fun things to do with kids in scotland - family travel    
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    Scotland
Loch Ness
There's something magical about Scotland, perhaps it's the sunlight and mists, deep lakes and leafy forests, crumbling forts and ghosts of Scottish clans, salt breezes and tangy mountain air. Traveling in Scotland with kids, will it be the mysteries of the Loch Ness, the wild beauty of the Isle of Skye, the windswept Outer Hebrides, or stone castles at every turn in the road? Contrary to stereotype, the Scots were warm and congenial to our family.
Tip: Don't miss our top picks for children's books on Scotland, recommended by the staff of Travel for Kids, see below.
  Edinburgh
North
  The Highlands
 
Inverness – Loch Ness
    Isle of Skye
Northeast
Dundee
  Aberdeen
Orkney and Shetland Islands
Central
Loch Lomond – The Trossachs National Park
Stirling
Perthshire
South
Glasgow
Ayr
Dumfries and Galloway
kids books scotland
     
The Water Horse - kids books Scotland  
The Water Horse
Dick King-Smith

Two kids find a strange egg on the beach, and when it hatches, they hide it in the bathtub. But their grandfather knows the little beastie is going to grow quite large, too large for a bathtub, the goldfish pond, even the local loch. A funny, warm-hearted Loch Ness monster adventure from author Dick King-Smith. (Chapter book)

 

     

Wind Tamer
P.R. Morrison

On a remote Scottish island, Archie is having a most unusual 10th birthday – the curse of the Stringweeds is arriving in the form of a gigantic wind called Huigor. Aided by his Uncle Rufus and eight talismen, can Archie fight the wind and break the family curse? Wonderful local color and high adventure. (Chapter book)

And don't miss Archie's next adventure: Wave Traveller

 

 
Wind Tamer - kids books Scotland
     
This is Edinburgh - kids books Scotland  

Take a trip through Edinburgh, up Waverly Steps to Princes Street, visit monuments, gardens, bridges, the Castle, Holyrood Palace, plus fun facts (clan tartans, Scottish dress, famous people from Edinburgh). Fabulous, fun illustrations bring the city to life, this is a classic.
(Picture book)

 

     
The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster
A.W. Flaherty, Scott Magoon

Delightful tale of the Loch Ness monster, and a little girl who doesn’t like to eat her oatmeal, the national breakfast food of Scotland. Just how did Nessie arrive in Loch Ness, and what are the children of Loch Ness secretly tossing into the lake? A whimsical, original story! (Picture book)

 

 
The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster - kids books Scotland
     
An Earthly Knight - kids books Scotland  
An Earthly Knight
Janet McNaughton

1162, Teviotdale. Young Lady Jenny Avenel is promised to marry a beastly earl, but her heart belong to another, Tam Lin. A totally-captivating journey into medieval Scotland and fairy realms. Good for older kids. (Chapter book)

 

     
Kidnapped
Robert Louis Stevenson

Tuck this classic adventure into your luggage – teenager David Balfour is kidnapped by his evil uncle, put onto a slave ship bound for America, but he escapes and hikes back across Scotland to reclaim his inheritance.

Beginning readers will enjoy the easy-to-read version, or listen to the audio CD. (Chapter book)

 

 
Kidnapped - kids books Scotland
     
Queen's Own Fool: A Novel of Mary Queen of Scots - kids books Scotland  
Queen's Own Fool
Jane Yolen, Robert J. Harris

Young Nicola joins the court of Mary Queen of Scots, to entertain the queen with poetry and songs. At Holyrood Palace, Nicola and the Queen are embroiled in treacherous politics, the Scottish lords rebel, the king, is murdered, and Mary Queen of Scots becomes a prisoner in Lochleven castle. A read for older kids. (Chapter book)

 

     
Prince Across the Water
Jane Yolen & Robert Harris

In this exciting historical novel, Bonnie Prince Charlie gathers the Highland clans to rise against English rule, and young Duncan marches with the MacDonalds. Duncan joins in the great battle of Culloden, but despite defeat, he survives to help Prince Charlie escape the redcoats. A great adventure, rich in Scottish lore and color.
(Chapter book)

 

 
Prince Across the Water - kids books Scotland
     
Aways Room for One More - kids books Scotland  
Always Room for One More
Sorche Nic Leodhas, Nonny Hogrogian

Rollicking Scottish folktale, "There was a wee house in the heather …" And into the house, filled with ten kids, comes a tailor, a sailor, four peat-cutters, a shepherd lad, a bagpiper, all singing and dancing until ... something happens.(Picture book)

 

     
Over the Sea to Skye
Robert Hutchinson, Rob Brown

Tale of Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape with Flora MacDonald in 1746, only in this charming story, Flora is a beautiful Skye terrier and Prince Charley is a dashing Scottish deerhound. Lovely pen and ink drawings. (Chapter book, illustrations)

 

 
Over the Sea to Skye - kids books Scotland
     
The Train to Glasgow  
The Train to Glasgow
Wilma Horsbrugh, Paul Cox

"Here is the driver, Mr. MacIver, who drove the train to Glasgow." Delightful rhyming story of a train trip, a clever boy called Donald MacBrain, and a noise and commotion..... Irresistible illustrations.
(Picture book)

 

     
Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea
Caroline Arnold, Arthur P. Arnold

Fascinating introduction to Skara Brae, the prehistoric village in the Okney Islands – who lived there, how the settlement was built, daily life 5,000 years ago. "As you peer over the village walls today, it's not hard to imagine families sitting around the hearths long ago, talking and eating while their children played." Excellent color photos. (Chapter book, illustrations)

 

 
Stone Age Farmers Beside the Sea
     
Pick Your Brains About Scotland - kids books Scotland  

Where is Arthur's Seat or two islands called Rum and Eigg, how deep is Loch Ness, what is curling, bannocks and the most popular fizzy drink in Scotland? Fascinating stuff about the people, food, customs, sport, and history of Scotland, with fun illustrations. Good for older kids.
(Chapter book)

 

(More children's books on other Scotland pages)
travel for kids | scotland