If you are planning to tour Scotland with your family, then the best destinations to visit include Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Scottish Highlands, the Kelpies, the Isle of Skye and many more stunning attractions with landmarks. Today, Scotland is at the centre of the global tourism phenomenon and offers a diverse selection of attractions, historical landscapes, and all kinds of modern contemporary art.
Every region in Scotland features its own speciality because of the famous landmark, an adventurous activity or a historical remembrance. That is why it is always recommended to research the best destinations before arriving in Scotland, so you can actually enjoy spending time rather than rushing to every city and place with your family.
Let’s discuss all the famous and must-visit spots in Scotland for a family vacation.
Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle: Primarily, it is at the heart of the Scottish capital. This castle is much more than a historical landmark. Perched on a spectacular extinct volcano mountain, Edinburgh Castle is a prominent highlight in the region because of the variety of exhibitions, special activities, and living historical stories with guided tours. Also, the castle hosts “The One O’Clock” gun fires daily, which is a bit of fun among kids with a booming sound.
- Royal Mile & Old Town: Apart from the best accommodation in the capital, the most famous places among tourists include the Royal Mile and Old Town and for very good reasons. Firstly, these regions feature some of the most exciting street performances along with traditional Scottish markets that provide a truly local experience. Also, since it stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace, families can spend a quality day by visiting both attractions.
- National Museum Of Scotland: Among all the historical spots, every trip is incomplete if it does not include the National Museum. This building is known for its free admission to some of the remarkable artefacts collected from around the globe. From dinosaurs to space exploration and art galleries, the National Museum of Scotland is a special treat for family visitors of all age groups.
- Dynamic Earth: As a science museum, Dynamic Earth is a perfect place for family-friendly activities. Every year, this museum invites visitors from all over the world to enjoy the interactive exhibits that are a learning experience for kids and teenagers alike.
- Edinburgh Zoo: If you are up for a cool, educational experience with your whole family, then going to the Edinburgh Zoo can be a perfect choice. By providing a natural outdoor experience with a breadth of activities among animals like Penguins, giraffes, koalas, sloths, tigers, and lions, your group is surely in for a treat at the Edinburgh Zoo.
Glasgow
- Riverside Museum: Glasgow is a magnet for tourism activity, starting with the educational destinations like the Riverside Museum. This is because most family vacationers are with their teens and kids and are looking for a learning experience that is fun and interactive.
- Kelvingrove Park: Among the historic landmarks and architectural marvels, Glasgow is not short of green parks like the Kelvingrove. This park is perfect for picnics and Victorian design, serving as a perfect spot for riverside walks. There are even cafes and a kids’ play area, so the family can relax while the kids have the most fun on the trip.
- The Lighthouse: An art and architectural marvel in the heart of Glasgow, the Lighthouse is a dominant landmark in Scotland's cultural history. From providing modern venues, exhibitions, to renowned workshop programmes, over the years, the Lighthouse has become a highlight in the Scotland tourism activity.
- Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre: Quite an underrated spot, the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre is a trip back to history and the magical world of sculptures, old bikes, sewing machines and anything that you can imagine. When combined with the lights and engaging music, the theatre creates a fun and educational experience for all age groups.
- Forth & Clyde Canal Towpath: After a good exploration of the city, you can stretch your itinerary 9.6 miles away from Glasgow city centre to reach the Forth & Clyde Canal. The serene natural surroundings with the habitat and calm sounds of the canal make it a perfect destination for picnic plans. The best way to plan out a picnic is by hiring a reliable minibus with a driver to travel with all members of your family, along with the luggage, without worrying about the limited access of public transport or driving the car rentals yourself.
Aberdeen
- Duthie Park: You can spend your whole itinerary in the remarkable parks of Scotland, but Duthie Park should not be an exception. Think of it as a green sanctuary that is preserved in time with flora and fauna species that are dear to the locals and international visitors. Not just that, but the park also provides a play area for kids to spend their quality time right within the natural outdoors.
- Gordon Highlander Museum: Set within the natural landscape of Aberdeen, this museum shares diverse stories from history with its collection of exhibitions and unique artefacts. The museum is highly kid and pet-friendly with a cafe and accessibility options available, so every member can enjoy the destination at their ease.
- Aberdeen Science Centre: It is easy to make kids bored when you are travelling to multiple destinations and on lengthy trips. But that is not the case with the Aberdeen Science Centre, which specifically focuses on exhibitions for kids with an engaging learning environment. Not just kids, but adults can also engage with different exhibitions to enjoy a rewarding experience of their visit.
