An Epic 10-Day Family Road Trip Through Scotland – With Kids!

Why Scotland Should Be on Your Travel List

Scotland has got to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth. With its dramatic landscapes, serene lochs, and ancient castles, this country offers endless views and experiences. It's impossible to see it all in one trip — but a car gives you the freedom to get close. Since most places aren’t easily accessible by public transport, hiring a car made it easy for us to explore at our own pace, pulling over to admire landscapes, snap photos, or simply enjoy the view.

We landed in Manchester amd began our journey northeward with a 2-night stay in Windermere (Lake Distrtict, England) before entering Scotland. Wanting to cover as much ground as possible, we stayed in 4 different areas for 2 nights each. It's an ideal setup for traveling with kids too — Scotland's open countryside and abundance of sheep, cows and deer kept our daughter entertained throughout the journey.

Day 1: Arrival in Windermere

After a long day of travel, we arrived in Windermere in the evening and took a relaxed walk around the charming lakeside town. This was our chance to wind down before the real adventure began.

Highlights:
– Windermere

Day 2: Exploring the Lake District 

We started with a short hike to Orrest Head Viewpoint, a great family-friendly trail offering a breathtaking panoramic view over Lake Windermere. Then we went to Stock Ghyll Force, a wooded walk with streams and a small waterfall — we didn’t reach the main falls but still enjoyed the peaceful setting. Later we visited Tree Top Trek, a treetop obstacle course that ends with a thrilling 250m zipline. While our daughter was too young for the course, she loved the outdoor play area. 

Our last stop for the day was Tarn Hows, a circular lake with glacier origins. We did a full loop around the lake in about 1.5 hours — peaceful, scenic, and suitable for kids.

Highlights:
– Orrest Head
– Lake Windermere
– Stock Ghyll Force
– Tree Top Trek
– Tarn Hows

Day 3: Long Scenic Drive to Inverness

Today we began our long drive north toward Inverness, passing stunning landscapes along the way. One of the best things about driving in Scotland is stopping whenever you like.

We made a midway stop in Stirling to visit the Wallace Monument, where you can learn about Scotland’s national hero William Wallace. Climb to the top for excellent views. Before arriving in Inverness, we stopped at a small amusement park to let our daughter enjoy some fun.

Highlights:
– Wallace Monument

Day 4: A Day in Inverness

We had a relaxed start exploring Inverness city center, grabbing coffee and doing a bit of shopping. Then we visited Culloden Battlefield, site of the final Jacobite uprising. It’s a haunting yet important piece of Scottish history.

On our way out, we stopped at a family park for our daughter and then made a spontaneous stop along the Loch Ness riverbank before visiting the ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Highlights:
– Inverness
– Culloden Battlefield
– Loch Ness
– Urquhart Castle

Day 5: Isle of Skye Adventure

Today’s drive toward the Isle of Skye was spectacular. The first major stop was the iconic Eilean Donan Castle, perfectly situated at a loch intersection. Then we visited Old Man of Storr — a steep and challenging hike with incredible rewards. Due to safety, we left our daughter with family at a lower viewpoint.

Later, we visited Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock, where a waterfall plunges dramatically into the sea. We ended our day in the lovely harbor village of Portree.

Highlights:
– Isle Of Skye
– Eilean Donan Castle
– Old Man Of Storr
– Mealt Fall And Kilt Rock
– Portree

Day 6: Fairy Pools, Neist Point & Fairy Glen

We began our day at the Fairy Pools, a magical series of waterfalls and crystal-clear pools. The easy hike, gentle river sounds, and mountain backdrop made this one of our favorite stops — our daughter loved running free.

Next up was Neist Point, a dramatic cliffside viewpoint with a lighthouse, followed by Fairy Glen, a surreal landscape of grassy knolls and mini hills straight out of a fairytale.

Highlights:
– Fairy Pools
– Neist Point
– Fairy Glen

Day 7: Drive to Glencoe via Ben Nevis

We drove south toward Glencoe, stopping first at Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain. The views from the gondola ride were incredible but once you reach the top, the surrounding views were absolutely breathtaking.

After checking into our cozy cottage, we explored The Three Sisters Viewpoint, a dramatic trio of mountain ridges, and ended our day in the peaceful Glen Etive Valley, made famous by the James Bond movie Skyfall.

Highlights:
– Glencoe
– Ben Nevis
– Three Sisters
– Glen Etive Valley

Day 8: Glenfinnan & Oban

This was a calmer day. We started at Glenfinnan Viaduct, where the Harry Potter train scene was filmed — magical for both kids and adults. Later, we strolled around the coastal town of Oban, known for its seafood and island views.

Highlights:
– Glenfinnan Viaduct
– Oban

Day 9: Devils, Castles & Outlander

On our drive to Edinburgh, we stopped at Finnich Glen, better known as the Devil’s Pulpit. It's hidden, steep, and slippery — not suitable for kids, but truly incredible. We also visited the eerie Overtoun Bridge, known for its mysterious past.

Fans of Outlander will recognize Midhope Castle and Blackness Castle, both used as filming locations.

Highlights:
– Finnich Glen
– Devil's Pulpit
– Overtoun Bridge
– Midhope Castle
– Blackness Castle

Day 10: Discovering Edinburgh

Our final full day was spent in Edinburgh. We started at Calton Hill for sweeping views of the city and continued on to the amazing Edinburgh Castle, followed by a stroll through the Old Town. It’s a great mix of history, atmosphere, and charm.

Highlights:
– Edinburgh
– Calton Hill
– Edinburgh Castle

Final Day: Rosslyn Chapel and Farewell

Before taking the very long drive to Manchester airport, we made one last stop at Rosslyn Chapel, a mysterious and beautiful site associated with the Holy Grail, the Knights Templar and the Da Vinci Code movie. It was a fitting end to a magical trip.

Highlights:
– Rosslyn Chapel

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Scotland

This trip was unforgettable. Scotland’s blend of nature, history, and freedom of exploration made it one of our favorite family adventures. No photo can do justice to what you’ll feel while standing in the Highlands or gazing at a loch. It's a country that welcomes families, inspires travelers, and leaves you wanting more.