scotland travel with toddler

The best things to do in Scotland with kids

Jun 13, 2023 • 8 min read

With inspiration for the perfect family trip, here are the best things to do with kids in Scotland © Paul McGee / Getty Images

Scotland is a stronghold of child-friendly favorites, and you’re here for superlative, soul-stirring experiences that ambush parents as much as itchy-footed kids.

Take the road north from Edinburgh — leaving behind three fantasy brick-block castles and passing through a storied countryside home to tales of giant water spirits and a humped, ancient loch monster— and, between the fairy glens and newfangled Harry Potter tradition, you’ll find yourself transported into a moody landscape ripe for a travel-bragging family adventure.

This is a country brimming with family-first cultural and wildlife encounters and a wealth of hill, loch and river adventures for bigger kids. Plus, it tastes as good as it looks — sugar-sweet fudge, tablet, shortbread, Tunnock’s teacakes and fizzy Irn Bru will fuel even the stubbornest, tantrum-throwing toddler. 

Indeed, a trip to Scotland is the connoisseur’s alternative to an all-inclusive resort or theme park holiday — less a Disneyworld, more a Caledonian magic kingdom — and, at the end of it all, the reward isn’t so much the place, but the open-armed hospitality and absurdly friendly people.

Is Scotland good for kids?

In one word: yes. Traveling with children is easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy (as locals say) and the combination of plenty of public amenities, wallet-friendly family tickets at attractions and short distances to travel (compared to many other kid-friendly destinations, at least) is an irresistible proposition. Then there’s Scotland’s trump card: the great outdoors. It’s a brazen, open-air playground and escapist joy, with trees for climbing, beaches for castle building and rivers, waterfalls and lochs to splash and dip toes in.

Comfort is also king. Breastfeeding in public is widely accepted and encouraged by government campaigns, while restaurants regularly have high chairs, dedicated children’s menus and kids-eat-free deals. Equally critical to know is licensing laws mean pubs have to have a special Children's License for children to be able to eat there. Check with the bar staff to be sure.

For those with little ones, a stroller or buggy is also perfect for roaming all towns and cities, even if Edinburgh’s medieval cobblestone parades take no prisoners; at times, you feel as if you’re mere moments away from a puncture. Also a non-negotiable for outdoorsy families is a baby carrier or backpack. 

Perhaps the biggest factor to consider before visiting is the weather. Notoriously fickle, heavy rain and midge clouds can blot even the most glorious summer day, while a simple forest walk, picnic, or bike ride can be ruined by a carousel of conditions. A sturdy pair of shoes or waterproof jacket is no match for the lashing rain and high velocity gusts that often play peekaboo from Perth to Paisley to Portree . 

Where is best in Scotland for kids?

From the galleries of Glasgow to the bike trails of the Borders to the fabulous beaches of Fife , it’s obvious why so many families carry grins as wide as the Clyde. 

You’re in Scotland for the history, so start in Edinburgh with its rock-topped castle and wizard-worthy Royal Mile; equally, Stirling is a more manageable version for those with short legs. Leave for Aviemore in the Cairngorms , a mountain amusement park with plenty of adventures, then Loch Ness , where the prospect of realizing the childhood fantasy of monster hunting is only a short boat trip away. To the west, Glencoe and Glenfinnan deliver Harry Potter movie magic. And the beaches ? You’re spoilt for choice in Argyll and the Northwest Highlands, particularly on Barra, Harris and Lewis in the Outer Hebrides .

Best things to do in Scotland with babies and toddlers

Cruise the kelpies by canal boat .

The Kelpies , two gigantic, 30m-high (98ft) equine sculptures at the eastern gateway of the Forth and Clyde canal, deliver more than a wow factor for wee kids. Rather, they have come to embody a new-found spirit around Falkirk in Scotland’s Central Belt. 

Start close by examining the almost dragon scale-plates, then head to the nearby monster-sized playground at Helix Park. Better still is to cruise from the Falkirk Wheel — the only rotating boat lift in the world — to eyeball them, pirate-style, from the water. For the uninitiated, Scottish myth holds that kelpies are water spirit demons with humongous horse heads — maybe, best not tell any younger kids that.

See a show at the world-beating Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Over the past few years, the world’s largest arts festival has had to evolve, with venues changing to become more accessible and the program for children more inclusive than ever. From master magicians and puppet dragons to balloon-bending acrobats and a soap bubble circus, this month-long cultural extravaganza every August has something for every age group, every taste, every mood, every huff. 

For first-time parents, there’s no shame in being intimidated. Count around 3500 shows across 300 city-wide venues and it can be hard to know where to start. Ask around: locals rely on newspaper and digital reviews as well as word of mouth to find out what not to miss. Lastly, book ahead. It means you’ll miss the freedom of spontaneity, but this is particularly advised when traveling with younger children — especially as the most popular shows tend to sell out long in advance. 

Best things to do in Scotland with kids

Follow the whale trail in the hebrides .

The Isle of Mull , with its cliffs tumbling down to pogoing seas, has many of the magic properties of the west coast islands. But it is also an entry point for the Hebridean Whale Trail, a self-guided route that encourages accessible, low-impact wildlife-spotting from land. Silhouettes creep from the depths. Shadows swirl below the surface. Rolls of dark skin emerge from the water.

In total, 33 sites have been tagged for their extraordinary marine diversity and these are scattered from Mull right along the west coast, around Ardnamurchan and all the way to the tip of Lewis. For kids and adults who have never seen bottlenose or common dolphin, harbor porpoise, basking shark, or humpback, minke, fin, beaked, pilot, or killer whale, the prospect is a pure, undiluted thrill.

Feel the magic of Harry Potter

Diagon Alley is based on Victoria Street in Edinburgh. George Heriot’s School is the precursor to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Several wizards, witches and mad-eyed loons are named after those laid to rest in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard . 

J.K. Rowling was inspired by the city’s magician’s hat spires, Gothic steepled schools and squiggly lanes and, just as Edinburgh is the city of Harry Potter, Scotland is a Potter fan’s dream. For the ultimate kid-friendly trip, follow The Road to the Isles towards Mallaig, stopping in Glencoe, Glen Nevis and then Glenfinnan. All were production locations for the big-screen wizarding saga and few can resist stopping to see where Harry Potter and pals rode the Hogwarts Express over the Glenfinnan Viaduct railway bridge. 

For further literary inspiration, check out Dumfries . It’s home to the National Centre for Children’s Literature and Storytelling , and where Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie found inspiration for Neverland.

Best things to do in Scotland with tweens and teenagers

Go wild in the cairngorms.

The itinerary looks like this: canoeing on Loch Morlich in the morning, off-trail biking through stag-filled Rothiemurchus Forest shortly after lunch, then finishing with a trip up Cairngorm Mountain on Britain’s only summit funicular. The problem with Aviemore, the basecamp for adventures in Scotland’s largest national park , isn’t the lack of things to do. It’s having time to catch your breath.

Timing in the Cairngorms is everything, of course. In winter, skiing and snowboarding are the buzzwords, while summer is for watersports galore and autumn brings out the rutting stags — an off-road Highland safari to see osprey, black grouse and red deer has a bit more grit for the older kids. 

A word of warning: Aviemore can get mobbed in summer, so book your activities in advance. For a quieter, if more expensive alternative, consider Braemar on the eastern side of the national park in Aberdeenshire .

Bike the 7Stanes

There’s no better way to pull teenagers away from their smartphones — and, possibly, out of their comfort zones — than to take them downhill biking in southern Scotland. Both the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway are wellsprings of gnarly biking trails and home to the 7Stanes , a matrix of dedicated centers including competitive hot spots Glentress, Innerleithen, Glentrool, Newcastleton and Kirroughtree. 

While many of them are all about the teen- and adult-appropriate downhill roller coasters, wooded chicanes and face-slapping descents, there are plenty of easier routes for novices and kids keen to push their skills beyond the pump track.

Planning tips

As easy as it is to travel with children around Scotland, a few in-the-know insider tips will certainly help you — and your budget — go the extra mile.

Traveling at the weekend? ScotRail’s Kids for a Quid promotion means tickets only cost £1 return each for up to four children for every paying adult at the weekend. Added to that, kids under five always travel free.

Many museums and galleries are also free of charge for all ages. Three standouts are the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow and V&A Dundee on the city’s river esplanade. Otherwise, plenty of attractions, activities and transport options offer discounts and savings for families.

With so many islands to explore , island-hopping by ferry is an affordable and thrilling way to see everywhere from Islay all the way to Shetland in the far northeast. A more digestible journey to Gigha, Cumbrae or Arran — from 20 minutes to less than 1 hour — is a great way to introduce toddlers to sea travel, but bear in mind Atlantic swells can make journeys uncomfortable and sailings do get cancelled. Check the forecast before travel. 

This article was first published May 2021 and updated June 2023

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Italy Family Vacations

Spain family vacations, japan family vacations, australia family vacations, how to plan an incredible family trip to scotland.

• By Lisa Frederick
• October 23, 2019

Given the spectacular landscapes, dramatic ruins, wild coastal beauty and wealth of culture, a family trip to Scotland offers so many tempting possibilities that it can feel daunting to choose. The good news? That also means it’s hard to go wrong. Our top itinerary suggestion for first-time visitors pairs a few days of immersion in Edinburgh’s ancient past and modern-day buzz with a retreat to the rural Highlands for a taste of life in the countryside and an eyeful of some of the most stunning scenery on the planet. The list of ideas for a family vacation in Scotland is as vast as the gorgeous views.

Best Places to Visit in Scotland for Families

If you have time for only one Edinburgh attraction, make it  Edinburgh Castle . Hunkered down on a hilltop, this behemoth presides over the city with all the gravitas of its 1,000-plus-year history. You can take as much time as you like to explore the castle and its museums, but plan on at least one and a half to two hours to get a thorough overview. Try to catch the firing of the One O’Clock Gun, which has gone off every day (except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday) since 1861.

Afterward, make a stop at Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, a 19th-century funhouse right next to the castle that’s filled with mazes, optical illusions, holographs and other interactive fun. Its namesake and showpiece is an old-fashioned camera obscura through which you can peer at the streets below. Or see the  Museum of Childhood , a quick but fun — and free — detour on the Royal Mile that highlights the evolution of toys over the years. On a rainy day, its one of our favorite things to do with toddlers in Scotland. If the kids are game for a more intensive museum visit, pop into the National Museum of Scotland . The collection is vast and eclectic, but excellent kids’ programs and cool interactive activities help younger ones get the most out of it.

TIP : If you have two or three days to spare between the city and the Highlands, spend them at Gleneagles , located in the countryside about 60 miles northwest of Edinburgh. This magical luxury retreat is bliss for all ages, offering a nearly endless list of family-friendly activities: pony trekking, fishing, biking, falconry, a gundog school, indoor games, a toy-filled playroom, a teen lounge and many more. Parents, meanwhile, will be partial to the spa, the golf course and the first-rate onsite dining.

Ciao Bambino can help you plan an incredible family vacation in Scotland

Our Family Travel Advising Team will work with you to book accommodations, recommend activities and more, all with one-on-one support. Click here to send us a request >

Inverness and the Scottish Highlands

A few hours’ drive west of Edinburgh, Inverness — a hub of the Scottish Highlands — makes a convenient base for one of this region’s signature sights:  Loch Ness . Reserve a spot on a  Jacobite Cruises  boat tour to cruise the waters and keep an eye out for the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Although parents may or may not buy into the Nessie lore, kids will get a kick out of searching for her with the radar monitor that combs the depths of the water. And the setting, with views of evocative Urquhart Castle (an optional stop), is a highlight for everyone.

For a totally unique glimpse into life in the Highlands, plus memorable time together as a family, book a lesson at  Scottish Highland Art , deep in the countryside about 30 minutes from Inverness. Artist Ros Rowell welcomes guests to her cozy studio and does a fantastic job instructing families in different painting techniques, making sure they create pieces they’ll be proud to show off at home.

The classic itinerary for a family trip to Scotland includes a visit to the Isle of Skye or another of the Hebrides , and that’s certainly doable from Inverness. But for a more offbeat coastal excursion, drive north to Spey Bay for dolphin watching and strolling along the bay’s pretty beach. The  Scottish Dolphin Centre  has a staff of naturalists who can help you spot the sea creatures, plus a small educational center. On the way there or back, make time for a stop at  Dunrobin Castle . It flies under the radar compared to big-name cousins such as Stirling and Eilean Donan, but its rooms and gardens are well worth touring, and its small museum displays a collection of taxidermy and Celtic stones.

Where to Stay in Scotland with Kids

Luxury-loving families will adore the iconic Balmoral Hotel as well as the Waldorf-Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian . Both of these 5-star properties are located on Princes Street a stone’s throw from the Royal Mile, and both pamper guests in every imaginable regard. We offer our clients wonderful perks when their stay is booked through our agency.

Depending on where you travel to in the Scottish countryside, we can recommend full-service resorts or intimate castle stays or quiet bed and breakfasts. Reach out to our family travel advisors to beginning planning your perfect getaway to Scotland!

Relevant Links:

Browse all-family friendly activities and destinations in Scotland with kids

72 hours in Edinburgh with kids

Best things to do in Glasgow with kids

Best luxury hotels in Scotland with kids

A taste of Adventures by Disney Scotland

A dream home base in rural Scotland with outdoor activities galore

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The vibrant colors and vivid descriptions in your blog transport me to another world. Thanks for the virtual escape!

