7 Magical places to stay that your kids will love
Do your kids dream of being a prince or princess, spending a day as a farmer, or travelling back in time on their next holiday? These seven child-friendly places to stay will spark their imaginations, offering wildlife adventures by the coast, farm stays full of friendly faces, and unforgettable family moments filled with discovery and fun.
The following list was created by VisitScotland to showcase a range of experiences. It isn’t ranked in any specific order.
A child-friendly lodge in Scotland
Scotland
Woodlands Glencoe
© Woodlands Glencoe
If your child would love to be one of the faerie folk, choose a magical, child-friendly woodland lodge.
From Glen Dye Cabins & Cottages to Cairngorm Lodges on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, kids will have hours of outdoor fun building faerie dens in the mature woodland surrounding the cabins.
Stay in a real fairy-tale castle
Scotland
Crossbasket Castle
© Crossbasket Castle
If your child would love to be a prince or princess, choose a castle or grand country estate.
Consider Crossbasket Castle Hotel, a beautifully restored 17th-century retreat near Glasgow with elegant rooms and riverside grounds or Crieff Hydro in Perthshire, which boasts beautiful interiors, chandeliers and plenty of entertainment for young royals, from pony rides and tree-top adventures to swimming and organised activities.
A farm stay in Scotland
Scotland
Guardswell Farm
© Visitscotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
If your child would love to be a farmer, choose a farm stay.
Get a feel for what it’s like to live on a working farm at Newton Farm Holidays in Angus or Guardswell Farm with its rustic cottages and off-grid huts in Perthshire. Go on a family farm tour and meet the animals, including goats, cows and sheep, book an alpaca experience, or order a picnic and eat al fresco on the farm.
A family getaway by the water
Scotland
Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
If your child would love to be a lighthouse keeper, choose an adventure near the water.
With a dramatic shoreline and magical islands to discover, you can see Scotland from a completely different perspective. Staying in a lighthouse offers a unique opportunity for coastal adventures. Kids will love exploring the coastlines, spotting seabirds and you might even spot dolphins swimming alongside.
Child-friendly self-catering accommodation
Scotland
Westerton Farmers
© VisitScotland / Mat Hay
If your child would love to be a chef, choose a self-catering stay.
Have a fun day out exploring the local shops and help your kids choose fresh Scottish ingredients to make a meal for the whole family. It’s a great way to get your kids trying locally sourced food, such as crisp vegetables, tangy cheese and succulent meat – plus they’ll get a massive sense of achievement from helping to prepare the meal.
Enjoy a family getaway in a Scottish cottage
Scotland
Borve Lodge Estate
© Borve Lodge Estate
If your child would love to be a time traveller, choose a historic cottage.
Stay at Eilean Donan Castle Cottages, where families can explore one of Scotland’s most iconic castles, imagine life in centuries gone by and enjoy a magical Highland escape. Or visit the centuries-old blackhouses at Gearrannan Blackhouse Village in the Outer Hebrides, where kids can step back in time while still enjoying modern comforts like underfloor heating.
Immerse yourself in a back-to-nature family retreat
Scotland
West Beach Caravan Park, Moray
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
If your child would love to be a wildlife explorer, choose a stay in a countryside location.
Try Silversands Holiday Park near Lossiemouth, where dunes and coastal paths promise endless hours of outdoor fun. There’s also a playground, sports court and indoor pool. Or experience the postcard-perfect location of Harvest Moon Holidays. Kids can hunt for shells on the idyllic stretch of beach, cycle through woodland and keep their eyes peeled for rare birds. They’ll adore the safari-style tents and wooden treehouses too.