Visiting Scotland with Children
5th August 2025
Are you thinking about taking your little adventurers with you on your tour of Scotland? Wondering if visiting Scotland with children is a good idea? Then you have found the perfect article to help you plan your Scottish vacation.
Scotland is a brilliant holiday destination for children of all ages. For our tours, we class children as those under 12 years of age, so this blog focuses on activities and sites that we recommend for under 12s. If you want to chat to our team about our family-friendly and private family tours, get in touch.
The itinerary we have detailed starts off in the western part of southern Scotland, at the world-famous Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. We then follow a leisurely route through Glencoe and Loch Ness to reach Inverness. The return route takes in Scotland’s best kid-friendly activities on the eastern side of the Highlands before finishing our journey in Edinburgh. All of the activities will be fun for both kids and adults alike, and the route takes in some of Scotland’s best scenic views along the way.
Let’s take you on a tour of Scotland that will envelop your children in a world of wonder, history, magic, and nature!
Photo by Gilley Aguilar on Unsplash
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a must-see for anyone visiting Scotland; this area was Scotland's very first National Park. It is beautiful and peaceful, and there are several picturesque viewpoints and beaches to enjoy on Scotland’s favourite loch. The main town, Luss, is delightful.
Your children may be content to simply wander along the shore and play in the water if it’s a warm day, but if you need an activity to keep them entertained, we recommend the Loch Lomond Faerie Trail - an interactive route with faerie houses, hidden trolls, and a mystery for your kids to solve. They also have a farm where you can visit Highland cows, donkeys, and friendly goats and sheep.
Inveraray
A little further west of Loch Lomond you’ll find the town of Inveraray, the ancestral home of Clan Campbell. Inveraray Castle is in excellent condition; it’s more of a palace than an ancient castle, and the family still lives there today. The rooms within the castle are full of interesting examples of how the clan lived in the 18th and 19th centuries. The gardens are full of colour, and are a great place for kids to run around and blow off some steam.
There is another children’s trail in the nearby town of Cairndow - the Gruffalo Trail - a fun and engaging walk based on the beloved Gruffalo children’s stories.
After you’ve had your fill of history and mythical creatures in Inveraray, enjoy Scotland’s most famous drive through the epic Glencoe - make sure you have plenty of time to stop off and enjoy the many spectacular views along Rannoch Moor and the glen itself.
Photo taken by previous client - David C
Searching for Nessie!
Have your little ones heard the tale of the mysterious creature said to dwell in the depths of Scotland’s largest loch? It’s time to take them on a Nessie-hunting adventure! We have a long-running partnership with the fantastic Jacobite Loch Ness Cruises, who run trips from several points along Loch Ness.
As part of the tour, you’ll also get to visit Urquhart Castle. This is a ruined castle, so it has a very different atmosphere from Inveraray Castle. It is perched right on the loch’s glistening waters, and there are official records of the castle dating from the 13th century; however, many believe there was a Pictish fort on the site as far back as the 6th century.
Inverness
You might not have caught a glimpse of Nessie, but not too far from Loch Ness you can enjoy a boat trip where you’ll have a good chance of spotting another wonderful sea creature… the dolphin! Make your way to Inverness - the capital of the Scottish Highlands and embark on a Dolphin Spirit tour. They have two options: the Wildlife Cruise, which is suitable for all ages, and the Mischief Wildlife Experience for those aged 10+, a thrilling tour on a 12-person speedboat.
These tours are weather-dependent, and they can’t guarantee you’ll see any dolphins. However, you may get lucky and catch a glimpse of sharks, whales, and porpoises as well as dolphins.
Another exciting experience for families near Inverness is Culloden Battlefield. Retrace the steps of the Jacobite warriors, who were sadly defeated by government soldiers in the 1745 Rising. The visitor centre tells the story from both sides of the war, giving you a deep dive into the history of the Jacobite era. You can also walk on the battleground itself, which is a fascinating experience, especially if you are a child (or adult) with a big imagination!
Next, we begin our return to Scotland’s central belt, travelling through the Cairngorms, Highland Perthshire, and on to Edinburgh.