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Hi Team. I am new to the UK and we would like to plan a trip to Scotland. My wife and I, along with our son (2.5 years), would love to go on a 3 day trip to Scotland. Please help me with this. Thank you.

Hi Karthik, our Family Vacation Advisors will be happy to help! Someone will reach out in email about next steps.

Another important point is while you are traveling in the Highlands to bring some insect spray as the small insects (midges) can be really irritating and the bit although not dangerous is uncomfortable. And dress in layers!

We are planning to go to Edinburgh on November 28th with 1.5 years baby. We are interesting to go highland, castle and lochness as well. Could you please advise the suitable tour for us?

Hi Aries, thanks for using our site! We can book tours as part of our complete family vacation planning service. I’ll have a Family Travel Advisor get in touch via email to explain more about how we work. Enjoy your trip!

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Hello My sister & I are planning a wee road trip in Scotland with our 5 kids boy 10 girl 7 girl 4 boy 4 & baby In August, we’ve done the East coast so keen to do a bit more maybe an Inverness starting point then ending back in in Glencoe and would majorly appreciate a pre-tried itinerary for travelling with kids in Scotland. Time wise 3/4/5 days worth TIA

Hi Kim, sounds like a fun adventure! I’ll pass this along to our Family Travel Advisor team, and the right person will reach out in email to see if our planning service is a good fit. Happy travels!

Hi there ! We are planning a trip to Scotland in May with our 5 year old and 2 year old. Would you point us in the right direction ? Thanks !

Hi Usmaan, we’d be happy to help! A Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland will follow up via email. Have a wonderful trip!

Hi there! Planning a trip to Scotland in June with my family of 7/ 3 children (4yr, two 2yr olds) 4 adults. Looking for advice on best stops for then to run and enjoy the wilderness while still having fun visiting unique places. As well as the best affordable places offering larger room accommodations or catering to families as we’ll be traveling on a budget. Thanks!

Hi April, thanks for reaching out! One of our Family Vacation Advisors will be in touch via email to discuss next steps and how we can help with your plans. While our specialty is upscale to luxury accommodations, we do maintain a select list of more affordable properties. Best of luck with your travels.

Good day, We are staying in Edinburgh, Scotland this Dec. for 1 week with a 2.5 year old. Any tips and advise will be appreciated (what to wear, pram or baby carrier) and advise on kids friendly places to go to in Edinburgh and outside.

Hi Chandre, thanks for reaching out! We’d be glad to help. One of our Family Travel Advisors will get in touch via email and explain more about our trip planning service. Happy travels!

We have our 1.5 yrs baby coming with us to Scotland this February and would love to do loch ness, Glencoe and highland tour. Could you advise on how we can arrange this.

Hi Nadya! We’d be happy to help as part of our full planning service. Would you like one of our Family Travel Advisors to reach out in email?

We would love to do the same as Nadya with our 2 year old in April. Could somebody help us with an itinerary?

Hi Sophie! Let me relay your request to our Family Travel Advisor team, and one of our planners will reach out in email. Happy travels!

Would like to know about packages for a 3 or 4 day visit to Scotland strating from Edinburgh. Family of 3 with a kid 3 years old.

Hi there! We do offer a Scotland package and you can find out more here: https://ciaobambino.com/family-vacation-package/scotland . Our Family Travel Advisor Team can also arrange a custom trip for you if you decide to go that route. I’ll have a colleague reach out in email. Thanks!

Hi, Me , my wife and our 2 year old daughter will be on our Scotland tour from 3rd Nov to 6th Nov ’18). Could you suggest a 3 days itinerary for us. we would like to visit Lochness, Isle of Skyee , is it advisable to visit during November ? if not what are the other options

Hi Krishna, thanks for your request! One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to see how we can help. Happy planning!

Hi, Me , my wife and our 22 months old son will be on our Scotland tour(11th Aug -14th Aug ’18). Could you suggest a 3 days itinerary for us on an urgent basis. Thanks,

Hi Jeetendra – Thanks for using Ciao Bambino! I’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email. Best of luck.

Hi, my family and I are going next summer and my daughter will be 4.5. We love golf and are partially coming to play 3-5 courses, but also want fun for the whole family and especially my daughter. Can you help?

Hi Michael, absolutely! One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email. Happy planning!

Hi We are a total of : Adults : 4 Children : 2 ( both children between 6 – 7 Years of age ) Infants : 2 (Infant 1 – 8 months old & Infant 2 – 1 Year 8 months ) We want to book the Family 1 day tour of – Loch Ness , Glencoe & the Highlands on 20th June 2018 . Pls let me know the following : 1. Are infants allowed on this tour ? 2. Is car seat mandatory for infants on this tour ?

Hi Shagun – Your best bet is to reach out to the tour company directly to check availability. They can advise about age limitations and car seats. Best of luck and thanks for using our site!

We have our 1.5 yrs baby coming with us to Scotland this October and would love to do loch ness, Glencoe and highland tour. Could you advise on how we can arrange this

Hi Farah, absolutely, we can help with this. One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to see how we can help. Happy travels!

we want to travel on the 18-22nd June with our 2 and half year old. please can you advise re itinerary – would like to go to Loch Ness, isle of Skye if possible. could you please email us over options many thanks

Hi Davina, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! One of our Family Travel Advisors will reach out in email to see how we can help. Happy planning!

Hi , I am planning to come with my family including 3 kids(9,14 and 3 Year old). Not many tour planners offer with less than 5 year old and the ones which have are very expensive. Can you please suggest

Hi Aman, thanks for reaching out! Our specialty is 4- and 5-star itineraries. If you’d like to find a budget travel-focused operator for Scotland, we recommend that you check in with the Scotland Tourist Board and have them direct you, https://www.visitscotland.com/ . Happy planning!

Hey, we are a family of three with a 14 months toddler. We plan to take a day trip from Edinburgh. Do you have anything in store for us?

Hi Rutuja, we’d be happy to help. One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email. Happy travels!

I am planning a trip to Scotland with my 2 year old daughter and would be staying at Glasgow. Please advice

Hi Tony, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! We’ll have a Family Travel Advisor reach out in email to talk about how our service works and how we can help. Happy planning!

We will be travelling to Scotland in April/May with our 2.5 year old and would love some information on the best things to see/do in Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and the Scottish Highlands… as well as the best way to go about it logistically in 10-14 days. Any information would be great! Thank you.

Hi Christie, we’d be glad to help! A Family Vacation Advisor specializing in the UK will reach out in email to talk about next steps. Thank you for using our site.

We are attending a wedding in Aberdeen July 24/25 2018 and would like to take our then 1.5 and 4.5 yo kids with us. Could you help us plan logistics and a great vacation?

Hi Jenny, thanks for reaching out. We’d be happy to help – one of our Family Travel Advisors will contact you in email about next steps. Best of luck!

Hi My husband n me are planning to go to scotland at the end of November 2017 with my 2.5 years old daughter.we are staying in Portsmouth now.we don’t want whole day tour…we want three days tour but 3 to 4 hours in a day for the sake of my baby…is it possible ? Please let me know as soon as possible

Hi Soma, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! A Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to talk about next steps. Happy travels!

I would like more information about traveling with a 1 year old and two adults please 🙂

Hi Monica! Thanks for using Ciao Bambino. We’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email. Best wishes!

hi I am travelling with 5 month old and would like to do a tour of the highlands with my mom and the baby. my mom wants to see Eilean Donan Castle

Hi Joy, are you currently traveling or planning for the future? Let us know, and we’ll have the right Family Travel Advisor reach out in email to help. Thanks!

Hi We are planning for a trip to Edinburg between 26th Oct (reaching night 11:30) till 29th (by around 6:30 PM – tour you may end by dropping us on Edinburgh Waverley station)) and looking for an all-inclusive package (accomodation and travel). We are 2 family, as in 4 adult and 2 kids (of 3 year and 2 year old). Can you please provide a option to cover best places in these 3 days with a cost? We haven’t decided the places to cover and would like your advice over same.  For accommodation, we would need 2 separate twin or double room. Looking forward for your response.

Hello Aniket, thanks for using Ciao Bambino. We’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email to see how we can help with your plans.

hi, we are travelling with 2 kids.. one is an infant (1yr) and other one 4 yr old. can u let us know if there are any 3day tour in scotland for the same. please contact me on [email protected] regards Sahil..

Hi Sahil – Thanks for reaching out! A Family Travel Advisor will be in touch via email to talk about next steps. Happy travels!

Hello, I am interested to travel Scotland and England from London with my wife and 3 year old Daughter in October, 2017. Please provide details.

Hi Gaurav! Thank you for using Ciao Bambino as a travel resource! We’ll have one of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland and England reach out in email. Happy planning!

Hi We are 4 adults travelling to Edinburgh for a 4 day holiday in August. We will have a 9 month old baby with us. We would like to go for a day tour in the Highlands. Any suggestions please? Thanks

Thank you MaryAnne for your using Ciao Bambino as a family travel resource! We have sent you a message about your inquiry. Happy travels!

Hi, I am planning to visit Edinburgh this year in the end of june. I am travelling with a a 1.5 years old child and looking for a tour company that will allow young toddlers too. Could you suggest someone? thanks Sunny

Hi Sunny – Thanks for reaching out! Our focus is on providing full itineraries for parents traveling with kids rather than standalone tour and activity recommendations. If we can be of help with a more comprehensive trip plan, please let us know!

Hi, We are planning to visit Scotland by end of june for 5d/4n with two kids 16 month n 9 yrs. Can you suggest good bus tour guide who is ready to take kids along as most of the travellers are not allowing kids. Please suggest Thanks Monika

Thank you Monika for your message! We sent you a private message in response. Happy travels!

Hi we will be traveling with our 22 month old daughter to Scotland from July 19-25 and would love some help with going to and getting around the Highlands and Loche Ness!

Thank you Missi for your message! We have sent you a private message. Happy travels!

Hi, I am planning to Visit Scotland this late June. The problem I am facing is that all the bus tours are not ready to take along with my 6 months old Infant daughter. Can you suggest me any bus tour guides who will allow it. We are not weighing private cab tours because of our budget constraints. Please suggest. Thanks Raj

Thank you Raj for your message! For this we would suggest to contact the Tourist Board. Here is their official website. https://www.visitscotland.com/contact-us/

Hi. I’m traveling to Scotland with my husband and 2 year old daughter fro 17-23 June 2017. We intend to base ourselves out of Edinburgh, but I haven’t been able to find any tours that take us to the surrounding areas that allow toddlers – can you please help?

A Family Travel Advisor will connect with you soon. Thanks for your patience!

Hi, I’m visiting Edinburg with my family on June 8, 2017 with 2 year old and would like to make a 2 day trip to highland, Glancoe , Lochness, Fort williams etc Could you please advise on the family support tours? Thanks, Manali

Hi Manali – We can help with tours as part of our comprehensive vacation planning service. I’ll have a Family Vacation Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out via email and explain more about how we work. Thank you!

Plan to visit the highlands with a 10 month old baby in July – from Cairynryan. Can someone please contact me with suggestions for a base location? Thanks

Hi Louise – We’ll be glad to help! A Family Vacation Consultant specializing in Scotland will reach out in email. Enjoy your travels!

Hi, I’m visiting Edinburgh with my family on 20 May 2017 with 1 year old baby and would like to make a day trip to highland, Glancoe and Lochness. Could you please advise on the family support tours? Thanks, Charlie

Hi Charlie, thanks for using Ciao Bambino! We work with several local family-friendly companies who offer tours – I’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email to discuss options.

Hi I am planning to travel with my Kid 2 years old in Scotland for a short tour in June.Can you recommend the places to visit and the option of transport please ?

Hi Somnath – thanks for using Ciao Bambino! One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email. Happy travels!

Hi lisa, We would be travelling to scotland for 4 nights in june with our 6 year old daughter can you pleasevhekp us plan our itenary with some stay at farm bookings. Thanks, Ami

Hi Ami, one of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to talk about next steps. Thanks and happy planning!

Hi Lisa, We are here in Edinburgh right now with our 14 Month Old daughter. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. We are having a hard time finding ways to take kids this age through tours or even dining for Dinner. We will be here for the next 4 weeks so we have time to look into any suggestions. Thank you.

Hi Felix – Thanks for using Ciao Bambino! Our focus is on full itineraries and accommodations. If you’d like help booking hotels and activities, we can have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email.

Hi Lisa, We would be in London from May 24 to June 2 n plan a Scotland tour of 3 days. We are a couple accompanied by ouy 2.25 yr old son. Thanks

Hi Prashant, one of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to see how we can help. Thanks!

Hi, we are travelling to Scotland with a 5.5 year old boy in June/July for a week, can you please help us plan our trip considering there’s a child with us Thank you

Hi Patel – Absolutely. One of our Family Travel Planners specializing in Scotland will be in touch via email. Happy planning!

Hi, I and my wife were planning to visit Scotland with our 2yrs old daughter. Would love to get some help in arranging our plans for this July. Thanks

Hi Ryan – We’re happy to help! One of our Family Travel Advisors specializing in Scotland will reach out in email. Thanks!

Hi. Can u help me out with recommendations to travel with 5 year old in the month of April -may

Hi Sanam – Absolutely! Our Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland will reach out in email to see how we can help. Thanks!

