Historic Environment Scotland Sites Near Edinburgh
There are 92 Historic Environment Scotland sites within 40 miles of Edinburgh, covering castles, abbeys & chapels and archaeological sites. The closest are Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Abbey And Palace Gardens and Holyrood Park.
An Explorer Pass gives free entry to over 70 staffed Historic Environment Scotland sites across Scotland.
Land & Legacy is an independent guide covering Historic Environment Scotland sites alongside the National Trust for Scotland, Historic Houses and other organisations. Browse everything on the full heritage map.
Historic Environment Scotland sites in or within 5 miles of Edinburgh
8 Historic Environment Scotland sites in or right on the doorstep of Edinburgh — ideal for a short visit without the drive.
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Historic Environment Scotland sites within 10 miles of Edinburgh
8 sites within 10 miles of Edinburgh — an easy drive for a half-day out.
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Historic Environment Scotland sites within 20 miles of Edinburgh
18 sites within 20 miles of Edinburgh — a comfortable drive for a half or full day out.
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Photo: Alex Sanz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons


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Photo: Jonathan Oldenbuck, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Dr John Wells, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Photo: Robert Cutts from Bristol, England, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Photo: B4bees from Kinross, Scotland, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Historic Environment Scotland sites within 40 miles of Edinburgh
58 sites within 40 miles of Edinburgh — worth the drive for a special occasion or a full day out.
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Photo: Malcolm Manners from Lakeland FL, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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Photo: Gordon Hatton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frequently asked questions
Are Historic Environment Scotland sites near Edinburgh free to visit?
Some Historic Environment Scotland sites near Edinburgh are free to enter, but most major castles and abbeys charge admission for non-members. An Explorer Pass gives free entry to over 70 staffed HES sites across Scotland. Always check the individual site page for current opening times and admission details.
How many Historic Environment Scotland sites are within 40 miles of Edinburgh?
There are 92 Historic Environment Scotland sites within 40 miles of Edinburgh in the Land & Legacy database, covering castles, abbeys & chapels and archaeological sites. The closest is Edinburgh Castle, approximately 0.6 miles away.
