Table Of ContentESSENCEOFSCOTLAND
Edinburgh & Lothians
Penguin Parade at Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh and its surrounding countryside offer the perfect base for a family holiday in Scotland.
With a wonderful array of beaches, fairytale castles, interactive visitor attractions and outdoor
pursuits to choose from, you’ll never be stuck for something to do – whatever the weather!
Furthermore, the area’s extensive events programme, comprising everything from local Highland
Games to the world’s biggest arts festival, has something to entertain even the choosiest child!
welcome
Edinburgh from Holyrood Park
LOCATION MAP
IDEAL FOR
Numbers refer to attractions listed overleaf.
> Days out, whatever the weather!
Places in bold print indicate accommodation bases. DON’T MISS £ Free entry £ Paid entry Seasonal opening Primary school Pre-school Wet weather Refreshments
> Beaches
> Castles
> Walking and cycling
EDINBURGH PASS o rt h
F
o f
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region bus transport. Purchase a 1, 2 or 3 day Ratho EEEDDDIIINNNBBBUUURRRGGGHHH Macmerry live webcams, you can earthquake, see the molten beautiful woodland with the day here. Built on a former Themuseum runs a terrific
pass from www.edinburghpass.comor on Livingston M8 4 22 A6093 Garvald chance to spot deer, squirrels
sale at the Tourist Information Centres 12 A71 A720 A7 13 Da3lkeith Pencaitland Gifford zoom in on the puffins on lava of a volcano, fly through and birds. But the highlight quarry, the rock-climbing for programme of events
throughout Edinburgh & Lothians. 19Bonnyrigg 18 8Pathhead the Isle of Fidra, the gannets Norwegian glaciers, go has to be the huge adventure everyone from courageous especially for kids so be
West Calder Roslin17 A68 Humbie on the Bass Rock or even underwater and see the kids to nervous parents is sure to check out what’s
A7 play area. Built entirely from
A70 Penicuik the seals on the Isle of May. beautiful coral reefs, feel fantastically good fun and on when you’re here. The
A701 wood and looking like a fort,
CarlopsA702 Why not explore the ‘Jewels how chilly it gets at the safe. For those with a real moving trains on level 4
there’s miles of aerial
of the Forth’ aboard a boat North Pole and find out who taste for adventure, there is and the fish on the ground
walkways, flying foxes,
To find out more about trip from the centre, offering really lives in a rainforest – swings with a difference and the Skyride – an aerial floor will fascinate younger
accommodation in these areas, great views of seabirds and watch out for the downpours, assault course, 25m up. ones. Stop for food at
two enormous slides – so
call 0845 22 55 121 Principal photography © Paul Tomkins, VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint. perhaps even whales or though; it’s not called a When you’ve built up your Soupson, a great place to
tall, adults just haveto take
Additional photography: Richard Campbell, BBC, Our Dynamic Earth and
or click on visitscotland.com dolphins. (EP) rainforest for nothing! (EP) appetite, then it’s time to hit eat, handy in a museum that
National Museums of Scotland. Information correct January 2007. the wee ones down. A mini
£ £ fort will keep the toddlers The Stone Room restaurant. you could happily spend the
happy and the nearby cafe £ whole day in. (EP)
allows for refuelling. £
EP:Edinburgh Pass (see above) £
OPEN SPACES FAMILY ATTRACTIONS WALKS & ACTIVITIES
6. Only a short journey north of the city centre, Inverleith Park £ and the 10. You’ll not be short of things and insects fly freely, Edinburgh 16. Just a short drive or bus journey 19
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh £ are located opposite one to do at the East Links Family Butterfly & Insect Worldhas from the city centre, the shore at
another. Together they make up a vast space for kids of all ages to run around. You can Park, by Dunbar. Go on the train displays of frogs, snakes and Cramondin the north of Edinburgh
feed the ducks or have a kick around in Inverleith Park, a venue that is ideal for families safari, see the animals with their lizards. Regular handling sessions presents a nice, easy walk along
watching the Edinburgh Festival fireworks. newest young, zoom off on the allow you to see these animals up the water. A popular spot with
pedal tractors or the go-karts, close in a safe environment. locals and visitors alike, the path is
7 7.The area to the east of Edinburghis whizz around the giant maze or £ ideal for buggies whilst toddlers mountain-biking and fishing. What
known as East Lothian and its coastline take a pony ride. And all in the and older children love to explore in
an amazing and peaceful and open
is made up of stretch after stretch of fresh air of East Lothian. Phew! 14. The conservation of living the rock and sea pools.
