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Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

Family trip to York and Scotland with children, any recommendations?

89 replies

LoudBee · 02/08/2026 10:19

Off to York and then Scotland in August, really looking forward to it, taking DH DS and DD who is Sen, we plan on going to Jorvik Viking centre for day one and then next day off to Scotland, planning on going to see the Three sisters and drive through Glencoe, and one day booked for Edinburgh castle, always a bit worried if will be overwhelming for my DD who is only 9 years old, DS teenager 17
any recommendations to visit? Staying near Edinburgh, would have loved to go to John o groats as we went to lands end last year but the drive is just too far for a day. Any other recommendations for York and places to eat? Does anyone know if the Park and Ride Bus in York goes close to the Viking centre?

OP posts:

Kepler22B · 03/08/2026 15:30

I think the stop over in York with a fairly chilled day before driving the rest of the way sounds like a great plan.

Original poster

LoudBee · 03/08/2026 15:35

Randomchat · 03/08/2026 13:13

I feel like we've all poured cold water on your plans op. I'm sorry.
If your family really want to drive to Glencoe then go and do it. It will be a long day but might be one you'll always remember. Go up on the chairlift, have a walk around. Nice cafe.

It's hard to please everyone and I can tell you're trying hard.

The traffic in Edinburgh is hideous at the best of times. Right now you're adding in the festivals in August and the main route through the city being completely closed because of a big fire. If you can at all manage it then please get the train. It will be so much calmer. There's a mobility minibus that picks people up at the foot of the castle esplanade. You just need to call them and arrange that instead of the parking. It's really easy.

From Seton Sands on another day you could get the bus into Portobello. It's a lovely part of Edinburgh with beaches and cafes. Amusement arcade if that's your thing, pizza takeaway place on the prom. Long flat prom runs all the way along if your dd is using a pushchair or anything. Your son could climb Arthur's Seat while you're at the beach. There are plenty of buses going that way for him, nowhere near the city centre disruption so it would be easy.

Or if your beach day is in North Berwick he can climb Berwick Law while you play on the sand.

So that's a day in Edinburgh city centre, a long day driving up to Glencoe and a day at the beach. Perfect.

Would you happen to know the train station we need to catch that’s near seton sands to get to Edinburgh castle please? Will we need to pre book? Thanks so much for the advice

OP posts:

MiddleAgedDread · 03/08/2026 15:37

LoudBee · 03/08/2026 15:35

Would you happen to know the train station we need to catch that’s near seton sands to get to Edinburgh castle please? Will we need to pre book? Thanks so much for the advice

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read my previous post - there's a big park & ride car park at Wallyford station which isn't far from Seton Sands. No need to prebook, it's a commuter route sort of ticket. www.scotrail.co.uk Note you now need to be in possession of a valid ticket before you board, no buying them on the train or you'll be charged a £10 fine.
There's also the no.26 bus that stops right outside the caravan site but it'll be a lot slower than the train.

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 03/08/2026 15:38

Have the Castle given you a parking space on the Castke Esplanade OP? As others have said driving around town is hellish in August (I live here). I don’t know if you have booked a particular time slot, but I would go early morning (but after rush hour) if you are driving, and give yourself plenty of time.

As others have said, Glencoe is very far for a day trip. There are lots of things to see and do closer to Edinburgh if you want to do a day trip. Kelpies, North Berwick, Stirling Castle, Anstruther for fish and chips, Callander, Killin, New Lanark. Glasgow has the science museum, transport museum and Kelvingrove Gallery if they tick your boxes. St James Quarter is right by Carlton Hill if your son wanted to walk up that while you have a coffee or something.

Randomchat · 03/08/2026 15:39

Longniddry or Prestonpans. About a 2 mile drive. Pretty sure there's parking at both. Or maybe £8 in a taxi?
You can get a bus from right outside Seton Sands into Portobello. Number 26. Or you can drive and there's plenty of on street parking if you don't go right into the centre.

Chemenger · 03/08/2026 16:03

If you have never been to Edinburgh during the festival you can’t imagine how busy it is, especially around the Royal Mile. I would avoid driving in the city centre if at all possible.

WannabeWriter1988 · 03/08/2026 16:30

Not sure if anyone else has recommended this but the Original Ghost Walk of York is so much fun. It's the one that goes 8pm daily from the pub by the bridge. I think it's the Kings Arms known as "the pub that floods." There's a lot of them but these guys were the first ones and have been doing it for 25+ years. You get a mix of the supernatural, historical and whimsical and they are great at judging their audience and whether to provide a darker creepy-gory walk or a fun spooky-comedy walk.

MiddleAgedDread · 03/08/2026 16:30

Chemenger · 03/08/2026 16:03

If you have never been to Edinburgh during the festival you can’t imagine how busy it is, especially around the Royal Mile. I would avoid driving in the city centre if at all possible.

do not underestimate these warnings!! You'd have to give me valium before I drove to Edinburgh castle in August and I'm familiar with the local roads!!

TheBayHorse · 03/08/2026 16:43

It feels like you're completely underestimating how big Scotland is and how slow the roads can be once you get away from the motorways and the bigger A roads like the A9. I spent 11 hours driving from the northern highlands to Cumbria (so just over the border) last weekend via Glencoe which was absolutely heaving.

Original poster

LoudBee · 03/08/2026 18:07

I’ve changed the Edinburgh castle day, I’ve organised going in via train from longniddrey to Edinburgh and then a cab to the front of castle , I can use the blue badge and go from there, still need to change the plan instead of Glencoe now, I’m so very grateful to all that’s helped with suggestions

OP posts:

MiddleAgedDread · 03/08/2026 19:35

Head out of the market street entrance of Waverley station to grab a cab up to the castle. It’s a short journey but steeply uphill all the way.

Original poster

LoudBee · 15/08/2026 13:52

We have been to York! Was good, but for anyone that said don’t go to Glencoe, well we are here right now! We did it! Best decision! Hardly any traffic, spectacular views! 100% worth it!!

OP posts:

unsevered67 · 15/08/2026 13:59

That’s great op. I always thought you would enjoy the drive the Glencoe ,and it would be fine . It’s a special place

Randomchat · 15/08/2026 22:11

Aw I'm glad you did it and had a great day. Enjoy the rest of your holiday

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