NOW CLOSED Ever been on a family holiday to Scotland? Or fancy going on one? Share your thoughts with VisitScotland - there are 5 fantastic prizes to be won!

[AlexMumsnet]

VisitScotland would like to hear from those of you who've been on a family holiday to Scotland - or are planning one. Here's what they say:

"This year we are celebrating the Year of Natural Scotland and invite you to come and celebrate our outstanding natural beauty throughout 2013. We are a family friendly nation with loads to offer on a family holiday; from wildlife like the bottlenose dolphins of the Moray Firth, to the capercaillie of the central Highlands and the thousands of seals and puffins inhabiting our beautiful coastline. For city seekers, we have seven, all with a wealth of things to see and do on a family break. Visit our website to start your planning today! Also check out Embrace Scotland which has over 2,500 quality assured self catering properties across Scotland."

They're interested to know where you think the best places are for children to visit? Which regions cater for children best? Are you better off wandering the great outdoors with them or visiting a specific attraction? Would they have more fun in the countryside, Highlands or Islands or in one of Scotland?s seven cities?

If you haven't yet been on a family holiday to Scotland but are planning one (or just daydreaming of an escape!), please take a look at VisitScotland's family web section for some inspiration and share your thoughts on this thread.

Good value breaks are easy to find with a range of passes to enjoy savings, and we have 5 of these to give away! Everyone who adds their comments will be entered into a prize draw to win one of:

~ 2 x family passes from the National Trust for Scotland with attractions ranging from the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum to Crathes Castle, Garden and Estate. (worth £168, Valid for one year)

~ A 3 day family Edinburgh pass for entry into a wide range of tourist attractions in Edinburgh from Dynamic Earth to the Edinburgh Dungeon. (worth £158)

~ 2 x 3 day family Explorer Passes from Historic Scotland with attractions ranging from the Royal Castles of Edinburgh & Stirling to the ancient mystical sites of Skara Brae and Maeshowe on Orkney. (worth £116)

Also, if you'd like to be in with a chance of winning a 4* break in Melfort Village, Argyll please enter the separate Mumsnet VisitScotland competition here

I went on a school trip to Arran and absolutely loved it. The place captivated me and I vowed to go back. Sadly, I have not yet been but I intend to take dh and 3 x dc ASAP!
Dh worked in Aviemore 20+ years ago and said that it was "full of clean air".

I have family in Glasgow and I adore the city. There's so much to do there. Agree with a pp on Glasgow Science Museum being a great venue. Also love the Burrell Collection in the grounds of Pollok Country Park. There's a fantastic playpark there too. I also remember trips out to Loch Lomond and Largs as a child which I loved.

I had a fab stay at the Crieff Hydro a few years back with ds. They've got childcare in a playcentre thing included, and even though he couldn't use it (disabled) i thought it was great for other families.

I'm planning to go up for the Commonwealth Games next year and I'd like to go and see some of the countryside too, so I shall be scouring this thread for tips.

Bute was beaut for a three year old, beaches, seals, ice cream to die for, great fernery, felt v safe.

We have been to Galloway a lot, near Annan. Good beaches, a wonderful family friendly pottery, off roading and fishing, a Tibetan monastery!, Robert the Bruce's cave, castles, more wonderful icecream. And easy access to the tea shops and book shops of Wigtown, and s bit further, the art in Kirkubright. I think Dumfries and Galloway are Scotland's greatest secrets. I knew much of the rest, but this is amazing. Fabulous hills to walk, pictish remains, v scary at times.

We have done Edinburgh when Ds was small too. V successful even though he was v ill. Great zoo, castle.

And for a special family holiday, tho not with toddlers, stay at Rosslyn Castle. Easy access to Edinburgh and so atmospheric.

I love Scotland!! My family has been going to the same little holiday cottage since I was 3 ( I'm now 28). It's about 29miles south of Oban. We cycle around all the west coast islands, have days out in Edinburgh. Play on the beach and fish. I now take my son there, and hope he will feel as passionate about it as I do. Scotland makes me feel so relaxed and happy, all that open space and clean air.

I would love to visit Scotland with my DD (5) she loves bagpipes! I would like to see Edinburgh for the castle and shops and cafes! Also the beaches look amazing and im quite hardy and happy to do the beach in layers if its not bikini weather. I am very outdoorsy and live in the garden of england but Scotland looks stunning. My dd and i might even spot the Loch Ness Monster (someone has to one day!)

I first went to Scotland in 2002 and was pregnant....this meant I could not sample the beautiful Applecross Bay prawns with garlic butter! Not that I am bitter .

I have been to a beautiful place called Glenelg in the Highlands....a short ferry ride away from the Isle of Skye. The cottage was isolated and pretty and came complete with otters playing on the lawn. I have rarely seen such beauty as I did in Scotland. Think Ring of Bright Water....and powerfully beautiful scenery, I loved it.