Hi Interested in recommendations for travel with two and half year old in Scotland around july

Hi Angela – We’re happy to help! Our Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland will reach out to you in email. Happy planning!

Hi. We are an Indian family of four, 2 adults and our 2 children aged 16 &8 yrs. We are planning to fly straight to Edinburg fromNew Delhi this June and cover the best of Scotland in 4-5 days. Then we plan to head onwards to Brussels, London, Paris and end our European escapade withSwitzerland. Can one of your local experts help us in planning our trip? Much thanks

Hi Tandons – Thank you for your message. One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in those destinations in Europe will reach out in email to help. Happy Planning! -Amie

Ciao! I will be traveling with two children: 2.5 y/o and 7 y/o. I’d like to be contacted by a Scotland focused family travel advisor please. Thank you!

Hi Jen, Wonderful! One of our Family Vacation Advisors specializing in Scotland will be in touch to help. Happy Planning! Best, Amie

Hi, I am planning to reach Edinburgh on 25th Sep and want to go for some places in Scotland. Could you please suggest some places or tour packages which allows 10 months baby in it. I am coming with my wife and my 10 months baby. My mail id: [email protected]

Hi there, and thanks for using Ciao Bambino! We’ll have a Family Travel Advisor specializing in Scotland reach out in email to help.

Hi! My husband and I and my 16 months would want to take a 3 day tour in Scotland in June. Can you please recommend something for us?

Hi Renalyn – One of our expert Scotland planners will reach out to you in email. Thank you for your interest!

Hi Amie, Can i also have your contact for the toddler-friendly Scotland tour? we have our 2.5 yrs baby coming with us to Scotland this October and would love to do loch ness, Glencoe and highland tour. regards, Axaya

Hi Axaya, Indeed, I’ll have our Scotland-focused Family Travel Advisor reach out. Thanks! -Amie

I also plan to do a 3-4 day tour to Scotland with a 20 month old. Please help

Regards Anurag

Hi Anurag, thanks for reaching out to us. When do you plan to travel? Let us know and we can determine how best to help!

Hi we have a 7 month old infant and we are keen to do isle of skyre tour please can you suggest the best way

Hi Sargam, I’ll have one of our Family Vacation Consultants specializing in Scotland reach out. Thanks! -Amie

hi Amie, can i also have your contact for the toddler-friendly scotland tour? we have our 20 months baby coming with us to Scotland this Dec and would love to do loch ness, glencoe and highland tour. thanks

Hi Cendana, Thanks for your message. I’ll have one of our Scotland specialists reach out to help (she will email you). Best, -Amie

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Traveling to Scotland with a Toddler or Baby

Are you looking for tips on traveling to Scotland with a baby or toddler? I’m sharing a detailed guide on why you should consider Scotland, what to do and see with your toddler or baby, how to dress, what souvenirs to consider, where to stay for a family-friendly experience, and what travel gear to take with you.

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. We only recommend products and services that we love!

Our first international adventure as a family of three was to Scotland, and my husband and I can honestly say that we loved traveling to Scotland with a toddler (or a baby- she was just over one year old). We had traveled to England and Ireland together, but hadn’t made it to Scotland. We vowed to return to the British Isles, and it worked out perfectly to take our daughter there for her first trip across the pond.

We traveled to Scotland after spending a week in England ( London and the Lake District ). We were there for a week, and we split our time between the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh . Our daughter truly loved the trip, so I’m excited to share my tips for traveling to Scotland with a toddler or a baby with you!

Why Scotland?

I’ll start by sharing our reasons for choosing Scotland. Scotland is obviously stunningly beautiful and there are so many reasons to visit, but it’s also a great choice for families. My husband and I have traveled internationally together quite a bit, but we still were a bit nervous about taking our daughter overseas for the first time. The actual trip didn’t concern us very much, but we were concerned about the flight. Our daughter had done great on long road trips, but we were worried about starting her out with an international flight that was too long, so we decided to choose a destination in Western Europe (non-stop flights to the U.K. are about 10-11 hours from where we live in California).

I started doing some research and asked several other traveling families for their destination recommendations, and I was overwhelmed with responses telling me to consider Scotland. I brought it up to my husband, and the more we thought about it, the more we liked the idea. We knew we wanted to return to the U.K. one day, and I had never been to Scotland (my husband had been to Edinburgh but never to the Scottish Highlands). I had fallen in love with photos of the Isle of Skye that I’d come across online, so we were sold.

It turns out that Scotland was an excellent choice. The flight was easy and not too far from California, considering that it was international (our daughter did amazing!), and the United Kingdom felt a lot like home in many ways. It was familiar to us, driving there was relatively easy (they do drive on the opposite side of the road, but it doesn’t take long to get used to), and we were able to find everything we needed in stores (even brands that we were used to purchasing in the states). Not having a language barrier also helped make the trip relaxing with our daughter. Overall, we were very happy with our decision and would recommend Scotland to any family who loves adventure, beautiful landscapes, and quaint cities!

You might also be interested in: What to Pack in a Toddler’s Carry-On

What to Do & See with a Toddler or Baby in Scotland

You’ll find that Scotland is very family-friendly, and there are tons of things that you can do with a toddler or a baby. I am a firm believer in taking our daughter along for the ride. We did seek out attractions that we knew she would enjoy (like playgrounds), but we also visited typical attractions like castles, museums, and cathedrals. She did well and loved everything! I’ll share a few of my top recommendations for both the Isle of Skye and Edinburgh below, along with some tips.

Isle of Skye

The Isle of Skye is arguably one of the most beautiful places in Scotland, and I highly recommend adding it to your itinerary. We spent 2 full days there and loved every minute of it. It is located in northwest Scotland (in the Scottish Highlands) and is accessible by bridge, making it easy to drive your rental car there.

Plan to spend almost all of your time outdoors on the Isle of Skye. It is known for its beautiful coastline, stunning views, and beautiful lochs. You’ll experience mostly cool weather, so you’ll want to dress your toddler or baby appropriately (you can find my clothing recommendations in the next section!).

You won’t find an abundance of “family-friendly” recommendations for the Isle of Skye- as in, there aren’t very many children’s museums, etc. (but you can find a few playgrounds). I suggest planning your time there based on what you want to see, and then make sure you have the appropriate gear to keep your toddler or baby safe in those spots. You will want to make sure that you have a comfortable baby carrier for the Isle of Skye, as a stroller won’t make it very far in most places (more on gear recommendations below). If you are only there for one day, you will not want to miss the Trotternish Loop. If you’re there for two days, I recommend adding Neist Point (our favorite!) and Dunvegan Castle and Gardens to your itinerary. You can check out how we spent our time there in this post: The Isle of Skye 2 Day Itinerary .

You might also be interested in: Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Edinburgh, the beautiful capital of Scotland, is a must-see destination in Scotland. We loved how small it felt. We stayed near Edinburgh Castle the Royal Mile, and we were able to walk everywhere easily. Our travel stroller held up well on the cobblestone streets too (more gear recommendations below)!

Edinburgh Castle is incredibly family-friendly and is a must-see. Our daughter slept in her carrier through most of our visit there, but she loved what she saw when she was awake. I recommend leaving your stroller behind for this visit. While they are allowed, you’ll find that you’ll need to park it often, and it will become more of a nuisance than a help.

Other attractions that we visited and loved were St. Giles’ Cathedral, Scott Monument, and Holyrood Park. Holyrood Park turned out to be a highlight for us. Our daughter loved watching the birds and running around in the wide open spaces (a nice change after being cooped up for so long in her carrier and stroller).

There is a lovely playground in the Princess Street Gardens. It is the perfect place to let your little one run around, in the midst of the busy city.

We primarily walked everywhere, but we did take a taxi a few times when the temperatures dropped and the wind picked up. Before having our daughter, my husband and I were big fans of Uber . But now we cannot always take an Uber with a child due to car seat laws. In the U.K., car seats are not required if the child is in a taxi (check up-to-date car seat laws here ). We followed advice from our vacation home host and downloaded the Gett App . It is easy to use, and our taxi drivers were all among the friendliest people we met during our trip!

Important note about restaurants: we were surprised to find that many restaurants were only open to adults ages 18+, particularly in the New Town neighborhood. We did find several family-friendly dining options , but don’t be alarmed if you cannot take your toddler or baby into the first restaurant you see.

How to Dress a Toddler or Baby in Scotland

Temperatures in Scotland can be pretty cool, even in the summer months. We traveled there in early May, when it was in the 50s (F) in the Isle of Skye and in the 40s (F) in Edinburgh. You should also expect rain. We lucked out and only experienced a few sprinkles on our first day in the Isle of Day, but we did experience consistent showers on our first day in Edinburgh (it was so heavy that we called it a day around 4pm and relaxed in our vacation home for the rest of the evening).

In the Isle of Skye, our daughter wore fleece-lined leggings (with warm tights layered underneath), a warm long-sleeved shirt, and a fleece sweatshirt every day. We also put her in a rain suit to protect her from rain and wind. Even though it didn’t rain as often as it could have, we were thankful for the protection the suit provided from the wind. She wore rain boots (or wellies, as the locals would say) and a warm hat . We removed layers as needed, and she was definitely warm enough!

In Edinburgh, we kept her warm in fleece, but we transitioned to a more stylish, warm coat . At this point in the trip, she decided that she loved her gloves and wore them often!

You won’t want to forget to bring an umbrella. I recommend buying a small, compact umbrella that can easily fit in your bag. You’ll find that as soon as the rain starts, locals pull theirs out of their bags. We also used a rain cover for our daughter’s stroller (more on that below).

You might also be interested in: Tips for Visiting London with a Toddler (or a Baby)

Souvenir Ideas for a Toddler or Baby in Scotland

If you are like most travelers, you’ll want to pick up a few souvenirs from your travels. You’ll find that Scotland, like most tourist-heavy destinations in the world, has no shortage of souvenir shops. If you would like to shop for traditional souvenirs, I recommend shopping along the Royal Mile. You’ll find everything from Tartan scarves to kilts to Scottish shortbread.

Tip: You can find lower prices on traditional items closer in the center of the Royal Mile, as opposed to the shops near the beginning and the end.

If you’re like us, you might prefer a practical or minimalist approach to souvenirs . Our favorite souvenirs to purchase for our daughter are clothing items and children’s books- and we stuck to this during our trip to Scotland. In Edinburgh, we purchased our daughter a couple of summer dresses and shirts. We loved that these items are practical and things that she would need anyway. Rather than purchasing them in the states , we bought them abroad, and they bring up fond memories every time we dress her in them.

We bought her two books in Scotland- one from each of our destinations. We found these in traditional souvenir shops (in Dunvegan and Edinburgh Castles). She loves to read them, and we love that they are exposing her to other cultures. We love fostering her love for reading by expanding her library in this way- and we will all treasure these books for years to come!

You might also be interested in: Souvenir Ideas for Minimalists

Capture Your Memories with a Professional Photo Shoot in Scotland

I almost put this recommendation under my souvenir suggestions, but I think it deserves its own space, because this is our favorite recommendation. We highly recommend booking a professional photo shoot with Flytographer . We started booking photo shoots with them in 2017, after we learned about their amazing company. They partner with local photographers around the world (in over 200 cities) to help you capture your travel memories.

We loved our photoshoot in Edinburgh with Jilli . She took our photos along the Royal Mile and was able to capture our love for each other and the city so well! Our daughter loved having her photos taken by her and begged for “more!” when the photoshoot was over. As a local, Jilli was able to take us to spots in Edinburgh that we didn’t know existed. It was like having our own personal tour guide!

Photos are priceless, and we love having them when we return home. If you’re interested in booking a photo shoot with them in Edinburgh or any other destination around the world, you can use my referral link to earn $25 off your first photo shoot . If you love the idea but aren’t ready to book a photo shoot yet, you can sign up for an account through my link , and the $25 will be waiting for you when you are ready.

If you would like to learn more about Flytographer , you can read about our maternity photoshoot in Paris too!

You might also be interested in: 15 Reasons to Book a Photo Shoot with Flytographer on Your Next Vacation

Where to Stay: Family-Friendly Lodging Recommendations in Scotland

When we travel with our daughter, lodging is one of the things that I focus on first. We almost always book apartments or homes through sites like VRBO when we travel, and our trip to Scotland was no exception. We like the flexibility of having our own kitchen (especially because I have food allergies and want the option to cook for myself when I cannot eat out easily) and a washing machine for doing laundry (doing laundry while you travel can get pricey, especially on long trips).

When you book through VRBO , you can easily narrow down your search by filtering important amenities. You can search for homes that include cribs, high chairs, toys, etc. We loved the three vacation homes that we stayed at in Scotland. If you prefer to go the hotel route, I highly recommend checking out Expedia . They are our go-to when we book hotels, as they offer amazing deals!

We stayed in a lovely home in Edinbane on the Isle of Skye. It was in the perfect location for exploring the isle. It was spacious, clean, and was on a beautiful property with baby lambs. Unfortunately, this home isn’t listed anymore, but here are a few other family-friendly vacation homes and hotel options on the Isle of Skye.

Vacation Homes on the Isle of Skye (with cribs!):

• Spacious family-friendly home with a sea view- sleeps 6
• Beautiful cottage with sea views near Neist Point Light House (one of our favorite spots of the isle)- sleeps 8
• Cosy Crofter’s Cottage near Portree- sleeps 5

Family-Friendly hotels on the Isle of Skye:

• Skeabost House Hotel
• Tongadale Hotel

We also had an amazing experience in Edinburgh, where it is pretty easy to find a vacation home with a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle .

