NO LONG FACES!
From horse sculptures to national parks, summer fun needn’t cost a penny
SuMMER is here, and that means warm weather, blue skies, picnics in the park, ice creams and a whole lot of fun to be had. However, summer doesn’t have to break the bank when there are many activities, locations, and opportunities for great days out you can enjoy for free!
Here are some top suggestions on how to make the most of your Scottish summer this year!
Spend a day gazing at the magnificent Kelpies by Andy Scott at the Helix Park in Falkirk. The two 100ft horse head sculptures are a true feat of engineering and provide a popular destination for activities such as cycling, walking, watersports and more. Entrance to the park is free, but on site you can book a Kelpies tour, enjoy a selection of food at the Plaza Café, or discover more about the history of the Kelpies in the visitor centre.
Scotland is full of rich and exciting history and where better to learn about it than at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh? The museum is one of the top ten uK visitor attractions and in the top 20 of the most visited museums and galleries in the world. There are centuries of history to explore, from ancient Egyptian artefacts, science and technological discoveries, and many ongoing exhibitions throughout the year for that extra special experience.
Admission to the museum is free, but donations are welcome.
In Newtonmore, Invernessshire, pay a visit to the Highland Folk Museum to experience the domestic and working conditions of the early Highland peoples. This 80-acre site in the Cairngorms National Park allows you to delve into the past and history of our ancestors to find out how they lived, dressed, what they ate and more, all in a friendly, welcoming environment. There are also play parks, picnic areas, cafes and shops on site so it is perfect for a family day out.
Venture to the Outer Hebrides and the 5,000-year-old Calanais Standing Stones. Enjoy the interactive Story of the Stones exhibition, exploring how they were built, used, and what they meant to people through the years. The visitor centre is home to further exhibitions, café and gift shop. calanaisvisitorcentre.co.uk
The Edinburgh International Book Festival returns to Scotland’s capital from August 12 to 28, bringing together readers and writers for inspiration, entertainment and discussions. This year the festival will be expanding with two new venues at the west end of George Street, and will welcome around 1,000 authors in more than 800 events, including novelists, poets, scientists, philosophers, sportsmen, musicians, illustrators and many more.
If you’re a lover of nature and wildlife then head outdoors to one of Scotland’s many parks and gardens. Explore the Cairngorms National Park for an abundance of rivers, lochs, forest paths, wildlife, villages and distilleries. Or why not head to Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park for centuries of history and a beautiful landscape to discover?
There are many botanic gardens across Scotland that are home to a variety of colourful plant species, including Logan in Dumfries and Galloway, Dawyck in the Scottish Borders, Benmore in Argyll and The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.