Explore Scotland with the National Lottery Open Week

National Lottery Open Week offers free entry, discounts and special offers at National Lottery funded places across Scotland – including castles, gardens and museums – and even zoos! How about seeing our Scottish Wildcats for free?

This year’s National Lottery Open Week will take place from Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd March 2025. If you can show that you have purchased a National Lottery ticket, Instant Win Game, or scratchcard (physical or digital) during National Lottery Open Week – you can take up this special offer.

National Lottery Open Week – 10+ places to visit in Scotland for free

Here’s are my favourite places you can visit during the National Lottery Open Week in Scotland. Find the complete list of places you can visit below.

1. The Highland Wildlife Park

Offer – buy one get one free with lottery ticket – 15-23 March 2025. Booking in advance is not required.
The Highland Wildlife Park is located near Aviemore in the Cairngorms National Park. Visit the 4 polar bears – Walker, Arktos, Victoria and her cub, Brodie, highland wildcats, red pandas and lynx, the RZSS Highland Wildlife Park is well worth a visit. Read more > how to visit the Cairngorms National Park.

2. Edinburgh Zoo

Offer – buy one get one free with lottery ticket – 15-23 March 2025. Booking in advance is not required.
With over 1000 species living within 82 acres, Edinburgh Zoo is a fabulous day out for everyone. My locals tip: the Edinburgh Zoo penguin parade is at 2.15pm – there is no guarantee how many will fancy a wander out of their enclosure and around the zoo but it is always fun to watch.

3. Glasgow Science Centre

Kids go free with lottery ticket – 15-16 & 19-23 March 2025, Wednesday – Friday from 10am-3pm and Saturday – Sunday from 10am – 5pm.
Kids can get hands on with science in Glasgow for free during National Lottery Open week – and as part of British Science Week there will be Meet the Expert sessions and workshops as well. Find out more about visiting Glasgow Science Centre during National Lottery Open Week.

4. The Scottish Football Museum and Hampden Park Stadium

Half price on entry and tour with lottery ticket – 17-20 March 2025. To claim this discount, simply book tickets via their website and enter the discount code “LOTTERY50” when asked to enter a promo code at the checkout.
Visit the home of football in Scotland with a tour of Hampden Park – with thousands of objects on display, which explore the history of football in Scotland alongside film footage highlighting some of the most memorable games and great players, including the historic Scottish cup. More info on visiting Hampden Park.

5. Scottish Gas Murrayfield stadium

50% off all off-peak tour bookings with lottery ticket 17-20 March. Booking in advance is required. Offer redeemable by booking online (code to follow)
Go behind the scenes of game day by visiting the home of Scottish Rugby at Murrayfield Stadium – visit the Scotland Team changing room, and through the player’s tunnel out into the stadium itself. One for the Scottish rugby fans!

6. Bannockburn

Free entry with lottery ticket – 15-23 March 2025 (also free for National Trust for Scotland members all year round). Booking in advance is not required.
The Battle of Bannockburn visitor centre showcases the turning point of the First War of Scottish Independence, when King Robert the Bruce won the Battle of Bannockburn decidedly, changing the face of Scottish history in the process. You can visit the battleground at the fabulous visitor centre just outside Stirling.

7. Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre

Free entry with lottery ticket – 15-23 March 2025 (also free for National Trust for Scotland members all year round). Booking in advance is not required.
The site of the most famous and final battle of the 1745 Rising where the Jacobite army took to the battlefield against the British in a final attempt to succeed in the Jacobite case. Walk the battlefield to experience its historical significance.

8. Culzean Castle

Free entry with lottery ticket – 15-23 March 2025 (also free for National Trust for Scotland members all year round). Booking in advance is not required.
Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Firth of Clyde in Ayrshire, the beautiful Culzean Castle is surrounded by a 260-hectare country park including its own beaches and is managed by the National Trust for Scotland. Visit Culzean Castle.

9. National Museum of Flight in East Lothian

Offer valid during normal opening hours, 10:00-16:00 on 22 March 2025. Please book your free admission tickets in advance, including all under 5’s. Max 6 tickets per group.
Home to one of Europe’s best collections of aircraft, from WW1 to Scotland’s Concorde, the National Museum of Flight is located near North Berwick in East Lothian.

10. Tour The Kelpies at the Helix

Free Kelpies Tour – 15-23 March 2025. Tours run at 10.30, 12.30 and 14.30 daily. No pre booking available, walk ups only. Free places are subject to availability. More information.
Go inside inside one of the iconic Kelpie Sculptures at the Helix Park near Falkirk. This 25 minute tour with the amazing Kelpie Guides who bring the story of this magnificent landmark to life. From the Kelpie myth to the engineering feats to the local history that inspired Andy Scott.