Get ready for a great big Living History Week
Historical re-enactors will be heading to Historic Scotland sites across the country this October for this year's Great Big Living History Week!
Article Source: Historic Environment Scotland
Last Updated: 3 October 2024 13:52
Bringing iconic sites to life with characters at much-loved locations across Scotland from Saturday 12th to Sunday 20th October.
Just in time for the October Holidays, visitors will have the opportunity to witness history brought to life with Living History performances across a range of sites throughout the half term week. Soldiers from the Great War, a travelling apothecary, and Tudor history will all be heading to Edinburgh Castle. Linlithgow Palace will welcome a seamstress, offering the chance to learn about the fashions of the 16th century court in the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Heading north, Fort George will open its gates to soldiers from across military history, from the Gordon Highlanders of the Great War to a grenadier of the 43rd Regiment, the Black Watch.
Medieval musicians and embroiderers will take centre stage at Aberdour Castle, whilst a Medieval archer put on an impressive display at Caerlaverock Castle, and Doune Castle delves into the history of the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. There's the chance to learn more about one of the oldest tomb effigies at Elgin Cathedral, plus discover the story of the Grant family and their struggles with the MacDonalds at Urquhart Castle.
Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “It’s great to welcome the Great Big Living History Week to so many of our iconic sites up and down the country. Living History is a brilliant way to engage with our heritage, and there’s nothing quite like meeting these skilled performers to bring the past to life.
“With such a range of historical performers to meet and many different eras to explore across our sites, the Great Big Living History Week really does offer something for everyone, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors along.”
Great Big Living History Week will take place at the following sites:
• Aberdour Castle & Gardens
• Blackness Castle
• Caerlaverock Castle
• Craigmillar Castle
• Doune Castle
• Dumbarton Castle
• Dunfermline Abbey
• Dunstaffnage Castle & Chapel
• Edinburgh Castle
• Elgin Cathedral
• Fort George
• Linlithgow Palace
• Melrose Abbey
• St Andrews Castle
• Stirling Castle
• Tantallon Castle
• Urquhart Castle
To add the autumn fun, there will also be some eerie activities to get stuck into this October with Historic Scotland’s programme of Halloween events, including Halloween Hijinks at Edinburgh Castle, the Silver Scream cinema screening at Linlithgow Palace, and Halloween Shenanigans at Craigmillar, Stirling and Urquhart Castles.
For opening times and to book tickets, visit historicenvironment.scot
Entry is free for Historic Scotland members.
Image credit: HES
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Edinburgh Christmas Parties & Activities 2025
With Christmas just around the corner, there's never been a better time to start thinking about your Edinburgh festive celebrations.
READ MORE
Bongos Bingo Christmas Cracker and Big Fat Bingo of the Year
This festive season at The O2 Academy, Bongo’s Bingo is transporting everyone back to the time when coloured tree lights and flammable tinsel ruled supreme.
READ MORE
Casting for MAMMA MIA! Announced
Full casting is announced for the sensational feel-good musical MAMMA MIA! which comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse for the festive season playing from Tue 9 Dec 2025 - Sun 4 Jan 2026.
READ MORE
Women lead the way in the National Galleries of Scotland 2026 programme
National Galleries of Scotland announces an unmissable programme of free and ticketed exhibitions set to take over the National, Portrait and Modern galleries in Edinburgh throughout 2026.
READ MORE
Flight Club is giving out hundreds of prizes on the streets of Edinburgh in October
The team behind the home of Social Darts is embarking on a nationwide charity tour in celebration of its 10th birthday and dishing out treats to its fans along the way!
READ MORE
Scottish Building Society brings communities together for largest walking rugby event in Scotland
Scottish Building Society hosted Scotland’s largest walking rugby festival last month, bringing together players of all abilities for a celebration of sport, community, and accessible active living.
READ MORE
Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined Sir Tom Hunter to lead out Edinburgh Kiltwalk
Olympic hero Sir Chris Hoy joined philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter to lead out 8,500 Kiltwalkers at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk (Sunday September 14) raising £1.5 million for 800 charities.
READ MORE
Edinburgh school kids team up with Kabin Crew to create a new rap song in Irish and Scottish Gaelic
Young musicians from Edinburgh and Cork are breaking new grounds with a unique hybrid international hip-hop collaboration led by Cork’s Kabin Crew.
READ MORE
Capitals Bartenders Cast Their Vote As Edinburgh Bar Awards Reveal Finalists
Edinburgh’s top bartenders have had their say, as the Edinburgh Bar Awards today (Thursday, 11th September) reveal the 2025 finalists across 11 categories.
READ MORE
Take to the skies with Daredevil Photographer Alfred Buckham at the National Galleries of Scotland
This autumn at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh, take to the skies and see the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MORE
Scottish International Storytelling Festival Programme Announced
With support from the Scottish Government’s Festivals EXPO Fund and Creative Scotland Multi-Year Funding, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival launched its 36th festival programme.
READ MORE
Mindroom Fundraising Heroes Drive Charity Support Forward
Mindroom is celebrating a series of extraordinary fundraising activities, led by charity co-founder 81-year-old Robin Dow, living with stage 4 cancer, as his 25-mile walk raised a huge £70,000.
READ MORE
Fresh deals for freshers
Calling all students in Edinburgh! Britain’s biggest craft brewer, BrewDog, has announced some fresh new deals for freshers and returning students to toast the new academic year.
READ MORE
Carol Main MBE FRC appointed Chair of National Centre for Music
The development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.
READ MORE
Eat Spain Drink Spain returns for a Culinary Fiesta across Edinburgh
Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as the "Eat Spain Drink Spain" campaign makes its much-anticipated return to Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Haggis the pygmy hippo to say goodbye to Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo has announced that Haggis the pygmy hippo will be moving to another zoo as part of the breeding programme for the Endangered species.
READ MORE
Spooky Season Arrives at Dynamic Earth this October
This October, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, Dynamic Earth invites visitors of all ages to step into the shadows and uncover the science behind the spookiest stories ever told.
READ MORE
Cineworld 4DX Rewind returns for 2025
Cineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MORE
Edinburgh bridal expert shares her top trend prediction for Taylor Swift wedding
Now is the time to shop for that perfect dress, as Rachel Scott Couture has announced it will be hosting a one-off, three-week long sample sale at its Queensferry Street boutique.
READ MORE
Marcos unveils first of its kind interactive karaoke room
Whatever kind of music you’re into, the brand-new interactive karaoke room at Marco's is the place for uninhibited singing, selfies and self-expression.
READ MORE
Final countdown to the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run 2025 is on
Scotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MORE
Divino Enoteca launches September tasting menu and free wine tastings
This September, Edinburgh’s Italian wine bar Divino Enoteca, is offering plenty for food and wine lovers to explore.
READ MORE
September offers for Freshers Week at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is giving students an extra reason to head out this semester with 20% off food, non-alcoholic drinks and merchandise when they show a valid student ID.
READ MORE
Marstons and Tom Shepherd join forces once more to serve up the best ever pub pie
Marston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Fringe smash hit Oran embarks on first UK tour
Òran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Dynamic Earth partners with Scottish Water to deliver Water Cycle Workshops
Dynamic Earth is to join Science Centres across Scotland to deliver Water Cycle Workshops as part of Scottish Water's Generation H2O education programme.
READ MORE
Edinburgh Cocktail Week 2025 programme announced
The Edinburgh Cocktail Week programme for 2025 has been announced, reaffirming its status as the UK’s leading cocktail festival.
READ MORE
Iconic films to take centre stage at Vue venues in Scotland
Iconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MORE
20 expert sessions at The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show
The Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links