Nana taking 10 year old grandson to Scotland..

Kathleen, it’s a wonderful gift you are affording your grandson. I loved traveling with both of my granddaughters (10 yo and 12 yo, each on their own separate trips). One thing I will advise is that your grandson will likely love down time instead of constantly taking in sites. I learned that with my first trip with GD.

You are planning the Falkirk Wheel - I assume the Kelpies will be part of that tour. If not, your scientific grandson will enjoy seeing these architectural marvels.

Here’s hoping you both have a fantastic journey together.

Thank you Linda. That is a good reminder. This is my first trip taking someone so young. My first trip oversees was not until my kids were grown. I want it to be special and memorable for him. Glad your trips were wonderful with grandkids.

The Falkirk Wheel is a great choice. There is an entire interactive park dealing with technology that is designed for young people. It sounds like a great match. I would watch the number of museums and time spent in them unless there is some interactive aspect.

A great day trip from Edinburgh that is easily done on public transport is to go to Saint Andrews. The beach makes for a fun walk, especially if you can show him a clip of the "Chariots of Fire" beach running scenes in advance. The golf museum/cafe makes for a short and nice break. The real star for a 10 year old (and honestly for me as well) is the Ladies Putting Association Himalayas golf course. This putting course is cheap (only a few pounds) very friendly to novice golfers, and is located between the old course and the sea in an absolutely stunning location.
https://www.standrewsputtingclub.com/

I would make sure that I included some outdoor activities I think that the West Coast Tours day trip from Oban to Mull and Iona would be interesting as it involves riding a ferry, riding a bus, riding another ferry, etc. The amount of time on the islands is just right for a meal and a nice ramble down the country roads. If Staffa is open again, consider the three Island tour, especially if Puffins are around. Any 10 year old would love to sit and have puffins fly in and land near him!

There is also the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh.
It's not all dolls and girly stuff but has some things that would appeal to boys too, especially if he likes to know how things work.
Toys from ancient to modern times.
Is he squeamish?
You could do a nighttime walking tour or ghost tour with him.
Get day passes for the buses in Edinburgh, about five pounds per day; and ride around upstairs on the double decker buses.
There is a good app to look at routes and real time schedules.
Lothian Buses , I think.
And trains go all over the place to nearby towns.

Another possibility at Oban is to take the little passenger ferry over to the Isle of Kerrara and walk to the ruined Galen castle (2.5 miles each way, nice easy walking) and you will likely see sheep and maybe a Highland “hairy coo” or two.

https://www.secret-scotland.com/blog/scotland-travel-blog-september-2017

https://jameschristiephotography.com/shot-of-the-day-26/best-hairy-coo/

The tea shop and signs they show in the photos were not there when we did this in 2014.

In Edinburgh, he would probably really like the Science and e Technology Galleries at the National Museum of Scotland. You will too.

https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/things-to-see-and-do/explore-the-galleries/science-and-technology/

Carol, great idea with the putting green. I know he would enjoy that as would I. Not something I would have thought of, thank you. SJ, thank you that does sound like something he would enjoy along with the double decker bus. Reminds me of my son after we took him to Disneyland for his 4th birthday. In the car ride home when asked what his favorite ride was, he replied “the stroller!”. Ah the joys of childhood.
Lola that is a great idea and thank you for the links as well. I think Oban will be the our other location between castle hikes and puffins I don’t think we can go wrong. Thank you all! I love this forum for the generous posters.

One quick day trip from Edinburgh he might like is to take the train to South Queensferry to have a good look at the Firth of Forth Rail Bridge (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forth_Bridge).

When we took our first trip to Europe with our kids, they were 12 and 15. Each of them decided to collect something along the way: my youngest collected key chains, my oldest collected coffee mugs (not recommended!). This became a kind of treasure hunt. They were excited to explore and shop, and we found that museums often have great gift shops. We limited it to one item per city (it was a 3 week trip). So they had to be somewhat selective. They came back with some really great items that they still treasure, and miraculously all of the coffee cups survived, although I would definitely recommend something smaller and less fragile.

