Scotland is a popular holiday destination due to a myriad of reasons. Its stunning scenery, historic cities and choice of activities provide something for everyone all year round. If you have children, there are cheap holidays in Scotland for families that could be a lifetime of memories. Take a look at our guide for the best places to stay and activities to enjoy, at a cost which won’t ruin your enjoyment of your holiday.
Find the Very Best Cheap Scottish Family Getaways
If you’re going on holiday with the family You’ll need to make sure that everyone has enough to keep them entertained. Scotland is a great place to visit and offers a wide range of activities that are sure to please both children and parents and ensure that everyone within the family can enjoy an enjoyable day and stories to tell at the end of it. As the tourist industry is very well established within the country, finding affordable accommodations for families won’t be an issue no matter the time of year.
Scotland also has a transportation system which is the envy of other countries, and even inside the UK. It has excellent roads, public transport and international connections via airports and ferry services. Since it’s a country with lots of coastline and many ports, getting around might be an essential part of your cheap family holiday. Whatever way you decide to travel, travel within Scotland is a great value in terms of cost.
For lodge rental Scotland, make sure you check out Mountain Grange in Aviemore…
Activity Driven Breaks
1. Looking for Harry
…Potter, that is. Everyone in the family is a fan of Harry Potter, and you are able to relive some of his adventures throughout Scotland. A lot of the locations mentioned in Harry Potter’s Harry Potter films are actually situated in Scotland, and you can even travel on the Hogwarts Express on your travels.
The ancient streets of Edinburgh are the place where JK Rowling got her inspiration, so why not take your entire family to Breakfast at The Elephant House and Spoon cafes, similar to JK herself. The cobbled streets and alleyways are a fantastic way to soak up the energy.
DO NOT MISS THIS
Beginning with the season of the holidays in April, you are able to reserve four seats on the Jacobite Steam Train. The actual Hogwarts Express train can be seen in all eight of the Potter films. Get on the train at Fort William, see all the incredible sights you’ll recognise along the way and then arrive in gorgeous Mallaig.
2. Cream O’Galloway Family Fun
Cream O’Galloway is a fantastic opportunity to work up an appetite and have a satisfying meal at the same time, all within one day. It’s a specially designed family-friendly center situated in the South West of Scotland, just 10 minutes away in the direction of Gatehouse of Fleet.
The vast site includes an adventure playground with indoor play areas, pedal kart track, ride and slide, along with nature trails. For families with an adventurous spirit there is also the amazing Go Boing! aerial adventure facility. It is a netted area where you can have fun without worrying about being thrown off at a very high level.
This superb attraction also produces it own Cream O’Galloway Ice Cream, and Finlay’s Farmhouse Cheese. The kids and you can meet the cows who produce the milk that makes the ice cream as well as the cheese!
3. Explore the East
Fife, Dundee and Angus offer some fantastic places to spend holidays to Scotland for families on a budget. They are located in the Eastern coast of Scotland, they have beautiful cities, beaches, wildlife and lots more to discover and do.
For pure, old-fashioned cheap beach time go to Elie Earlsferry Beach. This is a beautiful harbor area that is centered around an old-fashioned Scottish fishing harbour. The famous local Ship Inn even puts on beach cricket, for all the family on Sundays.
Further along the coast in the picturesque Angus towns of Montrose There is also The Charleton Fruit Farm. In the summer months, the year another cheap holiday option could be that both you and your family can go to the farm and pick your own fruit from this working farm. You can also have the opportunity to try trampolining, pedal Karting, or just exploring the forts in the center.
Affordable Places To Stay
There’s a vast selection of campsites, cabins and cabins that are cheap holiday parks, cottages, caravan parks, vacation parks, hotels, and resorts open at all times of the year in Scotland. If you plan ahead, you will get some really great discounts, in the most gorgeous locations for a holiday anywhere in the world.
4. Self Catering B & B
Self catering can be great way to take the family on holiday in Scotland. Part week and full week bookings are possible Bed and breakfast when you self-cater almost all the amenities of the home you have always known. There are many options to choose from for as little as PS200 every week, for four people, with children aged five up to.
Find a spot that is convenient to local tourist centers and has unique Scottish views. A family-friendly house located in Fort William is an ideal base to explore the Highlands with its mountains and glens. Fort William is well-connected with rail and road connections and you should be able to reserve a property that is pet-friendly.
