7 Days in the Highlands for Kids

Explore the area south of Aviemore today and discover two brilliant attractions, the Highland Wildlife Park and the Highland Folk Museum. In addition, you can make time for a stop at the ruins of Ruthven Barracks and uncover fascinating Jacobite history. You'll pass through Kingussie and Newtonmore, two villages whose shinty teams are the fiercest of rivals - see if you can catch a match whilst you visit!

• Highland Wildlife Park - from Scottish wildcats to snow leopards, and from red squirrels to red pandas, you'll find an incredible mix of endangered species from all over the globe, as well as native species at the Highland Wildlife Park. It's home to wolves, lynx, beavers and wild horses; animals which at one time roamed Scotland's lands. 
• Ruthven Barracks - let your imagination take you back to the time of the Jacobites as you enter Ruthven Barracks, located on a hilltop overlooking Kingussie. Now a ruin, Fort Ruthven was built by George II's forces in the early 1700s in response to the failed uprisings of 1715. 
• Highland Folk Museum - see what life was like for the people of the Highlands from the 1700s up until the 1960s at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. In Outlander the museum's replica 18th century Highland crofts are shown when Claire joins Dougal and his followers on their task to collect rent from the clan's tenants. 

In the morning, visit the family-friendly RSPB Loch Garten, located only a few miles north of Aviemore. Then make your way to the pretty village of Carrbridge where you'll find countless hours of family fun. With so much to do, it's easy to spend a good part of a day at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, but you could also take some time to see Carrbridge and spot the famous Packhorse Bridge or follow one of the village's gentle woodland walks. 

• RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Centre - this reserve is home to breeding ospreys in the warmer months, whilst the capercaillie, Scotland's largest grouse and a rare species, can be seen displaying in spring. There are plenty of trails to follow with fantastic self-guided activities, such as quizzes and bark rubbing, as well as great things to do in the nature centre. 
• Landmark Forest Adventure Park - you're in for an adventurous family day out at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, with three exciting water coasters, aerial tree top courses, Scotland's biggest dinosaur experience, the Dinosaur Kingdom, and much more to explore. 
• Carrbridge Woodland - take a short walk through the woodlands of Carrbridge. There are three waymarked trails to choose from, the longest of which takes just over an hour. The woodlands are home to wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for the likes of timid red squirrels, as well as charming wooden carvings of forest creatures - Carrbridge is known for its annual chainsaw carving competition!

More wild encounters! You'll get up close with the UK's only free-ranging herd of reindeer and even have a go at feeding them - you'll find that reindeer are not only for Christmas time! If you've got time, squeeze in a visit to the Fun House for a round of adventure golf or for some play time in Cyril the Squirrel's treehouse soft play. 

• Cairngorm Reindeer Centre - this herd of reindeer are pretty much left to their own devices, grazing on the sides of the Cairngorm mountains. Daily hill trips depart to visit the reindeer at 11am and, in the summer months, at 2.30pm, where you'll follow an experienced herder up the mountainside. 
• Loch Morlich Watersports - 10 minutes from the centre of Aviemore in the heart of Cairngorms National Park, you'll find Loch Morlich Watersports. The centre offers equipment hire, lessons, activity days and a range of courses. Take part in sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and more. 

For a change of scene, why not have a day out in the Highland city of Inverness? It's just a 45-minute car or train journey from Aviemore. In and around the city there's a great range of both indoor and outdoor attractions, with plenty to do whatever the weather, including a fantastic swimming pool and ice rink. Or head along the banks of Loch Ness and do some Nessie hunting!

• Ness Islands - on the River Ness lies the pretty Ness Islands, connected to the riverbanks by footbridges. The series of paths and bridges are great for a gentle walk, with pathways suitable for pushchairs.
• Inverness Museum & Art Gallery - this centrally located family-friendly museum is free to visit. With lots of fascinating objects from the past and hands-on activities for kids, you can learn about the people of the Highlands, from the Picts to the Jacobites, and Gaelic cultures. Try on an 18th-century-style Highland dress, or play the Roman-era board game, Merels. 
• Urquhart Castle - stand and soak in a thousand years of history - it has witnessed some of the most dramatic chapters in Scotland's past where clan rivalries saw bloody raids carried out in the 15th and 16th centuries. You might even witness a historic event yourself, should you spot the elusive Nessie, Loch Ness's most famous resident.

