3 Week Family Trip to Scotland Itinerary Advice

How long in total have you got for the holiday?

With five adults and four children you will probably need to hire a 9 seater mini van. Also check about kid's seats. Arnold Clarke or their US partner Celtic Legend are recommended .

You could do a circular trip from Edinburgh to St Andrews (ruined castle and cathedral) for a few days to explore Fife and the fishing villages along the coast. The beach at St Andrews is great for kids. You may enjoy Falkland and Falkland Palace.

Then head up the coast - stop off at Dunnoter Castle - on ther way to Forbes. Lots to do and sewe around the area - ruined and lived in castles, more fishing villages, Balmoral and Crathes Church, Cairngorms (go for a ride on the funicular?).

Then head over to Fort William area for the Jacobite train. (Remember the Scots Rail train also runs on the same route.)

Then either head to Skye or Mull which tends to be quieter and less busy than Skye. Tobermarywith its brightly coloured houses around the bay is delightful. Do a boat trip to Lunga and the Treshnsh Islands to see lots and lots of puffins. Alos catch the foot ferry across to Iona.

Head back via Oban and Inverary (castle and gaol). If you still have time there is either Isle of Arran or Great Cumbrae. On the way back to Edinburgh, stop off at Falkirk Wheel and go for a ride. It is the only rotating boat lift in the world!

Thank you so much!!! Your suggestions are going to be super helpful for planning our trip. We are flying in and out of Edinburgh. Just curious about your thoughts on saving exploring Edinburgh at the end of our trip instead of 3-4 days at the beginning? We have 3 weeks total fr our trip. Thanks again for your help!
With kind regards and best wishes for a Happy New Year!
Pamela

Then either head to Skye or Mull which tends to be quieter and less busy than Skye. Tobermarywith its brightly coloured houses around the bay is delightful. Do a boat trip to Lunga and the Treshnsh Islands to see lots and lots of puffins. Alos catch the foot ferry across to Iona.

I think the kids would really enjoy Mull. I actually liked it better than Skye, although Skye was quite beautiful. But Mull is fun - as wasleys said, Tobermorey is a delight and the boat trips would be a lot of fun for the kids, especially if they got to see puffins. And Iona was also wonderful. as is Calgary Beach.

Another thing that Tobermorey has is a "catch-and-release" aquarium. Here the animals only stay for 4 weeks and then are returned to the sea from where they came. It was really a wonderful place to stay.

Just curious about your thoughts on saving exploring Edinburgh at the end of our trip instead of 3-4 days at the beginning? We have 3 weeks total fr our trip.

That wasn't my thought but I think either would be fine. I spent 3 weeks in Scotland in May of 2023, and here was my itinerary:

Glasgow (3 nights - included day trip to Stirling Castle by train).

Isle of Arran (3 nights): I picked up rental car (from Arnold Clark/Celtic Legend) then drove to Ardrossen to catch the car ferry to Arran

Isle of Mull (4 nights - stayed in Tobermory). Day trip (by foot ferry) to Iona.

Isle of Skye (4 nights). Stayed at B&B outside of Portree. Took day trip (via ferry) to Isle of Raasay.

Harris and Lewis (3 nights). Stayed in Lewis.

After taking the ferry from Stornaway (on Lewis) to Ullapool, I drove along the coast starting with Inverness, spending the first night in Elgin, then continued driving along the coast, stopping for 2nd night in Cruden Bay, then final night in Dunfermline, which is outside of Edinburgh.

Turned in rental car, then made my way into Edinburgh for final 3 nights.

All in all I took 7 ferries, but I love boats so it was fun. I didn't have kids with me so it was easier to visit more places with less nights, but this gives you a basic idea of what can be done in 3 weeks. :)

Edinburgh at the beginning would work well as it gives time to get over any jet lag and readjust. There's plenty to occupy everyone too as well as the excitement of being in a big city. Spending time there ast the end after all the wonderful scenery could be a bit of an anticlimax...

I'd forgotten Calgary Beach Mardee. My grandsons loved it.

Thank you wasleys! I think you're right about starting out in Edinburgh. That's the plan that I will go with. I have another question if you don't mind sharing your opinion. Is 4 nights enough to get acquainted with Edinburgh? The flights that I'm looking at don't arrive until mid morning and with the children we may be moving at a slower pace. Would be grateful for your opinion. Happy New Year!!!

Four nights in Edinburgh will give a lot of time to skim the surface. Sure it is not the same as moving there even for a month, but four nights is probably good for what you are after.

I agree. I had three nights in Edinburgh, and felt like I saw a lot during that time, but four nights would really give you time to really see the major sites of the city.

Four nights is fine. There's a lot to do in and around Edinburgh. YIf you find you are runnin g out of things to do, there is a frequent train service to Glasgow which has a very different Edinburgh. You could also do a boat trip on the Firth of Forth. It's a great way to see the Forth Railway Bridge from the water and you may also see seals and puffins. They do a range of different trips. Think about the one that gives you time on Inchcolm Island, or if the children would be interested in a ride on a steam train there is one which includes a ride on the Bo'ness and Kinneil Steam Railway.

By the way the Cairngorm funicular railway has been out of service again since August last year (it had been reopen for 7 months after a 4 year closure for repairs) and is not now expected to re-open this summer, due to further repair work- https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3geee0e9kxo