Scotland holiday help

[desperatelyseekingholidays]

We usually go abroad in October half term but looking a lot more expensive than usual. Plus due to a family christening on the first Sunday of half term we can't leave until the Monday. Husband is very keen to do a Scotland trip so looking for ideas/itinerary for 6 nights. Driving from north west of England with 1 teen and 1 toddler. Would like some beautiful scenery, a chill, nice day trips, some activities for the kids. Happy to visit a couple of places but don't want to be packing and unpacking all the time so max of 2 different accommodations. Don't mind driving but probably don't want to go to the very very north! Any ideas welcome please. Been to Scotland a lot but only really as a child so can't remember much. TIA

When is October half term?

In Scotland most school holidays are the first half of the month and many tourist attractions (outwith the main cities) then close, and ferries move on to winter timetables.

I would look at Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Cairngorms. I would avoid further into the Highlands and the islands later in October, it's generally dark and cold with less to do.

I love Glencoe and would really recommend staying there. It gives you some stunning scenery and if your teen is a Harry Potter fan there are plenty of Harry Potter locations nearby including Glenfinnan Viaduct (recommend looking up train times and making sure you are there for the train crossing the bridge).
ETA we stayed in Glencoe and Loch Lomand with DD who turned 3 whilst we were away

I come from Ayrshire and go back during school holidays. English half term is at end of Oct, so a few weeks later than in Scotland, and it could be dark early, espif the clocks go back. So I wouldn't head too far north. Ayrshire is a decent call - you could do Culzean Castle, a small ferry trip over to Cumbrae to cycle round the island from Largs, a day trip to Glasgow, doing the Burns trail around Ayr, and it's remarkably easy to get to Loch Lomond for the day over the Erskine bridge. These are our favourite days out when we're home.

@cornflourblue half term hols start 27/10

Okay that's late, so the clocks will have gone back and it will be dark by 5pm.

As above, Ayrshire and Central belt is a good shout, and not too long a drive from north England.

Plus the ferry to Arran is now from Troon so very handy.

Would recommend the Isle of Arran

I would work west to east coast (or the other way round) perhaps Ayrshire, Glasgow daytrip, Loch Lomond, Stirling castle, Falkirk (just a quick pit stop at kelpies and the wheel), then across to Edinburgh.

Some possibilities:
Glasgow - Kelvin grove museum, science centre
Stirling - castle or Blair Drummond safari park
Edinburgh - zoo, camera obsura, museum of Scotland, museum of childhood, the new alpine coaster at the pentlands is great.
North Berwick beach is lovely and a nice day out.
Or from Edinburgh you could go up the fife coast and onto St Andrews.

You can get historic Scotland passes which are good value if you're going to visit a few attractions.

It'll be getting pretty cold at that time of year and as pp said it'll be dark early, many attractions will move to winter opening times.

Thanks everyone