Best Things To Do In Scotland With Kids – A Complete Guide

As a Scottish family we do love to travel around our country, exploring all the amazing sights. From Edinburgh castle in the central belt to driving the North Coast 500 up in the Scottish highlands, there is so much to see and do here in bonny Scotland! Family travel is now a big business and Scotland has a great number of attractions suited to families. Central Scotland has the most attractions due to its location, but you will find fun things to do all over the country. And if you are looking for something away from the crowds, check out these alternative road trips to the NC500. You don’t even have to take the car, try this 10 day itinerary for Scotland by train!

Click on the links in the post to take you to even more informative posts throughout the blog!

When to Visit Scotland

Scotland is great all year, with something different to offer in every season. The only times I would recommend to avoid are school or public holidays, as these dates will be busy with Scottish families. Exact dates of school holidays vary across the different council areas. 

Personally I would recommend visiting in the months of May and September, the shoulder season. These months are quieter as there are no school holidays. However they are also the driest months of the year, often with early or late summer sun. 

Other good months to visit are February and March for potential snow and skiing on Scotland’s mountain ranges. Or August for one of Edinburgh’s 5 festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival (with great kids shows like this one). August is also the month to visit for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a fantastic spectacle to watch!

How to Get to Scotland

Getting to Scotland is easy! From outside the UK you can choose to fly. Most international flights are to Edinburgh or Glasgow International airports. Or choose to take the train into the UK and a direct train from London to Edinburgh, Glasgow or even Inverness. It’s also possible to take the Caledonian Sleeper train from London overnight as far as Inverness, Fort William or Aberdeen.

Travelling from around the UK can easily be done via train, bus, car or even plane. Train is the best environmentally. Although if the tickets seem expensive consider buying a rail pass such as a Family and Friends card to save a decent chunk of money.

Finally you can drive to Scotland, there are several main motorways and A roads to get you North. Check the Traffic Scotland webpage for any delays or closed roads.

Getting Around Scotland

Again you can get around Scotland by train and bus. However the rural bus services are not frequent as it is in cities and towns. They may only be 2-3 buses a day depending on the location, so do check bus timetables before travelling.

Hire cars area easy to find, check out the bigger brands such as Hertz, Europcar or Avis. It’s also possible to hire campervans and motorhomes. With these larger vehicles you do need to be aware that many roads are narrow. Particularly in the Highlands and Islands where roads are often single track. If you are not used to driving a large vehicle I’d recommend hiring a car instead.

Do check out Scottish driving rules, including speed limits and how to drive on single-track roads. Locals may get annoyed at slow drivers, so do pull over into passing places to let faster vehicles pass. If approaching another vehicle on a single track road you must pull into a passing place on the left or wait opposite the passing place if on the right. If there are no passing places when you meet another vehicle, the vehicle nearest to a passing place must reverse to it.

Where To Find The Best Accommodation in Scotland

Scotland has an amazing number of places to stay and it can be difficult to choose a single location for your trip. It really depends on what you are looking for.  There are plenty of hotels, guest houses, hostels, glamping pods and campsites.  But you will need to book in advance for the school holiday periods, accommodation sells out fast!

For cities, restaurants and plenty of museums you are going to want to head to Edinburgh and Glasgow. Although Aberdeen and Perth are perfect for smaller city getaways. Whereas if you are looking for wild rugged landscapes then the highlands are going to be the best for you. The islands are brilliant for beautiful white sand beaches and boat trips, although even every island is completely different!  This blog post has a range of great options for places to stay in Scotland.

Finding family friendly accommodation can be tricky. Fortunately many hotels in the cities have family rooms, self catering can be a good option for bigger families, such as this fab cottage on Lewis. Or, of course, camping for keeping costs down. Caravan parks can also be cheaper for larger families, but not as cold as camping!

If you would like to try glamping and camping, we can definitely recommend Catchpenny Safari Lodges in Fife, camping in Aviemore at Loch Morlich, or camping on Tiree and Coll.

