Best Summer Holiday Ideas for Scotland

Let’s go on a summer day out in Scotland,
We’ve got you covered if you don’t have a plan!
With zoos, castles, farms and more,
Here’s our handy guide at what you can explore!

OUR FAVOURITE PICKS:

Go Ape! Aberfoyle (Stirlingshire), Crathes (Aberdeenshire) and Peebles (Peebleshire), Scotland

*Get free £5 Trunki voucher with bookings over $30!*

Little (and big!) monkeys will love this treetop adventure! You can fly down zip wires, jump off Tarzan Swings and sample the fun high ropes crossings. There’s lots of fun to be had! Find out more.

AirSpace Trampoline Park, Glasgow

**Get 20% off when you use the code PICNIQ**

Spend a session bouncing, flipping and jumping at Air Space! This brand new attraction has over 100 interconnected trampolines all waiting for you to spring about on. As well as freestyle sessions you can join in with games such as dodgeball, football and basketball – just bouncier! Use the promotion code PICNIQ to get 20% off. BOOK HERE.

Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre – Alexandria, Scotland

**25% off for families with a Days Out Card**

Come and see some magnificent birds, including falcons, hawks, owls, kestrels and eagles, at Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre. Head to the play area where your little ones can let off some steam, or relax in the cafe. Grab 25% off with our Days Out Card! Find out more.

The Time Capsule – Coatbridge, Scotland

This fab water park is perfect for little water mad fins! With a waterpark, ice rink and sports centre, it’s sure to keep them entertained! The Waterpark has lots of fun water slides, including Storm Chasers, Tornado Tantrum, Tsunami, Riptide River, Coral Cove and more! There’s also a 25m long pool, which is the perfect place for little ones to take their first plunge! Find out more.

Hamilton Toy Collection – Callander, Scotland

**2 for 1 entry with a Days Out Card**

With a collection featuring every type of toy you can remember, this friendly family run museum will bring nostalgia for the grown ups and show the children the toys of yesteryear! You can even have a browse at their impressive shop collection! Find out more.

Glencoe Folk Museum – Kinlochleven, Scotland

**2 for 1 entry with a Days Out Card**

This lovely museum, featuring local history and artefacts and housed in two beautiful old thatched cottages, offers an insightful day out for budding historians! Glencoe Folk Museum has a great selection of objects including textiles, costumes, taxidermy and china connected to the Jacobite uprisings many years ago. Grab two for one entry with our Days Out Card! Find out more.

National Museum of Scotland – Edinburgh, Scotland

Discover the fascinating history of Scotland at this wonderful museum! Featuring exhibitions and displays focusing on the natural world, to technology and even art, you’ll learn all about Scotland’s interesting history! Some fab exhibitions include BUILD IT! A Museum Made from Lego, as well as lots of fun summer events. Have a go at Crafty Celts to make some amazing Celtic objects, learn more about a Sci-Fi Summer and more! Find out more.

Highland Safaris – Aberfeldy, Scotland

Set within some beautiful scenery, Highland Safaris offers so much fun for animal lovers! You’ll be able to try some ranger led activities, including a 20 minute red deer experience and a 4 hour long mountain trek. Travel in a Land Rover, on a bicycle or on foot. Families can pan for gold or follow discovery trails! For kids there is a fantastic Tractor Park and Play Area to go wild in! Find out more.

Loch Insh – Kingussie, Scotland

Take to Loch Insh for some fab water based activties! Try your hand at sail sports, paddle sports, raft building, fishing, rowing and pedalo’s. Head back to the land to try archery, or let loose in the play parks and dry ski slope! Find out more.

Llama Trekking at Ecocamp Glenshee – Blairgowrie, Scotland

Make friends with some lovely llamas for a day out with a difference! You’ll get take your new friends on a short walk around this beautiful ecocamp, feed them and learn a little bit about the llamas and their psychology. Better yet, you’ll get free hot chocolate and cakes during your visit! Find out more.

Caithness Glass Factory – Crieff, Scotland

Come and see how the craftsmen and women of Caithness Glass Factory make their stunning pieces up close. You’ll even get the chance to paint your own piece of glass! Select a glass and paint your own decoration in our special painting area… all ages can have a go! Find out more.

Active Highs – Inverness, Scotland

If your active little one is after some water based fun, or after a new challenge, Active Highs will offer just that! Have a go at canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, archery, white water rafting, gorge walking and lots more… all whilst taking in some stunning countryside views! Find out more.

