CASTLES FOR KIDS
ORKNEY
It is a little known fact, but Orkney was strategically important during the American War of Independence and the Napoleonic Wars when Martello towers – fortified gun towers with small barracks – were built to defend the coast and British shipping. HACKNESS MARTELLO TOWER on the island of South Walls off Hoy is one of only three Martello towers that were built in Scotland.
Kids will have lots of fun dressing up and imagining what life must have been like in the tower.
THE HIGHLANDS & MORAY
JuttINg out into Loch Ness, the stout medieval fortress of
URQUHART CASTLE, once one of Scotland’s biggest, is one of our most famous castles.
the kids will love looking for Nessie from the castle’s battlements – and the views from here are pretty spectacular, too – and there’s also a children’s quiz to keep them entertained.
You can even see a full-sized trebuchet, an ancient siege weapon. On site, there is a café and plenty of places to enjoy a picnic.
BALLINDALLOCH CASTLE is a great castle for younger visitors as well as a fantastic place to visit, where you’ll learn all about the history of this ‘pearl of the north’.
there’s a play area with swings, climbing frames, slides and ride-on tractors and diggers for the wee ones to enjoy, a pedal go-cart track for the older kids, friendly llamas and donkeys to meet and quizzes to be completed with prizes at stake.
And if that wasn’t enough, a grass labyrinth is a great place to run around in to burn any energy the kids might have left – probably followed by 40 winks in the car on the way home.
Looking more like a French chateau than a traditional Scottish castle, enchanting
DUNROBIN CASTLE is the largest in the North Highlands and the site has been the home of the Earls and later the Dukes of Sutherland since the 1300s.
the castle, gardens and museum will keep the family entertained, but it is the falconry displays that will really enthral the kids, especially when the agile birds of prey fly close to the audience.
ABERDEENSHIRE
CRATHES CASTLE is a very popular attraction among adult guests, but did you know this well-visited 16th century tower house near Banchory is a great place for kids, too?
there’s an enclosed play area and adventure playground for younger children, while older kids can have fun high up in the trees on the go Ape! adventure course.
there are miles of nature trails to explore on the estate as well as beautifully manicured gardens to stroll in by the castle.
A welcoming café and gift shop can be found next to the play area, which is only a short walk from the castle.
DRUM CASTLE, near Peterculter, is an impressive fortress and features one of Scotland’s oldest tower houses, dating back to medieval times.
It’s a place of fascinating history and there’s lots to see inside the castle and outside in the garden of Historic Roses and the broader surrounding estate.
Children will love the adventure playground near the car park and there are plenty of picnic spots in the grounds too.
Children’s quizzes are available from reception. Help them find important pieces in Drum’s fine collection. And families will love the nature-spotting quiz – how
many animals and beasties will you see in the castle grounds?
go and discover ancient Scotland at CASTLE FRASER GARDEN &
ESTATE near Sauchen, parts of which date back to 1450.
there’s loads for the kids to enjoy here, including the woodland secrets adventure playground, where they’ll discover wooden sculptures, a bamboo snake walk, teepees, a tree hut and a giant xylophone.
If that wasn’t enough, stroll around the woodlands to hear and possibly see lots of different birds and insects and dragonflies in the flight pond.
Relax in the café and browse the fine selection of gifts in the shop.
ANGUS
GLAMIS CASTLE has been the ancestral seat of the Earls of Strathmore and Kinghorne since 1372 and the kids will have a great time here. they will hear spooky ghost stories and learn some fascinating facts about the castle.
then there are the pretty gardens to explore and woodland wildlife to spot along the nature trail.
After that it’s time for a delicious meal or a cake from the Victorian kitchen restaurant.
the estate also hosts a fantastic array of family-friendly events including the Scottish transport Extravaganza (July) and Hallowe’en at glamis Castle (October).
PERTHSHIRE
BALHOUSIE CASTLE, only a short walk from Perth city centre, is the headquarters of the Black Watch and houses the regiment’s museum, where you’ll find a remarkable collection of uniforms, medals, military equipment and much more.
Kids can dress up in military uniform at this five-star familyfriendly museum, which holds regular family craft sessions and workshops.
Activity backpacks can be borrowed from reception and there are family activity sheets to complete – remember to claim your prize before you leave.
the café serves lovely snacks and meals and there’s even a great play park situated only a short walk away in the North Inch park.
BLAIR CASTLE & GARDENS in Highland Perthshire is a great place for a family day out.
