The Meaning of Life may be 42 and the question forgotten according to the author, Douglas Adams but Historic Scotland hasn’t forgotten what 42 means. It is the number of its attractions that will be open completely free to us next weekend.

The announcement that the National trust had reached four million members was the cause for much comment on TV and the newspapers. Most of that was based on wondering whether the organisation was still full of crusty do-gooders or whether its modern approach to allowing people to touch things was a bit too “popular” and trendy.

Last March created an inventory of what it considers to be the most important battlefield sites in the country. Seventeen were added then. Now the second tranche is being considered.
You might be tempted to say, so what? We know about the battles, why have an inventory? Isn’t this an academic thing so it’s not going to affect me?

This weekend sees the re-opening of one of the most important sites in Scottish history – the palace at Stirling Castle. To celebrate this Historic Scotland is putting an extra effort with festivities and events.
On Saturday, the splender kicks off at 11.45 with a royal procession whih will include Mary, Queen of Scots and Mary of Guise and the rest of the “royal” party to be welcomed by cannon fire.

[ April 18, 2011; ]
five events taking place at the Antonine Wall, New lanark, St Kilda, Orkney and Edinburgh.
see website for details

[ April 25, 2011; 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. ]
Edinburgh Castle
Ticket prices Adult £14.00
Child £8.20
Concession £11.20
Historic Scotland member Free

Next weekend you have the chance to visit one of 44 properties owned by Historic Scotland. Normally you would be charged an admission fee but on this one weekend, you will get in free if you are lucky enough to get one of the free vouchers.
How do you get one?

Caring for and protecting our heritage is not only important in being able to continue to attract tourist to spend money with us it also provides employment and contributes to the economy. Quite obviously if our past is neglected it can decay, collapse or disappear. To try and encourage the youth of Scotland to care for the past, Historic Scotland is asking communities to nominate young people for this year’s Young Scot Awards.

Would tourism be as successful or indeed as profitable as it is without volunteers? The industry relies on us to turn up week in, week out to act as guides, parking attendants, ticket sellers, watchful glances to keep an eye on visitors, information kiosk minders and goodness knows what else. Why do we do it?
The main reason is that we like it. No, we enjoy it. Which is just as well because, just like charity shops, many attractions and sites may not open without the volunteers.
Take this coming Saturday at Linlithgow Peel next to the famed palace in Scotland.

[ December 18, 2010 11:00 am to December 19, 2010 4:30 pm. ] http://www.stirlingcastle.gov.uk/home/newsevents/events/event_detail.htm?id=29273
Stirling Castle,
Savour the taste and flavour of Christmas in 1546
Adults £9; children £5.40; concessions £7.20: members free

[ December 19, 2010; 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. ]
Stirling Castle
£12
£9 concessions & Historic Scotland members

[ December 11, 2010; 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. ]
Stirling Castle
A workshop of Christmas traditions for children
Cost: Included in normal entrance fee

[ December 4, 2010; 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. ]
Stirling Castle
A workshop of Christmas traditions for children
Cost: Included in normal admission fee

[ December 12, 2010; 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. ]
Stirling Castle
Adult £9.00, Child £5.40, Concession £7.20, Historic Scotland members free

[ December 5, 2010; 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm. ]
Adult £9.00, Child £5.40, Concession £7.20, Historic Scotland members free
Stirling Castle

For the last four years, Historic Scotland has opened its doors, free of charge, to some of its properties in celebration of St Andrew’s Day. This year it has trumped itself by extending the free opening to cover four days starting tomorrow and ending on the day itself.
From 9.30am, you’ll be able to enter one or as many as you can manage of 48 heritage sites throughout the country.

June commemorates the 450th anniversary of the death of Mary of Guise, the mother of Mary, Queen of Scots. Why so important an anniversary?
Because after the death of her husband, James V, at the end of 1542, she was the ruler of Scotland up until her death. It was she who maintained the Catholic cause against Protestant reformers. It was she who outwitted the Scottish nobles albeit with French money and it was her brother who captured Calais from the English during the time of Mary I.