5. Camping (Kids Love Campsites)
Traditional, and some might say the best option, camping is ideal for holidays that are cheap for families living in Scotland. There are numerous campsites across the country However, some of them are only available at certain dates of the year.
Many camping sites are specifically designed for families with children. They are located in exciting locations, such as Wester Bonnyton Farm in Aberdeenshire, North East Scotland. The site is close to the sea, in a part of the country known by the name Scotland’s Dolphin Coast. These ideas will make camping an ideal choice for kids and adults too.
In addition to providing a taste of outdoor life and a cheap vacation for families Modern campsites usually have advanced wi-fi and they are generally dog-friendly.
6. Holiday Parks
Many families pick vacation parks to ensure that they have a fun time, and this is a great alternative in Scotland. There are numerous specially designed, family-friendly sites around the coasts and in the inland regions throughout the entire country. With all the natural wonders surrounding you, a holiday park offers almost no chance of having bored child in your care.
The West of Scotland, Tralee Bay Holidays in Argyll is a perfect example of a contemporary holiday park. With lodge accommodation in the woods, you are close to stunning beaches, coastlines and walks. The center also has play areas, as well as an adventure zipwire for the daring.
Don’t Remember This
Holiday parks are very popular, so don’t forget to book well in advance. Additionally, availability could depend on the time of year you’re looking to travel on holiday.
Traveling for Less
If you’re heading to Scotland on holiday it is likely that you wish to visit as much of Scotland as possible. Luckily, travelling around need not increase the cost of your holiday.
7. Train travel
If you book well in advance train travel can be the ideal method for families to explore the very best of Scotland. From restored steam trains in The Highlands as well as the Glens to the latest electrified lines, all of Scotland’s destinations on the mainland are easily accessible via train.
For breathtaking views, take the picturesque route starting from Perthshire before heading out to the Cairngorms mountains until Inverness.
8. Bus and Coach Travel
The most affordable way to travel around and to Scotland is by coach or bus. Although this may not be the best option for everyone it can result in significant savings in cost when you’re willing to. Of of course Megabus is a great option. Megabus can take you to locations in Scotland which could mean as little as PS1 per person. These buses are spacious and have space for luggage, which could be just what you require.
Other coaches are available which may be more suitable depending on the family members in your household. Scotland’s road network has been extensively reconstructed in recent years, all the way through the Highlands and even to remote places. Even though traveling long distances via coach can be time-consuming however, there are spectacular views to be enjoyed.
9. Air Travel
Travelling to and around Scotland is usually easier by air. In certain cases it could also turn out more affordable than other forms of transport. It is a fact, air travel is a lot quicker than land or sea travel, especially in a place such as Scotland.
There are international airports located at five airports in the nation: Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Prestwick. Particularly if you’re traveling a long way in the country, these airports may be the best solution when you are preparing to leave and arrive for your trip.
Within Scotland itself There are flights that are extremely short, and on very much smaller aeroplanes. There are also flights on the internal route from Glasgow towards the Western Isle of Barra, and from Aberdeen to Shetland. There’s also a connection that connects Edinburgh as well as Wick John O’Groats. Both are at the top of the Scottish mainland. This can help save a number of hours.
Booking air flights ahead is a good method to save cash and time for families. In some instances, the cost can be comparable to train travel.
FAQS
How much should I budget for to cover a single day’s expenses for a family of four?
Scotland is a cheap region within the UK to visit with your familymembers, based on where you go. Avoid major tourist attractions at busy times or use free activities, particularly in Edinburgh as well as other cities. If you dine out or transportation, you can spend PS200 per day. More sensible excursions should be less expensive than PS100.
What is the cost average of activities
Cheap holidays for families in Scotland could cost just as low as Ps60 per day for all of your activities. This is enough for a whole day at Edinburgh Castle for a family of four. City sightseeing tours are available in Edinburgh and the other important Scottish cities. The cost can be as low as PS40 for the day.
What’s the least expensive type of housing with a pool pools?
For families of four, it might be more affordable renting a cottage that has swimming pools than to book into the hotel. Hotels with pools are usually in the luxury category that can range from PS200 for a night. There are family-friendly accommodations that are available throughout Scotland which could work out more affordable, especially if you book more than one night.
Final word
If you plan ahead you can make your family vacation to Scotland a roaring success while not breaking the bank. With a variety of affordable accommodation and travel, as well with amazing activities, there’s no better location for families.