To set foot on Scottish soil is to step into the intrigue of misty glens, ancient castles and legends of battles and monsters. For kids who clamour for yet another story before bed, Scotland rolls them out in abundance.
When it comes to vacations, keeping the kids occupied is at the top of every parent’s wish list and, yes, there is a perfect destination brimming with opportunities to satisfy your kids voracious curiosity. Look no further than Scotland. Despite being a small country, Scotland is a perfect playground for the young and active, with adventure, history, wildlife and scenery at every turn. This is the stuff memories are made on: imagine racing along empty white sandy beaches, hunting for the Loch Ness monster, riding the Hogwart’s Express like Harry Potter, being a princess in a castle or careering down a forest track on your mountain bike.
Wildlife Up Close
Scotland is the perfect place to get close to nature – whether you are spotting dolphins in the Moray Firth, ospreys in the Cairngorms, molluscs on the beach or creepy crawlies on the forest floor the local rangers and guides have immense knowledge of wild things big and small.
If the youngsters can stay quiet for long enough, some of the shy creatures like red squirrels, deer or Scotland’s only herd of reindeer might make an appearance.
Kids love a challenge and a reward and getting them to connect with the environment on a conservation level is a great way to instil respect for the wilderness. Getting kids to work towards the John Muir Award is a way to educate and engage them throughout their trip. The four-part challenge Discover, Explore, Conserve and Share will have them thinking about the landscape in new ways.
Epic Battles & Historic Castles
In Scotland it’s easy to stick education and fun into a blender – let your kids lap up stories of bloody battles at Culloden Battlefield and explore how Highlanders lived hundred of years ago at the Highland Folk Museum. Then head off to Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness where power struggles raged for over 500 years, first between clans and then later between the English and Scottish Kings. Imagine how it would feel to be the King of a castle under attack!
Myths, Legends & Monsters
How about a bit of monster hunting too? For centuries the legend of the Loch Ness Monster has intrigued visitors. Is Nessie a sea serpent, monster fish, a dragon or just a myth? Could she be hiding in the huge deep loch, and if so where? Loch Ness is 23 miles long and contains more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined! You’ll have a great vantage point to search for Nessie from Urquhart Castle, but be sure to stop off at Dores beach and have a chat with the Nessie Hunter who got the bug searching for the Loch Ness Monster at just 7 years old.
Although Nessie tends to hog all the limelight, another monster is said to lurk in an even deeper loch. Some say Morag of Loch Morar has three humps like Nessie, yet others claim she’s not a monster at all but a beautiful mermaid. Explore the loch in a sea kayak and remember to pack your binoculars and keep your eyes peeled.
Pirates & Treasure Hunting
It was while vacationing in the Scottish Highlands that Robert Louis Stevenson started to develop the idea for his classic children’s book Treasure Island. One rainy day he drew a treasure map to entertain his stepson and began weaving a tale of pirates and buried treasure. If your kids are inspired by pirates and treasure hunts, then try out a modern-day treasure hunt—geo- caching. Using GPS kids can search for secret stashes called geocaches across Scotland and leave their mark by recording in the log book or swapping a trinket. Geocaches come in all shapes and sizes and they could turn up anywhere.
Stories Come to Life
Harry Potter may have sprung to life on a page in a small café in Edinburgh but travelling the Hogwart’s Express steam train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct is the real highlight for avid readers. Floating over the glen on the iconic curved bridge with great puffs of steam billowing is a real movie moment. If this doesn’t satisfy the muggles then take your quest to the Steall Falls in Glen Nevis, where Harry battled against the Hungarian Horntail Dragon in the Triwizarding Tournament.
If your kids aspire to be like Merida, the flame-haired heroine of Brave, or Katniss from The Hunger Games, they can try their hand at the ancient art of archery in the Cairngorms National Park.
Adventures on Water
Check an incredible opportunity off your bucket list and stay in a lighthouse with waves crashing on the rocks below.
Or, if you’d rather be on the water than high above it, Scotland offers great water activities. Kids love learning to sea kayak in the gentle waters around Arisaig on the west coast or canoeing along Highland lochs, rivers and canals.
Wildlife spotting by boat is also very popular – whales, porpoises, dolphins, otters, seals, puffins, sea-eagles, gulliemots, skuas – what will your kids check off the list?
Local & Ancient Games
Most towns in Scotland hold their own Highland Games over the summer months. At the local games you’ll witness some ancient highland customs and plenty of kilts. From tug o’war and tossing the caber to bagpipes and Highland dancing there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. In the evening there is often a celidh with traditional music and dance to round off the celebrations.
One of the oldest games in the world, Shinty, originates in Scotland and has been played in the Highlands for over 2,000 years. The game is a cross between hockey and lacrosse and players use a wooden stick and ball. Watch a demonstration and then try your hand at this traditional sport.
Young ones will be fascinated as they watch a local shepherd command his sheepdogs to round up a herd of sheep through an intricate combination of shouts, whistles and hand signals. Say hello to the dogs and you might even get to bottle-feed a lamb.
For more information on trips to Scotland visit Wilderness Scotland