I asked the kids their favourite places we’ve stayed and inevitably they chose camping at Camusdarach near Arisaig and Eastside Cottages in the Pentland Hills. Of course there were plenty of other places they love too! Including the beautiful Isle of Gigha and glamping on Iona. If you are looking for budget accommodation I can also recommend hostelling Scotland. Port Charlotte at Islay or Oban hostel for the isles, Cairngorms National Park near Aviemore, Pitlochry for Perthshire and Achmelvich for North West Highlands and stunning beaches are great for families and self catering too. 

Things To Do In Scotland

You will not be short of family-friendly attractions when visiting Scotland. There is something for everyone, from free days out, to those that will cost most of your days budget! We have theme parks, aquariums, zoos, safari parks, indoor anttractions and tons of fantastic museums, castles (our fave is Stirling Castle!) and other historical sites! And if you need something a bit different, then these Scottish experiences and adventures are perfect for families!

We’ve also loved exploring seasonal activities such as Scottish sunflower fields in the summer, Scottish pumpkin patches in the autumn and Christmas events in Scotland in the Winter. I can also suggest that you either opt for membership of Historic Scotland if you are from the UK or go for an Explorer Pass to get cheaper visits to many castles, mills, stones and other sites. Members can also collect their History Hunt collectible cards!

It’s also fun to just explore, especially on the islands, there are so many Scottish Islands to visit. Or head to a smaller city or town and explore the sights. Dunfermline isn’t normally on top of everyone’s list to visit, but it has such a great number of interesting historical sites that it should be! Did you know that Dunfermline was Scotland’s ancient capital?!

If you are entering Scotland via the road from the lowlands then you will probably be looking for lots of stop-offs on your Scottish road trip. Some of our favourites include Coldingham Bay, the Highland Wildlife Park and the National Museum of Flight at East Fortune or the various attractions in Falkirk such as a magical Harry Potter themed shop or the Kelpies!. Or if you are travelling up the West then the Dino Park at Dumfries or Chatelherault Country Park near Hamilton. I also have a whole post of Scottish country parks if you desperately need somewhere for the kids to run about in a large open green space!

Below I’ve listed each area of Scotland with the highlights you shouldn’t miss.

Edinburgh and the Lothians

Edinburgh is often the first place that visitors arrive, by plane, train or car! It’s the perfect place to start your Scotland family vacation. With fantastic attractions for the whole family. From the National Museum of Scotland (which is free!) to the Camera Obscura and Edinburgh Zoo. However, one of the best things (in my opinion!) is to visit Dynamic Earth with kids. It’s an amazing interactive place where you learn about the history, science and geography of our planet! A perfect family day out.

However, don’t miss just walking along the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace and Old town enjoying the sights. Especially in August when the festival Fringe is on, you will find plenty of street performers along the road. You can even take time to visit an island in the Firth of Forth, Inchcolm Island.

In West Lothian you will want to visit historic sights, including Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle and Cairnpapple Hill. Although if you’re travelling with kids don’t miss Beecraigs for a walk and play at the adventure play park, or Almond Valley. Other fantastic places to visit are Jupiter Artland (the most awesome outdoor artwork) and the Scottish Owl centre.

East Lothian also has plenty of historic sights. From Tantallon Castle and Direlton Castle, to The National Museum of Flight with it’s old planes, including a concord! You won’t want to miss the Seabird Centre at North Berwick or trips out to Bass Rock to see the thousands of gannets nesting in summer.  Kids will love the East Links Family Park, with plenty of outdoor activities and animals too.

Glasgow and the Clyde

Edinburgh may be most visitors arrival city, however no Scotland trip is complete without a visit to Glasgow. It’s one of the best cities to understand the friendliness of Scottish people (people make Glasgow is their slogan!). It’s the place to go if you like shopping, but it also has many top things for the family to enjoy. Check out Kelvingrove Art Gallery for history and Glasgow science centre for interactive activities (the best science centre we’ve visited in the UK!). Then Riverside Museum (transport museum) and the Burrell Collection for some fantastic interactive history and art culture. In the summer you can take a trip along the Clyde on the Waverley Paddle Steamer, the last ocean going paddle steamer in the world!

It’s only a short drive or train journey North of Glasgow to arrive at Balloch, where you can access the famous Loch Lomond! Do be careful if entering the water, it gets deep and cold very quick! You can hire boats or kayaks from Loch Lomond shores and visit Loch Lomond Sealife Centre too. Or head further around the loch for a good beach to explore and enjoy the fresh air.

