Scotland won’t be one of many world’s largest nations, however with a lot to do on a Scotland street journey with children, you could possibly simply spend months exploring.
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Fortunately, if – like me – you don’t have months, you’ll be able to pack a shocking quantity into lower than two weeks, getting a style of metropolis, countryside and islands, with some spectacular surroundings alongside the way in which. And also you don’t should observe a selected route just like the NC500 because it’s simple to make your personal excellent Scotland household street journey.
Our personal summer season street journey visited Edinburgh, Stirling, Falkirk, Loch Lomond and the Isle of Skye, however it will have been simple to tweak to incorporate Glasgow, to swap Skye for the west coast of Scotland, and even head north to Inverness and Loch Ness. So should you’re unsure the place to begin, right here’s my 12-day itinerary for a Scotland street journey with children.
For extra tips about having fun with street journeys with children take a look at my posts on planning a household street journey, packing for a street journey, street journey actions for youths and the perfect street journey snacks
Day 1-3 – Edinburgh or Glasgow
You begin your journey by having to select between Scotland’s two greatest cities – each Edinburgh and Glasgow have loads of causes to tempt you (and also you’ll nearly definitely discover that you really want extra time, whichever you select).
Because the capital, Edinburgh has the nationwide museums, in addition to Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh Citadel, the historic outdated city, some Harry Potter hyperlinks, an awesome zoo and the fantastic Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano which you’ll be able to stroll up.
That’s clearly simply the briefest overview of what there may be to see, however you’ll be able to take a look at my prime issues to do in Edinburgh with children right here for extra particulars.
In the meantime Glasgow has its personal spectacular museums, some attractive inexperienced areas together with the botanic gardens, the implausible Glasgow Science Centre, and the river Clyde to discover, so that you it’s one other implausible strategy to start your Scotland street journey.
Once more, for extra particulars of the perfect issues to do in Glasgow with children, take a look at my prime picks.
Should you’re decided to attempt to see each, it takes lower than an hour to get between the 2, or you could possibly contemplate splitting the time with a few days in the beginning of the journey in a single and a few days on the finish within the different. Equally, should you want, you’ll be able to transfer this complete part to the tip of your journey.
TOP TIP: We selected to get the prepare as much as Edinburgh from London and moved straight on to Stirling, choosing up our rent automotive there for the remainder of the street journey – you received’t must drive whilst you’re in Glasgow and Edinburgh, and there are common trains onwards should you’d fairly not take care of the roads out of the cities.
Day 4-5 – Stirling
The subsequent cease in your Scotland street journey with children must be Stirling – this compact metropolis is oozing with historical past, and it’s an effective way to find a little bit of the nation’s previous in case your children aren’t already acquainted with it.
Enable half a day for Stirling Citadel, with its royal palace, Nice Corridor and impressively reasonable kitchens. There are additionally loads of hands-on actions for youths, nice views from the partitions and beautiful gardens to discover, to not point out different exhibitions and sights.
When you’re in Stirling’s Outdated City, save a while for the Outdated City Jail. The nice guided excursions convey all of it to life, together with your information taking part in a number of completely different characters, plus the prospect to look contained in the cells and discover out what each day life would have been like. End with some spectacular views from the roof – or tackle the escape room to see should you’d be any good at breaking out your self.
Then it’s time to decide on your hero, with two essential websites linked to key characters – Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn and William Wallace on the Wallace Nationwide Monument.
Personally I beloved the Bannockburn Expertise, with a guided replay of the battle and likelihood to elevate a spear, but it surely’s closing for renovations till mid 2028 and solely the battlefield itself can be open in the intervening time.
Or the Wallace Monument allows you to observe a woodcarving path taking you thru historical past, earlier than climbing 246 steps up the spiral staircase to the highest of the tower, passing by way of the Corridor of Arms, the Corridor of Heroes – lined with busts of notable Scots – and the Royal Chamber alongside the way in which, every one providing you with a breather and a bit extra of the story.
Get extra particulars on all of the sights above and extra inspiration for issues to do in Stirling with children right here
Day 6 – Falkirk
Even should you’ve relied on trains up till this level, it pays to have a automotive to discover any longer – Falkirk has some nice strolling and biking trails, however with restricted time, driving means you’ll be able to tick off among the highlights simply.
Should you solely have a day, you’ll be able to nonetheless go to the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, each of which we beloved and each additionally unmissable.