Indoors, using picture clues, hunt down the treasures in the castle detectives challenge. Spend some time in the treasure room colouring in or pick a costume from the dressing-up box in the ballroom.
Outside, the kids can run riot in the woodland adventure playground (there’s also an enclosed play area for the younger ones) or enjoy a 90-minute tour of the grounds and surrounding estate onboard a vintage tractor and trailer ride.
Rich in history as a Pictish capital, a seat of parliaments and the former crowning place of Scottish kings and home to the Earls of Mansfield since 1776,
SCONE PALACE is one of Scotland’s finest and most important stately homes.
With the Murray Star Maze and a 100-acre estate to play in, it’s also a popular place for family days out.
Be Robert the Bruce or the famous spider in the children’s adventure playground, pick up a copy of Heather the Highland Cow activity book from the palace gift shop, explore the pinetum or simply play hide and seek in the grounds.
Parts of LOCH LEVEN CASTLE on Castle Island in the loch itself date
back to the 1300s and played host to royalty including robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots – the latter being imprisoned here in 1567. Just imagine what that must have been like.
Kids will love a trip to this castle as the only way to get to it is by boat across the loch.
You can also wander around the island, which sits in a spectacular setting in the loch, with the lomond Hills to the east.
It’s worth booking in advance as the passenger boat has limited capacity.
FIFE
THE pretty village of Falkland was a favourite rural retreat of the royal Stuarts and especially Mary, Queen of Scots, long before it was popularised by the hit drama series outlander.
You’ll be enchanted by the amazing renaissance architecture, centuries-old carvings, paintings and furniture and beautifully maintained garden and orchard at
FALKLAND PALACE & GARDEN.
The children can play a game of draughts or chess on a giant outside board, explore the unique
living willow labyrinth and marvel at one of the uK’s oldest real tennis courts.
KELLIE CASTLE, near Pittenweem in the East neuk of Fife, effortlessly merges medieval history with Victorian style, reflecting how it has developed and evolved over the centuries.
admire both its ancient and more modern architecture, learn about its 19th century interior renovations or relax and revitalise your senses with the fragrance of old roses in the arts & Crafts Garden.
The Kellie Castle wee guide is packed full of stories and games for the little ones and they can also run wild in the woodlands and adventure playground if they’re feeling more energetic.
EDINBURGH & LOTHIANS
DIRLETON CASTLE
in East lothian dates back to the 13th century and survived turbulent times for 400 years before being rendered to ruins following oliver Cromwell’s 1650 siege.
The castle, even in its ruined state, remains imposing and there’s some fine architecture to admire here. The big draw, however, is the charming gardens, which date back to Victorian times and contain the world’s longest herbaceous border.
a children’s quiz will help to bring this amazing site to life for younger visitors and keep them amused.
LINLITHGOW PALACE, sitting regally between the town and linlithgow loch, was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, and a day here among its impressive ruins is a fantastic option for families.
There’s a lovely walking trail that goes around the loch, with many picnic spots and lots of wildlife to spot along the way, and Historic Environment Scotland’s ranger service run regular guided walks.
lot of swans, geese, ducks and other wildfowl congregate at the side of the loch, which the kids will love.
a children’s quiz is available on the palace tour and a spectacular jousting event takes place each year (this year it will be held on June 30 and July 1).
often referred to Edinburgh’s other castle, CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE contains lots of nooks and crannies, making it a great place for a game of hide and seek.
It’s a great spot for a picnic and there’s also a children’s quiz available to help the young ones learn more about the castle and its history.
Climb the tower and enjoy fabulous views towards Holyrood Park, Edinburgh Castle and across the capital.
STIRLING
You’ll need to set aside a full day when you take the family to
STIRLING CASTLE as there’s so much to see and do.
Meet the king and queen’s servants or the hard-working kitchen staff – dressed in period costume – and learn what life was like for them in olden times.
Have fun in the palace vaults, discover the secrets of the Stirling skeletons or join a captivating history hunters tour. If that isn’t enough, there are quizzes to complete and fun games to play, too.
Stirling Castle is one of the most historic and important castles in Scotland and is well worth a day out.
WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE
GuardInG the main river entry into Glasgow, the views from
DUMBARTON CASTLE, especially from the White Tower, are impressive to say the least.
Carefully built around dumbarton rock, which was besieged and assaulted by the Vikings during the dark ages, the medieval castle was built around 1220 and became an important royal castle.
