This is a selection of family-friendly days out in our local area. We have tried all of these out ourselves with children in tow (or being towed by our children), and are happy to recommend them.
South and West Loch Lomond
- Loch Lomond Shores: Various shops and cafés on the southernmost tip of Loch Lomond at Balloch. Also includes the National Park Gateway centre, which incorporates a small café, children’s crafts activities and nature trails, a Sea Life Centre and an outdoor adventure playground. 16 miles/30 minutes by car – get directions.
- Luss Village: Kiltmaker, Bagpipe works, beautiful village centre and excellent meals and teas at the Coach House Coffee Shop. Luss was the outdoor location setting for the fictional village of Glendarroch, featured in the ITV soap Take the High Road from 1980 until 2003. 25 miles/40 minutes by car – get directions.
Stirling
- Blair Drummond Safari Park: Open late March-end of October. 27 miles/42 minutes by car – get directions.
- Briarlands Farm: Next door to Blair Drummond, a working farm with outdoor children’s activities including pedal carts, jumping pillows and a maize maze. Also pick-your-own strawberries and raspberries in season. Open May to early September. 27 miles/45 minutes by car – get directions.
Trossachs
- Aberfoyle: Various attractions including the Scottish Wool Centre, Trossachs Discovery Centre, cafés, shops and a children’s play park (at the southern end of the village). 18 miles/29 minutes by car – get directions.
- David Marshall Lodge forest visitor centre: Extensive forest walks, ranger guided activities, osprey cameras, shop, café and an outdoor adventure playground suitable for older children. Also Go Ape! high-wire adventure course, strictly for physically fit teenagers and adults only. 18 miles/30 minutes by car – get directions.
Glasgow
There is a near-endless range of things to see and do in Scotland’s largest and liveliest city. Among the highlights (and best for families) are:
- Glasgow Science Centre: The backdrop for the popular BBC children’s show Nina and the Neurons, GCC features three floors of experiments and exhibitions for budding scientists.
- The Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum: A museum of the world with a Glasgow twist, and all the displays have been designed with children in mind. Highlights include Salvador Dali’s Christ of St John of the Cross, and a real Spitfire ‘flying’ in the West Court!
- The Riverside Museum: Scotland’s museum of transport and travel features more than 3,000 exhibits from the smallest bicycle to an enormous South African steam locomotive. Moored outside is the Clyde-built tall ship Glenlee.
- Central Glasgow attractions are approx. 25 miles/45 minutes by car from the Shepherd’s House B&B: Directions.