We went first in 2002 and then again in 2004 where I finally managed to get back to The Applecross Inn and sample the beautiful prawns in garlic butter with a glass of chilled white wine. .....not that I was obsessed or anything.

For a family this part of Scotland was less child orientated but DS was very young at the time and just needed the opportunities for exploring the world around him which he did very happily.

I would love to go back...it's been several years now and I so want to revisit.

This is where we stayed.....how beautiful is that? Want to go back.....AND we had the most beautiful weather too. In fact the same week my BIL sneering at Scotland went overseas to surf.......and experienced a hurricane [smug].....we got a suntan in Scotland.

Second the prawns and garlic butter at the Applecross Inn, Jake.

We are planning a 2 week trip to Scotland this summer!

We're catching the train to Glasgow then hiring a 7-seater and doing a big road tour. Starting with Islay and Mull (because we have to visit Balamory Tobermory), hopefully taking in one of the whale-watching boat trips from Oban. Then we'll spend a couple of days in Fort William before heading up to Inverness (of course with the obligatory stop to look for Nessie . From Inverness we'll go along the coast to Elgin to meet up with some friends, then loop back to Glasgow and the train home.

We don't have a definite plan, as so much depends on the weather! We are hoping to take in some Scottish National Trust properties, do some walking, perhaps a day or two on the beach if the weather is very kind. DD is 15 so we don't have to worry about 'children's entertainment', if we're doing something boring she will have her head buried in her iPhone anyway.

And we'll take many, many photographs - Scotland is gorgeous!

We've been to Scotland a few times on holiday and are planning on going again this summer.

The first time we went as a family we went by train to Leuchars and then onto St Andrews/Anstruther, lovely area there and the beach was fab, we then trained it down to Glasgow and spent some time there the Science museum is really good, our DD's loved it.

We have also holidayed with friends (hulababy) staying in the borders visiting Kelso, Melrose, Jedbury, Selkirk and Edinburgh.

To answer their specific questions:
They're interested to know where you think the best places are for children to visit?
Our DD's love castles and Abbeys and visiting historic buildings. Equally they loved the National Museum of Scotland in Edinbourgh and the The Kelvingrove and Science museums in Glasgow. They really enjoyed the open top bus tour of glasgow and would have loved to stayed on longer but we ran out of time!

Which regions cater for children best?
We've only really done, the borders, Glasgow, Edinbugh and St Andrews/Anstruther and they all equally had things for the DDs to do.

Are you better off wandering the great outdoors with them or visiting a specific attraction?
For us a family we like doing both,

Would they have more fun in the countryside, Highlands or Islands or in one of Scotland?s seven cities?
As above we are happy doing city breaks but also love walks in the countryside, this summer we hope to explore the highlands.

We holiday in Scotland every year as that's where we're from (and are moving back to next month!). The Moray Firth area is great for children. The beaches are beautiful, with lots of opportunity for surfing and sailing for older kids. Hopeman has great rock pools that younger kids can potter around in for hours. Nearby Duffus Castle is lovely for exploring the ruins or there's Brodie Castle if you want something more intact. On rainy days, the leisure centre in Elgin has a super pool and ice skating.

There's so much to do, with acres of forest walks to explore and hunt for Gruffalos/bears and you're close enough to Aviemore for all the attractions there.

We love it. Can't wait to move back.

We have never gone to Scotland as a family before, but are going to Edinburgh for a family weekend break in a few weeks time. Our boys want to see the dungeons.
We also plan on camping somewhere more rural soon. We all love wildlife so want to go somewhere with seals and lots of other animals to spot.

We're thinking of a trip to Scotland this summer, but no ideas on when, how long etc.. Will reread this thread to get ideas on places and exciting things to do with children (9,7 &5).

Confusteling - inverurie?? Never thought of there as a holiday destination! Fine place to live I'm sure.

I've only been to Scotland on a (fab) weekend with friends in Edinburgh but would love to do a family trip, I've always fancied the Isle of Mull and Eilean Donan Castle.

Our first holiday to Scotland was to Mull, 8 years ago. We saw red deer, fallow deer, white-tailed sea eagles, golden eagles, rabbits, harbour porpoise, sunfish, dolphins, minke whale and lots more!

Since then we've been back at least once every year; we usually book a cottage for a week and tour for a few days either side. We've also stayed in loads and loads of youth hostels, in fabulous locations; but we particularly like islands.

We've been back to Mull three more times since; have also visited Edinburgh, Glasgow, Skye, Muck, Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Orkneys, Carbisdale, Aviemore, Durness, Tongue, Wick, New Lanark, Inverness, Loch Ossian, Oban, Ratagan, Carbisdale, Eigg, Islay, Jura, Caerlaverock, Thurso ...

Every year we think will be our last in Scotland; but every year we get fabulous weather, wonderful wide blue skies, phenomenal wildlife sightings, friendly locals, excellent quality accommodation (and good value for money), incredible landscapes. So every year when we arrive home we immediately book again for the following year; and recommend it to all our friends too!

