Tell us about your happy family holiday experiences in Scotland and if you haven't been where would you like to go? Chance to win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED!

[AaronMumsnet]

Going on a family holiday doesn’t have to mean venturing to far off lands, and there can be lots to experience closer to home. Scotland is so easy to get to and can be an ideal family holiday destination. VisitScotland would love to hear about the family holidays you’ve had in Scotland - and if you haven’t been, where in Scotland would you like to visit?

Here’s what VisitScotland has to say: Scotland celebrates the Year of Young People in 2018 #YOYP2018 and what better time to visit to enjoy a fantastic holiday experience across any of its regions. We’re a country packed with family friendly activities; from the great outdoors including wildlife, beaches and country parks to historic castles and stately homes and lots in between. Check out the National Trust for Scotland’s new playful gardens and playparks opening this spring at Brodie Castle in Moray and Newhailes House and Gardens outside Edinburgh. There’s also fantastic opportunity to visit Scotland’s islands – an adventure on a Cal Mac ferry to a west coast island or Northlink for a ferry to the Shetland and Orkney islands is all part of the adventure! What’s more, there's plenty of quality accommodation and unusual ones to boot! Ever thought about staying in a yurt or tipi, a converted church or lighthouse.

Be inspired to find out more on our unmissable family attractions, outdoor adventures and top 50 family hotspots in Scotland – check out www.visitscotland.com/holidays-breaks/family/

What happy memories do you have from a family holiday to Scotland? Do you have tales from visiting some of Scotland’s castles, islands, National Trust sites, beaches or parks? Have you looked into visiting and found some interesting accommodation? Would you like to visit Scotland’s cities or experience the great outdoors?

Whatever your family holiday memories or what you’d like to do in Scotland, share this below and you’ll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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I’ve always wanted to take a trip to Edinburgh, went once ten years ago to visit a friend - who promptly got ill so I didn’t actually see the outside of their room!

My mum is from Dundee and I have such lovely memories of going to visit my granny. We’d stay in her little flat and me and my brothers and sister would camp out in the front room.

We always went pony riding in Camperdown Park and there was a horse called Jock that I rode for years and years, we also went ice skating and depending on the time of year visited a fair at Carnoustie.

Lovely memories of lovely times

Edinburgh! We go every two years as a family to watch our team play international rugby. It’s an easy flight and we stay centrally; we love the Balmoral hotel. There’s so much to do and see and a fantastic range of restaurants in easy walking distance. I’m always impressed by the quality of the food; the seafood in particular is quite superb. It’s a perfect city break for a family.

We've only been to Scotland once since having children. When DS was 1 we went to the Isle of Skye. The weather wasn't great, but we managed some walks and a day trip to the Hebrides. We stopped briefly in Edinburgh on the way back.

We are going to Dumfries and Galloway in May half-term which I'm looking forward to - DD has never been to Scotland other than as a foetus. We hope to visit the coast, Cream of Galloway and the Galloway Forest Park.

We used to go to Scotland on holiday a lot when I was a child as my Dad's family are from there.

My fondest memories are of St Andrews IIRC where there was a place that sold every tartan available but also had every variety of fizzy drink too!

I also remember an outdoor sea water swimming pool with tiered seating around it, right on the coast.

We used to go to Carnoustie, Broughty Ferry (still got a scar from where I nearly fell into the harbour there), Edinburgh and Lossiemouth. Also went to lochs and glens (names escape me) for drives, picnics and walks.

Went to the Tattoo once too.

My priority destination would be Edinburgh Zoo to see the PANDAS!!!! Squeeeeee it's on my bucket list!

I haven't been to Scotland, but one of my friends went to the Highlands recently. I was blown away by the pictures..I had no idea it was so beautiful..I'd love to go!

The holiday we had in Scotland as kids really highlights the different memories that kids and adults take from exactly the same experience.

Ask me and I'll say we had a great time, we walked to the bakery every morning for fresh bread and cakes, there was a big park near the cottage, I got a brilliant souvenir (a t-shirt with a picture of a haggis wearing a kilt ) and we went on an exciting boat trip from Oban.

Ask my parents and they will say my Mum was ill with a bug the whole time, me and my sister were so naughty we got smacked for the first time ever, the park had a hornet in it that chased us all the way back to our cottage, it rained every day and the boat trip was so choppy that we were all ill.

The good thing is that it makes me not worry about trying to do lots of amazing things with my own son on holiday because I can't control the memories that he'll take from it .