Vacation Homes in Edinburgh (with cribs!):

• Luxury Apartment with Dramatic Castle Views- sleeps 6
• Stunning Apartment with Castle Views- sleeps 6
• Modern 1st Floor Apartment with an excellent location- sleeps 5

Family-Friendly hotels in Edinburgh:

• The Balmoral Hotel
• Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel
• Fraser Suites Edinburgh

Some of our vacation homes in Scotland were more “toddler-friendly” than others, but they all worked well for us. When booking your lodging, here are a few things you should consider:

• What amenities are important to you (e.g., a kitchen or washing machine)?
• What features are important for the safety and comfort of your child (e.g., no inside stairs, a crib, tidy shelves, no messy cords)?
• Is it near attractions that you plan to visit? Or is it within reasonable travel distance?

Travel Gear Recommendations to take to Scotland

Are you planning to rent a car? Check out these suggestions for travel car seats for one year olds .

Here is a list of gear that we loved using in Scotland:

• Lightweight, compact travel stroller: We took our compact travel stroller (fits in overhead bins on airplanes)! It is easy to use, folds up very small, and held up well to the cobblestone streets in Edinburgh.

• Baby carrier: We love our Ergobaby 360 ! It’s comfortable and ergonomic. This was a must for exploring castles and hiking around the Isle of Skye.

You might also be interested in: The Best Travel Strollers

I hope that you enjoyed my tips for traveling to Scotland with a toddler or a baby! We loved our time there and wouldn’t hesitate to return with our daughter. If you’re traveling with children, check out these things to do in Edinburgh with kids !

Please let me know if you have any questions, and I’ll be happy to help! If you’ve traveled to Scotland with little ones, I would love to hear your advice.

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36 comments, melissa m sanchez.

I absolutely love this post. I have been desiring to take my kids over seas so that they can see the world and this is such a great and insightful post. Thank you for sharing, I think Scotland just made the top of our list for travel next year!

Awesome! Let me know if you have any questions during your planning process!

Adriana Avila

Love your post and all of your photos! This makes me so excited to go visit! We recently moved to England and have a 4 year old and were wondering how it would go bringing him along.

Thank you for sharing!

You are lucky to live so close to Scotland! We love England too- enjoy your new adventures!

I wish I had this post when we took my son to Jamaica at 6 months old. You are so amazingly organized! I’ll be travelling with him again, on my own, to Jamaica ( he’s 3 now) and I’m nervous about how he will do on the plane. Thanks for the recommendations on what to pack in a carry on as well. Scotland seemed to be the perfect choice. I hope my husband, son and me will get to experience it together.

I’m so glad this was helpful! I hope your trip to Jamaica goes smoothly and that you get to visit Scotland soon!

Scotland is gorgeous – as your pictures show! I think there’s still loads to see that you missed this time, so you need to go back. The isle of Mull is brilliant for kids too. Reading about Edinburgh here made me want to return – we haven’t been since our kids were very little and now they are 17 and 14. It’s a lovely city.

I have heard wonderful things about the Isle of Mull! It is on our list for next time. 🙂

Jen Brommer

What a helpful ad thorough post! I love the photos that help to tell the story!

Thank you! 🙂

My sister-in-law has just moved up to Scotland which has put it right back at the top of our list. I would love to go to Edinburgh and the highlands. We have been a couple of times but that was many years ago now.

I hope you make it there soon! There is so much to explore!

Sarah Wilson

Such a great post for families visiting Scotland! Love the souvenir recs too.

I wish we had started traveling internationally with our kids when they were much younger! This is a destination we have yet to visit with or without kids so it’s high on our list! Great info!!

I’m so glad! I highly recommend it! 🙂

Scotland seems like a great place to visit regardless of age, but great tips for those traveling with a toddler. Always love personal Airbnb recommendations.

It’s definitely a great place for everyone! And these Airbnbs are great for all ages too!

Many beautiful landscapes. Scotland looks amazing. I love family traveling with kids. We had used Baby carrier when my kid was small. I wish one day we could travel to Scotland. Thanks for sharing. Heena.

Thank you! We have loved traveling with our baby and look forward to sharing our future adventures!

I really enjoyed your article. It’s not often I get to read article that grab my attention like yours. Thanks.

So glad! Thanks for reading!

Lorna @ Gin & Lemonade

I’m an American living in Scotland. My husband is from Edinburgh, and we’re working on moving back with our 5 year-old daughter. But we currently live on Skye. So this wonderful post brings up conflicting emotions, ha! Beautiful trip and family and great recommendations!

How wonderful! I imagine that there are several wonderful things about living on Skye, but Edinburgh seems like such a great, family-friendly city to live in. Good luck with your move! Thanks for the kind words!

Cynthia Mackintosh

I love this post! Our family traveled to Scotland, specifically Edinburgh and Glasgow, to capture my husband’s ancestry. We traveled with preteens so not quite the same experience as yours, but we had a fantastic time! We visited Edinburgh Castle as well. We also had the “Mackintosh” crest done and printed on t-shirts that we all wore in front of the place my husband’s grandfather lived at (road now where the house used to be).

What a neat experience! I love that you had t-shirts made. How special!

Thank you! Everyone thinks we are nuts to travel in Europe with a toddler. Your ideas are great!

Definitely not nuts! 🙂

I love love love Edinburgh! And I am keeping this post for sure, my partner when it comes to the travelblog is having a baby soon – so I’ll pass your story along to her 🙂

Wonderful! I hope she finds it helpful!

What a lovely idea to arrange a professional photo shoot while you were on hoildays. I would never of thought to do that. What beautiful photos you now have for your memories.

Thank you! We do enjoy capturing our memories in this way!

Did you manage to do hikings in isle of skye with your little one. We have 2 year old girl, and planning to do Isle of skye , walks and hikes What do you suggest for that.

Regards, Dee

Yes, we did several hikes and walks! We didn’t do anything extremely long, but we did several hikes that were a couple miles each (many spots along the Trotternish Loop require walks). A good carrier is a must. The Isle of Skye is filled with beautiful places with uneven ground, so you’ll want to keep your little one safe in a carrier. You can go with a good structured carrier with a frame (like a Chicco carrier) or a soft-sided carrier (like an Ergo, which was our choice). Be sure your daughter has good, sturdy, water-proof shoes that she can wear to in the areas that she can walk around. It can be very wet there! Have a wonderful time! 🙂

Alexandria Wiley

I’m due with our first baby in March! We had a trip to Scotland booked for this October but had to cancel due to COVID. We need to use our travel voucher by this time next year (our baby will be approximately 7 months when we’re thinking about going). How did you go about the car seat issue? Did you take a car seat for the plane and/or car rides? Did you do any of those hop-on hop-off tours (does baby need a car seat for those)? Thanks for all this wonderful advice!

Congrats on your new baby! We traveled with a car seat. While it is possible to rent or buy one there, we thought it is easiest to bring one from home. We traveled with our baby as a lap infant, so we had to gate check it on the plane. We used it for car rides in our rental, but they are not required on bus tours. We did a hop on, hop off tour in London but not Edinburgh (although car seat laws tend to the same everywhere in the UK). Have a WONDERFUL time! 🙂

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

May 24, 2021 by Jenny Eaves Leave a Comment

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. 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!

Table of Contents

Family Friendly 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. For cities, restaurants and plenty of museums you are going to want to head to Edinburgh and Glasgow. 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 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 or of course camping for keeping costs down.

I asked the kids their favourite places we’ve stayed and inevitably they chose camping at Invercaimbe 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, both Port Charlotte at Islay and Cairngorms near Aviemore are great for families and self catering too.

Family Attractions In Scotland

You will not be short of family 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 and tons of fantastic museums, castles and other historical sites! 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.

It’s also fun to just explore, especially on the islands, try a small island such as Iona for a starting point. Then walk, cycle and just enjoy the slow life for a while! 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 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!

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 . Plus we have 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!

Scottish Islands

Don’t forget to visit at least a few of the Scottish islands . We have so many to choose from and they are stunning! Check out the Complete Guide to Isle of Iona here or an Isle of Mull Itinerary . If you are heading to the islands from the seaside port of Oban , then you may also want to check out my ‘ Things To Do With Kids In Oban ’ post.

The Isle of Skye is another favourite of ours or perhaps the lesser known island of Gigha . Whatever you are looking for, from the distilleries of Islay to the history of Orkney and Shetland (home to the most Northerly island in the UK, Unst ), you will find plenty spread throughout the Scottish islands. You will also find plenty more ideas in our post with the 10 Best Scottish Islands to visit here .

There are even some hidden gems closer to the cities, like Inchcolm Island . Or islands you can visit on a day trip such as the Isle of Bute or Kerrera !

Scottish Road Trip Ideas

The North Coast 500 isn’t the only road trip you can take. There are plenty more 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 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.

Scottish Family Adventures

If you are looking for adventure with the kids then have a look at these Scottish adventures . 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 . Brilliant landscapes for those social media selfies too!

if you would like some help with planning your Scotland itinerary then I recommend checking out this post with 10 awesome family itineraries . 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.

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!

More Scottish Travel Posts!

Top 10 Things To Do In The Outer Hebrides With Kids

The Lesser Known Scottish Island: Gigha

Scottish Holiday Swaps: Trade Europe for Scotland

Pin The Complete Guide To Family Travel in Scotland

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Best Itinerary for Touring Scotland with Kids

24 Nov, 2020

Touring Scotland with kids can create lifelong family memories you’ll all treasure. This country is filled with magic, wonder, and countless opportunities for adventure. If you’re bringing the kids for a family holiday in Scotland, we’d love to offer some tips and advice for your trip planning. 

We know this country inside and out and we love sharing all our incredible sites and stories…especially if we can inspire a love of Scotland in the next generation! At Inspiring Travel, we have several Scotland itineraries you can check out for inspiration, or you can always create a tailor made tour to suit your family’s interests. We’d love to show you how magical Scotland truly is!

How to Tour Scotland with Kids

We wrote a whole article on everything you need to know about touring Scotland for more general information on travelling in the country.

But, of course, the best way to tour Scotland with kids is by private tour. Just think of the stress you can avoid if you’re not trying to navigate, drive, entertain the kids, and actually try to enjoy the views all at the same time. Gift yourself some serenity and let someone else handle all the driving…and most of the entertaining, too!

Best Itinerary for a Family Tour of Scotland

Choosing the best places to visit in Scotland with your kids will largely depend on their ages and interests. If you’re bringing very little ones, then we’ll want to plan your time around naps and ensure shorter travel days. If your kids are a bit older and, say, looking for Harry Potter locations in Scotland , then we have lots of places they could visit to relive that magic!

Whatever interests you and your family have, we have plenty of advice to offer. It would be impossible to outline every single itinerary option for travelling Scotland with kids just in this one article. But we’ll give you a starting point and then we’d be happy to chat about your specific family adventure. 

This itinerary is anywhere from 7-12 nights, but you may have a different timeframe in mind for your Scotland trip. Use this as a baseline and then we can cater your tour to your family. Feel free to contact us any time with any questions.

Visiting Edinburgh With Kids: 2-4 nights

Edinburgh is a magical city, no matter your age. From Edinburgh Castle to Dynamic Earth and everything along the Royal Mile in-between, the Old Town is sure to enchant every visitor. Kids especially love Camera Obscura, the National Museum of Scotland, and running around in Princes Street Gardens or the Royal Botanic Gardens on a sunny day. Head to the shore to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia if the kids are keen on fancy ships or journey through time with a tour at the Real Mary King’s Close.

Getting around Edinburgh with kids is easy, although the cobblestone streets and plentiful staircases can make it a bit of a challenge with a buggy or pram. If your kids are a bit older and looking for some adventure, climb Arthur’s Seat for a panoramic view of the city, or walk up the shorter Calton Hill right at the top of Princes Street.

If you’re touring Scotland with kids, it’s a good idea to base yourself in a few places for several days each. Stay in Edinburgh for multiple nights to truly enjoy the city. We’d be happy to include a day trip from Edinburgh, too.

Falkirk and the Kelpies

As you begin your Scotland tour, stop in Falkirk to visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. Kids marvel at the sheer size of the giant metallic horse head sculptures, and the Falkirk Wheel is an engineering wonder that amazes kids (and adults) of all ages. You could stop in Falkirk in the morning en route to Stirling.

Stirling Castle & Beyond

Stirling Castle is ideal to visit with kids, especially if you book a private tour for a more customised experience. You should also head up to the National Wallace Monument for views over the whole city and beyond. Go inside to check out historic memorabilia, including massive swords the kids are sure to love! Stirling University campus offers another space to wander and let them stretch their legs if they’re needing a distraction. 

When you’re ready, drive on towards the Cairngorms for an overnight stay.

Cairngorms National Park: 1-2 nights

Touring Scotland with kids means you should take advantage of the natural beauty of this land and let the kids get out any excess energy along your journey. Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in the UK and hosts an incredible array of topography and wildlife for everyone to enjoy. 

