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Historic Scotland Membership vs Explorer Pass

Posted by (Kansas City USA/Birmenstorf, Switzerland) on

Can someone help me out choosing between the Historic Scotland pass vs the Explorer Pass - I'm seriously baffled because the math doesn't make sense. Here are the two sites/passes with associated prices that I'm referring to: https://members.historic-scotland.gov.uk/benefits and https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/travel-trade/explorer-pass/

The latter costs £35.00 for 7 days and the former costs £52.20 for a year. Unless I'm completely missing something both seem to offer free admission to the same places, eg Sterling and Edinburgh Castles, sights on Orkney, Iona Abbey, etc, etc. We're in Scotland for almost 3 weeks so if they have the same validity the latter is a no-brainer. Do I have to be a UK citizen to get the Historic Scotland pass? What am is missing?

Posted by
5678 posts

Hi Marcus,
I think that the membership gets you some other stuff. I was a member. I liked getting the magazine for the next year...It was like a reprise of my vacay. I think if I remember right, there is a family membership which might shift the cost calculus.

Pam

Posted by
6510 posts

You do not need to be a citizen to get them. Years ago we picked up the pass at the first venue. I’m sure you can purchase them online and pick them up at the first venue. On that trip it was Edinburgh castle. Price out the historic places you want to visit to ensure you’ll get your money’s worth since not all places have admission fees, and not all admissions are as steep at Edinburgh and Stirling castles.

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