From egg hunts and excavations to treasure trails and trips back in time, Easter in the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017 is the perfect time to get out and egg-splore Scotland’s past with a host of events suitable for visitors of all ages.
So discover Scotland’s fascinating stories or embark on an Easter adventure with this egg-citing line-up of events:
DIG IT 2017
Throughout April, various locations
Commemorate the Battle of Culloden, learn more about Arthur’s Seat’s turbulent past, or meet a Prehistoric Potter at Skara Brae, just some of the amazing experiences on offer during the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology. Dig It 2017 aims to uncover Scotland’s archaeological secrets and stories. Make sure not to miss out on events leading up to Scotland in Six on World Heritage Day (April 18) – a celebration of our iconic World Heritage Sites with six toe-tapping, mouth-watering, jaw-dropping, heart-pumping events from dawn to dusk, coordinated by Dig It 2017.
THE GREAT BIG HISTORY WEEKEND
April 1-2, Stirling Castle, Old Town, Stirling
Scotland is famous for its stunning castles and thanks to the Great Big History Weekend, visitors will have the chance to see one of the country’s most famous historic landmarks in an entirely new way. Using virtual reality, you’ll be able to dig deeper into Scotland’s rich history, as well as have a go at stone masonry and even try archaeology.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE FESTIVAL
April 1-16, various venues, Edinburgh
The world’s first and Europe’s biggest science festival, the Edinburgh International Science Festival, has taken inspiration from Scotland’s past to create Moments in Time, a special exhibition on the Mound where four police boxes reveal the secrets of the Enlightenment, the Industrial Revolution, the Information Age and 101 Scottish Inventions. There is also a packed programme of events, workshops and activities celebrating all things science.
AWESOME ARCHAEOLOGY: RUBBISH PITS AND CAVE PAINTINGS
April 8, The Scottish Fisheries Museum, Anstruther, Fife
Develop your archaeology skills at the Scottish Fisheries Museum. Learn what it was like to live in the Iron Age by looking at the rubbish pits and cave paintings that people left behind.
EASTER TRAIL
April 1-17 Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh
The Botanics Bunny has invented a scrumptious chocolate bar with a very secret and very bonkers recipe. Complete the trail and claim a yummy chocolate reward, from Mackie’s of Scotland, and a special Golden Ticket offering £2 discount for one adult into the Glasshouses to see the most important ingredient – the chocolate tree.
EASTER WONDERLAND
April 4-17 The Quay, Glasgow
More than 20,000 balloons will be used to create an Easter Wonderland. The show includes an Easter Egg Hunt, a walk-through the Giant Balloon Garden, a Kids Magic Show, a Balloon Making Workshop and a lucky dip to take home.
EASTER EGGSPLORER TRAIL
April 14-17 at various locations (including Linlithgow Palace, Skara Brae, Dryburgh Abbey, Aberdour Castle and Gardens and Caerlaverock Castle)
Historic Environment Scotland is inviting visitors to embark on an Easter adventure eggsploring some of Scotland’s oldest sites. From Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries to Skara Brae on Orkney, there will be fun for the whole family as visitors of all ages search for clues and complete this eggciting Easter challenge.
CADBURY EGG HUNTS WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR SCOTLAND
April 14-17 various locations (including Glencoe and Dalness, Fyvie Castle and Brodick Castle)
One of the main attractions in Scotland over Easter weekend is the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail. With more than 40 different locations taking part including Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and the Battle of Bannockburn, the Cadbury’s Easter Egg Trail is hard to miss. Let your little ones indulge their inner explorer by following clues and solving puzzles to claim a chocolatey reward! Each hunt is completely different – the perfect excuse to hop along to more than one!
For more inspiration and information about events across Scotland, visit www.visitscotland.com
