Scotland is the ultimate travel destination to experience with kids. It’s one of Europe’s most visited and loved countries, with medieval castles and Scottish vineyards. Besides, it’s a magical country with much to explore and experience.
Also, the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, is a beautiful city with many attractions to visit with kids. Here is a 2-day itinerary for Scotland travel with kids.
Day 1
Edinburgh Castle (Morning)
Firstly, Edinburgh Castle is the most significant attraction in the city. It sits upon Castle Rock, simply a dormant volcano’s remains. The castle has a long history dating back to the 12 century.
The castle could get crowded, especially during summer. Therefore, plan to arrive here before the opening time so that you can avoid the crowds and be the first to go inside. It gives you a better view of the castle’s interior, where you can see the Crown Jewels and Royal Chambers.
| Timings | 9.30 am to 6.00 pm, with the last entry at 5.00 pm |
| Adult | $24.17 (online) $27.27 (standard) |
| Child (5-17 yrs) | $14.13 (online) $16.36 (standard). |
Camera Obscura (Morning)
Next, Camera Obscura is located a block down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle. Further, it is the perfect site to visit with kids. It has six floors of illusions, optical tricks, and puzzles that will keep your little ones busy and excited. Moreover, you can go to the top of the building to watch the Camera Obscura show, in which you can see live moving pictures of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table via a periscope.
The best time to visit Camera Obscura is in the morning or evening. Furthermore, it is when the place is the quietest, and the rooftop views of the city are the best.
| Timings | Monday – Thursday: 9.30 am – 7.00 pm Friday: 9.00 am – 10.00 pm Saturday & Sunday: 8.00 am – 10.00 pm |
| Adult | $25.96 (standard) $24.73 (online) |
| Child (5 – 17 years) | $21.01 (standard) $19.77 (online). |
Edinburgh’s Royal Mile (Afternoon)
Walking down the Edinburgh Royal Mile is a surreal feeling you’ve got to experience when traveling to Scotland. You can do various activities like going shopping, taking a break to have a beer, or clicking an image with street performers. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is a set of interconnected streets with souvenir shops, pubs, and restaurants. It’s an ideal place to relax with family.
St. Gile’s Cathedral (Afternoon)
Along the Royal Mile is St. Gile’s Cathedral, of which the steeple is one of the icons of Edinburgh. This 14th-century cathedral is one of the most significant churches in Edinburgh. Besides, it’s free to enter, but donations are most welcome. Its beautiful architecture is worth viewing when you are in Edinburgh. Moreover, the cathedral is open from Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and Saturday from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Again, it’s best to visit the cathedral closer to its opening time to avoid the crowds that gather as the day progresses.
Palace of Holyroodhouse (Afternoon)
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is where the Edinburgh Royal Mile ends. It was the official residence of Queen Elizabeth and now is the same for King Charles III. Furthermore, the Queen visited the palace about a week every year. The palace is open for public viewing when there is no royal family member. Further, the palace is open Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. Therefore, you can spend about 1 to 2 hours exploring and admiring the beauty of this palace.
Ticket prices are as follows:
| Ticket type | Advance | On the day |
| Adult | $22.22 | $24.07 |
| Young adult (18 – 24 years) | $14.20 | $15.43 |
| Child (5 – 17 years) | $12.34 | $12.96 |
Arthur’s Seat (Afternoon)
Arthur’s Seat is located in Holyrood Park, a few minutes from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The surprising fact about this park is that it lies on an extinct volcano that erupted 350 million years ago. Also, it is a fantastic viewpoint to see the city’s beauty. The hike’s highest point is absolutely worth a visit due to the viewpoint from where you can peek over Edinburgh.
Furthermore, it’s best to visit Arthur’s Seat at sunset to see Edinburgh City’s glory amidst the golden sun’s silhouette.
Day 2
The National Museum of Scotland (Morning)
Visiting The National Museum of Scotland is an excellent way to spend quality time with kids. The museum mixes everything, including science and technology, world cultures, Scottish history, and art. The museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and is free to visit.
Pro Tip – It’s best to visit it early to avoid the crowds. Moreover, plan to spend about 1 to 2 hours in the museum.
Surgeon’s Hall Museum (Morning)
The Surgeon’s Hall Museum is a must-visit for any child or adult interested in the medical field. It is home to one of the world’s largest collections of pathological specimens. In addition, the museum shows you what can go wrong inside your body. Everything is from fractured bones that never got helped to birth defects and cancers.
The Surgeon’s Hall Museum is open daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and is next to The National Museum of Scotland. Visit this museum soon after you tour The National Museum of Scotland. About 1 to 2 hours is sufficient to explore this museum.
| Timings | 10.00 am to 5.00 pm |
| Adults | $11.05 |
| Child (5 – 17 years) | $6.14 |
Scottish National Gallery (Morning)
The Scottish National Gallery is a must-visit site if you are passionate about the arts. The museum displays the national collection of Scottish and international art. In addition, you can learn a lot about national and international art and their applications. Further, the museum is free and open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm.
Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh (Afternoon)
Kids love Harry Potter, and what better way to treat them than a Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh? This walking tour lets you visit places that inspired scenes in the Harry Potter storyline. Moreover, this 2-hour walking tour covers most of Edinburgh’s Old Town. The tour starts at 1.30 pm on most days of the week except in August when it runs only on the weekend. Further, the Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh tour costs $23.
Dean Village (Afternoon)
Lastly, the beautiful Dean Village is a small residential town in Edinburgh. It’s a fantastic village that is located off-the-beaten-path. Nevertheless, take your kids to the village and let them explore the beauty of nature and medieval Edinburgh.
Finally, Scotland is one of Europe’s most beautiful and admired cities. Moreover, it is a must-visit country when traveling to Europe with kids. In the comments section below, let us know your experience traveling to Scotland and visiting its many attractions.
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