GREAT DAYS OUT

SOMETHING'S FISHY

Sign your kids up to be members of the  Deep Sea World team for the day or take them diving with real sand sharks (Don’t worry mum, they won’t eat your child for breakfast – there’s a secure metal gate between you and the sharks).  Bubblemaker is a perfect introduction to diving and scuba techniques  and Crew Members for a Day get to try presenting, feeding, creating fishy arts and crafts and learn some of the best kept secrets of how Deep Sea World looks after the marine life in their care. Crew Member for a Day (7-12 year olds) costs £35, including lunch. The Bubblemaker diving course (8-15 year olds), including the hire of diving equipment, is £35.
Visit www.deepseaworld.com or tel: 01383 411 880.  

I SCREAM, YOU SCREAM

Cream o’ Galloway and Castle Threave
Combine a day trip to Galloway with a visit to the Cream o’ Galloway farm and adventure playground, along with an exploration of Castle Threave. The castle is only accessible by boat, and was once home to the powerful Archibald Douglas, known as “Archibald the Grim”.
Cream o’ Galloway offers kids the chance to see how ice cream is made, from start to finish, as well as play on the extensive adventure playground, including the flying fox. The farm is also well laid out with gentle walks and cycle paths.
Visit www.aboutscotland.com/threave/castle.html
Visit www.creamogalloway.co.uk or tel: 01557 814040

PAMPERED KIDS

While the boys are off swimming with sharks, the girls can splash out at the Balmoral Hotel for a fantastic parent and child spa treatment.
The “Nangfa, Angel Bliss for Children” treatment incorporates a grounding oil massage on the back and arms to improve a child's quality of sleep, soothe the nervous system and strengthen the immune system. A special drink, and gift, is offered at the end of the treatment.
Parents and kids can also enjoy the 15-metre pool as part of their spa experience.
The spa treatment for one child costs £50.00 (50 minutes) and children have to be six-years old or older.  
Visit www.thebalmoralhotel.com or tel: 0131 622 8880.

FOR HARRY POTTER FANS

Jacobite Steam Train
Described as one of the great railway journeys of the world this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. From the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis) and the shortest river in Britain (River Morar) to the deepest seawater loch in Europe - Loch Nevis. One of the highlights is crossing the world famous 21 arch Glenfinnan viaduct, which has been used in the Harry Potter movies. The train leaves Fort William at 10:20am and returns to Fort William at 4:00pm with an hour and a half in Mallaig.
www.steamtrain.info or tel: 01524 737751

Glencoe Land Rover Safari
Take in the beauty of Glencoe along with the history of the massacre, the settings used in Harry Potter and the local flora and fauna.  Every Wednesday from July 2 (for 8 weeks), from 3 -4 pm, £5.
Visit www.nts.org.uk or tel: 01855 811307

DUST OF THE BIKES

Glentress
This hill on the outskirts of Peebles has fast become Scotland’s mountain biking mecca, with a range of trails and loops to suit all ages and abilities, including children and complete beginners. This is a fantastic day out with the kids starting at the skills loop.  There is a quiet area set aside for both young and old to try out some of the terrain they’re likely to face elsewhere on the hill, but in a compact setting, as well as some man-made obstacles to test your balance.
Access is free if you bring your own bike, but bike rental is available at the bottom of the hill. The cafe has great basic healthy fare.
Visit www.thehubintheforest.co.uk or tel: 01721 721736.

The Trossachs
The Trossachs is an ideal area for cycling, with a variety of pleasant (and fairly flat) routes to get the kids enthusiastic about getting on their bikes.
There are a variety of routes, depending on how far you want to go or how challenging you want to make it. An easy 11-mile ride takes you from the pier at Loch Katrine along the side of Loch Achray, Loch Venachar and then to Callander.
For a selection of cycling routes in the area, visit www.incallander.co.uk/trossachscycling.htm

PACK A LUNCH

Largs and Millport
A day out to Millport is an institution, and with good reason. Cumbrae is a paradise for families who love to cycle. The 10.25 mile circumference provides breathtaking scenery from quiet winding roads and the more hilly inner route provides the more adventurous with stunning panoramas over the firth. There are several cycle hire shops in Millport where all types of cycle can be rented for all ages. The ferry departs every 30 minutes from Largs and takes only 10 minutes.  
Visit www.millport.org

Nearby in Fairlie is Kelburn Castle and Country Park  which is an excellent destination for families.  Kids will spend hours playing in the Secret Forest, the Adventure Course, pet’s corner and the Stockade while you take in the views.
www.kelburncountrycentre.com

New Lanark World Heritage Site
Hugging the banks of the River Clyde, the village of New Lanark grew up around the mills built by Richard Arkwright and David Dale between 1788 and 1826. Dale's son-in-law Robert Owen made the village world-famous with his innovative ideas on social reform. The site is home to a museum and a restored school.  There are planned activities for kids and it is the perfect place for a family picnic and a  stroll up to the Falls of Clyde.
Visit www.newlanark.org

Inchcailloch Natural Reserve
Combine a day out to Loch Lomond with a trip across the water to Inchailloch, which is easily accessible from Balmaha and includes a nature trail for kids. Pack a picnic and make a day of it, and if the weather is kind, you could even dip a toe or more in the water.
www.loch-lomond.net/islands/inchcailloch.html

For further information on family attractions and activities as well as suggested itineraries and a search engine for child-friendly accomodation in Scotland log on to www.visitscotland.com