Community and Outreach

Historic Scotland participates in a variety of outreach activities to promote the historic environment.  We offer a range of free-of-charge talks and workshops for community groups.  Our staff also regularly participate in conferences and seminars, giving talks relevant to their research and specialisms.

Contact us to discuss your requirements.

Education team

Historic Scotland respond to requests to support local community learning and development wherever possible. Education Officers have worked with a range of community groups, who have used properties such as Edinburgh Castle free of charge to learn about their local heritage and to inspire creativity in a variety of media.

We are also highly skilled in creating and assisting informal workshops for groups with specific needs. These take place mainly in Historic Scotland learning centres and can be tailor-made to suit all interests and abilities. Participants are encouraged to be creative in a supportive environment.

What Historic Scotland offers
· Workshops where participants can explore their creativity in art, crafts, photography, etc.
· Guided tours and hands-on learning about Scotland's history
· Access to educational resources and facilities at local learning centres based at Historic Scotland properties

Range of groups Historic Scotland work with
· Local community and voluntary groups
· Adults with learning disabilities
· Users of mental health services
· Physical disability groups
· Multicultural groups and organisations
· Social services and social inclusion programmes
· Adult learner groups

Technical Conservation Group

Our technical conservation team participate in a variety of outreach activities to promote a wider range of  issues relevant to the care of the historic environment. Our staff regularly participate in and organise conferences, seminars and talks relevant to their research and specialisms.

Ranger service community group visits

The ranger service works closely with community groups on various topics.

How to book a visit
We ask that all groups, whether or not they are participating in ranger-led activities, contact Holyrood Park Education Centre or the Peel office before visiting either.

Book in advance
If you would like a free ranger-led activity, please make a booking at least four weeks in advance.
Provisional bookings can be made by telephone but you will also need to complete a booking form.

Supervision
The teacher or group leader is responsible for supervision at all times.

Our teacher or group leader to pupil ratios are:

• pre-school 1 to 2
• 1 to 6 for ages 5 to 7 and
• 1 to 10 for ages 8 to 16.