Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Quick Links
Please take a moment to read the Community guidelines and learn how to use the Community. The personal details and information provided by you will be used by VisitScotland to create your iKnow community account. Any content you provide, such as a profile photo, username, comments and discussions will be publicly available.
By ticking the box and clicking submit you confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms of our privacy policy.
Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
By ticking the box and clicking submit you confirm that you have read and agreed to the terms of our privacy policy.
Love Scotland and want to share your stories – why not have a look at all the recent discussions and make a contribution or start a new discussion? Visiting Scotland and looking for some advice – why not ask a question or start a discussion or simply explore all the great content?
Join the conversation today and share your #scotspirit.
Three generations of family coming to Scotland - what to do?
Fishjagger
Member ✭✭
Hello,
What would be the best for a large family coming from Norway to visit for a few days in Scotland? I think they will be arriving in Edinburgh and they are looking for ideas and suggestions. Grandparents, the mum and dad and two kids both under 10. Any ideas apart from Edinburgh and even Edinburgh what is best to do?
Thanks
What would be the best for a large family coming from Norway to visit for a few days in Scotland? I think they will be arriving in Edinburgh and they are looking for ideas and suggestions. Grandparents, the mum and dad and two kids both under 10. Any ideas apart from Edinburgh and even Edinburgh what is best to do?
Thanks
0
Comments
How Long have you got? How will you be travelling eg car or public transport?
Make sure you book accommodation in advance but I would recommend heading North of Edinburgh to Perth, Pitlochry, Aviemore and Inverness. So many possibilities to see and do things.
Within Edinburgh, seeing the castle & Royal mile will take up a day or two. My personal favourite place to visit is the Royal Botanical Gardens, the kids will love it too if the weather isnt too bad.
The VisitScotland itineraries page is a great starting point. I have written my own 1 week itinerary by public transport too though its a bit hectic, 10-12 days should be a good amount of time to do it for a diverse group.
Best of Scotland in 1 week itinerary (fully by public transport)
My Scotland travels (includes Edinburgh, Skye, Harris, Mull, Arran, Orkney, Loch Lomond, Islay, Oban, Speyside fest)
- the Glens for walking at all levels of fitness
- Lunan Bay for 2 miles of sandy beach
- Auchmithie for rockpools and a meal at the But-and-Ben restaurant (booking essential)
- Arbroath for sea-cliffs, the ruined Abbey and smokies (hot-smoked haddock)
- castles ruined (Red Castle) and inhabited (Glamis)
- lochs (if the kids are young enough, they might believe there's a monster in any loch - my nephew did!)
- wildlife including nesting ospreys at Balgavies Loch and sea-birds at Montrose Basin wildlife centre
- the lovely old town of Montrose
- Brechin - one of Britain's smallest cities - with an ancient Cathedral and Round Tower and a working steam railway
- House of Dun, a National Trust property with a lovely woodland garden attached
- excellent play-parks (Arbroath and Edzell are our favourites)
- locally-made gin and vodka for the older generations.
History, landscape, excitement and a chance to let off steam. What more could you want?I blog about quirky bits of Scotland and especially my home county of Angus at www.scottishvisitor.co.uk
Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
yourscotlandtour.co.uk
Hope you enjoyed my blog. Thanks for checking it out
I blog about quirky bits of Scotland and especially my home county of Angus at www.scottishvisitor.co.uk
Whisky, Castles and Food a speciality.
yourscotlandtour.co.uk
@Fishjagger
Like the folk commenting above, I too live in the North of Scotland and there are some great days out from here in Aberdeen by public transport. #Aberdeen
Attractions within 90 minutes of the the city include:
Fraserburgh - Scottish Lighthouse Museum
Ballater - for Balmoral Castle and a lovely highland town
Peterhead - Peterhead Prison Museum
Crathes Castle - by Banchory - fun for all the family - 17th C Castle, Woodland walks, Gardens, Go Ape Tree Top adventure Centre, playgrounds
Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle
Glen Garioch Whisky distillery by bus, or Strathisla distillery by train
Huntly Castle and Deans Shortbread Centre
and a little further afield
Banff, for Duff House and Macduff Marine Aqurium
Inverness/ Loch Ness can be reached from Aberdeen using the train then Jacobite tours - takes a full day 10am - 8pm but is easy and cost effective.
All easy day trips from Aberdeen by bus or train. A lot of folk don't realise just how much you can do without a car!
As a borders girl, I must say that there are some great places to visit too, to the South of Edinburgh - a lot of Scotland before you reach the capital!
Good access from the city to the Scottish Borders (South East Scotland):
Melrose Abbey and Abbotsford house by taking the Scottish Borders Railway - a recently reopened line with a journey of 55 minutes from Edinburgh. http://www.bordersrailway.co.uk/
Hawick and Selkirk by bus either from Edinburgh or via a connecting service from the train to learn about Scotlan's textile industry at the beautiful Tower Mill - Heart of Hawick or see the tartans made at Lochcarron in Selkirk. http://www.heartofhawick.co.uk
http://www.lochcarron.co.uk/visit-our-visitor-centre-in-selkirk-scottish-borders
Great Walks and history round the 4 borders abbeys all accessiable very easily by bus or train.
http://bordersabbeysway.com/
Make your own letterpress stationary at the #unique Robert Smails printing works
http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Robert-Smails-Printing-Works/
My Dumfries and Galloway (South West Scotland) Knowledge isn't as good - but the area is popular for its #tranquility - in contrast to and within easy access of Scotland's main cities. It is home to Scotland's only dark sky park for stargazing and is worth a visit.
http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest-parks/galloway-forest-park/dark-skies
https://scottishdarkskyobservatory.co.uk/about-us/
I also noticed you can stay in a lighthouse in the area! I must take time to explore it more, soon.
For more information on the the South of Scotland please take a look at :
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/scottish-borders/
https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/dumfries-galloway/
You could watch the videos on the site for a flavour of the area, or for a wee bit inspiration here is my (and Sir Walter Scott's) favourite view...
You could consider travelling around using https://www.scotrail.co.uk/offers/travel-passes/spirit-scotland-travelpass
I have done so before and it was a great experience, train lines in Scotland are all scenic and contrasting!
I hope you enjoy your visit - whether it be North or South - or a bit of both
Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.
Based in the Scottish Borders, Aberdeenshire has a special place in my heart.