Pitlochry, a popular Victorian village, rests just before the national park boundaries if you’re driving from the Edinburgh area. You could spend a night here to start the next morning with the kids checking out the salmon ladder. Also in this area, visit Blair Castle, head up to Queen’s View for a panoramic vista, or even dare the kids to try the Soldier’s Leap at Killiecrankie (don’t let them actually try the 5.5m jump, though…just to be safe).

Once you’re in the Cairngorms, there are adventures aplenty to be had. Aviemore is a great outdoor adventure town, with the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre being a huge hit with kids of all ages! If you got an early start, you could head on to Inverness for your overnight stay. Or enjoy a second night for more time in the park if you’re keen.

Inverness & Surrounds: 2-3 nights

Inverness is often called the capital of the Highlands and serves as the perfect base for exploring this beautiful area. Take the kids on a boat tour of Loch Ness and check out the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition for fun. Visit Urquhart Castle while you’re here, and then head to the Moray Firth to look for dolphins. You could take a day trip up to Dunrobin Castle or, alternatively, get a sober history lesson at Culloden Moor and the visitor centre. Enjoy a few nights in the area to relax after several busy days of sightseeing.

Scottish Highland Highlights: 1 night

The Harry Potter fans will want to see the steam train crossing the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct. You could even book a ride on what’s been dubbed The Hogwarts Express for an extra special day! History lovers will want to explore Fort William. 

Driving through Glencoe is a Scotland tour requirement for its stunning topography and photo opportunities. Of course, in true Scottish fashion, you could get total cloud cover and miss out on those beautiful views. That’s what makes it extra special when you do get to see them in their full glory!

To truly enjoy this stunning part of the country, you should spend a night in Oban or the surrounding area. You could just carry on for a full day of road tripping between Inverness and Glasgow, but it’s nice to relax and really bask in this beauty. We’re fond of several special hotels in the Scottish Highlands , though not all of those are particularly kid-friendly, so we can advise on the perfect stay based on your kids’ ages.

Visit Glasgow with Kids: 1-2 nights

Finishing up your family tour of Scotland, you’ll want to head to Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Glasgow is well-known for its fantastic music and arts scene, great shopping, and modern aesthetic. 

There are tons of museums to enjoy with the kids, including free options like the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum or the People’s Palace on Glasgow Green. Both of those are surrounded by big parks where the kids can run around and have fun. You should also check out the Tall Ship and the Riverside Museum, and take the kids on a boat tour on the River Clyde while you’re there! There’s loads of shopping in the city centre, too.

Touring Scotland with kids can include such a variety of things to do and places to visit. It’s impossible to say this is the best itinerary for your family visit to Scotland, but it’s certainly a starting point to get inspired. If you want customised advice based on your kids’ ages and interests, we’d love to help you create the perfect tailor made tour of Scotland .

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Europe , Family Travel , Travel Guides , Travel Tips , Uncategorized · March 1, 2022

The Ultimate Road Trip In Scotland With Kids

Last updated on February 16th, 2024 at 11:00 am

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Whether you’re based in the UK and keen to lower your carbon footprint with less air travel, or are simply keen for adventure and time spent outdoors, Scotland with kids is a fantastic choice. It ticks multiple boxes when it comes to breathtaking scenery and new experiences for the whole family.

Read on for your Scotland road trip with kids itinerary…

How To Get To Scotland With Kids

There are so many ways to explore Scotland. The North Coast 500 (NC 500) has become extremely popular in recent years and that’s certainly one option. Another is to patch together a multi-based stay and explore several pockets of Scotland during your family vacation to Scotland.

We opted for the latter, due to the fact we were driving all the way from the southeast. We anticipated we’d probably feel like we’d done enough miles already, without going right to the very top of the country!

If you’d rather not drive the whole way, and you’re after even more of an adventure, consider taking the Caledonian Sleeper. It leaves from London Euston and stops at several different locations in the Highlands. It’s a fun way to get to Scotland with kids!

For rail journeys in Europe, arrange all your travel through RailEurope.

✅ Book HERE for train tickets with RailEurope

If you’d rather travel by train to Scotland and then keen on touring Scotland by car, we recommend Rentalcars.com

✅ Book HERE for car rental with Rentalcars.com

If you’re flying in from another country we recommend WayAway for the best deals on airline tickets. With the WayAway Plus membership plan, you also receive cashback on flights, accommodation, car rentals, tours, and more.

✅ Book HERE to get the best deals on flights with WayAway

On our road trip to Scotland from London, we broke the journey up with our first afternoon and night spent in the Lake District. If you’re coming from a similar location to ours, this makes a brilliant stopover.

For the kids to let off some steam, check out Brockhole on Lake Windermere. It has boat hire, tree-top adventure and nets, an adventure park and more. A great lunchtime pitstop.

How long Was Our Scotland family trip?

We put together a ’10 days in Scotland’ itinerary for our family trip to Scotland. 2 weeks in Scotland would be even better. A Scotland itinerary of 7 days might feel a bit rushed, but of course, it depends on where you are travelling from, how much time you have and how much you want to see.

A 10 day Scotland road trip felt doable, although we would have liked a little longer in some locations.

TIP: For when to visit Scotland, take a look at What is the Best Time to Visit Scotland: Planning Your Trip .

What to see in Scotland in 10 days

The map below shows the route we took on our family vacation in Scotland:

Oban Via Glasgow

Our first overnight stay on our Scotland trip with kids was in Oban, on the west coast of Scotland. Setting off from the Lake District in the morning, we stopped for coffee and a leg stretch in Glasgow.

If you do the same, make sure you check out the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. It’s a perfect stop if you’re in Scotland with kids as it has loads of family activities.

If you’re in Scotland with kids, a walking tour and treasure hunt is a fantastic option too:

✅ Book HERE for Glasgow Self Guided Walk and Interactive Treasure Hunt

Keep an eye out for some of the city’s creative street art and the fish and chip shops selling deep-fried Mars bars. We bought one and had a bite each – that was enough!

In Oban things to do aren’t in short supply. Oban makes a perfect base for seeing the isles of Mull, Iona and Staffa. However, it’s undoubtedly a location worth seeing in its own right too. Its harbour is at the centre, with the colourful town surrounding it.

Take a Boat Trip

We took a short one-hour boat trip out from the harbour to see the seals and salmon farm with Allan’s wildlife boat trips – perfect if you have only a short time to spare. It’s a particularly fun thing to do if you’re in Scotland with kids. The large number of trawlers is an indication that you can find some seriously good seafood here.

Seafood in Oban

The Oban Seafood Hut offers packed-to-the-brim crab and prawn sandwiches as well as fresh oysters, mussels and scallops you can take home for dinner. Yum.

If you’re a big fan of seafood, and you want to see more of Oban’s hidden gems, make sure you book on to this tour:

✅ Book HERE for Oban Historical Tour plus Seafood Tasting

Seafood not your thing? Try a Tattie Scone (a grilled potato scone in a roll, served with ketchup if you want) from Food from Argyll next door. The kids loved them!

Where to Stay in Oban With Kids:

The Farmhouse (traditional Scottish home near Oban) – available via Airbnb

A large, comfortable home with amazing views and a conservatory that’s perfect for relaxing with a glass of wine and a book. Perfect for animal lovers and those visiting Scotland with kids. Children can help feed the sheep, chickens, ducks and the pet rabbit in the garden.

✅ Book HERE for family friendly places to stay in Oban via Booking.com

Mull, Iona and Staffa

Oban makes a good base to visit the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa (the ferry terminal is in the town centre) on your Scotland family vacation. We were in two minds about a trip to Mull as we already had Skye on our itinerary. I’d read comments comparing the two islands and advice seemed conflicted about which to visit or whether it was worth seeing both.

In the end, we decided to go for it as we thought the ferry experience would be good fun and we were intrigued by the idea of the tiny islands of Iona and Staffa.

Unfortunately, we left it too late to book a ticket to take our car over, meaning we had to rely on a bus to get us across Mull (from Craignure to Fionnaport) in order to travel on to Iona. This meant we didn’t have time to fit Staffa in too (famous for its resident puffins and the basalt columns of Fingals cave).

If you want to take your car across (and I’d recommend you do – it’ll give you so much more flexibility) then make sure you book at least a month ahead. Book ferry tickets with Calmac here .

If you’d rather avoid the stress and book on to a tour, there’s a day tour which covers the isles of Mull and Iona:

✅ Book HERE for Oban: Isle of Mull and Iona Tour

You’ll need to leave your car at Fionnaport when taking the ferry from Mull to Iona (only residents are permitted to take their cars across). However, Iona’s only three miles long and the main attraction (the Abbey built by St Columba) is only a short walk from the harbour.

With only 200 permanent residents, the island is a peaceful place. It has a reputation for spirituality (there are some beautiful little craft and jewellery shops here).

The powder white sand and crystal clear blue water of Iona’s beaches could also rival that of any Caribbean one. Despite the rain (which started soon after we arrived), the first glimpse of the bay here was definitely one of our ‘wow’ moments.

Boats to Staffa can be taken from both Fionnaport on Mull, or from Iona with Staffa Tours .

Because we packed this all into one day and didn’t have the car, we didn’t see as much of Mull as we would have liked. If you find you have more time, make sure you visit the capital, Tobermory, with its brightly coloured harbourfront buildings. It was used as the location for the children’s television series, Balamory,

One plus point of the bus, however, was that we had an amazingly informative bus driver who drove us from Craignure to Fionnaport. Although he wasn’t a tour guide, we learnt so much about the island as we crossed it.

We thought these amazing islands were worth more than just a day trip. If we could, we would have spent longer here. If you have a bit more time or would like to focus on this part of Scotland, you can book 3 or 4 day tours of this region where you’ll get to explore the islands more fully.

✅ Book HERE for an amazing 4 Day Mull, Iona and Staffa Puffin Experience from Edinburgh

Glencoe and Glenfinnan

From Oban, day trips to Glencoe and Glenfinnan are doable and should definitely make the list.

✅ Book HERE for From Oban: Glenfinnan and Glencoe One Day Tour

Glenfinnan Viaduct Viewpoint

If you want to fit both into one day, head to Glenfinnan first to catch sight of the Jacobite steam train. It passes over the Glenfinnan viaduct at around 10.55 am (and again in the afternoon – check the website for up-to-date timings).

It’s a must if you have Harry Potter fans in your midst – as the Jacobite steam train also doubles as the Hogwarts Express!

Park in the visitor’s centre car park (get there an hour beforehand if you can, as it gets busy). Walk up the path to the left of the centre to reach the Glenfinnan viaduct viewpoint.

Even if you don’t manage to see the train passing over, the view is still more than worth it. You’ll hear the train before you see it, which will give you a chance to get your camera ready.

The train travels slowly over the viaduct, giving you plenty of time. After you’ve got your pics of the train, walk down to the Glenfinnan monument and the loch for more picture-worthy views.

For more information, head to All You Need To Know About Visiting the Glenfinnan Viaduct .

Glencoe Walks

Glencoe has to be one of the prettiest villages in the Highlands, acting as the backdrop for films such as Skyfall, Braveheart and, most recently, Indiana Jones 5.

It’s the perfect place to take a family-friendly walk. We loved this trail around Glencoe Lochan. It comprises three separate routes but it’s easy enough to do all three in a couple of hours.

Drive down the A82 afterwards for views of the Glencoe Valley before you head back.

The Isle of Skye

Our next base was the Isle of Skye (a three-and-a-half-hour drive away from Oban). In terms of how to get to Isle of Skye, head north via Fort William and then west across the Skye bridge.

Skye definitely isn’t a day trip – but depending on how much you want to do and see, two or three days should work.

Skye can be particularly unpredictable weather-wise and even in the summer, you may be met with sheets of rain and gusty winds.

If the weather is good, the first thing to do on the Isle of Skye with kids is head to the Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle (to the west of the island).

Fairy Pools

When you get to the Fairy Pools, park in the car park (this is a really popular site and it gets busy, but luckily the car park is a large one) and walk down the track opposite. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to reach the first of the pools.

With the majestic Cuillin mountains framing them, the clear spring water pools are super inviting on a sunny day. Take your swimwear and go for a dip, if you dare (this is Scotland, and the water’s more than a little chilly). The kids were game, but we settled on just a paddle.

The Fairy Pools are breathtaking and a lot of fun. This is one of our top recommended things to do in Scotland with kids.

Portree makes a great base for your stay in Skye – it’s central and offers some lovely restaurants and shops. Try Sea Breezes for local seafood and The Wee Isle of Skye Ice Cream Shop for amazing salted caramel ice cream. The multi-coloured houses on the bay are a photo opportunity must.

Skye’s attractions are mainly outdoors and since good weather is far from guaranteed, make sure you’re properly kitted out. Raincoats are essential as are a pair of decent walking boots. For little ones, waterproof trousers are also a good idea.

The midges are in full force in the Highlands, so make sure you pack a repellent. I’d seen Avon So Soft recommended in several places and this did seem to do the trick. However, beware of any patches you miss – those midges will head straight to them!)

The main things to see in Skye, other than the Fairy Pools are the Old Man of Storr and the Quirang (these both involve walks that might be a little strenuous for younger children). If you have time, you could also fit in Coral Beach, Dunvegan Castle and Lealt Falls.

If you have limited time in Skye or would rather have someone else take care of the plan, think about booking a ‘Best of Isle of Skye’ full day tour.

