cathedral Brick Wonders features recreations in LEGO bricks of amazing sights from around the world, curated by artist Warren Elsmore. Beginning with the seven wonders of the ancient world, the exhibition also takes in modern, natural and historic wonders from all continents. (Free) Laurence Stephen Lowry s Canal and Factories View a masterpiece by one of the most popular British artists of the twentieth century. Laurence Stephen Lowry s Canal and Factories is the latest in the now long-established annual Masterpiece loan from National Galleries of Scotland to the Georgian mansion in Banff. 9.30am- 5.30pm Mon to Sat 1-5pm Sun 11am-5pm (to 31 Oct) Thu to Sun 11am-4pm (from 1 Nov) Sat 22 Sept to Sun 6 Jan Sat 29 Sept to Wed 29 Jan Brick History Fort George Brick History is a journey through pivotal moments in world history, modelled in LEGO bricks by Warren Elsmore and his team of artists. This is history brought to life: featuring key figures from Mozart to Martin Luther King, scientific discoveries from the Big Bang to DNA, and recent history from mobile phones to the moon landings. Brick Wonders Brick Wonders features recreations in LEGO bricks of amazing sights from around the world, curated by artist Warren Elsmore. Beginning with the seven wonders of the ancient world, the exhibition also takes in modern, natural and historic wonders from all continents. 10am- 4pm 9.30am- 5pm Sat 25 Aug to Sun 30 Sept Northern Realists Keith Byres and Martin Stevenson are two north-east artists who have undertaken a series of portraits, painted from life, reflecting the life, character, passion and diversity of north-east people. 11am-5pm (to 31 Oct) Thu to Sun 11am-4pm (from 1 Nov) Fri 12 Oct to Sun 17 Mar Scotland's Early Silver Discover the story of Scotland s early silver, and how this precious metal helped to shape the first kingdoms of Scotland, in Scotland s Early Silver at from 12 October- 17 March 2019. Scotland s Early Silver is a National Museums Scotland touring exhibition supported by The Glenmorangie Research Project on Early Medieval Scotland. 11am-5pm (to 31 Oct) Thu to Sun 11am-4pm (from 1 Nov) Lowry's Canal and Factories, Mon 15 Oct to Mon 31 Dec Child of the New Century Created for the Year of Young People, Karen Curran s work follows the lives of a group of children, from the start of the Millennium and through their first 18 years. Focusing on one child in particular, she demonstrates the highs and lows in the transition from child to young adult and the impact it can have on one's perspective on life. 11am-5pm (to 31 Oct) Thu to Sun 11am-4pm (from 1 Nov)

13 KNIGHT AT THE CASTLE You do NOT want to miss this! For one night only, Edinburgh Castle will transform into the hottest [k]night club in town with a carnival of music, street magic and spoken word. Discover the castle s secrets and stories after hours on Friday 5 October, 7-10pm. Get your tickets at edinburghcastle.scot/knight JOIN THE FUN Scottish history is coming to life! Make sure you don t miss out on any of our fantastic days out by signing up to our newsletter. Find out more at: historicenvironment.scot/events Throughout our extensive programme you will find lots of special events planned for 2018 from jousting to drama, from exhibitions to guided tours, there s something for everyone! KEEP IN TOUCH In addition to all the events in this guide there are lots more activities taking place throughout the year. Check our website for any changes or to discover extra performances. 14 CONFIRMED LINE-UP West Princes, Be Charlotte, magicians and more to be announced watch this space! IT S GOING TO BE NEON Neon salon Photo booth Make-your-own neon crown Brought to you by Historic Environment Scotland s Year of Young People 2018 Remixed programme. #YOYP2018 Co-curated with events partners: Young Scot, Edinburgh Napier University, Impact Arts, The List and Scotland's Urban Past. #KnightAtTheCastle CONTACT US Historic Scotland Events, Historic Environment Scotland, Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh EH9 1SH Email: events@hes.scot historicenvironment.scot/events Historic Environment Scotland Scottish Charity No. SC045925

EXPLORE MORE For just over 4 a month you can become a member and enjoy free entry to more than 70 fantastic attractions across Scotland. Find out more at historicenvironment.scot/member 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, at our many properties and online. Keep track of new events online: historicenvironment.scot/events FIND US ON