Looking for a list of places to visit with the kids in Central Scotland? Check out this post with over 70 places to visit with the tween and teens (younger kids will also love them)!

Scottish Borders

The Scottish Borders have plenty of excellent beaches and historic sites. Smailhom Tower is a remote tower house castle, which is very atmospheric. There are also abbeys dotted around everywhere. The borders include miles of beautiful coastline, perfect for wildlife watching.  Check out the guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes on the cliffs at St Abbs Head. 

I can also recommend visiting Floors Castle, in Kelso, they often have events for families in the school holidays.  Visit Historic Jedburgh, with some interesting museums. Including Mary Queen of Scot’s visitor centre and Jedburgh Castle Jail and Museum. Or head to Melrose for the Trimontium Museum (the largest Roman fort and settlement North of Hadrians Wall) and the Great Tapestry of Scotland located in Galashiels. Galashiels is just an hour away from Edinburgh by train, so you can easily fit it into one of your day trips if you don’t have a car.

Dumfries and Galloway

Often overlooked, due to visitors driving past to get further North, Dumfries and Galloway actually has plenty for visitors to enjoy. It’s well worth a stop to explore and enjoy this quiet and beautiful area of Scotland.  Although it is possible to get around via public transport, it’s much easier to travel by car.  

For natural beauty head to Galloway Forest Park or the Mull of Galloway, both stunning locations for nature hikes. Learn about Scottish history at the many castles and stately homes in the area. Particular highlights are Caerlaverock Castle, Drumlanrig Castle and Gardens and Threave House and Gardens.

The Devil’s Porridge Museum is a great educational museum. However some of the best things to do in Dumfries and Galloway are outdoors.  From farm parks, such as Dalscone and Marie, to stunning gardens such as Logan Botanic Gardens. And of course there are plenty of sandy beaches and Great hikes in the area.

Ayrshire and Arran

​Ayrshire covers a wide area and has many distinctive features. The rolling green hills and beautiful coastline make it an excellent place for an extended stay. Highlights include the beaches, including rocky beaches where you can find pieces of agate to the many museums and historic places. This is the birthplace of Rabbie Burns, the famous Scot’s poet, so make sure you stop in at the Robert Burns Birthplace museum and Burns House Museum. Other places to visit include Culzean Castle and Vikingar! Largs.

​The island of Arran is known as Scotland in miniature. It has the mountains, the beautiful coastline, lovely villages and history. You need to go for a few hikes on the island, including down to the King’s caves and the Machrie Moor Standing Stones. Other places of note are Brodick Castle and gardens, with amazing adventure play park, and Lochranza whisky distillery.

Finally there is also the tiny island of Great Cumbrae. It may be small, but it’s the best place to spend a day cycling around the island (only 10 miles loop), playing on Ballochmartin Bay and visiting the museum of the Cumbraes.

Scotland has plenty of great country parks for free or low cost days out. Click on this post to see my definitive Scottish Country Park list, with map!

Scottish Central Belt

Between Glasgow and Edinburgh is the Scottish central belt. It’s actually many council areas that I’m putting into one for this post. Although a lot of the area is built-up you can still find some beautiful walks. Particularly around the Roman Antonine Wall and the Forth & Clyde Canal. Learn more about why the Antonine Wall was built at Callendar House in Falkirk and also at Kinneil House museum. Find out more about the canals when you visit the Falkirk Wheel, and even go on the world’s only rotating boat lift! Visit the Kelpies and Helix Park for a lovely day out with the family, and find out more about why they were constructed.

Towards Glasgow you can find Summerlee Heritage Museum, with trams, a coal mine and lots of interesting information about industry in the area. A little further South is New Lanark Mill Village and the Falls of the Clyde. Fantastic places to learn about the heritage of the area and also enjoy the nearby walks.

Stirlingshire

The city of Stirling is at the edge of Stirlingshire, with plenty of tourist attractions to visit! Don’t miss Stirling Castle, Stirling Jail and The Smith Art Gallery and Museum. Nearby is the National Wallace Monument and a variety of other ancient castles. Doune castle is particularly famous for its part on Monty Python’s Holy Grail and Outlander. However Inchmahome Priory on it‘s little island is also worth a visit.