For extra concepts of some nice issues to do in Falkirk with children, take a look at my prime picks
The Kelpies are two huge horse-head sculptures, every round 30 metres tall, rearing up on the banks of the Forth & Clyde Canal. It’s utterly free to go to (or you’ll be able to pay for a tour that takes you inside as effectively).
They sit inside Helix Park, an enormous stretch of inexperienced house linking Falkirk and Grangemouth, with kilometres of flat, paved paths that are perfect for strolling, scooting and biking, in addition to some woodland and wetland walks.
In the meantime the Falkirk Wheel is the world’s solely rotating boat elevate. Constructed to reconnect the Forth & Clyde and Union canals, changing the unique flight of 11 locks, it now takes simply 5 minutes for the elevate to show 180 levels and lift you 35m.
Don’t miss the hour-long boat tour which explains how the elevate works, in addition to letting you expertise it your self because it takes you as much as benefit from the views throughout the countryside.
TOP TIP: You’ll be able to head to Falkirk from both Glasgow or Edinburgh earlier than visiting Stirling – all of the cities are effectively related and shut to one another. We selected to base ourselves in Stirling after which drive to Loch Lomond by way of Falkirk – you’re going within the unsuitable route, admittedly, however not a lot and it was extra sensible for us. You would additionally make a detour and plan a pit cease on the Dunmore Pineapple.
Day 7-8 – Loch Lomond
Round an hour from Falkirk, barely much less from Stirling, Loch Lomond is the primary style of wilder countryside in my Scotland street journey with children – and it truly is attractive.
Most households keep both in Balloch, the most important city (which additionally has an excellent prepare connection to Glasgow) or in fairly Luss – I beloved Luss, which is attractive, however Balloch has just a few extra sights, eating places and locations to remain. They’re each shut to one another, so it’s simple to go to one from the opposite.
Try extra of my tips about the place to remain across the loch and among the finest issues to do in Loch Lomond with children right here
For sure, the very first thing to get pleasure from is a ship journey; there are many sightseeing cruises, in addition to some ferries in summer season throughout the loch and to the islands within the loch itself.
Or should you want one thing a bit extra energetic, you’ll be able to rent canoes, kayaks, small boats and stand-up paddleboards to discover below your personal steam.
There are beautiful walks across the loch too; the faerie path at Luss is enjoyable for youthful children (and you can even observe the riverside path to increase it a bit additional), or wander round Balloch Citadel Nation Park the place you’ll be able to stroll by way of woodland and right down to the water’s edge.
Balloch’s Loch Lomond Shores can be residence to among the greater household sights, together with the Sea Life Aquarium and the Fowl of Prey Centre, plus a excessive ropes course within the timber and a bit mini golf course.
The world can be an awesome place to see Highland cows, together with some free/low-cost choices. Should you’re visiting with teenagers or older tweens, particularly these with an curiosity within the atmosphere in addition to animals, we beloved the two-hour Coos and cake expertise at Nether Glenny farm which helps you to get (safely) nearer to the cows, in addition to studying extra about them and rewilding tasks within the space.
TOP TIP: We headed to Nether Glenny Farm on our means from Loch Lomond to Skye because it was roughly on our route – should you aren’t persevering with on north or west, there are different choices across the loch and nearer to Glasgow
Day 9-12 – Isle of Skye, Mallaig or Loch Ness
To this point, the drives in my Scotland household street journey have all been pretty quick however should you’re seeking to discover additional, you’ll have some longer journeys forward – relying how outdated your children are, it’s possible you’ll wish to construct in brief stops alongside the way in which.
Sadly, until you’ve a lot of time, you’ll should decide between the Isle of Skye, Mallaig and the west coast or heading north to Loch Ness with three to 4 hours on the street to achieve every vacation spot. You may also get a ferry from Mallaig to the Isle of Skye if in case you have likelihood to mix each.
Isle of Skye
I like the Isle of Skye – whereas it’s simply the most well-liked Scottish island to go to, you’ll be able to nonetheless discover loads of secluded corners and it looks like a correct escape. It additionally means it’s effectively arrange for households whereas nonetheless giant sufficient that you could pack a lot in.
The truth is, don’t underestimate the period of time it will possibly take to get throughout Skye – from Armadale (the place the ferry from Mallaig docks) or Broadford, not removed from the street bridge, it will possibly simply take 60-90 minutes to achieve among the highlights on the alternative facet of the island.
