Scotland with 10 year old

[Jank8]

We're planning a trip to West Scotland at half term in May. We'd love to do a bit of a road trip, any itnery recommendations or places to stay would be great.

Where do you mean by West Scotland?

Glasgow? Oban? Inner Hebrides? Outer Hebrides? Kirkcudbright? Achiltibuie?

May is a great time generally to visit Scotland as the weather is usually good and Scottish schools aren't on holiday.

There’s a weeks half term in May, near the end (Edinburgh/Perth schools anyway!)

Really?! I didn't think any Scottish schools had a may half term!

Sadly! My Perth girls go back on the 3rd June from May half term then break up for summer on the 22nd. Make it make sense 🙈🫠

We are Perthshire and the only holiday in May is Monday 6th. Its exams for s4, 5 and 6 here.

West Coast is a big place OP. Have you any ideas on what you’d like to see, how far a north you want to go etc?

Thanks, not worried about school holidays we'll managed. Just looking for ideas of a good route to take around Scotland in a week, places to see how far can we get in that sort of time. Thanks x

Bloody hell, you've not had a lot of help here have you? 🤣

With that age I'd do a couple of days Stirling/Callander and go to the safari park and have a bbq there. Loch Lomond etc.

Then head up to Fort William and have a few days around there. Mallaig, see the steam train (Harry Potter) go across the viaduct.

We done 5 days last April with 2 children aged 9 and 11.

Stayed in Fort willliam. We went to Nevis range, Fort Augustus and Loch ness, isle of skye, Glencoe and Mallaig following the Jacobite and a day exploring and taking in the spectacular landscape at various viewpoints.

Ha ha! Thanks so much! Just needed some starting blocks and this is great!

Amazing thank you. We were thinking of staying in Fort William so this is helpful to see you covered so much

Definitely recommend fort William area.
But booked accommodation early as it's very popular

Sadly the Steam Train is off indefinitely :-(

Stirling castle is amazing and the lochs around there are lovely.

Loch Ness is also quite nice a bit less to do.

In a totally different area, gatehouse of fleet has a good if small castle and a lovely ice cream place with burgers and a massive playground and mountain bike hire at cream of Galloway.

Where are you coming from OP? If up from the south and coming up the west coast I would recommend visiting the Galloway forest, John Muir country park, a visit round Lockerbie and Moffat, then visiting Culzean Castle, Heads of Ayr farm park, Ayr beach, then Stirling castle and Blair Drummond safari park.

Loch Lomond too. There is an Aquarium and park with a train that goes round the loch area there and you could also drive up a little further and visit Luss and go on a pedalo and get an ice cream.

10 year old:
Blair Drummond
Heads of Ayr Farm Park
Culzean (the adventure playground is great)
Brodick Castle adventure playground (if you join NTS you can access both the above)
Argyll adventures
Crieff Hydro isn't west coast but has a lot of family activities/ same with Macdonald Aviemore and nearby Landmark
Kayaking
Go Ape
Boat trips esp to an island on loch Lomond or island hopping on the ferries.
Calderglen country park
Largs/cycle round Cumbrae
Climb a hill/mountain eg Ben Lomond
Beaches
Cycling in forest parks
Falkirk Wheel/Kelpies