Taking 2 boys aged 4 and 18months to Scotland. Recommend me some unmissable days out please.

[DragonLowFatSpread]

Will be travelling all over scotland visiting family so anywhere really.
In March.
Preferably something they can't do at home in Devon.
DS1 very excited to go to a castle, so i'm thinking edinburgh or stirling.
Also going up to inverness so probably take them to loch ness.

Any other suggestions?
TIA

Bumping for you.

how old is ds1? The real old castle of edinburhg is craigmillar castle. Far more ruined but a very good visit if you like your history and ruined castles. Tantallon castle in East Lothian is also lovely, dramatic setting.

Stirling Castle was revamped a few years ago and is excellent. We wemt last summer for the first time in quite a few years and were very impressed.

If your boy is into machinery and the like, the Falkirk Wheel might be an enjoyable day out. It is a feat of engineering which takes you over a canal (I think - I am not engineering and did not go on this trip but dh took teh dds).

If you ar ein Glasgow, go to the Kelvingrove Gallery, west end. Beautiful, free, interesting. Park just across the road.

DS1 is 4
DS2 is 18m

good suggestions.
yes, good free park suggestions are particularly welcome.

You absolutely MUST do Edinburgh in open top tourist bus, castle too.

the Green Welly is the best truck stop in the whole wide world Fish soup is swoony, it's a really child friendly place. Kind of on the way from Edinburgh to Inverness.

Boys - Tyndrum is miles off the A9.

it is a tad off route boys.
but i admire your enthusiasm for a truck stop.

Just past Aviemore and 5 miles off the A9 is Landmark. here. There are loads of things for your boys to see and do there.

Are they into animals? Edinburgh also has a zoo if you don't mind that sort of thing, and just over the Forth at North Queensferry is Deep Sea World, a really fab aquarium. If they like beasties and bugs then try Butterfly World on south side of Edinburgh.

There's Blair Drummond safari park heading north, not been for ages but heard its good.

Further north there is a place called Landmark near Aviemore which is a fab forest trail/outdoor adventure place. Too much for the little one i think but the 4 year old would love it. Can be a bit pricey to do everything but good fun.

Would second the vote for Falkirk Wheel if they are into boats/machinery at all. It is quite a stunning sight.

I'm really tired and can't think of anything else just now! but will try tomorrow. Check visitscotland.com for some stuff.

They would probably like Urquhart Castle too on Loch Ness. There is a 'Nessy' centre at Drumnadrochit that overlooks the castle.

Brilliant suggestions. Landmark website looks good.
It's a bit , but i am scottish and should know this stuff.

If you will be in Glasgow they should like the Transport Museum (free), agree Kelvingrove is good too.

Stirling castle is a great day out and if you are feeling energetic you can go up the Wallace Monument nearby.

The visitor centre at the Battle of Bannockburn nr Stirling has activities for kids.

thankyou, gentleotter.
something happens to me when i get to scotland though, may accent suddenly becomes stronger and i swear alot.
must be the irn bru.

Must add a comment on the Green Welly Stop. We often stop there (about once a year) but only went to their cafe for the first time last Easter and what a huge disappiontment. Lots of signs up about food awards they have won but the macaroni was very mediocre and floury, dh had a filled panini which was just awful. Sausage in a roll was good, but you can't go wrong with that. I did not think it deserved its awards.

If you are in edinburgh, don;t forget the lovely Botanic Gardens (free) with child-friendly cafe. And opposite the Botanics is INverleith Park (free), a chance for the dc to play and run about some more.

There is also a little park outside Butterfly World and a couple of picnic benches (if it's warm!). It's right next to Dobbie's garden centre if you have money for a bought lunch.

I'm not in Edinburgh (not even close - although was at school up there for 5yrs so know it reasonably well ), but last year I took my DS's who were 7,4 and 9 months up to Edinburgh for the week.

They wanted to go to a castle so I took them to Craigmillar - they loved it (and it was cheap).

I didn't bother with Edinburgh castle just took them up to the bit right outside > and they thought that was fabulous.

I decided against paying for Edinburgh castle entry

a) because of cost
b) because from what I remember of it it's more geared towards those that are really interested in the history
c) I didn't fancy trying to keep and excited 4yr under control and not to touch the things he shouldn't.

They LOVED Craigmillar as they could run about and hide. Also a lot quieter too so you can let the 18 month old run wild for a bit too.

DS's also loved the Butterfly Farm which has been recommended. Especially when they got to hold a Tarantula and Snake!

They're quite close to each other (in terms of distance when you look at the whole of Edinburgh) so could probably combine the 2 into one day

goo d points, faq.

Also, if you are wandering along teh Royal Mile, pay a visit to the Museum of Childhood (old toys mainly) which is also free.

this is sounding more and more like a holiday.
great.

Oh yes Museum of childhood is good in Edinburgh. I also used to take the boys I nannied to the Brass rubbing place, they had great fun doing rubbings and staff were great, few snooty looks from serious rubbers .

4 year old would love Dynamic Earth (Edinburgh)

just googled it, looks perfect.
is that edinburgh?

Yes Dynamic earth is Edinburgh