Get extra tips about the place to remain on the Isle of Skye with children, in addition to among the finest issues for households to do
We stayed at Isleornsay on the east coast because it was already a protracted drive from Balloch and we beloved the secluded cabin on the loch the place we stayed, but it surely did imply we had been farther from lots of the extra widespread walks and landmarks, so lodging in Portree will be extra sensible.
Wherever you decide, there are some fantastic walks and trails to find, from gentler simple choices just like the Fairy Glen and the Fairy Swimming pools as much as the Outdated Man of Storr and the more difficult Quiraing.
Step again in time on the Museum of Island Life, spot dinosaur footprints round Staffin, see wild waterfalls and lighthouses, or benefit from the vibrant streets or Portree whilst you’re there too. Or take a fast journey again to the mainland to discover Eilean Donan Citadel, set on the water the place three sea lochs meet and infrequently thought-about probably the most lovely fort in Scotland.
TOP TIP: Should you’re travelling from Loch Lomond to the Isle of Skye, you’ll be able to drive by way of Glencoe for some splendidly dramatic surroundings. The Customer Centre has extra info on the historical past of the realm, together with the 1692 Glencoe Bloodbath, or there are some nice walks round right here too. That is someplace you received’t thoughts being caught in visitors, so you’ll be able to absorb among the views
Mallaig and the west coast
Whereas there are many causes to tempt you to Scotland’s west coast, the realm round Mallaig is finest identified for a few issues – its superb white sand seashores, which appear to be they’ve been whisked from the Caribbean, and (should you’re a Harry Potter fan), the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
For seashores galore, head down the B8008 coastal street – Camusdarach Seaside, the evocatively named Silver Sands of Morar, Traigh Seaside and Arisaig Seaside are just a few of the highlights.
You’ll be able to select to experience the Jacobite Steam Prepare (aka the Hogwarts Specific or Harry Potter prepare) or benefit from the well-known view of the steam trains passing over the Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Head to the Glenfinnan Customer Centre to stroll up the hillside path for the well-known view down. You’ll must test the timetable and intention to park up a minimum of half-hour beforehand – the stroll from the customer centre is round 25 minutes, and the automotive park (unsurprisingly) will get busy, so the very last thing you need is to show up 30 seconds after the prepare has handed.
Or hop on a ship to discover alongside the west coast – in addition to the ferry to Skye, boats run to the extra distant islands of Eigg, Muck, Rum, and Canna, and across the Knoydart Peninsula. There are wildlife cruises too, with the prospect to identify puffins, orcas, basking sharks, minke whales, dolphins, porpoise and seals.
If you wish to tick off one among Scotland’s loveliest routes, the Highway to the Isles is the A830 working from Fort William to Mallaig, which takes you thru the Scottish Highlands by way of Glenfinnan, Lochailort, Arisaig (one other beautiful different to Mallaig as a base to discover), and Morar, looking over lochs, mountains and seashores.
Inverness and Loch Ness
The capital of the Highlands, you’ll discover historical past, lovely surroundings and – after all – tales of a mysterious monster hidden within the depths of Loch Ness itself.
Whether or not you’re hoping to identify Nessie or not, it’s one other attractive nook of the nation to discover. Should you don’t need two lochs again to again, you could possibly additionally head instantly right here as a substitute of Loch Lomond, which supplies extra time to enterprise additional north.
A ship journey is a should, however you can even discover castles, together with the ruins of Urquhart Citadel to find its dramatic previous and Inverness Citadel, the place the Inverness Citadel Expertise is led by a storyteller for a fairly completely different go to.
Or get outside with every thing from gentler river walks and the Ness Islands to hikes within the surrounding countryside. Not removed from Inverness itself is Culloden, the place you’ll be able to go to the positioning of the ultimate pitched battle on British soil – a transferring expertise, that is higher with older children who can respect the historical past.
You’re additionally shut sufficient to go to Aviemore with the Highland Wildlife Park, Landmark Forest journey park and even see a herd of reindeer.
TOP TIP: If this journey has whetted your urge for food for extra, the NC500 – or North Coast 500 – route begins and ends at Inverness Citadel, a 516-mile loop which takes you into Scotland’s far north. You would energy round it in about 13-15 hours, though the place’s the enjoyable in that? As a substitute, enable one other 5 to seven days to benefit from this route.
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Photos: Calton Hill/Glenfinnan Viaduct/Loch Ness courtesy of Depositphotos, all others copyright MummyTravels
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