For the month of October only, Historic Scotland is inspiring children to discover over 5,000 years of history without having to pay a single penny.

The annual Kids Go Free [3] month is always popular, but this year the agency has decided to add even more character to many of their attractions across the country. In fact, to be specific, they have added ten more characters…of the cartoon variety!

Rebecca Hamilton, Marketing and Media Manager at Historic Scotland said: "Our Kids Go Free October campaign is always very popular. This year, we thought we would add something extra special to the visitor experience. We are inviting families to take part in our Cartoon Caper! Pick up a trail sheet on arrival at the participating attraction, and then see if you can hunt down our fun historical characters while answering the questions. From Mungo the Monk to Ungus the Pict to Mary, Queen of Scots, they are all waiting to be found whether it be under a drawbridge, behind a cannon or perhaps in a dungeon near you!"

Historic Scotland commissioned Scottish artist Alice Druitt to specially create the ten cartoon characters covering as many periods of history as possible. After completing the trail, budding cartoon detectives will win a special gift. Details will then be entered into a prizedraw to win a VIP trip to Edinburgh Castle, art session at Doodles Ceramic workshop, signed originals of the historic cartoon characters artwork by Alice Druitt and lots more art goodies.

Peter Bromley, Director of Properties in Care at Historic Scotland said: "Our October month is the perfect opportunity for parents to really inspire their children to explore Scotland’s history and it’s free to take the kids. There are so many wonderful and exciting periods to discover, and we hope both the Cartoon Caper and other activities at each attraction during the month will help to bring the past alive for all."

The Historic Scotland Kids Go Free campaign is from 1st – 31st October 2007, allowing free entry for children only to over 70 Historic Scotland attractions. From castles to abbeys to cathedrals to prehistoric settlements to palaces to the mightiest artillery fortification in Europe, there’s something to delight every age and taste. Historic Scotland attractions feature visitor centres, exhibitions and audio guides to tell the story of the properties, as well as cafes and shops selling quality gifts, crafts and guidebooks.

• 'Kids Go Free’ throughout October at Historic Scotland attractions listed below. Children must be under 16yrs and accompanied by a full paying adult (maximum of 6 children per paying adult). For further information and opening times, please visit Historic Scotland - Kids Go Free [4] or text ‘KIDSFREE’ to 84118, or call 0131 668 8926.
  
  
• As well as the Cartoon Caper, Edinburgh Castle will be hosting drop-in cartoon workshops. From 10.30am-4.00pm on the weekends of 6, 7 and 20, 21 October, join Holyrood Park Artist-in-Residence Barbara Middleton; and on 13 and 14 October (as part of The Big Draw) join Alice Druitt herself and discover how to draw your very own cartoons and enter your artwork into a competition to win a year’s membership with Historic Scotland.
  
  
• Other events during the month include Knight School at Stirling Castle from 6-14 October from 11.00am-4.00pm each day, where visitors can try their hand at quintain, drill with the militia and sword play. Further activities at Historic Scotland attractions include living history characters at Urquhart Castle every Sunday during October, Big Draw events at Fort George and Holyrood Park (13/14 October) and the Scottish Storytelling Festival at various sites across the country (26 October-4 November). Please visit Historic Scotland events [5] for more information.
  
  
• The artist commissioned for the light-hearted artwork is 26 year old Alice Druitt who set up her own company, Gingerpaws, selling cards showing famous Edinburgh scenes as an undergraduate. While still at university she was commissioned by Historic Scotland to create the artwork for the popular Cartoon Castles range. Its success prompted the latest commission.
  
  

Historic Scotland Properties included in October 'Kids for free' promotion

DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY
Caerlaverock Castle
Cardoness Castle
Dundrennan Abbey
Glenluce Abbey
MacLellans Castle
New Abbey Corn Mill
Sweetheart Abbey
Threave Castle
(Please note that Whithorn Priory and Museum are not included in the Kids Go Free promotion.)

SCOTTISH BORDERS
Dryburgh Abbey
Hermitage Castle
Jedburgh Abbey
Melrose Abbey
Smailholm Tower

EDINBURGH AND LOTHIANS
Blackness Castle
Cairnpapple Hill
Craigmillar Castle
Crichton Castle
Dirleton Castle and Gardens
Edinburgh Castle
Linlithgow Palace
Seton Collegiate Church
Tantallon Castle
Trinity House, Leith (Book by appointment – 0131 554 3289)
(Please note that the Torphichen Preceptory, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey are not included in the Kids Go Free promotion.)

GLASGOW, CLYDE AND AYRSHIRE
Bothwell Castle
Craignethan Castle
Crossraguel Abbey
Dumbarton Castle
Dundonald Castle
Glasgow Cathedral
Rothesay Castle

CENTRAL AND WEST
Argyll’s Lodging
Castle Campbell and Garden
Doune Castle
Dunblane Cathedral
Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel
Inchmahome Priory
Iona Abbey
Stirling Castle

FIFE
Aberdour Castle and Gardens
Dunfermline Abbey and Palace
Inchcolm Abbey – charge for ferry crossing
St Andrews Castle and Cathedral

PERTHSHIRE, KINROSS AND ANGUS
Arbroath Abbey
Edzell Castle and Garden
Elcho Castle
Huntingtower Castle
Lochleven Castle
Meigle Sculptured Stone Museum

NORTH AND GRAMPIAN
Balvenie Castle
Corgarff Castle
Dallas Dhu Distillery
Elgin Cathedral
Fort George
Huntly Castle
Kildrummy Castle
Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse
Spynie Palace
St Serf’s Church
Tolquohon Castle
Urquhart Castle

THE WESTERN ISLES
The Blackhouse, Arnol
Calanais Standing Stones and Visitor Centre
Kisimul Castle, Barra

ORKNEY
Bishop’s and Earl’s Palaces
Broch of Gurness
Hackness Battery
Maeshowe
Skara Brae

SHETLAND
Jarlshof