…so you don’t have to.
The sound of silence. A gentle breeze cools your face as you watch the waves ebb and flow. Blissful solitude. But not for you. You have kids. You will be interrupted from that quiet contemplation every few minutes with screams of ‘MUUUMM!’. How can you get time to yourself? Fear not, for Westender has just the ticket to keep the little munchkins occupied with our list of child friendly holidays in Scotland.
By Tracy Mukherjee
Oh, do I love my children. The smell of them takes a headache away, my heart bursts when I hear them giggle. And don’t start me on watching them sleep. Yummy noises.
But if we are honest, holidays are rarely holidays for parents. Flights are a nightmare as tired little bodies get evermore uncomfortable. A toe in the pool confirms it is absolutely freezing and they won’t go in. And as sibling rivalry becomes pathological, one wonders — should we have stayed at home?
Yes! For in our dear green Scotland, there are so many resorts completely designed to keep the kiddies occupied. With activities to do as a family and some child specific entertainment, grab that book you’ve been trying to finish for six months and relax.
North – MacDonalds Aviemore Resort
Aviemore is literally activity central for outdoorsy types — and kids. And MacDonald Aviemore Resort is a perfect base for your adventures. As it’s coming into springtime, the Cairngorms has everything you could want on the doorstep. There is canoeing, mountain biking and pony trekking at Rothiemurchus Estate. The Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie is a 20-minute car ride away. Or take a short trip along the A9 to Landmark Forest Park and be transported back to a land of dinosaurs, of tree top bridges and aerial net challenges.
Back at the resort, family rooms are spacious and comfortable. As it’s part of the wider MacDonald Resort, there are a host of facilities available. With a cinema, restaurants, activity centre, and swimming pool, who cares about the weather?
macdonaldhotels.co.uk/aviemore
South – Whitekirk Hill
And now for something completely different. Off to Lothian and Borders we travel, to Whitekirk Hill, North Berwick. This stunning lodge resort has the best of both worlds. With Edinburgh but 30 minutes away and the beautiful East Lothian beaches on your doorstep, what more could you want?
In North Berwick, grab some fish and chips and then it’s off to Seacliff Beach. The beach is fantastic for surfing and dog walking. The East Links Family park is only six miles away, so why not visit the lamas, wallabies and deer? And simply do not miss The National Museum of Flight close by. It will be your one and only chance to take a seat on Concorde.
Back at Whitekirk Hill, even big families are catered for. Lodges are available for up to 10 people. The resort is also extremely dog friendly. The lodges are beautifully decorated, with plenty of indoor and outdoor space. For rainy days, there is an indoor pool and custom-built play barn and when the sun shines, the sunny dining terrace and outdoor playground call.
The Landal Whitekirk Hill is a beautifully designed holiday destination, for all the family to enjoy.
landal.co.uk/parks/whitekirk-hill
Central – Forest Hills Hotel and Resort
Next in our run-down of child friendly holidays in Scotland, Loch Lomond beckons. The rolling beauty of the Trossachs really is breath-taking. Because we are so near, sometimes we don’t consider it as a holiday staycation. And, my goodness, we should.
A trip along to Aberfoyle in Stirlingshire takes no time, but within an hour you are transported to an area of truly outstanding natural beauty. Forest Hills Hotel and Resort in nearby Kinlochard is our choice for Central Scotland.
With plenty of choice for accommodation, ranging from family rooms to self-catering lodges, a comfortable stay is guaranteed. But what else does the resort have to offer?
Well, there will be few pools more pleasantly situated than that of Forest Hills. Looking out on Loch Ard, the health suite has beautiful views of the grounds. The resort also has football pitches and tennis courts. By the loch, why not try some kayaking and paddle boarding with Loch Ard Adventure?
With so much to do and just an hour away, why wouldn’t you holiday in the Trossachs?
macdonaldhotels.co.uk/forest-hills
East – Piperdam
Piperdam outside Dundee offers families a range of options: from traditional lodges to ones with hot tubs, pet-friendly options or those with indoor saunas. The cabins are in the forest, so the kids will have an incredible time exploring. Nearby Dundee offers the incredible V&A museum and Scott’s RRS Discovery to visit. Or why not make a day of it and head for the glorious Tentsmuir Forest and beach across the bridge in Fife.
On-site, take a wander from your cabin through the numerous forest trails. Piperdam has a whole catalogue of wildlife walking trails which can be picked up at the main lobby.
If the weather isn’t so good, Little Pipers at Piperdam will have something for every child. With ever popular soft play, archery and even segway sessions, you’ll have time to head to the spa and pool.
An incredible range of indoor and outdoor activities, in luxury lodges? Everyone is catered for at Piperdam.
West – Auchrannie Resort
And finally, over the sea we go…to Arran and Auchrannie Resort. Most of us at some point will have visited ‘Scotland in miniature’ — Arran, ferries permitting. And lovely Auchrannie sits overlooking Brodick Bay. Once a hotel within the main building, it now stretches across two hotels, luxury lodges, two leisure clubs, restaurants, a spa, outdoor adventure centre and a children’s play barn. It really is a village in itself. With accommodation ranging from luxury hotel rooms to lodges, all size of families will be catered for. And when it comes to activities, Auchrannie has it covered.
With two pools across the site, you can choose to relax at the heated pool beside the kid’s pool and head to the steam room and sauna tag teaming with your partner. The House Hotel pool has in addition a turbo spa.
Outdoors, why not try a spot of kayaking, an Island safari or a leisurely cycle along the quiet roads?
We can’t possibly cover everything available in such little space. You’ll just have to visit Auchrannie to find out for yourself.