space to be found on the doorstep
glorious white sand. Longniddry Bents That’ll really tire them out! animals is at the heart of 17.Just alongside Rosslyn Chapel, of a capital city! The horses at
or the sea-front at North Berwick, just £ Edinburgh Zoo. A parkland now famous for being the alleged Pentland Hills Icelandicsby
by the Scottish Seabird Centre, are ideal 11. For the odd day when the home to over 1,000 animals, the home of the Holy Grail, is Roslin Penicuik ride out every day and if
for families. The John Muir Country sun isn’t shining, then head along zoo has a great hilltop safari that Glen Country Park. Information you’re a complete beginner, then
Park, by Dunbar, is a popular spot with to The Jelly Club, an incredible picks you up at the start and takes panels along the many woodland there is a large training area to help
locals where you’ll find beaches, paths adventure play centre suitable for you through the park on the Tiger and riverside paths narrate the get you started.Midlothian Ski
through the woodland – somesuitable babies to 10-year-olds. With soft and Zebra trailers, pointing out the routes and the abundance of Centrewelcomesnovices and the
for kids on bikes and for pushchairs – play for the really young, there’s most interesting animals along the surrounding wildlife. Pack your more experienced to ski, board or
way. Look out for the gibbons,
and a whole host of wildlife. also ride on cars and tractors, picnic so you can stop at the tables blade down its slopes. £
£ penguins and leopards amongst a dotted around the park. £
twobouncy castles and a large
whole host of others. (EP) 20.Wherever you are in Edinburgh
slidearea. £ 18.Kings Acre Golf Course
£ & Lothians, you’re not far from a
& AcademyandMelville Golf
Shoebox Zoo 8w.esBt eoef cErdainigbsu rCgho, uanntdr yV oPgarriek, to the 8 12 1Va2l.leAyl mHeornitdage 15. The Edinburgh Dungeon Centreare located near sInw Eimdimnbinugr gpho, otlh aen Rdo leyiasulre centre.
Country Park, to the south-east, both Trust in Livingston, regales Scotland’s hidden and Lasswade, south of Edinburgh. Commonwealth Pool also offers
boast miles of woodland walks, west of Edinburgh murky past. You’ll be keen to find Both are a great way to introduce Clambers adventure play area.
SHOEBOX ZOO adventure play areas and barbecue has a great your way out of The Haunted kids to golf. Melville offers a floodlit £
Labyrinth, the cold and eerie maze, driving range together with the
spots (to be arranged in advance, call programme of
haunted by the little drummer boy chance to play 9 or 18 holes. 21.Located close to Edinburgh’s
Just as Marnie’s animal friends come to life, so 01506 844516 or 0131 561 5280 events for children,
who vanished nearly 200 years AtKings Acre Golf Academy, play central Old Town, the 30-minute
does the magic of Edinburgh and its surrounds in respectively). There’s regular Rangers particularly during ago. See what it might have been an individual round or book a golf challenge of Arthur’s Seatis
events at both to encourage the kids’ the holidays. The old mill and farm
the BBC’s Shoebox Zoo. See the clock tower of like to be a Macdonald awaiting package with a pro. Junior golfers suitably rewarded with some of the
interest in the outdoors and help them buildings house a variety of
the Balmoral Hotel towering over the city’s understand a little more about the animals, including sheep, goats, the attack of the Clan Campbell in receive discounted rates. best views of the Scottish Lowlands.
breathtaking Princes Street & Gardens. Venture wildlife and its habitats. £ pigs and cattle. All the space is the Massacre of Glencoe in 1692. £ For something less strenuous, walk
Hear about Burke and Hare who aroundthe volcanic rock in
perfect for the kids and the 19.The Pentland Hills, again just
inside the real St Giles’ Cathedral. Follow Marnie, thought nothing of retrieving a Holyrood Park. Park by
9. Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens are accessible, fun and have lots of animals to run around. In the south of the city, offer a variety of
if you dare, on her field trips to Tantallon Castle by body from its grave for ‘medical StMargaret’s Loch where you can
atmosphere. Right in the centre of the city, you can get here on foot or by bus. With summer, you can take a short activities. Visit the Regional Park
feed the ducks and swans and
North Berwick (no five page essays for you though!) squirrels and rabbits scurrying around, there’s lots for toddlers to keep an eye on and train ride. £ research’ purposes. A haunting where you can walk, (head for
venture up a shorter distance to the
and Hopetoun House, by South Queensferry. plenty of room to roam about. Should the weather change, then you’re right by shops, journey indeed. (EP) Hillend Country Park if you
13. In addition to the impressive ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel.
£
galleries, attractions and restaurants! £ haveyour dog with you), go
tropical jungle where the butterflies
Edinburgh and Lothians £ Free entry £ Paid entry Seasonal opening Primary school Pre-school Wet weather Refreshments For more information, call 0845 22 55 121 or visitscotland.com
FOOD & DRINK 22
22. Set alongside the Union Canal, The
Bridge Inn, to the west of Edinburgh
offers a great escape to the outdoors. With
several child-friendly awards under its belt,
it offers play areas and a children’s menu.
Make sure you order extra to feed to the
resident ducks and geese!
23.Baxtersare renowned for their family-recipe, wholesome food.
Their store at Ocean Terminal in Edinburgh’s waterfront at Leith is no
exception and has both an informal café-deli and the superb Forth
View Restaurant.
24.Caffé Lucanois situated in the Old Town and very much
The Royal Mile during the
welcomes children. The no smoking policy and provision of high Edinburgh Festival Fringe
chairs, together with the promise that the staff will do anything to
keep them entertained, is testimony to that! FESTIVALS
25.One of the best ice-creams in the land is to be found at Luca’s.
Edinburgh is a full-time festival city. Come in the early part of the year for the
Pop in for a cornet in the Musselburgh store or head to Morningside
Easter, Science or Children’s Theatre Festivals, during August when the Book
where the ice-cream sundaes are the perfect way to round off a Festival has an abundance of events and a superb atmosphere for children or
great, fun meal. Open until 10pm. in December when Edinburgh’s Christmas puts on its festive show.
West Princes Street Gardens