✅ Book HERE for Portree: Best of Isle of Skye Full Day Tour

Eilean Donan Castle

On the way to or from Skye, consider visiting Eilean Donan Castle on your Scotland road trip. It offers an opportunity to learn a bit about the Jacobite rebellion. As the castle was restored in the 1920s, there’s more to see here than in some of the other castles in the Highlands, which are now in ruins. They offer a kids’ trail sheet too.

Head to my article: The Top 5 Things To Do On The Isle Of Skye For Families for more details on things to do on the Isle of Skye with kids.

Where to Stay on The Isle of Skye With Kids:

Properties in Skye get booked up quickly so make sure you book well in advance. For cottages on the Isle of Skye, try Sykes Cottages , or for a more remote setting try Chasing the Moon .

✅ Book HERE for family-friendly accomodation on the Isle of Skye via Booking.com

Aviemore/ the Cairngorms

Next, head east towards Aviemore (via Inverness) – a three-hour drive. Aviemore makes a great base for activities around the Cairngorm mountains and Loch Ness.

Any of the villages in the area make good options and we plumped for Newtonmore which is home to a number of local attractions.

The Highland Folk Museum

The Highland Folk Museum is located in the village; it’s an open-air museum, free to visit, and offers an insight into how locals lived in the area during the 1800s and 1900s.

Keep your eyes peeled for the highland cow in the field next to the kids’ playground. The ‘heilan coos’, as they’re known locally, aren’t as easy to spot as we’d assumed, but you will find one here!

The Wildcat Experience

The Wildcat Experience is a local treasure hunt which will have you (and of course your children) addicted! Run by a charity supporting Scottish wildcats, you pay £10 and are given a bag, pen and booklet in preparation for your hunt around the village.

You’ll need to locate as many of the 132 colourfully painted wildcats (with fab names such as Cat’n Jack Sparrow and Feline Blue) as you can. The hubby’s competitive nature meant he popped out to find more on his own on our last evening!

This is such a lovely activity and it’s well worth supporting this local charity. A must-do if you’re in Scotland with kids and near this area.

The Highland Wildlife Park

The Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig, halfway between Newtonmore and Aviemore, is definitely worth a visit while in Scotland with children. They have a drive-through section and walk-around areas such as Wolf Wood.

Look out for the snow leopards and polar bear. Our favourite was the Arctic fox – we were surprised to see it had grey fur (apparently, they’re only white in the winter). You’ll also see some (real!) Scottish wildcats here.

Glenmore Forest Park

For walks in the area, Glenmore Forest Park is in Aviemore – don’t miss the beautiful Lochan Uaine (the green lake). If you’re all up for a bit of a steeper walk, try the Ryvoan trail (3.5 miles long).

Rothiemurchas

Rothiemurchas , also in Aviemore, is a fantastic option if you’re in Scotland with teens. They offer quad biking, segways and river tubing and have their own fishery where kids can catch a trout for dinner. They also have hairy coo safaris – so if all else fails, try here for a guaranteed pic!

Be sure to visit the farm shop on site for some fantastic sausages, the biggest scotch eggs you’ll ever see and other tasty treats.

There are a number of locations which will allow you to get a sense of the vastness of Loch Ness. We stopped off at the village of Dores and walked down to the shore from there.

If you have a little longer than we did, take a walk down the Tor Wood footpath.

If you’re an active family with children over the age of 7 years old, you might like this tour:

✅ Book HERE for a Private Guided Mountain Walking Experience in the Cairngorms

Where to Stay in Aviemore with Kids:

The Beeches Studio, Highlands of Scotland – available via Airbnb . In the village of Newtonmore, this studio is a cosy and modern base. If you’re taking part in the Wildcat Experience, make sure you take a proper look around the gardens here!

✅ Book HERE for family-friendly accomodation in Aviemore via Booking.com

Heading Home From Scotland With Kids

If you’re making the long drive back down south from your family trip to Scotland, think about adding in some rest points. Here are a couple of ideas:

If you’re heading back down south, there are a couple of great options for stops. Edinburgh (two and a half hours south of Aviemore) is a perfect stopover point in Scotland with kids as there’s loads to do and is such a beautiful city. It should make your itinerary for at least one night.

We did a Harry Potter walking tour . For Harry Potter fans, this offers up plenty of magical nuggets of information. It takes you to the graveyard where J K Rowling picked up inspiration for characters in her books and shows you the real Diagon Alley, and the cafe where Rowling started writing the books.

✅ Book HERE for your Edinburgh Harry Potter Walking Tour

York marks a midway point between Edinburgh and London and offers an opportunity for a walk along the cobbled streets. And of course, a Yorkshire cup of tea and a slice of cake (put a visit to Bettys on your list if you’re happy to brave a bit of a queue).

An activity such as the Jorvik Viking Centre (with a fab ride that kids and adults alike will enjoy, as well as learn from) can also be part of your stop-over. Or how about this award-winning tour of York (possibly not for the squeamish or very young children):

✅ Book HERE for Mad Alice’s The Bloody Tour of York

Hopefully, this itinerary will have given you some inspiration for your Scotland family trip! Have fun.

More Info…

If you’re wondering what conscious travel is or would like to know more, head to my article: How To Be A Conscious Traveller

For another family itinerary in Europe of similar length, take a look at The Best Itinerary For A Family Holiday In Croatia

And if you’re looking for something even more adventurous, have a read of Borneo With Kids And The Perfect Family Itinerary

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March 29, 2023 at 11:04 am

What an amazing trip for you all, this is amazing and so well documented with lots of great advice. We are very thankful for the mention of Chasing The Moon and delighted you visited all the most iconic sites when you stayed. Thanks so much, Maggie xxx

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[…] A visit to Glenfinnan could be used to break up a journey from Glencoe to the Isle of Skye or as part of a visit to Fort William and Ben Nevis. For more information on how to fit it into a visit to Scotland, please see ‘The Ultimate Road Trip In Scotland With Kids’. […]

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24 fun things to do in Scotland for kids in 2024

A trip to Scotland is always a good idea but is it a good place for kids too? Is a family vacation in Scotland a good idea? Or will the kids get bored with the history and lack of sunshine?

According to Visit Scotland, Scotland really is for kids and I have to say I agree with them – we’ve had loads of amazing trips and found family friendly things everywhere.

From museums to Harry Potter, wildlife to history – Scotland will really open your kids eyes!

So, if you’re wondering about the kinds of things to do in Scotland for kids then read on for some of the epic and fun things to do that all ages will enjoy.

A note from the writer: Hey! I’m Kirsty and I’m a UK travel expert – while I grew up in Scotland, as an adult I now return to visit almost every year – there’s so much to see! Shout (or comment below) if you have any questions about your next trip and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

This article probably contains affiliate links. This means that if you buy or book after clicking, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks!

I grew up in Scotland so I know first hand what a great place it is.  It’s an amazing country for many different reasons and that’s why we returned year on year with our kids for family vacations in Scotland (and still do now my kids have grown).  

I hope you find some great ideas of what you can do in Scotland with kids here and feel free to click around the site as there’s a lot of Scotland content to help you plan your trip!

Tips for booking a family vacation to Scotland

If you’re planning to take your kids to Scotland here are some tips for your trip:

Accommodation: some hotels will have family or adjoining rooms so don’t discount those when looking for places to stay. I definitely prefer vacation rental properties and find they are a good idea in both cities and when exploring the more remote areas of the country.

I recommend and use Booking.com or VRBO.com

Booking in advance is also HIGHLY recommended especially if travelling in high season.

Getting Around : Public transport will be fine if you’re just staying in the cities of Edinburgh or Glasgow although costs can mount up for lots of people. Taxis might be worth considering.

You can get around Scotland without driving but for exploring with kids I really recommend hiring a car if you can.

Check DiscoverCars.com for the best deals.

Table of Contents

24 epic things to do in scotland for kids.

If you’re wondering what things to do in Scotland with kids then perhaps this list of 24 ideas will pique your interest!

1. Visit a castle & pretend to be a knight

Scotland is brimming with castles up and down the country from the amazing Edinburgh castle in the capital city, to the quiet and lonesome Eilean Donan out on the road to the Isle of Skye .  

Older kids can get a feel for the different and sometimes bloody history of this battled land and younger kids will just love to run around pretending to be knights with swords!

Many of the bigger castles such as Edinburgh or Stirling have trails and kid friendly activities to do as well so will keep kids occupied and learning.

2. Take the Harry Potter train over the viaduct

This is not any old train ride!  You can actually ride on a steam train from Fort William to Mallaig which takes you over the famous viaduct bridge like the Harry Potter train .  No flying cars that I’ve seen though!  

The steam train is obviously the big draw here but if you’re on a budget you could also just take a regular train across the viaduct – it’s still as special and runs through amazing scenery.

Scotland has a lot of Harry Potter sites to see as well so if you have fans of the book or film series then a trip to Scotland can be really fulfilling!

3. Go for a swim in a loch

This one might depend on what time of year you arrive in Scotland , but if you are there when the sun shines in the summer then finding a small loch to take a paddle in, like we did at Loch Garten in the Cairngorms, is an unforgettable moment.  

Many lochs have water sports too if you’re all a bit more adventurous. You can do all sorts of activities from canoeing to paddle boarding which kids love.

4. Eat deep fried pizzas and mars bars!

For some reason there is a tradition nowadays of deep frying all sorts of food in Scotland!  We don’t tend to have the healthiest of foods here and this is another terrible health choice – but a little bit of fun all the same!

You can order deep fried haggis, pizza and even mars bars (a chocolate candy bar like a Milky Way that you get in the US).  You’ll find them for sale in traditional fish and chip shops all over the country.

This is my son feeling very pleased with himself after ordering one in Edinburgh – he did regret it after but it has always been a fun memory for him. 

5. Watch a Highland Games

Throughout the summer months, from May to the beginning of September, many villages and towns put on traditional Scottish Highland Games events.  

You can watch traditional highland dancing, listen to pipe bands and watch as men compete in traditional Scottish events like tossing the caber.  

We visited one in Dufftown in the Speyside region and had a great time but they take place all over Scotland, not just in the Highlands.

6. Search for Nessie at Loch Ness

If you go to the highlands then you HAVE to try and spot Nessie, our long time resident monster of Loch Ness .  

I’ve never seen her when we’ve been to visit, but that doesn’t mean she’s not there!  

You can get boat trips from many different parts of Loch Ness to allow for a really good search. Kids love to keep an eye out and point out what they see! Maybe they’ll be lucky.

Loch Ness is a long narrow loch with trips from many different spots along it. Inverness is the closest city to the loch and it’s easy to get to from there either with public transport or an organised trip.

7. Watch dolphins up close

Every time I talk of Scotland I urge people to go and search out Chanonry Point which is in the Highlands on the Black Isle . It’s an easy day trip from Inverness and is very close to there.  

The reason I tell people to go here is because it’s not only the best place to see dolphins in Scotland but that you can see them daily and without needing to go on a boat trip!  Perfect if your kids don’t like boats but still fancy

The place you stand at is next to the convergence of the moray firth and the sea and so is an excellent feeding ground for the dolphins.  They can be seen year round, but more regularly in the summer months.

8. Go bird watching

There is a huge variety of birds to see in Scotland, from the Golden Eagle to Puffins.  If your child loves nature then they’ll be heaven here as you can see all sorts in Scotland!

We’ve enjoyed lots of boat trips around the coast to see sea birds and also have been to RSPB reserves where we saw ospreys in their native habitat. Great days out to get some fresh air and enjoy the scenery too!

If you’re looking for something close to Edinburgh then check out some of the Forth Boat tours – you can see puffins on some of the islands that they go past (plus seals and other sea birds).

9. Get active and try skiing or snowboarding

In the winter months in Scotland it’s possibly to try out skiing and winter sports in Scotland. There are ski runs at Aviemore in the Cairngorms, at the Nevis Range and even near Glencoe.  

You might also be able to do snowboarding or other winter sports too!

You can find out more about the winter sports available here .

10. Visit a whisky distillery and see it being made

Of course kids can’t drink it, but since it’s such an important export of Scotland then I think it’s a great idea to find out about it, its history and how it’s made.  

There are LOTS of distilleries in Scotland to visit and learn. Unfortunately not all of them allow kids but a lot do, so it’s worth checking in advance.   The ones that do tend to be great at speaking to the kids and including them as well.

We’ve enjoyed visiting distilleries near Inverness  with our kids, but you don’t need to go into the Highlands. You’ll find a lot of distilleries near Edinburgh too that are interesting days out.

11. Watch street performers in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has lots and lots of performers on the Royal Mile whatever time of year you come to explore the city.

If you’re happening to be visiting Scotland with your family in August then don’t forget that the Edinburgh Fringe Festival  is on too. It has lots of exciting events going on that are family friendly.  It will make Edinburgh really busy, but definitely a time to remember!

12. Visit battle sites

From the Battle of Bannockburn (remember at the end of Braveheart?) where the Scots defeated the English to the Battle of Culloden where, many, many years later, the English defeated the Scots again, there is a wealth of history to be learned and enjoyed in Scotland.  

We visited Culloden where there is a really great exhibition there to get your head around the Jacobite history and what went on there. Some of it was a little hard for my youngest to see so do bear that in mind – probably something that is best for older kids and teens visiting Scotland.

13. Take a trip to an island

There are lots and lots of islands in Scotland , each with their own unique character and charm.  Kids who enjoy nature and wide open spaces will love them as will those who enjoy boat trips since all but one need to be accessed that way (you can get to the Isle of Skye by bridge ).