You will also find the popular Blairdrummond Safari Park and Briarlands Farm park a little way out of the city.

The Trossachs National Park is a gem in Stirlingshire‘s crown, with stunning lochs, mountains and forests. It’s the best place for unforgettable outdoor experiences and hiking to mountain tops for the best views. Even young children can climb some of the smaller hills, such as Ben Aan!

Perthshire and Tayside

Perthshire is a large area, covering several large towns and one major city – Perth. Perth museum reopened in 2024 after a costly redevelopment and it’s well worth a visit.  This is where you will find the Stone of Destiny, where Scottish kings have always been crowned. There are plenty of other interesting items to see and interactive activities too.

Outside of Perth you will find plenty of interesting sites, including Blair Atholl castle and Gardens, the Scottish Crannog Centre, Auchingarrich Wildlife Park and The Loch of the Lowes wildlife reserve. Don’t miss the amazing walks in rural Perthshire and also the outdoor activities including white water rafting, bungee jumping and paddle boarding. Of course there are plenty of castles and history to discover too. I definitely suggest visiting a few castles, such as Huntingtower Castle, Glamis Castle and Scone Palace.

East of Perthshire is the city of Dundee, a worthy place to visit in its own right. The city has several major attractions that families will love. The famous RRS Discovery is moored at Discovery Point, where you can find out all about the ships Antarctic voyages. Next door is the V&A design museum, which has varied reviews. Around the corner you can find the Dundee Science centre and the Verdant Works Museum.

Kingdom of Fife

An ancient Pictish kingdom, Fife is well known for the university town of St Andrews. And although St Andrews is a fantastic place to visit, especially St Andrews castle and the aquarium, there is more to Fife! The coast is defined by pretty little villages and sandy beaches, inland you will find unusual attractions. Including the Secret bunker and Scottish Deer centre. I suggest you also take time to visit Tentsmuir Forest and Beach too.

It’s also possible to take boat trips out the Isle of May to see puffins and other birdlife. These trips leave from Anstruther and can get booked up months in advance!

Aberdeenshire, Moray and Angus

In the North East of Scotland are the small council area of Moray and Angus, plus the larger Aberdeenshire. These three areas are often overlooked as tourists head further North into the Highlands. However, they do have a lot to offer and if you have time go and visit!

Aberdeen is where you can catch an overnight ferry North to Orkney and Shetland Isles. So if you’re planning to head that direction, consider a few days on the mainland first.  Aberdeen is the granite city and can be very grey, particularly in the winter months. However, there is still a lot to see and enjoy within the city at all times of year. Museums include the Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Aberdeen Science Centre and the David Welch Winter Gardens at Duthie Park. It’s also a great city to walk along the beach front, visit the quaint Footdee (Fittie) and watch dolphins playing at Aberdeen harbour mouth.

Further into Aberdeenshire and further afield you will find plenty of interesting castles. Including Crathes Castle, Dunnottar Castle and Fyvie Castle, although there are plenty more to choose from! There are plenty of standing stones, Pictish stones and other ancient sites. Other notable places to visit in the area include the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh, RSPB Troup Head, Forvie Nature reserve, the Scottish Dolphin Centre, Stonehaven and SWT Montrose Basin. These are only a handful of places to visit, there are so many more, including steam trains, excellent hikes and kids adventure parks.

Argyll and Bute

Argyll and Bute also contain many of the other islands in the Inner Hebrides, but as I detail the islands further down this post, I’ll omit them from the Argyll section. This area of Scotland has some of the oldest historic sites in Scotland. I suggest you visit the newly renovated Kilmartin Museum to find out more about the ancient history of the region. Do make an effort to explore the land around the museum, including Dunadd Fort and as many of the ring and cup marked stones as you can. Some of the best are a bit of a walk, including the Ormaig cup and ring marked stones, which are very distinct.

