FAMILY ADVENTURES FOR LESS WHEN YOU TAKE THE TRAIN

From parks and beaches to mysterious forests, keep little adventure seekers occupied this Easter with some of Scotland’s most exciting attractions – all reachable by rail,

When it comes to exploring the outdoors and going on adventures, Dennis and Gnasher are experts. They never miss an opportunity to get outside, dirty their knees and paws, and discover everything nature has to offer. Most kids, like Dennis, love exploring new places, being in the fresh air, and getting up to mischief. And Scotland has an abundance of beautiful, wide-open outdoor spaces where children can run, play and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

Available all year round, Kids for a Quid tickets from Scotrail mean your outdoor adventure can begin as soon as you step foot on a train. Up to four kids can travel for just £1 return with every fare-paying adult. So, you could travel the length of the country with your most inquisitive infant in search of new parks, beaches and forests to conquer.

Epic, al-fresco and totally blam, here are some of the best places to visit by rail.

GET ON YOUR BIKES AND CYCLE THE GREEN CIRCULAR

The Green Circular is a cycling and walking route which loops around Dundee, streaking through parks and forests and skirting rivers and burns.

With bike hire businesses located all around the city, this is the perfect day out for adventurous kids who are slightly older and confident on two wheels.

The route passes by many of Dundee’s favourite attractions, including the famous V&A, and Camperdown Wildlife Park which is home to animals, exciting play zones and more.

Information boards around the Green Circular point out historic buildings with interesting stories, such as the Finlathen Aqueduct and Broughty Ferry Castle, as well as all of the animals to look out for in their delightfully dirty, natural habitats.

The route is made up almost entirely of cycling and walking paths, though some sections are on the road, so children should always be supervised – no matter how adventurous they are! There are numerous cycle hire companies dotted around the city, with one just a 15-minute walk from Dundee

train station. If you have your own bikes, you can bring them on Scotrail services to Dundee and can even book spaces with some tickets. For more information, visit the Scotrail website.

NATURE SPRINGS TO LIFE AT CAMPERDOWN PARK

For a fantastic day out discovering totally epic animals, clambering around huge play complexes or even wandering around mysterious woodlands, visit Camperdown Country Park.

The wildlife centre is full of amazing creatures, from furry lemurs and big brown bears, to birds of all shapes and sizes. How close will you dare to get?

The play zone at Camperdown is – there’s no other word for it – totally blam! The rope swings, slides and climbing frames are the props to create your very own assault course.

There is also a café to refuel in after a busy day of adventuring, and a great shop where you can buy souvenirs. To reach the park, you can get the train to Dundee, and from there it’s just a 15-minute walk.

SAND, SPLASHING AND SCRAN AT ABERDEEN BEACH

Who doesn’t love a day at the beach? Sandcastles, swimming (if you’re a daredevil like Dennis), ice-cream, fish and chips: it’s the perfect way to pass the time.

Even on days that are more windy than warm, Aberdeen beach is the ideal place to fly a kite, have races along the promenade, or hold competitions to see who can dig the biggest hole in the sand before finding a steamy hot chocolate from one of the nearby cafes to warm up your hands. Get a train to Aberdeen and take a 20-minute stroll through the Granite City to reach the awesome beach.