ENJOY THE FREEDOM BY GETTING OUT AND TRAVELLING BY TRAIN
When was the last time you boarded a train and explored another city? If it has been a while since you have ventured outside your own hometown or city, now is the perfect time to enjoy day trips with the family…
This spring you are invited to take a trip with your family to Scotland’ s cultural venues and, while there, explore our beloved cities, by train – thanks to Scotrail’s Kids for a Quid tickets. Are you ready to climb aboard and embark on an exciting family adventure? Whether your own children are still young, or you have become a grandparent, it’s time to round up the little ones and prepare them for a Scottish rail trip to explore the arts and cultural venues.
Kids for a Quid tickets on Scotrail services across the country give you the perfect opportunity to discover why Scotland has been chosen to host some of the world’s biggest festivals, shows, events and arts exhibitions.
Kids for a Quid aims to get more people travelling by train, for less. So, get on board and buy your ticket today. With a Kids for a Quid ticket, up to four children can travel with each adult on the train for just £ 1 return anywhere in Scotland. It’s available all-year round, so you can travel, off-peak, all week – even in the school holidays. As well as travelling for a pound, you’ll get one free child entry to a host of Scotland’s top attractions, when you purchase a full price, standard entry adult ticket. See scotrail. co.uk/kids for more details.
IT’S CURTAIN UP AT SCOTLAND’S THEATRES
We are so lucky in Scotland to have dozens of theatres spread across our seven cities, and most of them have something on for the kids and are easily accessed from the main train stations. Here’s a list below of some of our most popular theatres where actors and performers are back on stage entertaining.
EDINBURGH
Home to the largest theatre in Scotland – The Playhouse – Edinburgh has at least six other theatres, including the Festival, Kings, Royal Lyceum and Rose, as well as Usher Hall.
Everyone’s favourite musical, The Lion King, is on at The Playhouse. We imagine Dennis would be a fan of this epic adventure too! The New York Times says: “There is simply nothing else like it.” Book your tickets to see Simba and co. at the second largest theatre in the UK, from June 2 to July 2 at atgtickets.com
Just as characters Dennis and Gnasher were brought to life from the pages of a comic to our TV screens, the characters in Julia Donaldson’s book, Zog and the Flying Doctors, will also be brought to life, but on stage. Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s bestselling sequel, the show is on at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre on July 9th to 13th. Book at capitaltheatres.com
What else it happening this spring and summer? Find out more at: visitscotland.com/ see-do/events/
PERTH
Perth Theatre and Perth Concert Hall have lots going on that would even keep mischievous schoolboy Dennis entertained for a couple of hours! The show that Minnie the Minx (Dennis’ cousin) and family would love this spring is Spontaneous Potter Kidz: The Unofficial Improvised Parody at Perth Theatre on May 7. That’s because Minnie’s dad Darren is a massive Harry Potter fan, according to Beano.com, and Minnie’s real name is actually Hermione! Other Potter-crazy families will love this wizarding comedy show with music.
Another family-friendly show is Spike! A Dinosaur Caper, June 10 and 11. This magical story will be performed at Perth Theatre to original music and is guaranteed to keep all your little menaces enthralled!
Also in June, David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny will be brought to life at Perth Theatre (June 23-26). Dennis may well take his own Granny to see this show, although she is more of a Biker Granny (did you know she owns a motorbike?!)
Visit horsecross.co.uk for more Perth shows to enjoy with your family.
…AND MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES GALORE! GLASGOW
If your children or grandchildren are anything like Dennis, who loves to explore, then a trip to The Burrell Collection should be on the list.
Of course, there are no dogs allowed inside this revamped collection of ancient civilisations in the heart of Glasgow’s southside, so Gnasher could enjoy a walk around the beautiful grounds in Pollok Country Park. Newly-reopened after its massive refurbishment, the new-look Burrell wants to connect families with the people who made many of the exquisite works and some of the people who have owned them down the generations – spending quality time together with your family here may also strengthen connections. And, because of the museum’s hundreds of valuable artefacts on display, Beano’s original prankster Calamity James may not be welcome!
Visit burrellcollection. com for more information. Entry to The Burrell Collection is free to all.
Nearest train station: Pollokshaws West