- Dunnotter Castle: If you have already sorted your transport and can easily travel 18.4 miles away from Aberdeen, then you should surely visit Dunnotter Castle in the north coastal landscape of Scotland. Although it is a completely battered castle with not much of the interiors, the dramatic views and roaring coastal landscape definitely make it a worthy choice for travel.
- St Machar’s Cathedral: Visiting St Machar’s Cathedral gives you a wide array of opportunities for going on the historical trails, free activities, and stunning architecture that are too admirable to ignore.
Dundee
- McManus Art Gallery & Museum: McManus is a very special destination for tourists because of the Victorian architecture and exhibitions of contemporary and ancient artworks. Upon your visit, you will almost feel like travelling back in time for the Scottish art scene, shaping the culture of the country.
- V&A Dundee: Victoria & Albert Museum combines the architectural views and creatively outstanding exhibitions in the city to invite tourists globally. If you are already in the city of Dundee, you surely do not want to miss out on the views of V&A inside out.
- Dundee Law: Apart from the beautiful surroundings and modern architecture, you can not miss the natural beauty of a hill that stands still in the middle of Dundee. You can also visit quite a few landmarks like Verdant Works Museum and many more in the nearby area to suit your preferences and trip requirements.
- Mills Observatory: Perched on top of the Balgay Hill, the Mills Observatory is a state-of-the-art astronomical observatory for the public to view the celestial objects. Unlike any other traditional space observatory, it provides a detailed insight into astronomy within the scenic setting of Balgay Hill.
- Cally Booker: If you are finally tired of all the attractions and smart exhibitions, you can finally go for the Cally Booker weaving classes for a learning experience with kids. The artist at the Meadow Mill in Dundee has created quite a fun and engaging resource to study and practice weaving various types of clothing, art and tapestries.
Scottish Highlands
- Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle: The mysterious Loch and the legend of “Nessie the monster” with Urquhart Castle set a perfect stage for the fascinating kingdom in Scotland. Although you will not find any Nessie monsters (keep it to yourself if you do!!!) Loch Ness combines healthy tourism activities like hiking, walking and even natural outdoor picnic plans. On top of that, Urquhart Castle is also right above the bank of Loch Ness, and shares an adventurous story of stunning ruins that were once part of a great kingdom.
- Jacobite Steam Train: The Jacobite Steam Train is precisely the family-friendly fun that you have been looking for. Being the scenic Harry Potter themed train ride in the stunning Scottish Highlands, your family would surely love the stretching landscape and the Glenfinnan Viaduct above the roaring mountains and moody sandy beaches. This is hands down the best Hogwarts Express experience you can enjoy upon your visit to the Scottish Highlands.
- Cairngorms National Park: Within the rich natural landscape that brings awe to everyone’s face, Cairngorms National Park has been the epitome of the centre of the Scottish Highlands. The diverse wildlife, stretching mountainous region, the variety of lochs and free-range habitat, this national park has got it all that you can imagine. There are various events planned at Cairngorms National Park throughout the year, which can definitely make your trip even more memorable.
- Glen Coe: Revisit James Bond’s Skyfall, Harry Potter and Braveheart filming sites by travelling to the mighty landscape of Glen Coe. Since the Scottish Highlands experience heavily focuses on outdoor activities, Glen Coe is a perfect spot for picnic plans, hiking trails, cycling and wildlife spotting. After all the famous outdoor activities, you can return indoors at the Glencoe Folk Museum to learn about the wonders the region has to offer.
- Loch Lomond Faerie Trail: Exploring the Scottish Highlands with kids will eventually bring you to the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail, which is designed with kid-friendly activities and outdoor trails. Just make sure to confirm the schedules for the trail ahead of your travel day and pack essential snacks for the little ones to enjoy during their stay.
The Rundown
Scottish history revolves around the clan heritage, natural landscape, historical architecture and rich food culture. At the same time, these aspects have been fueling the vibrant tourism activity in the region, which drives interest among groups of travellers. With such diversity available, families are planning a personalised tourism experience of Scotland by escaping to both indoor and natural outdoors.
The historical architecture of castles, cathedrals and museums collecting numerous artefacts is not something that is ignored among the travellers of all age groups. If you are also planning to travel across the country, then your choices should depend on the ease of access, transport, accommodation and overall budget to visit all the unique destinations. All you need to do is book a private transportation like a minibus hire with a driver and an accommodation ahead of time to save money, time and last-minute hassle for your overall trip plan.