You can also visit the Knapdale beavers and walk along the Crinan Canal, or visit one of the many beaches on the way down to Campbelltown. Inverary castle and Inverary jail are good places to stop on the way further west. You may also enjoy visiting Crarae garden or Benmore botanic gardens. Further North is the town of Oban, a great place for a few days in itself, but also the small islands just off the coast. The islands of Lismore and Kerrera are easily explored on day trips.

The island of Bute is close to the Argyll coastline, with a short ferry ride from Colintraive. You can read more about the Isle of Bute here.

Highlands

Heading North many people arrive in Inverness, with the main attraction being Loch Ness. The loch holds more fresh water than all the lakes in both England and Wales together! Which gives you an idea of both its length and depth, certainly plenty of places for the Loch Ness monster to hide! The loch is also connected to the Caledonian Canal which connects  Inverness on the East coast to Corpach, close to Fort William on the West coast. You can even hire a boat to travel along the canal!

A little further South at Carrbridge is Landmark Forest Adventure Park and close by is the Highland Wildlife park and the Highland Folk Museum.

Not too far away is Aviemore with it’s steam railway, outdoor activities, Cairngorm mountain railway and Loch Morlich, beside an excellent campsite and hostel. The beach is great for sandcastles and you can hire a canoe or SUP to explore the loch further.

North of Inverness takes you along the infamous NC500 road trip route. It’s a beautiful area, but with too many tourists it can be problematic to tourists. I recommend having one or two central places to stay in the highlands. Then taking day trips from there to visit the sites around this route. There are plenty of great places to see, from brochs and castles to beaches and pretty coastal villages. 

On the West coast you will find the famous Glenfinnan viaduct. Famous for the Hogwarts Express travelling along its tracks in the Harry Potter films. You can travel along it on a normal train, or the more expensive Jacobite steam train. Glenfinnan is also an important place to stop to learn about the Jacobite rising, so don’t miss the museum and monument. Nearby is the village of Arisaig and a long stretch of stunning beaches North to Mallaig.

Close to the Isle of Skye is Eilean Donan Castle, which is also worth visiting if you’re in the area. It WILL be busy, so buy your tickets in advance or go outwith the busy summer months.

Western Islands

The Scottish Western Islands include all of the inner and outer Hebrides and are one of the best places for stunning white sand beaches in Scotland. I highly recommend Luskentyre on Harris, the West coast of the Uists, Coll and Tiree. Although every island has its own beautiful beaches, so you won’t miss out if you go elsewhere! The port town of Oban is the perfect starting point to visit many of these islands. Including some islands perfect for day trips as they are close to Oban itself, such as Lismore and Kerrera.

Outer Hebrides

Each island has its own highlights. Starting from the top, Isle of Lewis has amazing historic sites, from the famous Callanish Standing stones to brochs and blackhouse villages. There are so many places to see that I haven’t the space to write them all down here! It’s also brilliant for wildlife, we loved spotting dolphins from the Butt of Lewis lighthouse.

Harris is a small but stunning island, with plenty of beaches, machair and walks. There are few museums or visitor centres on Harris, but you will find some great places to enjoy walking and hopefully some wildlife too! I can recommend climbing Clisham, walking on Scalpay and paying a visit to Northton for the beaches and machair.

The Uists and adjoining islands are also mostly an outdoor destination. Perfect for walking and cycling, searching for the elusive corncrake and enjoying the beautiful beaches. I’d also recommend visiting the Kildonan Museum and the Balranald nature reserve. 

Barra and Vatersay again have beautiful beaches (the whole Outer Hebrides do!). But also make a point to visit Kisimul Castle in Castlebay (still closed in 2025, but hopefully will reopen in future years), the famous Barra airport to watch a plane land on the beach and the twin beaches on Vatersay.

Inner Hebrides

The Isle of Skye is very popular with tourists. Which does mean that it’s very busy and sites are over-visited. Visit outside the summer to enjoy the magic of this beautiful island without the crowds. Highlights are the coral beach North of Dunvegan, Dunvegan Castle itself, Skye museum of Island Life, the Quirang, dinosaur foot prints at Staffin (low tide) and the majestic Cuillins. I’d also recommend a boat trip to explore Loch Coruisk and Armadale castle, gardens and museum. There are plenty of places for a fantastic walk and wildlife too. Although try to stay away from the hordes of people visiting the like of the Fairy Pools and Fairy Glen!

