EASTERFUNDAYS
If you want to get out this weekend and need ideas, look no further. We’ve rounded up the best activities taking place in Scotland
BY ANNA BURNSIDE THE forecast is for sunshine and there are a host of family activities on across the country to make the most of Easter weekend.
The National Trust for Scotland has linked up with Cadbury to put on egg hunts in historic properties from Friday to Monday.
This is the perfect solution for parents – and grandparents – who can’t face hiding a bunch of chocolate treats in their own garden and watching the weans trample all over the tulips to get to the Malteser bunnies.
There are events at 44 NTS properties – castles, gardens, stately homes and some smaller gems. If you have never been to the trust’s perfectly restored tenement in Glasgow’s Garnethill, this is your chance to combine bed recess nostalgia with chocolate.
Find the full list of events at www.nts.org.uk/ easter.
Traquair House, in the Borders, has run an impressive Easter event for the last 17 years.
This year should be no exception, with an egg hunt in the house’s giant maze, an egg scramble for younger children, bonnet making, egg decorating and lots of other fun activities.
There are even Traquair ales, brewed on site, for adults who prefer beer to chocolate. www.traquair.co.uk The Museum of Rural Life, in East Kilbride, is a great shout for active, outdoor kids. They have a full weekend of activities, some including chickens and rabbits.
All are free with entry to the museum, which is worth a visit at any time of the year but is particularly great in spring when there are lambs around.
www.nms.ac.uk/exhibitionsevents/events/ national-museumof-rural-life/springinto-easter/
There’s fun stuff for children every day in the run-up to Easter at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. The highlight is an Easter bonnet parade on Sunday.
Make a magnificent headpiece at the craft workshop in the family room, then parade it through the palace in the afternoon.
It’s free with entry to the ● HISTORIC Scotland also uses its castles and cathedrals as the backdrop for Easter activites.
These are free for Historic Scotland members at 19 venues including Caerlaverock Castle near Dumfries and Elgin Cathedral and Huntly Castle up north.
Several – Aberdour Castle, Direlton Castle, St Andrews Castle – are on the coast and so can be combined with a picnic or walk along the beach.
www.historicenvironment.scot/ visit-a-place/whats-on museum. www.rct.uk/event/ easter-bonnet-parade-04-2019#/
Dobbies Garden Centres throughout the country have Easter Bunny breakfasts for the Easter weekend.
If a long lie is not part of your plans for the holiday, this is a way to combine a fry-up with a morning of wholesome craft activities and a fancy dress competition. Children get a Lindt chocolate bunny to take home. Advance booking is essential.
hub.dobbies.com/events/ upcoming-events/easter-bunnybreakfast/
Restoration Yard, within Dalkeith Country Park, has egg painting sessions on Friday and Saturday.
It’s a beautiful setting, a restored 18th century stables with a dogfriendly cafe. Afterwards, there’s the rest of the park to explore.
www.restorationyard.com/ events/kids-egg-painting-workshop
Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway is a great day out for any child going through a transport-obsessed phase. There is a daily egg hunt in the museum from Friday to Monday, plus prizes for the best fancy dress and bonnet. www. bkrailway.co.uk/your-visit/events/
And if your kids are way beyond the Thomas the Tank Engine stage, the DogStar VR Lounge in Dundee has an event guaranteed to impress the most worldly teen.
They have a special Easter weekend game in which the player has to cross a deep cavern, find a dragon’s egg and make it back before she wakes up.
There are real-life chocolate eggs for those who make it.
www.dogstarvrlounge.com