This past July, my parents, grandparents, brother, and I went on a one-week trip through/around Scotland. While Scotland was a blast for all of us, I found the activities my parents were interested in (whiskey distilleries, castle ruins, etc.) and the activities I was interested in (thrift shops, art museums, walking paths, etc.) were different yet we easily enjoyed each other’s suggestions. I compiled my top 6 favorite places we visited while traveling from Edinburgh to Elgin, Elgin to Isle of Skye, Isle of Skye to Glasgow, and Glasgow back to Edinburgh.
1. The Kelpies
The Kelpies are two 30-meter-tall steel horse heads near Falkirk, between Glasgow and Edinburgh. To get to them, you can park half a mile away and walk on a path or park near the visitor center which is just a minute walk from the giant heads. My grandma found the horse heads in her travel brochure, and it ended up being one of the most unique experiences of my summer.
Upon first glance, I thought they were just decorative but the horse heads are packed full of historical significance which can be learned through a video that plays within the visitor center or through the home page of their website. Not only are they captivating to look at, but the Summer Story Time experience is also free. The only downside to the free experience is that the inside of the Kelpies can only be explored with the tour tickets (which range from free for kids to seven pound fifty for adults).
2. The Jacobite Steam Train
Harry Potter was extremely popular when I was growing up so when planning our trip the Jacobite Steam Train was my main request. The Jacobite Steam Train runs in the Scottish Highlands from Fort William to Mallaig. Tickets can be purchased to ride the train, however, due to our short visit to Scotland my family and I decided to just look at the most iconic portion of the railway from the Harry Potter movie.
We didn’t think we would be able to see the train because it comes at around 11 am and 3 pm. Luckily, I noticed a sign mentioning a 1 pm train the day we visited, so we waited an extra hour at the visitor center and got to see the train. While it was breathtaking just looking at the railway itself, the best part was watching the train go by. The hill to watch the train was covered in tourists taking photos and videos, and the passengers were smiling and waving from the car, and. It was surreal as a Harry Potter fan to see such an important plot point of the books and movies in real life.
3. Dunnottar Castle
Dunnottar Castle lies along the most beautiful coastline I have ever seen, located on the Aberdeenshire coastline near Stonehaven.. Admittedly, we missed the castle tour by five minutes, however, the stone beach below the castle ruins and the overlook on the cliff across were breathtaking. It was one of the most surreal views I have ever seen– the water was so blue as it broke along the cliffs below, the grass blowing in the breeze, the bright flowers scattered throughout. It was perfect for any nature lover or history buff, however if you are the latter, be warned that their tours cut off around an hour before Google says the ruins close. Dunnottar Castle is the most picturesque place we went, and will definitely be a memory I keep with me forever.
4. Dean Village/ Water of Leith Walkway
The Water of Leith Walkway is a path surrounded by nature the river. It is partially encapsulated in an area called Dean Village, where we walked to fight the jetlag. Dean Village set the perfect expectation for Scotland. Jaw-dropping nature, lots of walking, friendly locals, and beautiful architecture (both old and new). My family and I walked it on a cloudy but warm day making it a place we could have easily stayed for hours had we not needed to eat or sleep, especially since part of the pathway was lined with benches. There are overlooks onto the Water of Leith surrounded by the coolest variety of buildings which make for amazing photos either with or without people in them.
5. Scottish National Gallery
As an artistic person, this suggestion is mildly biased, however, even non-artists can enjoy the Scottish National Gallery too. On our last day in Scotland, my brother and parents took a walking tour of underground Edinburgh, but I stayed back and started early at the museum with my grandparents. The gallery is free to enter and features the main gallery and two smaller exhibitions.
With walls covered in Baroque, Impressionist, and Renaissance pieces alongside statues and sculptures, there is truly something for everyone to stare at for minutes at a time, especially since many of the pieces are giant. The gallery features artists such as Botticelli, Raphael, van Dyck, and Elisabetta Sirani. While my brother and parents caught up to me and my grandparents, I sat on a couch in the center of an upper gallery and sketched a statue I saw in another room. It was the best end to the trip I could have ever wished for.
6. W. Armstrong & Son
W. Armstrong & Son was the coolest vintage store I have ever been to, which is not a statement to take lightly from someone who “thrifts” a lot. Not only was the store visually alluring, but their clothing selection ranged from designer to vintage all at affordable price points. The store itself has beautiful decorations. It felt like going into a time capsule. I didn’t end up buying anything as my mom and I went in before a dinner reservation, but it is a store where I could have spent hours looking at each item from floor to ceiling. Not only were the clothes and accessories easy to get lost in, the employees were also very kind. They helped me reach higher-hanging pieces and show me where to locate things on my shopping list. W. Armstrong & Son is a must-see for any clothing lover.
While all of these sights and places were some of my favorite experiences I have had in years, I also do want to emphasize the fun of wandering through small towns and cities in Scotland , as well as the immense amount of nature to explore. Scotland has something for everybody which makes it a perfect place to take a family that has many interests.
