Scotland for Families

Children Welcome Scheme

Accommodation in Scotland is vast and varied offering everything from hotels to cottages, you can stay somewhere distinctly different or somewhere that just feels like home.

As well as assessing all kinds of accommodation on a yearly basis and awarding providers with one to five stars, VisitScotland also has a range of welcome schemes which show whether businesses have specific facilities and services available such as for walkers, cyclists, anglers and now children!

The new Children Welcome scheme rewards those businesses which go the extra mile to provide additional services and facilites for children. So, if you see a window sticker with the Children Welcome logo you can be guaranteed those added extras! A venue displaying the award will have the following as a minimum:

- a cot or children's bed
- facilities for warming milk and baby food
- access to a fridge
- extra safety features in the room
- high chairs, and children's crockery and cutlery
- family sized or interconnecting rooms
- flexible eating times, and children's menu options
- changing facilities in public areas

Attractions can also be part of the Children Welcome scheme if they have the following as a minimum:

- family parking near the entrance
- access and storage space for prams and pushchairs
- all dangers considered and safety features in place
- high chairs, crockery, cutlery, children's menu
- information at children's height
- changing areas in public toilets
- all play equipment well maintained

As well as this both accommodation and attractions should have a range of local information and emergency contact details.

The Children Welcome scheme fosters a positive attitude towards families with children, and a genuine desire to anticipate and meet their needs. As any parent knows going on holiday with children can be a stressful experience, especially if appropriate services and facilites are not provided. The best way for everyone to be able to enjoy and restful and relaxing holiday is to ensure that the kids have a good time, after all happy children make happy parents!