We’ve been to Skye , Rum and Canna, another of the Small Isles and recently to Mull and the Isle of Staffa (pictured above).  

The scenery is always stunning and you might be lucky to see some dolphins or porpoises on your ferry trip over! Our most recent trip had lots of spotting cards with information on the wildlife you could see – great for kids!

14.  Play on the world’s most stunning beaches

Scotland isn’t really a beach destination in the sense that you’ll probably not pack your bikini, but for families it can be a great place.  

There really are some amazing beaches, like the one in the picture above that is near Mallaig on the west coast of Scotland.  

Kids can play to their hearts content, splashing in the cold water or playing ball games. Or you could spend your time exploring the marine life around and when you need time out, just take a look at the view!

15. Visit the tip of Scotland – John o’Groats

If you’re in the far north of the country, perhaps doing the NC500 or visiting Inverness, then you might want to drive to John o’Groats which is at the tip of Scotland. It’s where many people take epic journeys across the country to the opposite spot in England – Lands End in Cornwall!

You can get your photo taken there with the famous sign posts telling you how far you are from other places in the world.

16. Wild camp under the stars

You can wild camp in Scotland so if you have kids yearning for the great outdoors, why not take a tent and see where you end up?  

Watch out for the amazing sky at night which is so clear – if you stay outside of the cities you’ll get a great chance to do some stargazing. Many areas are designated Dark Sky areas like in Dumfries and Galloway in the south – perhaps you’ll see the Milky Way? Or even the Northern Lights if it’s the right time of year.

17. Eat haggis on Burns night

Haggis is Scotland’s main food and has to be tried!  It’s actually a really tasty dish, although admittedly doesn’t sound too appetising: it’s made from sheep’s innards, encased in a stomach.  Yup, I know it sounds bad!  

I urge you to try it, and get your kids to give it a go too. Even if you’re not going to be around for the famous Burns Night in January!  It’s excellent with tatties and neeps (potatoes and turnips!) and really yummy.

Vegetarian version are also really good if you can’t manage the meat kind – we’re now vegan and have the Macsween variety that you can get in supermarkets!

18. Dance at a Ceilidh

You’ll have amazing fun dancing at a traditional ceilidh.  Most dances can be picked up easily and the organisers will help you out! Kids love to be energetic and this is definitely one way of tiring them out.

If you can’t encourage your kids to take part watching from the side is still fun and you never know, they might join in!

Not all ceilidhs will be family friendly so check before heading along – if you’re in Oban on the west coast then this one is definitely worth checking out!

19. Take a one of a kind canal trip

Canal trips can be fun at the best of times but there’s one unique thing you can do in Scotland with kids and that’s take a trip on the Falkirk Wheel on a canal boat!  

The canals are at different levels and to help join them up, engineers came up with this awesome engineering feat!  It looks so unique and it’s even more so when you realise it transports the boats!  

If you don’t want to go on a boat, you can visit the site for free and learn about how it was built. It’s in Central Scotland and not too far away from Edinburgh or Glasgow. You can even combine it with a visit to the Kelpies .

20.  Discover the ghosts on a ghost walk

Edinburgh has a lot of history and it’s told often with ghost walks.  While it doesn’t sound kid friendly, there are actually plenty of family orientated ghost walks so if they’re up for it why not give it a go?

Not too intrigued by real ghosts? How about a Harry Potter walk instead?

21.  Visit reindeer

You can visit Britain’s only reindeer herd in the Cairngorm mountains.  You can visit year round, although be aware that the weather can be nasty in the winter.  Check out more here .

22. Read about and visit the world of Greyfriars Bobby

One lovely story about Scotland’s history is about a dog who remained loyal to his owner when he died by staying by his grave.  Greyfriars Bobby is this small dog and he is remembered with a small statue in Edinburgh.  

You can also visit the Greyfriars kirkyard , where he got his name, nearby and find his grave.  

23. See Ancient Scotland up close

Ancient Scotland is also not to be missed and there are many standing stones in the country – the most famous being Callanish on the island of Lewis in the outer Hebrides.

If you’re staying on Mainland Scotland – check out the Clava Cairns which is near Culloden.

24. See the giant Kelpies

This is a fairly new attraction in Scotland but it’s free to visit and easily accessible from the main cities so perfect for taking kids.

The Kelpies are huge statues but the whole area is a delight for kids as they can let off steam and play at the playground there.

As you can see, a load of things to do with kids in Scotland – where will you start??

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Things to do in Scotland for families – FAQ

Is scotland good for kids.

Scotland is a great place to visit with kids. The people are friendly and really love children.

Most attractions in Scotland have child friendly aspects such as trails, worksheets and outdoor areas to play. Many museums are free to visit as well.

Is Scotland a cheap place to visit as a family?

Scotland is not a particularly cheap location to visit, like the rest of the UK. If you travel as a family you can do many things to keep cost of a trip to Scotland down.

Using apartments and cottages can make staying as a family cost effective and also gives you the option of eating inside rather than always needing to go to cafes and restaurants.

Renting a car can keep costs of getting around Scotland down especially if you intend to explore the countryside.

There are many free museums in Scotland where kids can learn about much of Scotland’s history.

Can children go to pubs in Scotland?

Many pubs in Scotland are family friendly and will welcome children inside.

If you’re not sure it’s best to ask before you head inside with everyone – that will save you from feeling embarrassed if they aren’t allowed in.

Is Edinburgh good for kids?

Edinburgh is a great city for kids with loads of child friendly attractions like Edinburgh Castle, The Camera Obscura and Edinburgh Zoo. The Old Town has lots of Harry Potter connections for any child who loves the films and books too.

Is Glasgow good for kids?

Glasgow is a great city for kids especially if they like museums as there are loads to enjoy there. There are also plenty of parks and wide open spaces in the city and you’re close to Loch Lomond and the west coast for exploring the islands.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland Travel FAQ 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Do I need insurance for traveling to Scotland?

YES! I always recommend people take travel insurance when exploring the world!

Check Travel Insurance Master for quote comparisons from different providers.

Do I need a car for visiting Scotland?

YES – If you’re wanting to explore Scotland fully then a car is worthwhile. It will get you to all the best sights and on your own timetable

I recommend DiscoverCars to compare car rental prices in Scotland

How to book accommodation in Scotland?

For hotels I recommend Booking.com

For apartments and cottages check out VRBO

Will my phone work in Scotland?

Perhaps – it depends if you have roaming enabled and beware this can be an expensive way to use your phone.

If you need a SIM for use in Scotland I recommend GiffGaff which you can get and set up before traveling.

What to pack for Scotland

Keep yourself dry be prepared for any weather is my motto for Scotland! A rain jacket and comfy shoes are a must.

See my post about what to pack for Scotland

Do I need midge spray for Scotland?

YES – if you’re traveling in the summer months to any of the west coast, highlands, islands or lochs it’s recommended.

Locals swear by Avon’s Skin So Soft !

If you’re sticking to the cities or traveling in winter, early spring or late fall then you likely won’t need it.

What’s the best guidebook for Scotland?

I really like the Lonely Planet Guidebooks

Where to get flights for Scotland

Skyscanner is my first port of call for finding cheap flights to Scotland.

Do I need a visa for Scotland?

Many countries don’t need a visa for visiting Scotland as tourists (USA, Canada, Aus, NZ and Europe) – it’s always best to check first though .

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Kirsty Bartholomew

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How We Explored the Scottish Highlands with a Toddler

We’re based in Scotland at the moment with our toddler and have been lucky enough to take some road trips through the Scottish Highlands! It’s been a dream destination for us. We weren’t sure how it would all go with our son but it turns out there’s plenty to keep all of us very happy and entertained here.

I’m writing this article as a guide, based on our personal experiences, for any other families out there traveling to the Scottish Highlands with a toddler — it may also help you out if you have older children!

I’ve also written an article with tips on road tripping with a toddler in Scotland + an itinerary that worked well for our family which you can read here .

Note: Glen is the word for “valley” in Scottish and ben means “mountain.” 🙂

What Can Toddlers Do in the Highlands?

There are some indoor activities that you can bring toddlers to in the highlands, such as pools and indoor playgrounds but if you’re like us, you want to spend as much time outside in the Scottish Highlands as possible while you’re here. And there is plenty to do outside!

So pack your warm and waterproof clothes (and a change of clothes to keep in the car just in case!) and get ready to explore. We have become big fans of Spotty Otter , a UK-based brand that I discovered since living in Scotland, for insulated and waterproof toddler gear (not sponsored — they’re just great!).

Here is a list of activities that you can do with your toddler when visiting the Highlands:

1. Go Hiking

This has hands down been our favorite thing to do in the Scottish Highlands . Before having a baby, we used to go on more difficult and longer hiking day trips, but these days it’s mostly smaller loops with lots of snack breaks! And that’s just fine, because we’re still out in nature together, with beautiful views, having a grand ole time.

If you have a hiking backpack, I would suggest bringing it with you. We actually traveled to Scotland without a stroller and brought only our soft baby carrier and our hiking backpack knowing that we’d be going on hikes.

You’ll see below that there are plenty of amazing hikes (or “hill walks” as they say in Scotland!) with breathtaking views that are possible to do with a toddler in a backpack.

And we’ve found that a carrier or baby backpack is great for navigating the cities as well, since a stroller can be a bit annoying and limiting on cobblestone roads and areas FULL of stairs (like in Edinburgh).

I recommend doing a search on All Trails Scotland and Visit Scotland to give yourself PLENTY of hiking ideas as well as the difficulty ranking for each. It’s essential to pack and prepare wisely before setting off on any hikes, just like anywhere else in the world. Don’t be fooled by the low mountains — the weather can turn quickly and catch you unprepared quite easily.

Our favorite spots to hike with our toddler have been: Glencoe, Fort William, Glen Clova, and Cairngorms National Park (more details on these places below).

2. Spend time in Visitor Centers and Museums

This was not something we planned to do: Hang out in a visitor center! But it turns out that they can be pretty fun for toddlers and offer lots of outdoor sightseeing and activities. Not to mention you can chat with knowledgeable locals who can help tailor your day to the needs of your toddler and your family.

At the Glencoe Visitor Centre in the beautiful area of Glencoe, there is a little museum inside dedicated to mountain climbing.

There’s also a little children’s coloring table, a café, and listening stations where you can hear stories about the area (for a toddler, there are fun buttons to press!). There’s also tons of outdoor space for toddlers to run around, a walking trail, and a hut made out of turf for kids to play in. My son loved the puddles just outside the hut most of all.

Another exciting place to visit for the history buffs is the Glencoe Folk Museum , where you can learn more about the history of the area including the devastating story of the Glencoe Massacre.

3. Look for Animals

All along the roads while traveling through the highlands, you’ll see sheep, horses, cows — and if you’re lucky, highland cows and red deer! It was fun for my husband and I to spot them from the car, while our son is still a BIT too young. But a slightly older toddler would love this game of looking for animals.

There’s also a herd of free-roaming reindeer in Cairngorms National Park. There are around 150 of them in the herd that have been roaming free since 1952. You can organize a hill walk with a guide to find and and take photos with the reindeer. As they say on their website “reindeers aren’t just for Christmas.”

We didn’t have time to do this with our toddler but it’s always good to leave something to do for the next visit! If you do this, please let us know how your experience was (connect with us on Instagram @wayfaring.humans).

4. Run around Castles and Gardens

Scotland has no shortage of castles. One of the things we’ve enjoyed most here is visiting castles that have gardens and letting our son run around. We can enjoy the view of a beautiful medieval castle, while he enjoys finding rocks, leaves, sticks, and puddles. Everyone wins!

One of the Highlands routes that we decided to do with our son was the loop (well, half the loop) from Dundee to Balmoral Castle , Queen Elizabeth’s private residence in Scotland and where she passed away. There are other castles that you can visit along this route as well, including Braemar and Knock.

The great thing about visiting castles with toddlers, in my opinion, is not necessarily the castle itself, but the gardens surrounding the castles. I’ve actually had to skip certain insides of castle visits (or hold my son the whole time) because he would destroy literally priceless objects if allowed to run around. But the gardens — he loves! Rocks, streams, leaves, and freedom to explore.

And if you’re looking for something unique to visit with your family, there are actually “hidden” pyramids near Balmoral, erected by Queen Victoria in honor of her husband, Albert. You can take a little forest walk to find these unusual monuments — yes, pyramids in Scotland!

5. Sightsee in Small Towns

If you need a coffee or food break between visiting the rolling hills, there are plenty of cute small towns in the Highlands to see!

These stops are good for bathroom breaks, gift shopping, eating, chatting with locals, or just having a little stroll and stretching your legs. We’re traveling in Scotland without a stroller, so these stops for us mean lots of running around time for our son, when he’s not being carried in the baby backpack.

We’re always on the lookout for something cute, cozy, and atmospheric to get a coffee with our little buddy. At many places, they serve something called a “babycchino” or a “baby foam” which is basically a mini mug of warm milk for babies. They can feel like they’re having a coffee too, without bothering you to try yours (do other toddlers do this too?!).

Throughout the spring, summer, and until the end of October, you shouldn’t have trouble finding cute and cozy cafes and gift shops to hang out in along your Highland journey.

