100% customisable travel idea
Family time in Scotland After Edinburgh, your cottage in the Highlands
United Kingdom - Scotland - Edinburgh - The Highlands - Kingussie - Cairngorms National Park
Once upon a time in Scotland…
Your trip
Direct flights are almost a given when travelling with children. Unless you prefer to travel by train, which is also an option for getting to Scotland. Travelling in your rental car, especially in the Highlands, is a real visual treat. When it comes to accommodation, we haven't just settled for comfort and a strategic location. In Edinburgh, we have selected a charming and historic establishment with one of the most popular terraces in the capital. In Kingussie, in the Cairngorms, you will stay in a delightful private cottage where you will instantly feel at home. A cosy space, perfectly equipped for cooking together, gathering around the fireplace after a day in the great outdoors, or around a barbecue on sunny days, and getting a peaceful night’s sleep. With the magnificent landscapes of the Highlands outside your windows. As you can see, there's plenty to keep you busy in Scotland. However, we've planned two wonderful experiences that the kids won't forget in a hurry: a fun walk in Edinburgh in search of mysterious animals, and an encounter with a herd of reindeer in the Cairngorms. The rest of the time is yours to hike, visit, paddle, stroll and laze around as you please. You can also contact our on-site Concierge, who is available to help you add activities to your itinerary and to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.In Scotland, they'll love...
Watching people play the bagpipes in the streets of Edinburgh, on bridges or high up in the Highlands; swapping afternoon tea for afternoon hot chocolate; imagining a new story every time they see a castle; learning how to milk a cow at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore; kayaking on the lakes of the Cairngorms, but not on Loch Ness, just in case!; watching red squirrels scurry through the forest - they never remember where they buried their nuts!; learning the vocabulary used to describe the Scottish mountains: “Fionas” are between 610 and 762 metres high, “Corbetts” are between 762 and 914 metres high, and “Munros” are over 914 metres high.
Itinerary
100% customisable for you
Stay for two nights in a historic building. Built in 1820, the property is the longest continuous building of Georgian architecture in the city. The rooms have generous proportions and high ceilings. In every elegant space there is a hushed atmosphere. At the bar, you’ll find a fine selection of local whiskies. As for the large tree-lined terrace at the back of the hotel, it provides the perfect setting to meet at the end of the day or to plan your explorations over a morning coffee.
The city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, due in part to its medieval "herringbone" street pattern. Walk down the Royal Mile, from the castle to the Palace of Holyrood, where some of the ceilings bear the monogram of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland and France in the second half of the 16th century. Mary, Queen of Scots is a central character who brings many others to life and is vital to understanding the Scottish spirit. Close to the palace is the Scottish Parliament building, a beautiful example of contemporary architecture that houses an institution with a history dating back to the 13th century. Next, continue your explorations along the delightful paths of the Royal Botanic Garden, with its ten different climate zones. As you walk, children will quickly notice the striking resemblance between the Scottish capital and the world of Harry Potter. And for good reason. JK Rowling was inspired by these places when she was writing the adventures of the world’s most famous young wizard.
On your schedule - Mysterious animals walking tour. Edinburgh’s Old Town is full of secrets that it reveals only to those with a keen eye. With your guide, you and your family set out in search of iconic animals scattered throughout the city. See if you can find unicorns, dogs, sheep, dragons, owls and many more. It's a fun and informative walk.
Pick up your rental car and drive to Kingussie, a charming small town in the Highlands and gateway to the stunning Cairngorms National Park. Stay for four nights in a delightful cottage that blends contemporary Danish design with the traditional charm of late 19th century Scottish farmhouses. The result is a marvel of warmth and comfort, a welcome retreat after a day spent outdoors. The accommodation is self-catering so you have your own kitchen, which is ideal with children. There is a lovely lounge with a fireplace too, and even a barbecue for outdoor cooking on warm days.
Cairngorms National Park is the UK's largest national park covering an area of approximately 4,528 square kilometres (1,748 square miles). It is certainly one of the most beautiful too. It is dominated by Ben Macdui, standing proudly at 1,309 metres (4,295 feet), and by high plateaus partly covered with low vegetation reminiscent of the tundra. These are the Highlands just as you imagine them, with a beauty wrapped in the ever-changing hues of grey, blue, gold, green and russet. It’s possible to spot curlews, rock ptarmigan and Eurasian dotterel in the park. There are Scottish ptarmigan too, more commonly known as the famous red grouse. In winter, greylag geese arrive from Iceland. Swans also make the park their home. The park is home to six distilleries which make their whisky all year round. A wide range of activities can be enjoyed here. There is hiking for all levels, swimming, cycling, kayaking and rafting, all in the great outdoors.
Things to see and do - Day trip to Inverness and Loch Ness. The capital of the Highlands, Inverness sits in a strategic position in northern Scotland. From the top of its impressive castle, with its striking red sandstone walls, there are beautiful views of the River Ness. From the banks of the river, you can reach the Ness Islands, a lovely natural haven in the heart of the city and home to Nessie’s wooden cousins. Be sure to visit the site of the Battle of Culloden where you can immerse yourself in this tumultuous period of Scottish history. Although today it is only a large commemorative field, the museum provides valuable insights into this legendary conflict between the English and the Jacobites. A little further east, visit Cawdor Castle, which owes its fame to the "Thane of Cawdor", a character from Macbeth, the famous play by Shakespeare. And of course, Inverness is synonymous with Loch Ness. The north shore of the lake is just a 15 minute drive from the city. Here there are beaches which are perfect for picnicking, strolling and scanning the water’s surface for any signs of Nessie. The locals prefer to fish mostly fish for eels, minnows and trout!
Optional extra -Loch Ness RIB ride.
On your schedule - Cairngorm reindeer encounter. The national park is home to the only reindeer herd in Britain. It's climate is similar to certain Scandinavian regions, so reindeer thrive there. With a guide, get up close to the free-ranging herd that lives in this wonderful environment.
Things to see and do - Loch An Eilein, with its calm waters bordered by the Rothiemurchus Forest where you might spot red squirrels and ospreys - visit the Highland Folk Museum, where you can experience life in the Highlands from 1700s to the 1950s - check if nearby Balmoral Castle, where the royal family holidays every year, is open for visitors - visit Loch Morlich, with its sandy beaches and water sports centre - drive along the stunning Snow Roads, a scenic route through the Cairngorms - travel back in time visiting Braemar, Urquhart and Blair castles.
Not to be missed - Close to Kingussie, the ruins of Ruthven Barracks, a garrison dating back to 1719, tell the story of a focal point of Scottish history. Built by the British government in response to the Jacobite rising, these military buildings were partly destroyed during the Jacobites’ retreat after the famous Battle of Culloden in 1746. This marked a decline in the traditional Highland way of life, the clan system and the wearing of tartan, among other things.
Drive to Edinburgh, return your rental car and return journey.
À la carte
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
Zodiac cruise on Loch Ness
Climb aboard a zodiac boat together and glide across the dark waters of the famous Loch Ness, which is over 200 metres deep in places. A godsend for Nessie, who has a multitude of places to hide! In addition to offering superb panoramic views of the Highlands, this lake trip is an opportunity to revisit the legend. In 565 AD, an Irish monk was reportedly attacked by a beast while bathing in the lake. Much later, in the 20th century, a photograph of the alleged monster went around the world and numerous “witnesses” have claimed to have seen Nessie too. Will you see it too?
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