Child-friendly activities and attractions.
Depending on the age group of your children, the following may strike a chord: ( you'll find links to most of these on the relevant See and Do Pages on this website ).
West Lothian: Almond Valley Heritage Museum
- A day at the beach in Fife or East Lothian
- Walking, exploring the farm, taking a picnic and sitting beside the stream
- Edinburgh: A day at Edinburgh Zoo, Camera Obscura, Our Dynamic Earth, a hike up Arthur’s Seat.
- Museums with special appeal to children: Glasgow Science Museum, Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh, Sensations, Dundee, Museum of Flight and Concorde, East Lothian
- Midlothian: Butterfly World, Newtongrange Mining Museum
- East Lothian: Seabird Centre or a boat trip to Bass Rock
- New Lanark, exploring the buildings and walking up to the Falls
- Stirling area: Blair Drummond Safari Park
- Theme Parks and Children’s Activity centres that could be anywhere: M & D, Strathclyde, and East Links in East Lothian.
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Rainy Day suggestions:
Check out the weather forecasts. www.metoffice.com or www.scotsman.com/weather gives a 5 day Scottish forecast map. If it’s going to be dismal everywhere why not escape and lose yourselves:
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inside a huge range of museums and inside attractions in Edinburgh and Glasgow (see individual Area pages for more information and websites)
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in covered arcades in shopping outlets like Livingston Designer Outlet
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in inside attractions in areas like Midlothian, eg. the Mining Museum
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in Historical Houses
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in climbing arenas like the Adventure Centre or Alien Rock or indoor recreational centres
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enjoying cultural activities, maybe a matinee in a theatre, or even the cinema (good choice in Livingston at the Designer Outlet.)
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Or stay at home and relax with a book, play games, get out jigsaws and board, and enjoy the freedom of doing what you want, how you want and when you want!
It’s fun but it’s also free!
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Exploring the farm
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Walks, parks, cycling
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Museums in Edinburgh, eg. Museum of Childhood , Chambers St. Museum
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Looking inside the Scottish Parliament
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Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh
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National Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art + free bus going between them
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A walk up Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh for a free panoramic view
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A picnic in Princes St. Gardens, Edinburgh
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Beaches in Fife and East Lothian
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Glasgow Kelvingrove Museum and a huge number of other Glasgow museums
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Picnic in lots of scenic areas eg. near Peebles
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Explorer Pass: pay for this initially but it is not long before you scoop the benefits of extra places to visit.
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VAT of 20% can be reclaimed on goods only under the tax free shopping arrangements at participating stores if you are from outside the European Union.See www.hmce.gov.uk
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It’s not so much fun, but it’s also free! Even if you are from overseas, if you become ill while in Scotland you are eligible for free emergency treatment at NHS hospital accident and emergency departments.
And some money-saving tips!
Historic Scotland Explorer Pass: Highly recommended as it gives big savings on the cost of admissions to over 70 of Scotland’s top historical properties including Edinburgh and Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace. Available over flexible time periods they can be purchased from any Historic Scotland Property.
National Trust for Scotland: a similar pass but check before you purchase that you really are going to make good use of it. Most of the major historic attractions belong to Historic Scotland.
Great British Heritage Pass: This unique pass is only available to non-UK visitors and gives free entry to almost 600 properties throughout Britain. Details on www.visitbritain.com
Edinburgh Pass: Check out www.edinburghpass.org before purchasing and work out if you really are going to use it enough to save money.
Free on-street parking in much of Edinburgh on a Sunday only (but never on double yellow lines) and most shops and attractions are open
Check petrol and diesel prices: they can vary. And look out for brown thistle road signs for Tourist attractions. They will lead you to some of the most spectacular scenery and quality attractions in Scotland. To minimise getting lost and burning up unnecessary fuel take a road map with you (we provide one in the cottage); road signage in Scotland is not one of Scotland’s strengths! And don’t park illegally… it could prove expensive.
Our “not to be missed” choices
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At least a day in Edinburgh
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New Lanark
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Stirling and either the Trossachs or Perthshire
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A day in the Borders
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Linlithgow and Stirling or , if you have children, Almond Valley Heritage Centre
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As they say in Gaelic “ceud mile failte”, or a “hundred thousand welcomes”, you’ll love it here!
Feeling adventurous or part of a large party?
Explore our new Fun Outings / Group Suggestions Page specially created for larger parties staying in our House-on-the-Hill, Craigengar Lodge, but with some inspirational ideas for anyone.