The Small isles of Rum, Canna, Eigg and Muck are well worth visiting. It’s possible to visit most of these isles as day trips from the mainland or stay longer. They are perfect for hiking, wildlife watching and enjoying the slow life.

Coll and Tiree are windy islands with plenty of beautiful beaches to explore. The Isle of Tiree is also well known for its excellent surfing waves. Both islands have plenty of great walking routes. Tiree also has some great small museums at Hynish and Scaranish.

The Isle of Mull is a large varied island, with too many things to do, to list all here! Highlights are definitely the beaches, the art and sculpture trail at Calgary, Duart Castle, boat trips to see Staffa and the puffins at Lunga and the Isle of Iona.

Islay is well known for its whisky distilleries. However it also plenty of fantastic walks, excellent wildlife spotting opportunities and was once the seat of the Lord of the Isles. Jura is a short ferry ride from Islay and also has its own distillery, alongside many walks, including up the Paps of Jura. North of these two islands is the smaller island of Colonsay, perfect for exploring the beaches and walks of the island. Don’t miss the Island of Oronsay with Oronsay Priory, only accessible at low tide.

The final island in the inner Hebrides is the Isle of Gigha. It’s small, but is community owned and has plenty to offer visitors. From the Achamore Gardens, to beaches, historic standing stones and newly laid path network. Easily visited on a day trip, but I recommend you stay longer.

Northern Islands

The Orkney Islands and Shetland Islands are further North and area easy to travel to via ferry. You can arrive as a foot passenger, however it’s harder to get around the islands by bus. So I’d recommend taking a car, unless you have plenty of time to wait on buses and potentially only see 1-2 places each day. 

Highlights of the Orkney Isles are the rich history from the Neolithic all the way into the World Wars. You won’t want to miss learning about the Churchill Barriers at the Orkney Fossil and Heritage Centre. Seeing the Neolithic village of Skara Brae, standing stone Circle at Brodgar and Maes Howe Stone Age tomb. Then there are the fantastic beaches, walks and wildlife. Don’t leave without visiting at least 1 or 2 of the outer lying islands, they have just as much to offer as the mainland and attached islands.

Shetland has a large mainland area and many smaller islands too. Visit the mainland for fantastic crafts at Hoswick, ancient history at Jarlshof, Sumburgh Head Lighthouse for wildlife and the Shetland geopark all across the mainland. Don’t miss the island of Unst, with the furthest North that you can go in Scotland, but also heaps of wildlife (think gannets and otters!). Mousa broch on the small island of Mousa Is also a fantastic site. If you are visiting between January and March you also may want to visit one of the many Viking inspired fire festivals!

Scottish castles you may want to visit:

• Huntingtower Castle in Perthshire with it’s ‘maiden’s leap’ legend.
• Stirling Castle is a fun family day out, with excellent re-enactors.
• Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven is an impressive cliff top fortress.
• Craigmillar Castle is Edinburgh’s second castle and well worth exploring.
• Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull has great history and excellent views.
• Visit Tantallon in East Lothian for a dramatic view to Bass rock.
• Edinburgh castle is great to explore during the day, with the Scottish Honours on show too.
• Edinburgh Castle of Light is all lit up in the winter months!
• Crathes Castle and Gardens in Aberdeenshire is stunning.
• The strange shape of Blackness castle is almost ship like as a fortress.
• High up above Dollar is Castle Campbell, a fantastic lookout castle.
• Brodick Castle on Arran is popular with visitors, it’s more of a mansion house than castle.
• Inchcolm Abbey and Island in the Firth of Forth, day trip from Edinburgh Queensferry.

The Best Scottish Itineraries

The North Coast 500 isn’t the only road trip you can take. And although there are many beautiful and historic places to visit, it’s just too busy during the holidays. Even in winter when we’ve stayed in a cottage near the NC500 the roads are still busy with campervans! Anyhow, there are plenty more alternative Scottish road trips to try. From island hopping in the Hebrides to trips around the mountainous East highlands and Aberdeenshire. Scotland can easily take you from mountain to white sand beach in one day!