My boys definitely wanted some down time. We planned a “must see” in the morning, looked for a great lunch spot with a view (you may forget the food but you won’t forget the view), went back to the hotel/apartment for an hour or two, then back out for more exploring, dinner, more exploring.

My boys were done with churches after about two. I would look for more quirky things. Sword shops. The place where the first Harry Potter book was written. Football (soccer) jersey shops. Have tea/hot chocolate and cake at a tea shop. Sample some shortbread and tablet (fudge). I think a night tour/ghost tour of Edinburgh might be a hit if he’s up for it.

"One quick day trip from Edinburgh he might like is to take the train to South Queensferry to have a good look at the Firth of Forth Rail Bridge" Why not do a train trip across it?

Have you thought about an old fashioned day out on a preserved steam railway? Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway is a short distance from Edinburgh.

Unless you are determined to go on the Jacobite train from Fort William, just go on one of the 'normal' services. They go along the same route, are cheaper and may not be as busy.

Everyone has given such great suggestions, makes for a very interesting read. I started taking my grandson places every summer when he was 9, although not as big of a trip as your planning. At 15 we did go to Paris and Amboise, to ride bikes and see the last day of the Tour de France. What I noticed when he told his friends about our trip they started talking about the stuff he would see and it made him more excited to go. What ever he likes to do at home he will like to do there. If he dosn't have a phone with a camera get him one. He can take photos and text them to who ever got left at home. Due to Covid at lot of places have menus via a QR code on the table, that you scan. If you get seperated at lease you can text each other. I make the kids books with clues to where the trip will be and the person who guesses it correctly first gets a bouns box with local cash for the trip or what ever. They can be very cut-throat about winning, and there is always a lot of laughing. J

The Falkirk Wheel and Kelpies is a good day trip.

Instead of St Andrews, I would suggest North Berwick, where you can also walk on the beach. In addition, you can visit the Scottish Seabird Centre and your grandson could control the interactive live cameras focussing on the Bass Rock birds and take a boat trip. The Coastal Communities Museum is great for children.

Fort William and Oban have less to offer a 10 year old.

I forgot to say get permission slips for travel with you, and for medical treatment decisions by you and his medical insurance card too. J

Insbig, great idea for the bridge.
Travel4fun, great scheduling thoughts, sounds like a wonderful trip with your boys. Like the idea of slower afternoon time.
Wasley, I appreciate the link to the steam railway. Looks like a must do and I had never heard of that museum. He would love it. No, we were not going to do the Jacobite train. This looks very doable and interesting.
Joanne, he does have a phone. I plan on telling him at Christmas by having the stuffed Scottie dog I brought back from my last trip wrapped with a note saying, “Will you take me with you when you go with Nana to Scotland”? Then we will research all the places together. I will have travel insurance and permission slips.
Jennifer, love the Scottish Seabird Centre idea.
I can’t thank you all enough for these wonderful suggestions

I love the Christmas puppy idea! I video the book/game and watch them often. You guys are going to have a wonderful time. J
(ps the GS got the trip to France in one guess, no one else that I showed the book to prior got it until the page which was a photo of the pelton under the Eiffel tower.

You’re welcome! I looked into it in more detail, and the train station you want for the south of the Firth is actually Dalmeny. From there, you could take the train across the famous bridge to North Queensferry. I do think it’s worthwhile to view the bridge from one town or another, so that you can get a good view of it from the side.

My kids collect key chains we turn into Christmas tree ornaments. We take the chain off leaving the ornamental part which in some cases is a castle with the name on it or simply a disc with a picture of the historical site. Anyway we tread ribbon into this part and when we hang this on the tree we discuss where we were and our experiences there. They are so much cheaper (about five dollars each) than regular tourist shop ornaments and they travel well. Just an idea.

I forgot to mention the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.
It’s jam packed with treasures from all over the world.

https://www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland/

It’s the place Edinburgh families take kids for a day out , as there are tons of things kids love in there.
We went all the time when we lived there as children, and it’s been significantly improved in recent years.
You will love it too!