Balmoral Castle – Ballater, Scotland

This famous Scottish holiday home of the Royals, with its expansive grounds and gardens, is just waiting to be explored! Discover the dramatic Castle Ballroom, which the royal family still use know to host dances, as well as an exhibition with a short film and fascinating displays giving a fascinating insight into the local wildlife and landscapes. Find out more.

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park – Stirling, Scotland

This amazing safari park is home to lots of lovely animals, including lions, camels, deer and bison, as well as sea lions, meerkats, otters, tigers and loads more! Drive through the animal reserves, take a boat trip around Chimp Island or catch a sea lion show. For kids, there’s also an adventure playground and amusement arcade! Find out more.

Ben Lomond – Drymen, Scotland

Climb this famous hill (which reaches 974m!) and has spectacular views over Loch and the Trossachs National Park. There’s a family friendly Ardess Hidden History Trail, which is 1 mile long and low level, which is a great place for a lovely family picnic! Find out more.

Alloa Tower – Alloa, Scotland

With 700 years of Scottish history, Scotland’s largest and oldest keep offers lots of stories of an abbot’s curse, crib ghosts, fortunes and titles lost and regained, and the building’s ruin and restoration. Kids can take part in lots of fun activities such as  brass rubbing, colouring in and dressing up in period costumes. Find out more.

Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary – Strathclyde, Scotland

Come and see see some amazing sea creatures, including jellyfish, pufferfish, napping turtles and rays, as well as sharks, sea cucumbers, clown fish, seals, frogs and some stunning seahorses! There are daily talks and feeds so you can learn all about your favourite aquatic animals and even ask the keepers some questions. Find out more.

Helix Park – Falkirk, Scotland

Helix Park, situated next to a lovely shingle beach and lagoon, has a cafe and a splash park with jets for the children, scenic walks and The Kelpies where you can see the worlds largest equine sculptures… weighing over 300 tonnes each! Find out more.

Mariner Leisure Centre – Falkirk, Scotland

Mariner Leisure Centre has a lagoon-shaped leisure pool with beach area with a wave machine. There is also a baby pool for little fins, as well as a laned swimming area and a sauna suite. The centre also has sports facilities, including a games hall, squash courts, dance studio and weights room. Find out more.

Scottish Segway Centre – Falkirk, Scotland

Try this day out with a difference that all of the family will love! Join in with a segway tour, where an experienced guide will help you learn all the manoeuvres required so you can all take off on an adventure along paths and tracks through beautiful Scottish scenery. It’s a great birthday experience too! Find out more.

Can You Experience – Alexandria, Scotland

Take to the waters of Loch Lomond with Can You Experience, a superb centre where you can hire out canoes, kayaks, katakanus, rowing boats and pedal boats in a sheltered lagoon, which is patrolled by a safety boat! You can even hire bikes and explore the surrounding countryside or take one of their guided trips or sessions at Loch Lomond, which includes canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, bushcraft and more! Be sure to check their website for age restrictions. Find out more.

St Andrews Aquarium – St Andrews, Scotland

Come along to St Andrew’s Aquarium to see magnificent aquatic animals, including sharks, stingrays, piranhas, lion fish, octopus and seals! You’ll also get to see some amazing reptiles, including bearded dragons, tortoises and a python. They hold daily talks and demonstrations so you’ll be able to learn more about your favourite creatures! Find out more.

Callendar House and Park – Falkirk, Scotland

This amazing house, which dates back to the 14th century, is full of displays showing the houses history and explains how the local area was transformed during the first century of the industrial era. Have a leisurely picnic to take in the beautiful grounds and to take in some lovely summer sun! Find out more.

Nevis Range – Fort Williams, Scotland

Visit Britain’s only mountain Gondola, which is 650m up the slopes of Aonach Mor. Once you reach the top you’ll find many mountain trails to follow, as well as a restaurant with stunning views. There are many activities around the centre, including a High Wire Adventure, Zoom Trax, Mountain biking and climbing, as well as paragliding, forest walks, family cycling and more! Find out more.

WDCS Dolphin and Seal Centre – Inverness, Scotland

Learn lots of fascinating facts about seals and dolphins at this wonderful centre. The viewing window is a great place to spot them using some binoculars. Sound is even played into the viewing area, making you feel you’re out in the water with them! Find out more.

The Bo’ness Kinneil Railway – Borrowstounness, Scotland

This charming railway offers an authentic railway experience on a majestic heritage train. Begin your day at the station at Bo’ness, where there is the authentic ticket office, as well as a station buffet, model railway and gift shop. From here you can catch a train along the five miles of preserved track! Find out more.

