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

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

North Uist, the land of my fathers. Windswept and often appearing barren, few trees have survived there. When the sun shines the white beaches make it a Caribbean paradise. It's a little known jewel that is Scotland.

I would love to go to Scotland and stay somewhere very remote in wild landscapes! I love the look of the isles but they’re such a long way! My in laws have stayed in several HPB properties and my parents have toured in their van.

Although it has rained copiously every time I've been to Scotland, it doesn't always rain there. I remember sailing around the Ardnamurcha lighthouse in broad, blazing, sunburn-inducing sunshine. I say "sailing", but it was actually rowing. There was not a breath of wind. Freak weather, apparently!

More magic

One of our best family holidays was on the Isle of Mull in June about 14 years ago. Lots to do come rain or shine. DS was 4 and obsessed with Balamory so we visited the houses. But that was only the beginning. I don't know if they still do it but you used to be able to pick up a challenge sheet at the tourist office. There were dozens of options for the challenges like tickets from railways, getting a signature at a castle or finding inscriptions on monuments. If you achieved 12 or so you collected a reward on departure. It gave our outings a bit more focus.

Calgary Bay is one of the loveliest beaches I've visited with a lovely cafe in a pottery if I remember. There are also great walks and boat trips.

One of my best holidays was on a boat on the Caledonian canal/ Loch Ness/ loch lochy etc. It was swimsuit sunshine one day and dousing rain the next. The best way to view the mountains is from the water!

We live in Scotland, 2 DSs now in their teens, we have had soooo many holidays by public transport and bike. We have visited lots of islands over the year.

Loved Bute - bus tour, horse-riding with a view of the Kyles of Bute, amazing scenery, beautiful Mount Stewart and adventure playground.

Also loved Coll, Colonsay, Eigg and Barra (4 different holidays) - for the beaches and social life of the islands, and being able to cycle around.

We took the kids on family water sports holidays on Loch Tay about 3 years in a row. We learned to sail, kayak, windsurf, all with qualified instructors and we had great fun.

We love visiting Edinburgh - always loads to do and new places to visit.
We went to Aberdeen last year - a fabulous House swap in a beautiful remote location. Loads of greenery, nature, fabulous scenery and interesting walks. And we were thrilled to see a red squirrel.

Will be trading this thread thoroughly as the kids have chosen to go to Scotland for this years holiday. I’d like to do Loch Ness and DD wants to go on the Jacobite express.

Oooh I forgot - we have also walked the John Muir Way (when it was shorter than it is now!) and another time we cycled from Glasgow to Edinburgh along the canals, having booked B&Bs. Lots of rest/cake stops on the way! Really lovely times together.

Been on a few family holidays to Scotland. They've always been great and the dc have loved them. We've also been usually lucky with the weather!

Stayed in various places - always lots to do, nice villages to look round, castles, farms and the like to visit but my favourite thing by far is how NICE everyone is to children up there! People have been lovely, chatted with our DC, said nice things about them. I go back for the ego boost if nothing else!

Where to start - we’ve been every year since children were babies!

Mull, Colonsay, Islay, Barra were all great when they were very young.

We’ve been to the Arisaig/Glenuig area several times - last time in a shore side cottage near Glenuig which was perfect for canoeing.

Also have fallen in love with the Cairngorms over the last few years - a great combination of family walking, cycling and the occasional tourist attraction and some bigger walks for those who want them.

We live in Scotland and love doing holidays here!! Favourite spots are the islands, and in particular Jura where we try to get to every year - the Gulf Stream means that the weather is lovely so we can take advantage of great walks and lovely beaches. Mobile signal isn't particularly good so you really feel like you're getting away from it all - oh, and the whisky and gin distilleries on the island help!!!

I live in Scotland and usually go on holidays within Scotland. There's still loads I'd like to see - have never been to any islands - but my favourite holidays have been trips like staying in a lodge in Kinloch Rannoch and climbing Schiehallion, or camping in Rosemarkie and seeing dolphins every day.

We've travelled a lot of the world before having children, and I still believe Scotland is the most beautiful place on earth. I love the Isle of Skye for the misty mountains and secluded beaches. Glencoe for the atmosphere and amazing walking. Plockton for being the most stunning village I've ever seen.

Now we have children I am very keen to go to the Outer Hebrides, my dream would be renting a motor home and going wherever we fancy, stopping off at little beaches to explore.

I live in Scotland & too skint to holiday anywhere else.
Come to Fife, it's great, I love the East Neuk, braw wee coastal towns & the best fish & chips you'll ever have.
Fav holidays in Scotland would be up around Banff, stayed in Gardenstown a few times, didn't even have any phone signal, was ace.

I go to the Isle of Skye with the family most years. My godfather lives there. I love the colour of the water in the morning. I go running along the sea on the cliffs, and it is somewhere that is the most peaceful place I know. We fly to Scotland, then drive, and I love driving across the land. We pass lochs, and we have stayed in their house, we once borrowed a caravan and stayed in their garden when they were doing work on their house. We've been there in rain and sun, and it is amazing. The light. The colour. The sun and clouds. Love Scotland. Oh, and the bridge across. Beautiful.

We used to go to scotland every year as children, to an island on a loch in the highlands. Long drive but so worth it - beautiful scenery, loads of things for kids to do, irn bru and kayaking on the loch. Only low points were lots of rain and midges! As an adult its meant I've been drawn back there, including going to uni in edinburgh which is now my favourite city. I love exploring new areas (cairmgorms last time) and cant wait to start taking my own dc soon.

We have family just outside of Glasgow so visit quite a bit! Some of our favourite days out include...

Kelburn Castle
Xscape in Glasgow
Glasgow Science Centre (really fantastic place everything was hands on and kept everyone from my 3 year old to 80 year old Granma entertained!! Staff were also fantastic!)

Edinburgh city break!!
Loved it - the castle, the zoo, Arthur's Seat, fab restaurants, lovely people ...
Will definitely go back!

So many happy family holidays in scotland
Used to holiday in skye as a wee one and loved running around fairy glen and gardens at Dunvegan with my sister. Many a windswept picnic was enjoyed too. We look forward to taking our wee ones there!

I've very happy memories from our super cheap caravan holiday in Dumfries. It was March and I got sunburnt! And we had a BBQ!

We visited Caerlaverock Castle where we ate ice-cream while listening to a bagpiper; picnicked by the side of Loch Ken where we saw Red Kites; spent a day traveling along the Galloway forest drive stopping at a various viewing points and seeing Red Deer.

We've been to Edinburgh and Ayrshire too but nothing compares to our trip to Dumfries and Galloway, my favourite ever holiday!

I'd like to 'do' Arran and Bute or Loch Lomond one day but I'm afraid Northumberland has been my choice of destination this year! So many lovely places in the UK.

Yes, Scotland is easy to get to, especially if you live there....

We've had so many great holidays here.

My favourite spots are Arran, Bute, Mull & The Trossachs. So accessible, but so beautiful and child friendly. Would love to visit Islay and the Outer Hebrides. Haven't been to the Orkneys for 30 years so they are due a visit, think the kids would love that. Have also always wanted to go to Shetland at Up Helly A (sp?).

I married a highlands and we've made the 7 hour drive back up to see his dad when we can. Oh mainly goes on his own as it's a bit far for the children. His mum was from Orkney and he has family there I'd love to go and visit Orkney with the family and my father in law.

Love Edinburgh. Amazing city and great people.

I've never been to Scotland and have never really considered it to be a holiday destination. In my head Scotland is cold and bloody miles away! The scenery does look incredible though so maybe I'll take a closer look.