The October school holidays are coming, but with Covid restrictions, planning a break away is proving problematic..
But fear not, there’s still plenty to do.
Scotland is filled with exciting places you can visit in a day. From culture-themed city visits, to an escape to the mountains, a splash at the seaside, or a calming walk in the countryside, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing an adventure for the kids and grandkids.
Visit Scotland gives us their top pick of places ready to welcome visitors…
Five Sisters Zoo, West Calder
From lions and leopards to monkeys and meerkats, this zoo boasts more than 180 different species of mammals, birds and reptiles from across the globe.
Get up close and personal with rescued circus bears, as well as wolves, otters and owls.
And Five Sisters boasts a huge play park to keep the wee ones busy all day long. With pre-booked sessions to ensure social distancing, hand sanitizing stations and one way systems around busier areas of the park, it’s perfectly equipped to deal with the current climate.
Almond Valley Heritage Park, Livingston
A family-friendly museum on a peaceful riverside site, with woods and fields extending for almost a mile. The traditional farm buildings and working watermill are home to many friendly farm animals, including highland cattle, rare breed sheep, and Clydesdale horses. There’s a daily programme of activities, including milking demonstrations and handling sessions.
The museum houses displays and interactive exhibits that illustrate local history and tell the story of Scotland’s shale oil industry.
Fort Douglas Adventure Park, Dalkeith
Unleash your inner prince, princess or knight in the magical park, which has the treehouses, zip wires, suspension bridges, slides, climbing walls and secret tunnels. There are areas for toddlers and older kids – and there’s no upper age limit so adults can join in the fun too!
There’s also the wider park to discover with architecture to admire and waymarked walking and cycling trails.
Explore the Old Oak Wood with trees more than 900 years old, meander along the river, enjoy a picnic and enjoy a little nature spotting on a walk – roe deer, otters, badgers and buzzards all call the park home.
Jacksons at Jedburgh
Discover life on a family working farm with an open invitation to visitors to come for a tour.
Meet the cows and sheep who graze there all year long, chat to the farmers and enjoy a nice warm cup of tea at the end.
RRS Discovery, Dundee
Follow in the footsteps of Captain Robert Falcon Scott who set sail in the tall ship Discovery in 1901 and spent two winters frozen into the crushing Antarctic ice. Discovery returned home in 1904 to a hero’s welcome and a place in maritime history. The exhibitions are a mix of state-of-the-art audio visual and computer based multimedia, and displays of actual artefacts that belonged to Scott and his brave crew.
Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Aviemore
Twist and turn through the trees on a family friendly rollercoaster, take the plunge down three water coasters and walk through a tropical hot-house with hundreds of beautiful butterflies and exotic flowers. And be intrigued by the world’s first Bamboozeleum; a magical gallery of illusions and puzzles. See infinity rooms, morphing machines, thermal imagery and more that will fascinate all, from the youngest to the wisest of minds.
Heads of Ayr Farm, Ayrshire
Learn about farm animals big and small, from rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and birds to Ralph the Camel, Troy the Tapir, llamas, ponies, donkeys and goats. The Park is also home to monkeys, lemurs and meerkats!
Kids can captain their own boat in the play area, as well as try out the giant sand pit, trampolines and jumping pillows.
Cream O’ Galloway, Dumfries & Galloway
Indulge in ice cream and tuck into tasty farmhouse cheese at Cream O’Galloway’s visitor centre. Kids will learn how these dairy treats are made as the adventure playground and miles of beautiful walks and nature trails nestled within Galloway’s scenic countryside.
Dumfries House, Cumnock
It’s one of Britain’s most beautiful stately homes. Saved by the intervention the Prince of Wales in 2007, Dumfries House combines the architecture of Robert Adam with the furniture of Thomas Chippendale and leading 18th-Century Scottish cabinet makers.
The house and original contents, which include nearly 10% of Chippendale’s surviving work, represent one of the most important documents of the Scottish Enlightenment. Recently having been fastidiously restored to its original splendour, the house is open to the public.
Luss Scary Faerie Trail, Loch Lomond
Since the beginning of time, faeries have lived by the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond.
On the western shore sits Luss, where you can follow the mystery trail through the enchanted woods, which have exciting light and sound features. Carry on the fun with a stop off at the Woodland Café.Tickets are £7.50 per person and the trail runs until November 1.
For more information on days out, or breaks in Scotland, go to visitscotland.com
There are many ideas for road trips, details of Scotland’s hidden gems,unique experiences and much, much more.
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