SCOTLAND offers quality resort breaks for families, with kids clubs, endless activities, pools and varied accommodation, so forget passports, security checks and potential flight delays and get your holiday kicks here.
The Hot Tub One
LANDAL Piperdam near Dundee specialises in self-catering properties accommodating two to 12 people, so it is ideal for multi-generational escapes. If you’re seeking luxury then look out for the modern four-bedroom lochside lodges that offer calming views across the water as guests relax in notably spacious hot tubs.
In terms of family activities there’s a jam-packed schedule on offer, from tie-dye classes to soft play, archery, or even axe-throwing for over twelves. My boys relished a slime workshop where they created two types of slippery slime, and they loved their high-octane Segway Session.
Other highlights include a swimming pool, two golf courses (none and 18 hole) plus a bar and restaurant. You really don’t need to leave the resort! A two-night stay for up to four people in a two-bedroom lodge (without a hot tub) costs from £229, with a hot tub starts at £349. A two-night stay for up to eight people in a Lochside Premier Spa costs from £649 – landal.co.uk
The Country Pursuits One
ROTHIEMURCHUS Estate near Aviemore gets the family out into the Scottish countryside with a mix of Hairy Coo Safaris, Feed the Deer Sessions, and Falconry Bird of Prey experiences. Mini lords and ladies of the manor can even book Little Land Rover sessions.
Pick up fresh local produce at the Rothiemurchus Farm Shop and Barn and look out for beavers on the estate, re-introduced to the waterways as part of Scotland’s Beaver Strategy.
Camping prices start at adults, £15; children five to 15, £4; and infants under five are free. Luxury Hidden Highland Retreat lodges start at £1175 for a two-bedroom property that sleeps four, with a minimum three-night stay – rothiemurchus.net
The Water Babies One
HEAD to Craig Tara near Ayr for the epic Splashaway Bay, one of the biggest indoor swimming pool complexes in Scotland. Expect flumes, slides and numerous water features.
Kids can then head to the Adventure Village for the Big Jump experience, climbing walls, zipline and amusement arcade.There’s a restaurant and bar on site and Craig Tara caravans are also only minutes from the beach. Prices start at £49 for a four-night stay in a basic Saver Caravan – haven.com
The Luxury One
YOU can’t beat Gleneagles in Perthshire for family friendly indulgence. Young guests are welcomed to the hotel with their own Adventure Guide and parents love the complimentary childcare.
We made good use of Little Glen, a fully supervised creche for two to eight-year-olds. Eight to 15-year-olds can access The Den, an unsupervised complimentary activity space with video games, cinema, games, crafts, pool, air hockey, giant Connect Four, giant Jenga and a large wall-mounted Scrabble board.
There’s also a lot to do together as a family. The lagoon pool was a huge draw for us, or sign up for riding lessons at the equestrian centre, gundog handling experiences, junior off-road driving, family falconry or even ferret lessons.
Rates at Gleneagles start from £575 B&B based on two adults and two children under 14 sharing a room. This includes in-room gifts, mini robes and slippers for junior guests – gleneagles.com
The Child-Centred One
IT’S all about the kids at Crieff Hydro in Perthshire. For starters, a busy entertainment roster brings together musicians, magicians, artists and performers. The family friendly ceilidhs are always a hit. Complimentary childcare at Big Country is available for two to 12-year-old guests – two hours per child for each night booked.
A huge outdoor fort within the Glen Adventure Park gets kids active. They can channel their inner monkey at Aloft! Treetop Adventure, or have a calming alpaca trekking experience. The pool’s always popular, but there’s an adult only spa pool if things get too lively. Also consider Crieff’s sister hotel, the Peebles Hydro.
Between June 1 to August 31, prices start at a nightly B&B rate of £191.25 for a family of four in a family room – crieffhydro.com
The Highland One
THE Macdonald Aviemore Resort has plenty of onsite activities throughout the year. Highlights include pool with flumes and wave machine, a four-storey soft play centre, a 600-seat cinema and an ice rink in the grounds. During school holidays, the Aviemore Activity Zone includes mini archery, grass sledging and bike hire.
Hotel prices start at £168 per night B&B for a family room sleeping two adults and two children. Self-catering lodges start at £229 per night for a two-bedroom lodge sleeping four (minimum two-night stay) – macdonaldhotels.co.uk
The Campsite One
GREENWOOD Loch near Turriff, Aberdeenshire, takes everything from tourers to tents so it’s a strong budget option. It also offers a crazy amount of activities across 200 acres – Argo off road driving, off-road buggying, mini quads, SUPs, kayaks and raft building.
There is a restaurant, shop and games room onsite. Look out for free seasonal kids clubs offering a mix of sports, scavenger hunts, crafts and magnet fishing.
Touring and camping starts from £30 per night – greenwoodloch.co.uk
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