We go to Scotland a lot and one of our favourite holidays was to Crieff. We went 2 years ago during May half term, stayed in a lovely apartment and were lucky because the weather was perfect the whole week we were there. We used our National Trust membership to visit places and went to so many picturesque places. I would definitely recommend it.

I haven't been but would like to go to Edinburgh for my 30th with dh. Would also love to visit a few of the islands someday, Isle of Skye looks beautiful!

I had a marvellous tour of Edinburgh on a bus once (can’t remember The company’s name), before we had the children; it was so entertaining and we saw lots of Edinburgh.
My DC have never been up to visit their Scottish cousins so I’d love to take them up and show them Edinburgh, as well as take in the wonderful lochs and mountains.

Would love to take DD to Edinburgh for the festival. She'd love it!

We live in Scotland.

Favourite Scottish holiday to date was on Skye.

Travel via a stop off at the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle.

On Skye we visited Fairy Pools, Dunbegan Castle, Clan Visitor Centre, Fairy Glen, Old Man Of Storr.... plus a lovely potter around Portree with all the coloured houses on the harbour front.

We took the ferry across to Lewis and spent a night there/ two full days visiting Lewis and Harris. Stunning beaches! Also blackhouses, Carloway Broch, callanish standjng stones. Harris Gin Distillery gives a great child friendly tour and visited Harris tweed place too.

Loved it.

Took kites, walking boots and winter outerwear. That was July.

I would LOVE to go to Scotland, my cousin has just moved there and she lives just outside Edinburgh so we would go there and visit her! We would also like to visit some more remote areas, like the highlands and the area where you might be able to see the northern lights!

I would love to visit Scotland with my family, we love exploring new places and Scotland has a lot of history and beautiful places to see.

I love Scotland. I lived in Aberdeen for a couple of years as a child, and my sisters went to university in Scotland so I've visited many times. My (now) husband and I had known each other for 10 years+ at that time but it was on a lovely holiday on Mull with friends that we finally got together. It was the sea eagle watching wot did it....

Anyway. 12 years later... We’ve booked to take our two children to Orkney for two weeks this August but are looking for a suitable spot to stay on the mainland for the week or so before (so end of July). We have a 5-year old and a baby. The 5-year old is much better at outdoor attractions than indoor museum/type places so we’re looking for somewhere with good outdoor places to visit, family friendly but interesting for us adults too. I’ll go back and read this whole thread for inspiration!

We had a lovely holiday on the Black Isle- our holiday cottage had a garden full of raspberries free for us to eat. I also saw dolphins in the wild there for the first (and only!) time. And we really enjoyed exploring Cromarty- I think that was where there was a derelict church with a forest growing inside it? Also love the beautiful scenery and empty beaches near Gairloch and Shieldaig. Would like to stay on Dry Island by Badachro.

I live in Scotland, but we often take short breaks in Crieff and stay at the Hydro. It's really beautiful there. The air feels so clean. DH and I have trips away there together but we've also taken the DC and they loved it too.

As I child we went to Edinburgh once in the holidays and I loved it. I vividly remember visiting the castle and walking (or being carried!) Down the royal mile and listening to the bagpipes play. Also I remember my favourite part being offered a piece of shortbread in a shop because the man was pleased we had a Scottish surname

We are looking at a road trip in Europe/US this summer. I’m wondering if we could do this in Scotland instead, think it would be just as much fun to take a camper round and then visit some islands. Only concern is the weather!

Having only been to Scotland for a drinking weekend with the girls in years gone by, I'd love to go for a spot of shopping and a drive around the countryside.

I've not done a Scotland holiday with the dcs, although watching Shetland makes me want to go!

I've never been but would really really really LOVE to go. I really want to visit Dunnottar Castle.

Our family go to Scotland at least annually, we often go with friends and share a lovely cottage outside Dumfries.

If it wasn't so cold in winter and there were better job prospects for my chosen career, I'd consider moving there.

we go cycling, to the beach, enjoy the out doors and quiet, we're never short of things to do to amuse the kids.

And I highly recommend a visit to Drumlanrig Castle, not only is it stunning inside, but the grounds have bike trails, walking paths, an awesome playground and a cafe that makes the nicest cakes.

Scotland just has everything. As a teenager there during a hot summer I vividly recall swimming in Loch Rannoch. I am now in my 60's and I still return each year, latterly to watch the Highland games at Pitlochry and visit Cluny Gardens to watch the red squirrels.
I am always telling people that the drive from Loch Ness down to Loch Lomond goes through what must be one of the most spectacular landscapes in Europe.
I could write pages on the beauty of Scotland, I urge anyone who has never visited to put that right as soon as possible you have no idea what you are missing!