Follow the official advice and enjoy a summer of family fun in Scotland

Summer is here and people from across the country can enjoy the many attractions that we have on our doorstep, as long as we follow UK Government advice and enjoy summer safely. There are plenty of places to go and things to do to suit every budget. Here is our guide to the numerous great days out in across our region.

WITH BEER gardens entering their second week of opening in Scotland and the five-mile restriction on non-essential travel lifted, the country has begun to look forward to a summer of fun.

While social distancing measures are still in place and it is important not to take undue risks, there are plenty of things to do safely.

Zoos and animal parks around Scotland re-opened on June 29, and now that the five-mile restriction has eased they can welcome visitors from near and far.

Edinburgh Zoo, Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling and the Highland Wildlife Park in the Cairngorms National Park have all reopened, with customers asked to book in advance.

Fife Zoo suffered a devastating fire just days after reopening after the Covid-19 lockdown, but no animals were harmed and owners have said they hope to return to normality as soon as possible thanks to support and fundraising from the local community.

Stately homes and gardens have also reopened, with several National Trust for Scotland properties now open to visitors.

These include Culzean Castle and Country Park in Ayrshire, Threave Garden in Dumfries and Galloway, Brodie Castle’s garden and grounds, Arduaine Garden in Argyll and Crathes Castle’s garden and estate in Aberdeenshire. Historic Environment Scotland has said that it will monitor the situation and reopen properties in due course.

Unstaffed outdoor sites are already open, so visitors can enjoy walks around Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park and West Lothian’s Linlithgow Peel among others. Walkers and climbers are now welcome to visit the country’s national parks to enjoy some outdoor exercise.

Guidelines remain to avoid touching surfaces or opening gates where possible, to follow signs and avoid coming into contact with farm workers where applicable, and to keep dogs on leads and avoid areas known to be busy.

Pubs and restaurants with outdoor space have also been allowed to reopen. Glasgow’s The Cranside Kitchen, near the Rotunda, has claimed to be the country’s largest beer garden, with a free-to-enter area seating more than 200 guests with social distancing measures in place.

The beer garden offers a range of drinks alongside food from five popular Glasgow restaurants, Rioja, Halloumi, Pickled Ginger, Kilmurry & Co and La Rotunda. In Edinburgh the Corn Exchange has billed itself as the largest beer garden in the city, having transformed the car park into a space where people can enjoy drinks as well as play darts, ping-pong, swing ball and watch sport, all while observing the necessary hygiene routines.

With hundreds of smaller beer gardens open around the country – including Dundee’s The Kilted Kangaroo and

There are plenty of things to do safely

Aberdeen’s Siberia Bar and Hotel – there is no shortage of options for enjoying this summer safely and enjoying good times in Scotland.

CITY: Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile.

CARING: Gary Curran with a wildcat born in lockdown.