For a Scottish road trip you definitely need to decide how long you have. Then decide which main attractions you want to fit in. It’s best not to do over do it otherwise the kids will get annoyed pretty quickly! Especially when they just want to play at somewhere rather than rushing on to the next sight. If there’s a lot to do at your destination then it could be sensible to stay longer in one place. Such as 2-3 nights and then drive out each day from there. This would work well on places like Orkney or even the Highlands of Scotland. You may also want to plan a few road trip stops on the long journey days, check this post that has a list of stop offs on the major Scottish roads.

For a weekend city break you may prefer to visit the cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen for a weekend away. There is no best time for a city break, they just offer different things around the year, from winter markets to Fringe festivals, there is plenty to do. Even on the rainy days you will find great museums, art galleries and glasshouses to visit.

You can also check out our Scottish packing lists for every season here! It’s not always the easiest country for packing as our weather is very changeable.

For an entire list of my itineraries please click on the links below.

• A weekend city break in Edinburgh itinerary
• Spend a weekend exploring Glasgow itinerary
• Explore the granite city of Aberdeen for a weekend itinerary
• Discover Dunfermline itinerary – A Weekend in Scotland’s Ancient Capital
• Alternative Scottish road trips to the NC500
• NC500 7 day itinerary
• The Best 3 Day itinerary for Arisaig – West Coast Scotland
• A complete guide to visiting Stirling
• Scotland by train – With Awesome Rail Itinerary
• 10 Awesome Scottish itineraries
• Visit Falkirk With This Fantastic 3 day itinerary
• 7 day Orkney itinerary with kids
• Where to Visit in Aviemore itinerary
• Complete Guide to Shetland With Kids
• Isle of Mull Itinerary – Things To Do On Mull
• Complete Guide to the Isle of Iona
• Best Family Stop Offs For Road Trips In Scotland

Scotland Trip Planning

​If you are looking for a more bespoke travel itinerary, then I can help you with that! I am currently offering a bespoke travel planning service to create the perfect self guided itinerary for you.

Planning trips takes time and sometimes we just don’t have that time available, I get it. Instead of spending hours, days or more trying to make up a plan, it can be simpler to leave it to the experts.

By using this Scotland travel planning service you can work with Scottish travel experts, designing an entirely custom travel plan for YOU. Just 20-30 minutes of your time and we can design the perfect trip for visiting Scotland.

All you will need to do is book it! I create the plan, with suggested accommodation and activity recommendations and then it’s over to you to simply book it. You will be in Scotland on your trip in no time! Head over to my Scotland Travel Planning Page to find out more.

The Best Experiences In Scotland

Sometimes travel is more than the destination. You are looking for the unusual or the adrenaline fuelled experiences! And Scotland certainly has its fair share of experiences! So if you want to learn to make haggis, weave your own tartan, have tea with sheep or even bungee jumping off a bridge and zip line across a beach, you will find it all here in Scotland!

If you are looking for adventure with the kids then have a look at these Scottish experiences and adventures, there are so many to choose from. We are lucky to be able to kayak in stunning crystal clear waters. Or speed over the Scottish sands on land yachts! It may also interest you to know that we have some awesome destinations for wild swimming in Scotland. 

Are you looking for the best places to spot Scottish wildlife? Check out this post with the best places to go to see wildife in Scotland!

Scotland also boasts a large amount of wildlife spotting destinations. From Basking Sharks to Golden Eagles, we have lots of wildlife to watch in Scotland! We’ve been lucky enough to see Minke whales and dolphins whilst crossing to the Isle of Eigg from Arisaig. We’ve seen a huge number of puffins only a metre or so away whilst visiting the Isle of Lunga from Mull. It’s amazing just how close you can get to Scottish wildlife with the kids! Red squirrels are everywhere from central Scotland North.  Perhaps try visiting a viewing hide, there are several around and we almost always see them at Aberfoyle (also home to Go Ape for more fun!).

If you’re not able to get to Scotland at this moment it’s also possible to visit virtually. There are hundreds of Scottish webcams dotted all around the country. You can check on the scenery, the wildlife and even the passers by. Family travel and days out in Scotland can be just a click away!

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