Our sites sometimes need to close at short notice due to adverse weather, for essential maintenance work or, for the working churches in our care, private services.
We advise checking ahead if the forecast is poor or if you are making a long journey. From Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm short-term closures are listed below. At the weekends and on bank holidays this page will not be updated, and any unexpected closures will be posted only on X (formerly Twitter) using #HSclosure. If you have an urgent enquiry related to a site closure and your booking over the weekend please get in touch with ticketing@hes.scot
Check for longer term closures (e.g. conservation work):
Longer term closuresCurrent unexpected and short term closures
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Private service
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Kingdom of Fife
Abbey Nave and Abbey Church closed between 1pm (last entry 12.30pm) and 3.15pm on Saturday 6 July
Date(s):
Saturday 6 July
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Conservation work
Dumbarton Castle
Glasgow, Clyde & Ayrshire
Closed from Monday 15 July. Reopening on Saturday 27 July.
Date(s):
Monday 15 July - Saturday 27 July
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Closed
St Vigeans Stones and Museum
Perthshire, Kinross & Angus
Closed from Tuesday 2 July, reopening on Saturday 6 July
Date(s):
Tuesday 2 July - Saturday 6 July
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Essential maintenance
Huntly Castle
North & Grampian
Closed on Thursday 11 July
Date(s):
Thursday 11 July
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Closed
Bishop's and Earl's Palaces, Kirkwall
Orkney Isles
Closed on Friday 5 July
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Closed
St Vigeans Stones and Museum
Perthshire, Kinross & Angus
The museum will be closed from Saturday 13 July and reopens on Wednesday 31 July.
Date(s):
Saturday 13 July - Wednesday 31 July
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Closed on 3 July
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh & Lothians
Due to a private event the castle will be closed on Wednesday 3 July
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Opening hours may vary due to services and events
Dunblane Cathedral
Central & West
Due to private services, the cathedral will be closed at the following dates and times:
Monday 8 July (11.30am and 2.30pm)
Friday 26 July (closed until 10.45am)
Tuesday 2 July (closed until 1.30pm) -
Note road closures in the area
Smailholm Tower
Scottish Borders
Road closures are in place around Smailholm Tower until Monday 15 July. The road leading from the B6404 to Sandyknowe Farm and the Tower is closed from 8am to 5pm. The site is still accessible from the opposite direction, using the road from Smailholm village.
Date(s):
15 July
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Restricted access
Balvaird Castle
Perthshire, Kinross & Angus
The grounds will be closed on Friday 21 June. Between Monday 10 June and Wednesday 3 July, there will be limited access to the car park.
Date(s):
Monday 10 June - Wednesday 3 July
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Foot path below Samson’s Ribs currently closed
Holyrood Park
Edinburgh & Lothians
The footpath below Samson’s Ribs which links Duddingston Low Road to the Innocent Railway. The adjacent cycle and pedestrian path will remain open, with occasional restrictions.
Date(s):
May 2024 - tbc