Scotland, the land of castles and highlands. Not typically what people think of when they think of a family vacation spot. With breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and lively cities, there is something for all ages to enjoy.
Recently, I went on a trip with my family for eight days and got to explore this magical country. There were 11 of us ranging in age from 6 to 65, so you may think “how in the world did you entertain everyone,” but we did!
The first thing to figure out is accommodation. As you can imagine, putting 11 people in hotels and moving about the country would be difficult and annoying. So instead, we rented three cars, and a house in quaint Pitlochry, central to the country, and driving distance to Edinburgh.
If you’re not quite ready to do day trips on your own, there are plenty of tours to help. This 3-day Heart of Scotland tour is a great example.
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Edinburgh & The Royal Mile
The Edinburgh Castle is not a castle in ruins, but has a wealth of buildings, statues, and St. Margaret’s Chapel to explore. The castle sits on a volcanic neck (when magma hardens within a vent on an active volcano) and overlooks the city.
It’s also the start of the Royal Mile which is one road from the castle to Holyrood Palace. While this section is the busiest part of Edinburgh, it is filled with shops, pubs, street performers, and quaint pieces of history. You can visit Parliament square, which houses the Court of Session (Scotland’s supreme civil court) and St. Giles’ Cathedral. Try to find the Heart of Midlothian, a heart mosaic that marks the site of the Old Tolbooth which was demolished in 1817.
The mile ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or more commonly Holyrood Palace. This is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II (and kings and queens since the 16th century). Parts of the palace – the historic apartments of Mary Queen of Scots and state apartments – are open to the public except when the Royal Family is in residence. The Queen spends one week at the Palace at the beginning of each summer, and will sometimes wave to those outside the gates.
Arthur’s Seat
If you have some people in your group who aren’t history buffs or fans of the city, they can easily explore Arthur’s Seat for breathtaking views of the city. You can just hike up the Seat or you can hike along the Radical Road that takes you through the Salisbury Crags, which is a series of cliffs. The hike, albeit steep, is one that gives you 360-degree views of the city.
Nature lovers can explore the city’s Botanical Garden or the Edinburgh Zoo. Fans of Horror Stories can take a ghost tour or wander historic graveyards. Bibliophiles should explore Grassmarket for some quirky bookshops or take a Book Lovers’ Tour to visit literary sights such as the home of Sir Walter Scott. Harry Potter fans can visit The Elephant Castle, where J.K. Rowling penned the infamous series, George Heriot’s School, said to be the inspiration for Hogwarts, and Greyfriar’s Kirkyard which inspired many names of the series, and the famous graveyard scene where Voldemort returns.
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland, and therefore it is home to thriving shopping districts, cultural experiences, delicious food, and refreshing breweries. If you think the accent is a bit harder to understand, you’re right. The “Glasgow patter” is a distinct dialect of the Scots language and a bit harder to understand. If you’re an art lover check out the Kelingrove Art Gallery and Museum. This free museum houses over 20 themed galleries, and over 8000 objects to inspire you, ranging from dinosaurs to Salvador Dali. Kids would love the Glasgow Science Centre, which entertains and teaches kids about science. There are a big explorer section and a soft play area, so kids of all ages will enjoy it.
The planetarium is great for both adults and kids. Shoppers should visit Buchanan Street which has both big names and local shops. Culture lovers can explore the Glasgow Cathedral and the Necropolis (right next to the Cathedral). Foodies have a diversity of options for places to eat in Glasgow. For fresh Highland cattle cooked how you liked, visit Tiffney’s Steakhouse. For a lunch break, visit Ox & Finch for authentic Scottish & European food.
The Highlands
We could spend all day talking about the magic of the Scottish Highlands and the variety of things you can see there, so I’ll try to keep it short. Nature-lovers should visit (and potentially hike) Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the British Isles. The Isle of Skye is well known for its beauty – including the Fairy Pools, The Storr (which is also hike-able), and Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls Viewpoint. Of course, a visit to Scotland isn’t complete without a visit to Loch Ness – be sure to have your camera ready in case you spot Nessie! There are plenty of off-the-beaten-path places in Scotland – including some of the less-visited islands!
Harry Potter fans can visit the Hogwarts Express (real name is Jacobite Steam Train). While you can ride it (for a hefty price), you can also watch it pass by (for free). The train runs consistently throughout the day and is a magical sight for any fan. History buffs would enjoy the number of castles throughout all of Scotland, but one of the most famous ones is in the Highlands, Eilean Donan Castle. It was built in the 13th century and the Constables of the castle still live there today. It has also been featured in movies such as Highlander, Made of Honor, and James Bond: The World is not Enough.
Inverness
Inverness is often considered the capital of the Highlands and is the northernmost city in Scotland.
It’s a stone’s throw away from Loch Ness. If you’re visiting the Loch Ness during the trip to Inverness, you can grab a bite at the Dores Inn which has a log fireplace and a sun terrace so it’s welcoming all year long. Inverness Castle is in the heart of the city and was featured in Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Whiskey fans can visit the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, not too far away. It was created in 1886 and has been family-owned since then. Art lovers can explore the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery or the Inverness Cathedral. Foodies who are looking for a local eatery can check out McLeod’s fish and chip shop. Alongside traditional seafood dishes, you can enjoy steak pie, pizzas, and smoked sausage.
One of the few group photos with all 11 of us. Standing in front of Inverness Castle.
Everywhere in Between
Scotland is an amazing country, and we’ve just skimmed the surface. While driving around, there are so many places to explore that aren’t in the cities. Stirling Castle is the largest castle in Scotland and is surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides. Before Scotland’s union with England, it was also a palace where many kings and queens were crowned.
Everyone would love feeding reindeer. The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd has about 150 reindeer in the herd. The Shop and Paddocks are open most of the year. The tours typically last about an hour and a half to two hours, and includes a short hike (kids can do this hike), information about reindeer, and feeding the reindeer. This was my favorite thing to do with two of my nieces! The reindeer are wild – they aren’t property or pets.
The reindeer are wild but know where to get food – two of my nieces and my darling husband feeding them!
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