Traveling in Scotland with kids
It was a Scot, John Muir, who created the worldwide movement of National Parks. He had a love of wild places from when he was a child. It is in his blood and he went on to donate it to the world.![]()
If it's water parks and children's clubs you want, go on a Club Med. If getting muddy while mountain biking down remote trails, fishing off quiet islands and canoeing all the way to Loch Ness is your thing, go for Scotland. Get them dancing at a ceili or prancing at the Edinburgh Festival for Scottish cultural extravaganzas. But all in all, just get them out there and let them go a bit feral and wild. You won’t find that on the timetable at Club Med.
Our Scotland family Vacations
The Cairngorms wildlife vacation in Scotland
A wildlife camping experience in Scotland without the hassle
From
£600
7 days
ex flights
Family adventure vacations in Scotland
Self drive Scottish family adventure vacation
From
£1065
7 days
ex flights
Mull circumnavigation cruise, Scotland
Staffa, Iona and Ross of Mull from our small cruise ships
From
£1140 to £2480
7 days
ex flights
Inner Hebrides self catering boat in Scotland
Quirky self catering accommodation on Scotland's west coast
From
£204 to £396
per accommodation per night
Scotland cruise, private charter
Private Charter a small cruise ship in the Scottish Hebrides
From
£12570
4 days
ex flights
Scotland self drive family vacation
An exhilarating vacation with activities for kids of all ages
From
£3900
9 days
ex flights
Activities for families in Scotland
Mountain biking
At CairnGorm Mountain you can hire mountain bikes, have a bit of skills training, put your bikes on the funicular train which brings you up to the summit, and cycle all the way back down. And then hear that old familiar cry of 'Again, again, again!'. There are lots of other trails around to enjoy as well when you are there, but this one is CairnGorm cool.
Canoe down the Caledonian Canal
With plenty of places to rent an open canoe, this is wonderful paddling. Although you can't canoe through the locks, you have to engage in 'portage' or carrying the boats around the locks. There are also campsites (and pubs) along the way for the more ambitious. Definitely one for midge nets at dusk though.Do the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Usually associated with one man Hamlets and smutty stand up, the Festival is actually very child friendly. There are shows aimed at children of all ages, as well as streets full of entertainers, buskers and general madness. Book accommodation well in advance as it gets pricey. And come down from the madness with a few days in the countryside for a truly heady mix of Scotland.
Our top Scotland family Vacation
The Cairngorms wildlife vacation in Scotland
A wildlife camping experience in Scotland without the hassle
From
£600
7 days
ex flights
Small group travel:
2022: 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep
2022: 12 Sep, 19 Sep, 26 Sep
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Scotland or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.
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Tips for families
Andrew Bateman, Director of one of our suppliers, Scot Mountain Vacations:
"The weather can be more of an issue with a young family. Try to remain flexible as to where you go. Generally the weather is a lot better in the East Highlands and the Cairngorms National Park, where there are also a lot of family activities."
"The weather can be more of an issue with a young family. Try to remain flexible as to where you go. Generally the weather is a lot better in the East Highlands and the Cairngorms National Park, where there are also a lot of family activities."
Robert Kidd, Director at one of suppliers McKinlay Kidd:
“Scotland has always been a superb place for a family vacation but you need the right approach, and not worry about the weather and having lots of attractions.“
“Scotland has always been a superb place for a family vacation but you need the right approach, and not worry about the weather and having lots of attractions.“
Tim Stenton, wildlife photographer and author Moray Firth Dolphins:
“Along with a few other places in the world like South Africa and Western Australia, the Moray Firth, is an excellent place to watch cetaceans from the land. Other than the impacts of getting to the locations, land based will always have a lower environmental footprint - both in terms of CO2 emissions and impact on the animals than boat based watching. It is also cheaper, more suitable for younger children with no risk of being seasick.“
“Along with a few other places in the world like South Africa and Western Australia, the Moray Firth, is an excellent place to watch cetaceans from the land. Other than the impacts of getting to the locations, land based will always have a lower environmental footprint - both in terms of CO2 emissions and impact on the animals than boat based watching. It is also cheaper, more suitable for younger children with no risk of being seasick.“
More about Scotland
The best time to go to Scotland is, for many people, when wildlife come out to play.
Our Scotland travel guide reveals a land full of wildlife, and mountainous and marine magnificence.
Scotland rail vacations explore lochs, highlands, islands and wild moorlands that drivers miss.
Scotland small ship cruising vacations roam the country’s most spectacular nautical nirvanas.
Craving independence? You can go your own way on Scotland self drive vacations.
You're never far from a memorable experience, or a stunning view, north of the border.
Orkney and Shetland Islands vacations explore two of the most northerly outposts in Britain.
Our guide to the best cities to visit in Scotland showcases the key attractions of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and beyond.
We’ve put together a list of the best things to see and do in Inverness for a taste of the city’s heritage and culture.
We’ve put together some of our favourite things to see and do in the welcoming city of Glasgow.
One of the best bits of Scotland travel advice is to look beyond the tourist trail.
We’ve put together 11 useful tips for Americans visiting Scotland to help you make the most of your stay.
Scotland has many fine qualities but one of the finest is the freedom to roam.
