Scotland for Families

Scotland on a Shoestring

If you are looking for something to do that's free and easy, or just cheap and cheerful, there's something to fit every budget. Whether it's building sand castles on the beach, wildlife watching in the woods or checking out some of the unusual attractions.

Museums

Forget old and stuffy and think exciting and interactive. Scotland's museums have fascinating exhibits from the worlds of arts, science, industry, archaeology and the natural world, some millions of years old, some less than a decade. Many of these museums have no admission charge, especially if you are under 12!

At the National Museum of Scotland  in Edinburgh find out about Scotland through the ages, and learn about life, the universe and beyond! Visit the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian and see Scotland's Concorde up close. The National Museum of Rural Life  in East Kilbride is actually a working farm, and at the Grampian Transport Museum there is a special Time Travel exhibit for 2006 with Dalek and Tardis displays.

Back to Nature

From big tree country in Perthshire to Princes Street Gardens in the heart of Edinburgh there's no excuse for not making the most of Scotland's open spaces, especially not the price! With everything from National Parks to Nature Reserves and a few scenic spots to explore in between there's plenty to choose from. Whether you explore on foot or in the car you never know what delights you might stumble across.

On your bike!

Whether you are looking for a gentle family cycle route or something a bit more extreme there is nowhere better to go for top-notch trails, stunning scenery and a very warm welcome. Scotland ranks as one of the best places to go mountain biking and with cycle routes for all ages and abilities it is certainly a great way to see the countryside and enjoy the great outdoors. In the Scottish Borders, with trees and hills abound, mountain bikers and cyclists are never far away. So why not get on your bike and go exploring, never mind your wallet all you will need in your back pocket is a good map!

Wildlife Watching

In Scotland's forests there are hundreds of kilometres of waymarked forest walks and some of the best viewpoints and picnic sites. There are also some of the top wildlife watching sites where you could be in with a chance of seeing a range of species such as the endangered Red Squirrel or the iconic Golden Eagle. You could follow the Red Squirrel Trail in Dumfries & Galloway or the Trossachs Bird of Prey Trail and see the Aberfoyle Ospreys, or walk to the viewing hide at Huntly Peregrine Wild Watch Centre and use telescopes or binoculars to see wildlife first hand. Visit any of Scotland's forests with your eyes and ears open and you're likely to come across many different species every day. Pick up a Wild Woods guide from the Forestry Commission and see what you can find.