Kids in Scotland

What do they like? There are so many wonderful castles that if they played with knights at all as young boys they will enjoy exploring places like Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle. If they have found Monty Python then add Doune Castle to your touring. You can buy coconuts in the gift shop. ; ) Do they like the outdoors? Then head north and find some wonderful walks - hikes in American. There are easy ones near Dunkeld. Also, I think you can rent mountain bikes. In fact, Toni's favorite location, Aviemore, might be great stop to explore the outdoors that is Scotland. Or, you could go further west and north to Ullapool. There is wonderful nature reserve called Inverpolly. There is Munro Suilven which is a bit of adventure to climb. Or you can just walk in the hills behind Ullapool. Are then interested in science? Then you might want to check out Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. There's a lot here that is similar to US museums, but it's all centered around the geologic history of Scotland which I really enjoyed learning about. Were either of them into Harry Potter? There are some Harry Potter locations in Scotland. Are then interested in vehicles? There is a great transportation museum in Glasgow. The Inverness area has Culloden Battlefield, Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, and Fort George and of course all the Nessie tourist stuff. And you can boat ride and look for dolphins. Let me know if you want more ideas and tell us more about your boys. Pam

Edinburgh: The Tattoo, the castle and its cannons; the noon- day gun, Greyfriars Bobby; Queens Yacht Britannia; Stirling Castle; the Scots/English battlefields and the gruesome stories; searching for the Loch Ness monster;
tramping through the heather on a hillside; West coast- Ullapool and its fishing fleet (maybe get a ride on one of the boats) ferry to the Islands, There are boat rides in the trossachs; Steam train across Scotland Too young for golf? Haggis Multiple flavors of Crisps (chips)

Those are all wonderful ideas. Thanks so much they would be into all of the above. I was concerned because we have various ages going, 12, 15, 21, 42, 47 and 68, but everything you mentioned would be enjoyed by all ages. Thanks so much. Just wondering if you have taken the Ferry over to Belfast? Was thinking that might be fun. Any thoughts? Thanks again

Our kids enjoyed Urquart Castle and the village of Drumnadrochit (on Loch Ness, not far from Inverness). They also liked Edinburgh Castle, the Whisky Experience ( they were able to see the connections with some US history- moonshine, tax collectors, etc.) and all the shops on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. Aviemore is wonderful- a funicular up Mt. Caringorm, lots of hikes and easy walks (on the moutain, around the lake at Rothmurchie Estate, etc.), horseback riding, canoeing, a microbrewery, lots of good distilleries with tours, a restored steam train that does round trips though the Spey River countryside, a reindeer preserve, a Heather center, and lots more. Inverness is great- fun shopping in a restored Victorian shopping arcade, lots of great day trips (Eliean Donnan Castle and Isle of Skye was a favoirte of ours, and it included a drive through some lovley glens (Glencoe, Great Glen and maybe some more if I remember correctly). Culloden Battlefield is a special place to visit if you have any Scottish ancestors, and Clava Cairns are very interesting. There are Stone Circles in many locations (better than Stonehenge- you can get right up next to the stones). There is a great deal to do and see in Scotland and I think you will find lots to chooose from and mroe than 1 thing that will please everyone in your group, no matter what their ages.

.... and I forgot Hadrian's Wall

Great!! Thanks so muchI will research all of those. Sounds wonderful. Thanks again. Quick question? Are kids again 12 and 15 allowed in pubs?

To add to Toni's post about Aviemore-I was there years ago and we went on a horseback ride up through the glens. It was spectacular.

I am Scottish and I lived there when my children were small. Never a problem taking them into pubs, especially where food is served, (obviously with an adult in tow), although there will be a few drinkers pubs which will not allow children, they are few and far between and you probably wouldn't want to go in one anyway.

our boys enjoyed climbing around linlithgow palace and urqhart castle. the falkirk wheel was interesting even if you dont want to ride. there was a museum where the kids got to try on chain mail and hear a presentation by a knight (i think near eilean donan castle, sorry memory fails). frankenstein pub in edinburgh was fun.

Hi Christine, Any aviation buffs in the group? I loved the National Museum of Flight, http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/museum_of_flight.aspx One building was full of hands on activities for kids. I had fun trying to land a dirigible in a large video game simulation. The whole museum was terrific. It didn't hurt that an RAF something-or-other roared over while I was visiting :-) I made the trip by coach as a day trip from Edinburgh. The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh was great, too .. quite a variety of hands on things to try, http://www.nms.ac.uk/our_museums/national_museum.aspx Any Greyfriars Bobby fans? Visit the Museum of Edinburgh for a Bobby display: his collar, pictures, etc., http://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/Venues/Museum-of-Edinburgh.aspx This display (when I visited) was at the back of the second floor (okay, the first floor, when you ask for directions from the staff), so easy to miss. You'll be visiting in summer, so check around for Highland games schedules. Cheers.

I just had another thought. What about the Lanark Wheel? It's pretty cool if any of your group are into technology and engineering and building cool things.

Thanks so much. They all sound wonderful. I am compiling a list of things to do and will be researching them all. I am getting very excited about our trip. Thanks again for all your help.

The Lanark Wheel and the Falkirk Wheel are the same thing, so don't get confused. Thank you Betsey for reminding me of Greyfriars Bobby, can't believe I had forgotten about him.