Family Travel: Vacation Tips & Pointers for Scotland
It’s a big, big world after all and child development experts say exposing kids to new things and cultures widens their horizons, increases their empathy for others, encourages creativity, and can improve those all important test scores. With busy schedules and bitsy budgets though, how can you realistically take one of those vacations that tops bucket lists like traveling abroad, visiting our nation’s capitol, and going to see Mickey and Minnie at Disney? We’ve assembled some first-hand experience to help our readers crack the code on family vacay success. Whether you’re going some time this year or this decade, here are top tips for tipping the scales in your favor.
During the eight months our family has lived in Scotland, we’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover that the home of golf and whiskey is also an outstanding destination for families. Our younger boys’ brave hearts have embraced medieval stories along with trips to castles, and our older kids are growing in their love for history and hillwalking.
Because Scotland is as shrouded in mystery as it is in mist, my perfect visit here would leave time and space for exploring the wilder countryside after hitting some of the more classic sightseeing.
The brilliant city of Edinburgh is the proper beginning to a trip to Scotland: Journey back in time as you walk to the top of the Royal Mile to tour of one of the most magnificent castles in Europe. Enjoy impressive views of the city as you peer out from the walls of Edinburgh Castle.
Our kids would tell you not to miss the Camera Obscura, a museum full of optical illusions just a few steps down the road from Edinburgh Castle. Then stop in at The Elephant Café and ask for a table in the back where J.K. Rowling penned Harry Potter with views of the castle from the windows. Walk around the corner to dive into centuries of history at the National Museum of Scotland. After your tour of Scotland’s past, head to the east wing to see three floors of animals mounted in action and be sure to say hello to Dolly, the world’s first cloned sheep.
If the city streets get too crowded, take a walk up to Arthur’s Seat, a hill overlooking the city, for a bit of air and a new perspective of Edinburgh. Or pick up a picnic dinner from Marks and Spencer and enjoy it on the sprawling lawns of Princes Street Gardens.
After a couple of nights in Edinburgh, rent a car or take a train north to see a different side of Scotland. Our best days in Scotland are spent among the sheep in the fields and along ancient stone walls, and we always try to take our visitors to spot a Highland Cow, or Heilan Coo in local parlance.
Stop at our favorite seaside village Stonehaven, where you can get fresh Fish ‘n Chips and carry it just a few steps to eat it right on the shore of the North Sea. Walk or drive a couple of miles south of the village to Dunnottar Castle, impressively situated on a rock outcropping in the sea. After the fancy halls of Edinburgh, you’ll be relieved to let the kids roam through the ruins of Dunnottar, where they can battle to their hearts’ content or pretend to be William Wallace, who fought and won this castle back from the English during the Scottish Wars of Independence.
After your coastal drive, head for the Highlands. Go west into Cairngorms National Park. Just a few miles from Balmoral, the Royal Family’s country estate in Scotland, Ballater and neighboring Braemar are picturesque sleepy little Victorian villages full of restaurants, B&Bs and helpful hosts. In the mornings, we love to grab fresh pastries from a local bakery; stopping for tea and scones with jam and cream in one of Scotland’s many tea rooms is a great way to break up the day. Also, a traditional Scottish breakfast of eggs, potatoes, sausages and even haggis is served at most hotels and B&Bs, so be sure and try it at least once!
You will have your choice of castles to visit on the way as this area of Scotland has been dubbed The Castle Trail for its high density of fortresses. Castle Fraser is a favorite because of its children’s woodland garden. Also, one of the Lords (or Lairds) of Castle Fraser lost his leg after being shot during the Napoleonic Wars, and his wooden leg is still on display in the castle library.
Speaking of legs, you’ll want to be ready to use yours for some hiking (or hillwalking, as it is called in the UK). The scenery is the real star of the show in Cairngorms National Park, and we find that walking is the best way to discover more of its beauty and to let our kids burn off extra energy. We hike these hills almost every weekend and I never get tired of wandering Scotland’s wilder side.
For more travel tips and Scotland tales from the Chino family, visit AlisonChino.com.