If you have the time, head to: 

• Whin Park - enjoy the charming Ness Islands miniature railway. Two little locomotives, one named Chrissy and the other named Uncle John, ride along a ½ mile of track, with services running most weekends and during school holidays.

A trip to the Cairngorms would not be complete without trying at least one brilliant adventure activity in the great outdoors, whether it's an adrenaline-inducing experience or a gentle slow adventure! From mountain biking to white-water rafting, there's a huge choice of things to do and places to try activities - here are just some ideas to get you started. 

• Loch Morlich - a great freshwater loch complete with a fantastic sandy beach, Loch Morlich is the perfect watersports destination. Families can learn to sail, windsurf, kayak or canoe with lessons provided by Loch Morlich Watersports. The loch and its beach lie within the Glenmore Forest Park, featuring marvellous woodland trails. 
• Rothiemurchus - on this spectacular Highland estate, you can enjoy quad bike rides, clay target shooting, an aerial assault course, fishing, pony trekking, Segway trips, archery, hired bikes, and more. You can also get up close with Highland cows on a 'Hairy Coo Safari' and try fun river activities too. 
• Loch Insh - get to grips with fun paddlesports such as kayaking, open canoeing, paddleboarding and rowing. Plus, there's windsurfing, raft building, sailing lessons and pedalo hire. 
• Cairngorms Activities - brush up your wilderness survival skills as you try bushcraft or toss a caber as you experience a mini-Highland games. Activities on land also include climbing and abseiling, mountain biking, pony trekking, mini quads, zip wire and high ropes. 

Did you know that from Aviemore you can be at the coast in less than an hour? Have a day of touring the area east of Inverness along the Moray Firth and enjoy playing by the sea, exploring castles and more. You might even be lucky enough to see a dolphin or porpoise on a boat trip, or seals by the shoreline. It's in this part of Scotland you'll find some of the country's best beaches at places such as Nairn, Findhorn, Hopeman and Lossiemouth, so be sure to pack a towel and a beach ball! 

• Nairn - just an hour's drive from the Cairngorms National Park, Nairn is a relaxing and friendly seaside resort in the Scottish Highlands, blessed with three beautiful beaches, stunning scenery and two championship golf courses. 
• Brodie Castle - Brodie Castle is the ancient seat of Clan Brodie. Shakespeare seemed to really love the idea of Highland castles - Brodie Castle also has literary connections to the playwright's work and is said to be near the hill known as "Macbeth's Hillock" where Macbeth is said to have encountered the Weird Sisters. 
• Findhorn - the charming fishing village of Findhorn has a lovely long beach, and seals can often be seen basking where the River Findhorn meets the sea. 
• Duffus Castle - this medieval stronghold is a great place for the whole family, especially kids. Entry to the ruin is free, and it's a fantastic location for kids to let their imaginations run riot as they pretend to be fierce kings and warriors from a bygone era. 

Fancy a relaxed day without too much driving, enjoying the best of country life? Spend some time taking in the surroundings from the comfort of the carriage of a historic steam engine. You could then head south of Aviemore for some splendid forest walks (and perhaps a picnic).

• Strathspey Railway - hop on board the Strathspey Railway for a steam train adventure. Whether your kids are fans of Thomas the Tank Engine or want to imagine that they are travelling with Harry, Ron and Hermione to Hogwarts, they are bound to be enchanted by a chance to ride the railroad tracks in a vintage locomotive. 
• Feshiebridge - about 8 miles south of Aviemore lies Feshiebridge, an area of forest which makes up part of the Glenmore Forest Park. There are some lovely trails which follow the grassy banks of the River Feshie, perfect for stretching your legs and getting some fresh air.