But we’ve found in November and December, it gets a bit trickier, with many shops closing for the season. However, cozy ski lodge cafes are always an open! There are ski resorts in the Highlands where you can stop for a drink and some food all year long.

Best Places to Visit in the Highlands with a Toddler

There are TONS of places you can visit with a toddler in the Highlands. We mostly traveled by car, which I would recommend for other families just because flexibility is so important with a little one.

Below are some of the places we visited that we really loved and offered plenty for our little family to do and see, rain or shine (and there is a lot of rain!). There is a brief description in the table and then a longer, more detailed description further down the page.

Glencoe is one of the most famous natural places in the Scottish Highlands and is considered a “must-go.” I agree completely — and we had pretty bad weather when we visited (lots of wind and rain, and even flooded roads). It was still beautiful!

“Glen” means valley and Glencoe is one of the most impressive and dramatic of the Scottish glens. You can choose from all sorts of different trails to go hill walking with your family. You don’t have to choose anything strenuous to come face to face with gorgeous views here.

In fact, the Glencoe Visitor Centre which I mentioned earlier, has amazing views — from the visitor centre! You can walk a short, flat little loop around it and see rolling hills all around you. And then go for a cozy coffee right after.

Cairngorms National Park

We were lucky enough to have Cairngorms National Park somewhat “in our backyard” while we’ve been living in Scotland. It’s the largest national park in Scotland and the UK. It’s absolutely FULL of things to do with a family such as:

• Visit castles (Balmoral, Braemar, Knock, Eilein, Corgarff, and more)
• Walk a trail, go hiking
• Visit animals (Highland Wildlife Park, Wildcat Centre)
• Go skiing or snowboarding
• Go to scenic spots and have a picnic

Fort William

Fort William is a town that is sometimes called the “outdoor capital of the UK” and may be most famous as the base where hikers stay to summit Ben Nevis (the highest point in the UK).

We would have loved to attempt this climb, but we had some factors working against us — a baby (!), a lack of preparation, and the season (we were there in winter which isn’t ideal). But there was still plenty to do and beauty to see!

[Please don’t attempt to hike Ben Nevis without proper preparation and information (especially with kids). We heard that people try to do it every year, thinking it will be easy, only to find themselves seriously hurt or worse.]

I would HIGHLY recommend hiking in Glen Nevis, the beautiful valley right next to Ben Nevis. Hiking in valleys in the Highlands is sort of a best practice in the winter anyway (or if you have small children and/or don’t want to attempt a very strenuous hill walk!).

Our weekend away here consisted of a fun road trip with pretty views, a nice hill walk with outstanding mountain and waterfalls, and a cozy hotel stay (which my toddler always loves because of the novelty of it!).

Glen Clova is at the foot of the Highlands, and is full of the quintessential bubbling streams and Highland colors that you probably imagine when you picture this part of the world.

We did a 3-ish hour hike here that starts at the Glen Clova Hotel, and it was beyond perfect. We had spectacular views, stopped several times for snacks and photos, and then finished our walk with a cup of coffee at the hotel café before heading back home.

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is a large area with differing landscapes — and like most places on this list, the activities that you can do will vary a bit by season.

With a toddler, one of my favorite things to do is visit a body of water (such as Loch Lomond) and have a picnic. Your toddler can wade around (if the weather is nice) and throw rocks and sticks in the water to their heart’s content.

There are also boat/kayak rentals, plenty of hikes to do, and shops/cafes/pubs where you can stop and relax.

Making a Highlands Itinerary with a Toddler

Making an itinerary is a good idea before you set off on your trip — and then being flexible about it and knowing that you might have to move some things around depending on the weather or the mood of your child!

We like to have a general idea of what we’ll do before setting off into the Highlands, like what trail we’d like to do and what we need for it in terms of gear and supplies (and one or two backups trail ideas, just in case).

We plan some food and bathroom break options along the way — it’s good to know what there is BEFORE someone is desperate for the loo or HANGRY, and then suddenly you don’t have service on your phone to do research and all hell breaks loose.

So write down a basic plan of “want-to-dos” for the day plus some options for places to stop, and then be open to changing your plans along the way if need be. That’s my advice for making an itinerary with toddlers work in the Highlands!

What Time of Year is Best to Visit the Highlands with Babies, Toddlers, and Kids?

We were told that the most popular time of year to visit the Scottish Highlands (in general, not just for families with young children) is between May and September. July and August are high season and probably best to avoid.

However, we’re in Scotland from September to December, and it’s been a lovely time to be here.

I would say, based on our experience, that the best time to visit the Scottish Highlands with young children is September or October. The upsides are that there are NO crowds anywhere and it’s still somewhat sunny.

In November, the days start to get really short (like, I’m talking the sun setting at 4 pm!). This actually isn’t too bad when you’re traveling with a toddler though, because their days start and end earlier than adults! We’re still taking Highlands road trips with our toddler and it’s nearly December.

The biggest downside to visiting after October is that many of the tourist attractions, such as the castles, begin to shut their doors for the winter. We noticed that many restaurants and cafes seemed to be closed as well. You’ll be able to find some places open but you may not have as much choice during the winter months.

What to Pack for Your Scottish Highlands Road Trip with Your Toddler

Every family has slightly different needs but the essentials to bring with you on your Highlands trip, in my experience, would be:

• a hiking backpack or soft frame carrier (practice with it at home before setting off on a hike)
• weather-appropriate clothes (a too-hot or too-cold baby will not be happy)
• rain gear because Scotland is wet (and windy!)
• plenty of water for everyone, including your child
• plenty of snacks for everyone, including your child
• a packed lunch for everyone, including your child
• entertainment for your child in the car and restaurants (stickers, screens, etc.)
• appropriate and comfortable footwear (trails can be very muddy)
• a change of clothes for everyone, in case you get wet!

Do You Need to Bring Your Own Car Seat?

There is usually an option to rent a car seat at various rental companies, but I always recommend bringing your own if you know that you’ll be using it a lot on your trip. We knew that we’d be roadtripping a lot, for example.

We’ve also had some trouble procuring a car seat for Ubers and things like that in the past while abroad, so now I prefer to have ours with us. The thing you need to check before leaving is whether your car seat is compatible in Scotland.

Our current car seat is a Chico brand, which is compatible in the US, Europe, and the UK. Do a bit of research to see what needs to be done in order to use and install your car seat before setting off!

I hope this information helps you and that you have a wonderful Highland trip with your family! I’m sure you’ll fall in love with it just like we did 🙂

Brittany is a Wayfaring Human who loves to adventure with her husband and son. When she's not having adventures, she's taking pictures of them and writing about them.

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Steall Falls Walk

Dumbarton Castle

The amount of history packed into this place is incredible. It is a bit off the beaten track for tourists but it is so full of history that it’s well worth a visit. The kids have a great time exploring and the vast number of stairs always knackers them.

10 Things To Do In Gairloch

A popular tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch in Wester Ross is a fantastic place for families to visit. Situated on the shores of Loch Gairloch, the surrounding villages dotted around the loch including Strath, Smithstown, Charlestown, Shieldaig, Lecknasaide and Badachro provide a huge number of activities, places to eat and places to stay …

27 Scottish Holiday Parks & Resorts With Pools

Going abroad might not be an option right now, but you can still have a great family holiday right here in Scotland. Granted, sunshine is never guaranteed, but with a little bit of preparation for the weather you can have a wonderful holiday without leaving our beautiful shores. This is your guide to the best …

The Best Historic Scotland Sites For Families

One of the most notable things about Scotland is that no matter where you are, a castle is never very far away. It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 castles in Scotland and these range from romantic ruins to fairytale turreted palaces to commanding fortresses, plus everything in between. Last year we had …

King’s Caves, Arran

The King’s Caves trail on the beautiful island of Arran is a great walk for families, taking you on a circular walk down to a rocky beach where you can explore a series of natural, oceanfront caves. One of the caves is said to have been where Robert the Bruce took refuge after defeat by …

Loch Lomond Faerie Trail

The Loch Lomond Faerie Trail is truly a wonderful day out for families, and a lovely walk through some beautiful countryside. The trail is incredibly well set out with a fantastic booklet to guide you through the woodland around the trail, and activities or puzzles to solve at each fairy door station.

Ben A’an Hill Walk

The Ben A’an hill walk isn’t an easy stroll, but the views from the top are exceptional and it is a beautiful walk to get there. Take your time and let the kids enjoy it as you go. The juice is most definitely worth the squeeze on this wee gem of a hill.

The Whangie Hill Walk

The Whangie is one of the most kid friendly walks we’ve done in Scotland. The dramatic rock formation is stunning to see and is like a natural playground for kids who like to explore. It’s easy enough for young kids to walk by themselves. A great few hours out!

Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura is packed full of interactive exhibits. It’s a full sensory overload and a brilliant day out. Highly recommend.

A Weekend In The East Neuk

The East Neuk of Fife is a wonderful place for families to explore. You could spend the entire time at all the different beaches, but here are some things to do if you have a weekend in the East Neuk.

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Scotland Family Tours & Vacation Packages

Let TourRadar take the hassle out of finding a trip for the whole family. With 137 tours of Scotland lasting from one day up to 15 days, you're sure to find a great family-friendly adventure. Looking beyond Scotland? See all family tours .

137 Scotland Family trips with 3,657 reviews

• In-depth Cultural
• Coach / Bus

Country Roads of Scotland (Classic, 9 Days)

What a wonderful trip I had with my tour guide, Greg Colgin. He made the country and its heritage come alive. It was fun and it was educational. I have traveled many places, but Never had such an exceptional guide. He was very personable and really cared about us all. Loved all the local treats as well. Nancy Wood My roommate, Debbie Ross and I signed up with GET, but was included with Insight.

Isle of Skye & Outer Hebrides

Our tour guide was fantastic. Knowledgeable and funny. He made our experience pleasurable and unique. I would do this tour again with Rich

• €75 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Country Roads of Scotland (Small Groups, 9 Days)

2-day Outlander Tour (Small Group)

This tour was absolutely SENSATIONAL! It was so surreal to be in filming locations but also so unexpectedly pleasant to stop off at a number of other destinations as well in the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Our guide was so friendly and clearly brought his all to the trip. Can't recommend this trip enough.

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Highland Trail inspired by Outlander (13 Days)

What an awesome tour of Scotland! It covers a LOT of territory so sometimes it feels a bit rushed to cram it all in, but if you’re ok with that you’ll have a fantastic time!

• €100 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

• Christmas & New Year

Skye, The Highlands & Loch Ness - from Glasgow

We were disappointed that when we were picked up in Glasgow the bus was already full and we were not able to sit together. We believe the driver should have ensured there were two seats ready for us.

Isle Of Skye And The Highlands

A very good organised route & service! Great tour leader Sophie did her best to make the group happy all the time!

• Sightseeing

Scotland's Highlands Islands and Cities (13 Days)

Loch Ness, Inverness & The Highlands - from Edinburgh

The tour was excellent,the driver/guide Badger was the perfect host.His knowledge of history and his passion for this roll was exceptional. Would recommend this company to anyone visiting Scotland

Orkney & The Far North

Perfect tour,guide.accomodation,meals.

3-Day Orkney Explorer Small-Group Small-Group Tour from Inverness

Excellent- lovely place with a fascinating history, accommodation was good and welcoming, tour guide very helpful

Majestic Scotland (7 Days)

3-Day Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides Small-Group Tour from Inverness

So happy to have booked this tour. Helen had a trainee, Kev, who was just as pleasant as Helen. They were keen on all things popular and historical. The equipment clean and without problems, seats comfortable and roomy. Would definitely book again. Thank you for providing this company. Spot on !!

Bonnie Scotland

It was an unforgettable experiencce! The tour guide was the very best, making the tour even better than it was.

Scotland: Land of Lore & Legend (Glasgow to Edinburgh) (2024)

Reviews of scotland family tours.

We had a fantastic and thorough tour experience of Country Roads of Scotland with our Tour Director Greg Colgin. He gave us a holiday to always look back on with very fond memories. In nine days on the road we saw more and did more than expected. The Optional Experiences amped up the energy required but thank good goodness we bought in. Greg has a strong knowledge of Scotland's history, other points of interest and proudly talked about the stunning countryside. We appreciated hearing about Scotland's music artists and movie and book titles we might find later. Greg has a nice manner, is very energized and engages easily with others. Les our coach driver was very responsible behind the wheel and the coach vehicle was extremely comfortable. Would do it again!

Setting up the trip and tracking costs, payments and options were all done very well through the website. Customer service also quickly answered any questions. The trip experience was excellent.

Loved it. Jamie our guide was great

Regions in Scotland

• Northern Scotland (35)
• Scottish Highlands (23)
• Isle Of Skye (17)
• The Hebrides (6)
• Orkney Islands (5)
• Central Scotland (5)

Travel Styles

• 10 Best Family Travel Agencies 2024
• Scotland Travel Guide | All You Need to Know
• Best 7 Day Scotland Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

 Welcome to Scots2Travel – A Scottish Family Travel Blog 

Family Holidays Scotland – We highlight the best travel experiences if you visit Scotland with kids, or if you travel further afield. It’s all about making family travel as easy and memorable as possible. Honest reviews, days out, self-catering properties,   family friendly hotels  and itineraries that work.

Whether you live in Scotland or you’re visiting for the first time, we’ve found the best experiences for you. If you’d like to get involved or collaborate email [email protected].

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