Snow Factor – Renfrew, Scotland

Come along to Scotland’s only indoor real snow slope and try your hand at skiing and snowboarding, as well as sledging and tubing! You can choose from single lessons to brush up on your skills, or give ice climbing a go… like rock climbing but you’ll be axing your way up 12 metres of snow and ice! Find out more.

MORE FANTASTIC OPTIONS:

Noah’s– Perth, Scotland

Noah’s offers loads of fab activities, including karting, bowling, ceramic painting and more! There’s also a soft play area for the most energetic of kids! Get a strike at bowling and enjoy the amusements, air hockey and pool tables too! Karting takes you into the fast lane as you race your family around friends around the track. Find out more.

Vertical Descents – Fort William, Scotland

Take your little daredevils on some exhilarating activities that everyone will enjoy! Try rafting, coasteering, river bugging and canyoning. This is the only company in West Scotland to offer river bugging, where you’ll ride one man inflatable armchair-like crafts that you steer down the rapids! Find out more.

Tank Driving Scotland – Dundee, Scotland

Little historians will love having the chance to drive a 15 tonne tank around this fab course, where you can take turns at being commander and driver! They also do off road segway experiences where, once you have conquered them on the flat stuff, they will take you on a tour to show you what they can really do. They also have paintballing and parties! Find out more.

Wonder World – Falkirk, Scotland

This fab indoor play park has lots of fun features for your little ones to enjoy, including ball pools, play frames and even a go kart track, as well as a football pitch and volcano! Little ones are well catered for too with their own special area. Grown-ups are encouraged to join in too as all equipment is adult friendly and its a fantastic place for a birthday party too! Find out more.

Adventure Planet – Strathclyde, Scotland

This fab adventure park, which has three separate adventure zones catering for different age groups really does have something for everyone! With out of this world spaced-themed equipment, including an Astro Belt, The Comet, Meteor Pools, Space Bridges and Shooting Stars, you’ll be spoilt for choice! Find out more.

Burnt Island Beach – Fife, Scotland

Burnt Island Beach is perfect for the whole family with its traditional seaside setting. There’s lots of fun activities to get involved in, from swimming,  jet skiing, windsurfing and more! There’s also a lovely cafe nearby in case you’re feeling peckish! Find out more.

Mar Lodge Estate – Braemar, Scotland

This incredible estate, which has 29,380 hectares of land and occupies almost 7% of the Cairngorms National Park, is the perfect day out for your mini explorers! Discover the high mountains and  scenic land from remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, or take a guided walk to find out more about this beautiful estate. Find out more.

Crieff Hydro Riding Centre – Crieff, Scotland

Come along to these lovely stables who cater for all abilities and ages! They offer private or group horse riding lessons, hacks and guided treks, as well as children’s pony rides and riding holidays. Find out more.

Museum of Lead Mining – Dumfries, Scotland

This former lead mine is a wonderful place to visit with the family. You’ll explore a real 18th century mine, and experience the thrill of going underground. The visitor centre has a fascinating selection of rocks, minerals, gold mining and local artefacts! Find out more.

Bongo’s – Glenrothes, Scotland

This fab indoor play centre features a huge play frame with slides, cargo nets, ball pools, rope bridges, bash bags and loads more! The cafe offers light snacks, meals and drinks so the kids can refuel while you enjoy a relaxing cuppa. Find out more.

Mugdock Country Park – Milngavie, Scotland

Mugdock, which is one of Scotland’s most visited tourist locations, is steeped in history with buildings dating as far back as the 1300s! Take in the beautiful countryside, or try your hand at some of the fab activities on offer, including archery, orienteering, lots of trails to follow and a children’s play park. Find out more.

Quad Treks Aviemore – Aviemore, Scotland

Adrenaline junkies will love this quad bike adventure, set within the beautiful Cairngorms National Park! Explore the stunning mountain and moorland scenery of the Scottish Highlands by learning to manoeuvre these fast quad bikes along the tracks. Find out more.

Muddy Boots – Fife, Scotland

Muddy Boots offers lots of fun indoor play features, such as a big jumping pillow, Pig Racing and an adventure play area where they can let off some steam! Give zorbing a go, which is a great way to have fun with a difference. The fab soft play barn is castle themed… perfect for little princes and princesses! Find out more.

Click here to explore a different region!

What have you been up to? We’d really love to know! Someone else might love it, and really want to go! If you’ve got ideas, suggestions or reviews, you can shout all about it on whatever channel you choose!

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