Day out in central scotland.. inspiration needed.

[ja9]

Hi

Want to take dc out for the day at the weekend. Probably indoor venue - been to Deep Sea World fairly recently. Only other place i can really think of is the butterfly place near edin.

Any other ideas?

tia

Glad its not just me who thinks so liath! Was there plenty to occupy your 2 year old at the Science Centre? Mine are nearly 3 and 15 months and dh is longing to take them!

There were plenty of things he liked. The best bit is on the first or second floor and laid out like a big pirate ship with play stations in it including one full of lego duplo. We could barely drag the kids away.

The one mistake we did make was taking them into the IMAX for a 3D film which was way too realistic for poor dd who had a spectacular screaming fit.....

Glasgow Science Centre is brill! DDs are 6 and 3 but we've been going since dd2 was about 15 months. PLenty for them to do as it's pretty much hands on all the way so they can fiddle around with everything and nobody bothers

We've also loved the Falkirk Wheel but you'd really need to get the weather for it. There's a good playground attached or you can walk along the canal.

Edinburgh Zoo and many other attractions (castles and cathedrals etc) are free on St Andrew's Day or the weekend nearest to St Andrew's Day. I suppose it's just to boost tourism for Scotland. We enjoyed our free day last November at Edinburgh Zoo, was definately worth it. We went round everything we could.

I've just registered with Historic Scotland to get their newsletter, so hopefully they should announce the free day event coming at the end of the month. Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

thanks lovechoc

This should provide you with a link to all the free entry things in scotland on St andrews day (or weekend closest)

Blair drummond safari park is great.

Mine really liked the Queen's yacht Britannia, which is in Edinburgh, they loved the engine rooms, decks etc but also the posher parts have put web address below.

www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

Blair Drummond is closed until March

Helllo...

Rightyo - Blair Drummond is fab, but much better in good weather -could easily spend whole day there. I think it is now closed for the winter.

Science Centre is probably ds's favourite place in the whole world - he is 2 1/2 and has been going for the past year - 3 floors of fun - loads of things to see/do/press/climb on. Its great during the week as its usually really quiet, but have never known it to be so busy that you have to wait to go on anything - its also linked to nina and the nuerons - so quite a few bits on that theme to see. The glasgow helicopter place is on the oppposite side of the river so you can see them taking off.. You are also allowed to come and go as you please so can go for the morning, have a walk along the river and then go back in the afternoon - season ticket at £35 is well worth it, also you can use Tesco vouchers for admission.

Almond valley is good too, a bit more weather dependant but still a good day out.

We dont live very far from Strathclyde park which although is a litte (((whispers))) chavy, always seeems to keep ds occupied - soft play, amusements, crazy golf, indoor rainforest, theme park, bowling alley all in one place.

thanks for the link

unfortunately the zoo is only open ( for free) on monday, when our kids are in school. but might try stirling castle which is open at the weekend

I was at Blair drummond on Sat, when did it close?

They had a halloween party on either sat or sun which was last day IIRC?

thanks for the link waitingforbedtime. I tried yesterday to find info on it but wasn't successful. Glad it's definately happening again this year. Means we'll be heading for the Zoo then!

Thanks everyone - think we'll give the science centre a shot. Is there easy parking? Train close by?

they have a car park - think thats £3.. they also have on street parking which is free

You can get train to exibition centre from centre or queen sreet then its 5 mins walk...

Thank you so much...

we went to the Science Centre and HAD A BLAST! Spent 4 hrs there and had to drag them away - DS has been raving about it all day! Went for a potter to ikea afterwards and stayed there for tea.

And the best bit for me

I did it all WITHOUT A SINGLE WRONG TURN!!! Ah, the fear of driving around the big city lol!

Pleased you enjoyed it. I hear so many people saying that they havent been because they think its for older kids, but as I said ds has been going since he was 18months..

Tbh I think its a pretty reasonably priced day out too - £7 for adults? When you think what you pay for the pictures or soft play ... you really could spend all day there.

Where is it you live ja9?

gm - i'm in stirling

and i got in free as i'm a teacher

Even better!! Glad you enjoyed it.

Was just about to post Glasgow Science Centre but I see you've already been and had a good time!

just a warning for those of you planning the free edinburgh zoo visit....last year the traffic from the west into corstorphine was absolutely horrendous...bumper to bumper from the gyle roundabout to the zoo...leave plenty of time!

Just for free enry to the zoo????? Madness.