Dolphin Cruise - Driver Kenny
Highland Wildlife Park
If your children are animal mad, then we highly recommend the Highland Wildlife Park. Situated in scenic Kingussie, on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, you’ll find tigers, Arctic foxes, camels, yaks, bison, snow leopards, and polar bears, to name just a few!
The Highland Wildlife Park is run by the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, a charity that is dedicated to protecting our planet’s endangered species. They have pledged to ‘reverse the decline of at least 50 species, from pine hoverflies and wildcats in the Cairngorms National Park to chimpanzees in Uganda, giant anteaters in Brazil, and many more.’ This is a fantastic day out for all ages.
The Cairngorms
The best attractions for children in the Cairngorms involve visiting two of Scotland’s gentle giants - the Hairy Coo Safari at Rothiemurchus Estate and a Hill Trip to the Cairngorm Reindeer Herd. Both give you the chance to get up close and personal with these magnificent animals.
We also recommend you take a walk up to the Green Lochan (An Lochan Uaine), especially if it’s a sunny day, when these waters will be at their most green. The walk to get there takes you through the ancient Cairngorm Caledonian Pine Forest, with views across the surrounding mountains. It is a 10km/2-3 hour walk with some steep sections, but it is a well-maintained wide path the whole way to the loch.
The Scottish Deer Centre
On your way south, you’ll want to spend some time enjoying the picturesque Highland Perthshire - visiting the lovely town of Pitlochry and scenic spots such as Queen’s View. Just south of this delightful area of Scotland, you’ll find the Scottish Deer Centre.
The Scottish Deer Centre is home to 12 species of deer from around the world, wolves, otters, and wildcats, and they host daily Birds of Prey shows. If your kids have had their fill of wildlife, there are also several other activities, including an adventure play area, an indoor play area, a go-karting track, and woodland walks, one of which features a boardwalk that takes you high up into the trees.
Scottish Seabird Centre
The penultimate leg of our journey takes us to North Berwick, home of the Scottish Seabird Centre. The centre sits on the east coast and has a splendid view over Bass Rock, which is home to the world’s largest population of northern gannets, and there are many other birds to be found in these waters. Children love the Discovery Centre, with games, interactive nature cameras, and a daily “Wild Island Watch” taking place from 11am to 2pm.
If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can book onto one of their boat tours. They’ve got several options, and if you visit in the spring, you might be able to visit the Puffins on Craigleith Island! Keep an eye out for seals and dolphins too.
Edinburgh
Our journey ends in Scotland's capital city - Edinburgh. Our recommendations for Edinburgh include Camera Obscura - a brilliant family activity, especially on a wet weather day! We also love the many ghost and history tours that take you through Edinburgh’s spooky, cobblestone streets.
We usually recommend you allocate a day or two before or after your tour to explore Edinburgh, as we tend not to include Edinburgh itself within our itineraries. We can, however, give you plenty of advice and tips to help you make the most of your visit.
Bonus Location - Skye
While somewhat out of the way of the other parts of this tour, the Isle of Skye is a fantastic destination for families, so if you have 5 days or more to explore Scotland, you could consider including this stunning island.
There are several awe-inspiring castles on Skye; you can go in search of dinosaur footprints at An Corran Beach and visit Skye’s unusual rock formations - the Quiraing, the Old Man of Storr, and the Fairy Glen. There are so many great sights and activities for kids to enjoy on Skye; it deserves its own blog! However, we would caution that Skye gets very busy during the peak summer season, which can add to the stress of the vacation, particularly if your children are very young.
Fossilised Dinosaur Footprint on Skye - Driver Duncan
Visiting Scotland with Children
Scotland is a magical destination for families, offering a rich mix of nature, history, wildlife, and myth to keep children under 12 (and their parents!) entertained throughout.
Explore faerie trails, castles, wildlife parks, and reindeer herds; search for Nessie; and even spot dolphins and puffins. With hands-on experiences and spectacular landscapes, the route described in this blog will inspire curiosity, adventure, and unforgettable memories for children and grown-ups alike.
Browse our tours and get in touch with our team to find out more about our family-friendly and private tours.
Photo by Marleen Mulder-Wieske on Unsplash
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