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Last Minute Itinerary with Kids

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My husband and I had an adult trip to Scotland planned for the first week in June. Last week we found out that our childcare had fallen through so we scrambled to add our two kids (8 and 5 years old) to the trip. We had to cancel our original accommodations and are reworking the itinerary to make sense with the kids.

We will have 5 nights, flying in and out of Edinburgh. We plan on staying in Edinburgh for the first two nights and would like to spend some time in the highlands. We are willing to rent a car. Our priorities are castles, kid friendly museums, history, nature (although we’re not big hikers), and we would like to see some wildlife. We had originally planned on doing the island tour out of Oban. Is a boat tour out of Oban the best option for seeing animals (puffins, sea life, etc.)? I appreciate any suggestions.

Posted by
1521 posts

Friends of mine stayed in an apartment in Edinburgh for a week and took day trips from there. I don't think anyone can guarantee wildlife, but you can see sheep and highland cattle. Look at visitscotland.com for ideas. Edinburgh and Glasgow can keep you busy with castles & museums. Take a day trip to Stirling to see the Palace and the Kelpies. Take a scenic drive to Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness and try to see Nessie. Go to New Lanark, which is a World Heritage site of an Industial Age Woolen Mill; kids really enjoy this! Be sure you really explore Edinburgh. Visit the Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow. Enjoy yourselves, and don't try too hard with only 5 days!

Posted by
1422 posts

Kathleen has given you some great ideas and I would echo her thought of staying in Edinburgh with day trips from there. Train Transportation is easy between Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Stirling. The only time you might want a car is if you did want a bit more flexibility going to Stirling, Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies. Otherwise, if you base in Edinburgh, you don’t need or want the Car in the city.

Posted by
1422 posts

One activity I can highly recommend since you asked about child friendly museums. Glasgow has a fabulous transportation/maritime museum near the River Clyde that I’m positive the kids, and parents for that matter, will really enjoy. I had a HopOnHopOff bus ride around the city that stopped at the museum, among other stops.

https://www.glasgowlife.org.uk/museums/riverside-museum

Posted by
2310 posts

With only five days don’t try and be too enthusiastic or try to cover a lot of ground. Definitely DO NOT think about doing Inverness and Loch Ness from Edinburgh unless you want to spend most of the day sitting in the car.

Think about a day trip to St Andrews (train to Leuchars and then bus). It is a very attractive town with ruined [castle][2] and cathedral, as well as a the beach .

You don’t have to go to Oban for a boat tour - think about doing one of the boat trips on the Firth of Forth instead. If you do the landing trip on Inchcolm Island, you may well see Puffins there.

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks for all of the suggestions, you’ve given me some good ideas.

Unfortunately Taylor Swift is in Edinburgh for the second half of our trip. Hotel rooms are hard to find and very expensive, otherwise staying put with day trips probably would be ideal.

Where would you stay if you had to relocate for the last three nights?

Posted by
1422 posts

Glasgow would be my choice for the last 3 nights, unless of course, it is also out of the question due to Taylor Swift concert impact.

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