I might be biased but the East Neuk of Fife is fantastic, loads of lovely coastal villages, beaches, great places to eat etc.

Love living in Scotland, so much on my doorstep. We spend most holidays in Scotland.

We go every year and stay in GlenCoe. DS 5 spends most of the time throwing stones into the loch . The most relaxing and magical place.

i keep browsing at the ayrshire side and areound callander as i remember visiting once as a child and it was sooooo pretty.

I spent almost every summer holiday in Benbecula when I was little (except when we went to Campbeltown with my grandparents) - I love both places, and also Edinburgh, Glasgow, and all the other places in Scotland that I have visited! We are taking our baby daughter to Benbecula this summer to visit my parents and looking forward to initiating her into the joys of building sand castles on the beach dressed in fleeces and waterproofs (but with legs bare for paddling), the Games and the Show, and the chance to see dolphins and sharks from the ferry if you're lucky - not to mention the incredibly friendly people!

One day we'll also take her to Edinburgh, where Arthur's seat and the fantastic Camera Obscura museum will be first on the to-do list...and maybe we'll eventually make it to Orkney and Shetland, which I've always wanted to visit!

We go to Scotland most years and we live in the Midlands. We have family connections and normally head for the Isle of Skye despite the distance. You need to plan in your overnight stop on the way up!

I think all of the Highlands are great but the coast and islands are brilliant for the variety, the wildlife, beaches and mountains and lots of little attractions and castles tucked away if it really rains. We are keen walkers and hoping to make Munro-baggers of the children. You can finish off your holiday with a day in Edinburgh or Glasgow. I have heard Aviemore highly recommended as well which is a bit less far than Skye.

Just have an anti midge strategy and a wet weather contingency in place and you'll be fine.

We had a very successful holiday in Scotland last year. Did it in 3 parts. A few days in a very good family hotel (Crieff hydro), then a week in a chalet near Oban, very much back to basics, doing walking, boat trips, fishing, and then finally a couple of days in Edinburgh, doing the fringe; that was fantastic for my older kids, who really enjoyed the street theatre. It was great to have the variety and made it a very special holiday.

Many Scottish self-catering holidays. Our thoughts are:
Weather very unpredictable, great in sunshine but several miserable rainy holidays too.
We love the East Neuk of Fife and also Dumfries and Galloway, which is hugely underrated.D & G has the dark skies park, red kite trail, Cream o Galloway ice cream and loads of cool castles such as Caerlaverock.
North East coast is lovely around Banff, but water is very cold so take wet suits.Midges are bad in still weather, particularly in the West.
Edinburgh is fabulous but a rip off for tourists during the summer. Visit Stirling castle instead or Perth. Cowal peninsula has gorgeous scenery bit not much to do apart from Puck's Glen which is staggeringly beautiful. Sea Safari is a fun, if expensive trip out to sea to look for seals etc.

My older sister was at Edinburgh university in the 80s and we had many holidays in Scotland for the 4 years she was there. Favourite memories were climbing Ben Nevis, discovering small fishing villages along the coast, seeing fresh langoustines in pots at Ullapool, seeing huge pine trees up close for the first time, running alongside an otter on some wild stretch of coast, The Cairngorms and generally a lot of great outdoor fun. Of course Edinburgh is magnificent, and there are too many beautiful lochs and hills to mention, as well as friendly and welcoming towns and villages with interesting people to meet.

I have often thought of going back, but not had the money to. Just recently my husband has accepted a job up in Aberdeen, so hopefully we will be visiting often. There are so many places I want to go to in Scotland, I don't know where to start.(We won't be taking the children out of the secondary schools they're settled in, but after that we'd love to move there!)

I'm surprised no one mentioned Culzean Castle. It's a lovely estate right by the sea, south from Ayr (famous for it's huge indoor and outdoor play areas btw). The entrance fee is a bit steep, but they do accept Tesco vouchers and there's enough to do for a whole day. Lovely enclosed gardens in front of the castle, often with live bands playing, huge woodland area for walks, play area, naice ice cream shop by the pond. Also a cafe and a restaurant with very reasonable prices and good quality food.

I love the great outdoors, but with small children I feel safer knowing that there's shelter, running water and a calming cup of tea not far away.

We too love the Highlands and have made several holiday trips there. Glasgow is great - but we like the freedom of the Highlands
Best for kids
Aviemore area:
The beach at Loch Morlich
Canoeing at Loch Morlich
Cycling around the area... there are easy routes that everyone can enjoy
A brilliant tree top trail at TreeZone for older kids
Horse riding
Watching the Ospreys feed a the fish farm and then on the nest at the RSPB Loch Garten

up to the coast - the beach at Nairn - just brilliant for sand, rockpooling, a great crazy golf course and play park, and of course fish and chips!

Food is always brilliant and our children were welcomed everywhere we went.