Scotland with kids - tour ideas

[Anonymous]

In April, we’re planning a day tour from Edinburgh into the highlands. We’d use a company for a private tour. My kids are 7 and 10, so we probably have up to 8 hours to see whatever we’d like before they’re just done for the day. Do you have any suggestions for where to go or activities to see? To note, my kids aren’t into Harry Potter yet, and one idea I had was see the cows or sheepdogs or similar.

[Anonymous]

Falkirk Wheel

[Anonymous]

We went on a Rabbie's one day public tour with teens. Enjoyed it. The other passengers were not a burden.

https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/day-tours/loch-ness-glencoe-highlands-day-tour

[Anonymous]

PP. The Loch Ness cruise was really fun for kids. We also went to a truck stop where they had a small farm animal exhibit with a few Highland cattle.

The Highlands are mainly mountain scenery. Kids often don't care as much about scenery as grownups do. Hiking might be more meaningful but you don't have time to do it.

[Anonymous]

I did this two day tour with Rabbies in the Spring and really liked it:https://www.rabbies.com/en/scotland-tours/from-edinburgh/2-4-day-tours/loch-ness-inverness-the-highlands-2-day-tour

For a day, I'd probably pare it down to the second day there: Loch Ness and the castle and Glencoe, but I also think you could go on one of their day trips without it being private without losing much. The buses are small and there's not a ton of people. If you've only got a day, they hit the highlights which are highlights for a reason.

[Anonymous]

We went to Scotland when my kids were 8 and 12. They liked Stirling, Cairngorms, Loch Ness. They got a bit tired of castles quickly and were a little bored by Culloden. (They read a little about history prior to the trip.)

We did not use a company for those so no specific recs there. Rabbie’s is reputable and my parents used them and were happy with it. Our favorite was Skye but not sure you have time/interest for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Falkirk Wheel

We enjoyed this. And you could visit Sterling castle. It's not the highlands though.

[Anonymous]

It's the other direction, but Doune castle is fun. They used it for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander. You can gallop with coconut shells which may appeal to Monty Python fans.

[Anonymous]

You're not getting into the highlands with only eight hours.

May be fun to go to Blair Atholl (stunning scenery and castle to explore) or the dramatic Dunnottar castle. Both accessible by train from Edinburgh.

[Anonymous]

I really enjoyed my private tour with Edinburgh Black Cab tours. They do have day tours.

[Anonymous]

I did a Loch Ness Cruise when I was about nine and I remember how much fun it was. I remember the scenery on long drives was beautiful but it did get a bit boring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're not getting into the highlands with only eight hours.

May be fun to go to Blair Atholl (stunning scenery and castle to explore) or the dramatic Dunnottar castle. Both accessible by train from Edinburgh.

I agree. How many days do you have in Scotland, and are you only staying in Edinburgh?