Travelling to Scotland with the family: top activities for children in 2026

A family holiday in Scotland is an unforgettable experience. With its lush green landscapes, mysterious castles and lively cities, the country is packed with activities for young and old alike. Whether you’re travelling with a baby, children or teenagers, you’ll find plenty in Scotland to spark their curiosity, entertain them and create lasting memories. Here’s a complete guide to the best things to do with children in Scotland in 2026.

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1. Explore Scotland’s castles 🏰

Scotland is the land of castles, and they fascinate children and adults alike.

• Edinburgh Castle: set atop an extinct volcano, it tells the story of Scottish kings and queens. Little ones will love the cannons, dungeons and mysterious legends.
• Stirling Castle: more interactive, this medieval castle is the ideal place for children to learn while having fun.
• Urquhart Castle: on the shores of Loch Ness, it immerses families in an atmosphere of tales and legends.

👉 Good to know: admission to museums and monuments is often free for children.

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2. Meet Nessie at Loch Ness 🐉

It’s impossible to visit Scotland with children without making a diversion to Loch Ness.

• A cruise on the lake will amuse the youngest, on the lookout for the famous monster.
• The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition offers an immersive experience on the history and legend of Nessie.
• The scenery around the lake is perfect for a family walk.

It’s the ideal activity to feed the little ones’ imaginations.

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3. Discover free interactive museums 🎨

Scotland has the distinction of offering free access to most national museums, an excellent opportunity to travel with children without blowing the budget.

• National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh): with its interactive exhibitions on dinosaurs, science and space, this is the children’s favourite museum.
• Glasgow Science Centre: perfect for the curious, with fun experiments, a planetarium and an IMAX cinema.
• Riverside Museum (Glasgow): an impressive collection of cars, trains, buses and boats to make little enthusiasts’ eyes sparkle.

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4. Scottish nature walks 🌲

Scotland’s rugged beauty makes it an ideal destination for introducing children to the pleasures of nature.

• The Highlands: perfect for gentle, family-friendly walks.
• Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park: ideal for picnicking, cycling or kayaking.
• Animal watching: deer, seals, dolphins and even golden eagles will delight children.

Tip: bring waterproof clothing as Scottish weather is often fickle.

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5. Unusual activities for children 🎡

• Edinburgh Zoo: famous for its giant pandas and penguins.
• The Jacobite Steam Train: a steam train that inspired the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter. Children who are fans of the saga will be over the moon.
• City treasure hunts: a number of apps offer fun ways to explore the sights of Edinburgh and Glasgow.

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6. Family holidays in Scotland 🏡

A wide range of family accommodation is available: cottages, B&Bs, hotels with interconnecting rooms. Some even offer special children’s activities such as play areas or creative workshops.

👉 Travel tip: if you’re planning a stay in 2025, don’t forget that to enter the UK, you need an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). You can easily apply online at 👉 UK ETA application for the whole family.

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7. Practical tips for travelling with children in Scotland ✈️

• Transport: the train and bus network is convenient and well suited to families.
• Eating out: many Scottish pubs and restaurants welcome children and offer child-friendly menus.
• Climate: remember windproof jackets, jumpers and comfortable walking shoes.

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Conclusion 🌟

Travelling to Scotland as a family in 2026 means offering children a unique blend of adventure, discovery and magic. Between castle legends, interactive museums, wild nature and encounters with Nessie, young and old will leave with heads full of memories.

👉 Prepare your family trip now and simplify your administrative procedures by applying for your ETA for the UK online.