From Highland Games to coastal walks, there’s fun for all the family
A series of sizzling summer events is planned for this year, including a West End Festival programme, the Katie Morag Highland Games, outdoor learning, looking at wormeries and a children’s free cycling event. See www. thechildrenswood.com
Earthtime in Elgin also has a bursting programme – www. earthtime.co.uk – with the aim of promoting environmental awareness while having fun thanks to a range of exciting and creative woodland and naturebased activities.
Under The Trees in Edinburgh aims to take outdoor play to new levels with nature clubs and a forest school, specialising in environmental education while introducing children to a whole new world.
Many of Under The Trees’ activities involve den building, outdoor arts and crafts, and making things such as bows and arrows. All events help children learn about the natural world and teach them to respect the environment and other creatures. www.underthetrees.net
The above events are all organised activities but Scotland also boasts a fantastic range of natural wonders, with the summer months the best time to enjoy them. Galloway Forest Park has the first Dark Sky Park in the UK, with some fantastic stargazing opportunities – more than 7000 stars are visible.
The Milky Way can be seen by the naked eye and even more brightly thanks to observing instruments. Meteor showers, stargazing for beginners and stargazing podcasts can all be found on www.forestry.gov.uk/ darkskygalloway
Owned by the National Trust for Scotland, Rockcliffe Beach is part of a stunning stretch of coastline in the sheltered Urr Estuary, with numerous opportunities for mollusc seekers.
During July and August, rangers will offer guided walks, including low-tide rambles across the mud flats to Rough Island, with lots of interesting and unexpected creatures to be seen.
Fingal’s Cave in Staffin is possibly the most famous cave in Scotland but not easily accessible, so for a hands-on experience try the Bone Caves at Assynt in Sutherland.
This is a fascinating walk back in time in the North West Highlands Geopark to the caves where bones of reindeer, humans and even polar bears were discovered. www. assyntfoundation.org
Try a boat trip from Elgol on the Isle of Skye to one of Scotland’s most isolated and breathtaking lochs – Loch Coruisk in the heart of the Cuillins.
Take a picnic, explore, try paddling or swimming and enjoy an hour or six in this tranquil location before returning to reality. www.bellajane.co.uk
It’s a long trek to Sandwood Bay, Kinlochbervie, but it’s worth the journey for the huge sand dunes and mile and a half of sand. It takes an hour or so to cover the four miles to reach it but its glorious isolation is a big part of the appeal – directions are available at www. undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ kinlochbervie/sandwoodbay