The castle as you see it today dates back to the 1600 and 1700s.
There’s a children’s quiz available and places to have a picnic if you want to bring one – but be sure to travel light because there are more than 500 steps to conquer before you reach the top of the rock.
AYRSHIRE
adVEnTurE Cove at CULZEAN
CASTLE on the ayrshire coast is a huge castle playground in Culzean’s grounds that’s just for the kids.
If that isn’t enough, your little treasures will also have a great time running around the awesome wild woodland play park, which includes towers, treehouses, slides, climbing walls, a maze and zip slides.
Culzean Castle contains fantastic collections of paintings and furniture and is a great place for all the family to visit.
You can even stay in one of the holiday cottages in the grounds or The Eisenhower country house hotel, located on the upper floors of the castle. Colourful 13th century KELBURN
CASTLE midway between largs and Fairlie is one of ayrshire’s quirkiest attractions.
resplendent in its eye-catching graffiti exterior, which will enthral the kids before they even get out of the car, they’ll also love the indoor and outdoor play areas and pets corner.
There’s a secret forest with ‘magical trails’ and features including a crocodile pool, the maze of the green man, a castle with no entrance and 100 other surprises to discover.
DUNDONALD CASTLE is one of Scotland’s less explored castles, but with its fascinating history and links to smuggling and the supernatural, it’s definitely worth visiting with the kids.
They can get dressed up for the tour and enjoy some activities in the welcoming café. The views over
Ayrshire from this hilltop stronghold are quite spectacular and the castle is also one of nine points of interest along the Smugglers’ Trail. You’ll find 14th century PORTENCROSS CASTLE near the pretty town of West Kilbride, Scotland’s first craft town.
Strategically positioned on the coast overlooking Little Cumbrae and the islands of Bute and Arran, there is archaeological evidence that the site the castle occupies has been settled since the Iron Age.
Admission is free, but donations are very welcome and help the Friends of Portencross to keep the castle open.
The castle is quite compact and tours are quite quick, which is ideal for restless wee ones with boundless energy.
The kids will have a great time at JEDBURGH CASTLE JAIL AND
MUSEUM dressing up as inmates and imagining what it would have been like to be locked up here.
There are also activities for the kids to enjoy and a children’s guide to help them learn more and admission to the castle jail and museum is free.
The museum tells the fascinating story of the Royal Burgh of Jedburgh.
There’s loads for the kids to enjoy at BOWHILL HOUSE & COUNTRY ESTATE by Selkirk. This is the impressive country home
of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and the house and fine gardens are an absolute joy to behold.
There are miles of way-marked walking trails to explore and there is an amazing adventure playground in the woods. Or if you have toddlers, head for the soft play area in the courtyard.
horse riding, wildlife watching and regular family events including a ranger’s club completes the family-friendly line-up.
TRAQUAIR, near the pretty Borders village of Innerleithen, is Scotland’s oldest inhabited house, dating back to 1107.
It is a magical place, whatever your age, and the ideal place for a family day out.
Kids will love the maze, the mini adventure playground, toddlers’ play area, natural willow tunnels and yew sound sculptures.
Scavenger hunts and kids activity sheets are available from the gift shop and Daphne and Delilah in the children’s guidebook take the wee ones on a tour of the house with puzzles and games.
CAERLAVEROCK, strategically positioned overlooking the Solway Firth, which separates the south of Scotland from the Lake District, is one of Scotland’s most formidable fortresses and has survived sieges and struggles down the centuries.
Its striking triangular shape is unique in Britain and for many, it’s the epitome of a medieval stronghold.
A great way to appreciate this grand castle is by following a nature trail around the castle moat – look out for insects and other wildlife.
A children’s quiz is also available to keep the wee ones entertained.
There’s loads to do on a family day out to DRUMLANRIG CASTLE near Thornhill in Dumfries and Galloway.
This is the Dumfriesshire seat of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch & Queensberry and you’ll discover the historic Buccleuch Collection on display inside the castle.
Alternatively, stroll through the castle gardens or go wild in the adventure playground, which boasts aerial runways, swings, tunnel slides, a suspension bridge and more. For younger children there is a wooden tractor with trailer, a wooden rocking horse and toddler swings.
For families with older children, you can explore some of the lovely dedicated mountain biking routes on the castle’s estate.
There are also regular rangerled walks and other events available in the area.
SCOTTISH BORDERS DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY