Any thoughts on the SS Sir Walter Scott Cruise along Loch Katrine?
 

I thought it might be fun to take our 3 kids, ages 5, 7, and 8 on the SS Sir Walter Scott cruise, which apparently is narrated by the staff along the way. Would this be a good outing, and then perhaps a hike in the area on a family-friendly route? What other activities or sights would be fun in this area? Any ideas would be appreciated.

The website for the SIR WALTER SCOTT is www.lochkatrine.com.
The trips are short because the Loch is small, so should be ideal for children.
It might depend on whether they've done anything similar before. The ship was built in 1900 and still has the original steam engine, which might interest boys more than girls.

It is a short cruise and would be a nice diversion. It has been in operation long before there were coach tours, of course and is a pretty little loch - but it has sort of become an "old folks on a day trip" destination.

Another option that might be more fun for young kids would be Inchmahome. You take a small launch out to the Island in the Lake of Menteith - have the ruined abbey to explore but also a wild side of the island w/ gnarly old trees, trails. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...ory/index.html

It is a great place to take a picnic lunch

Thank you both for your info. I will keep the SS Sir Walter Scott in mind, but I will also check out yuor suggestion, JanisJ. My kids love outdoor activities,so although we will be touring some castles and historic sites, I obviously want to find things that will appeal to them as well. Happy kids = Happy parents! A picnic in that area you mentioned is a great idea. Are there hiking areas (Family friendly ones) there too?

We stayed near Loch Katrine last week, when the weather was wonderful. The Sir Walter Scott was not running, but there were two other, smaller, boats, one of which carried a party of French students. You can hire bikes and golf carts at Loch Katrine, and travel up the north side of the Loch for many miles. There is also a bistro and souvenir shop there.

Depending on the height of your children, they may like Go Ape!, located between Loch Katrine and Aberfoyle. Details are at www.goape.co.uk/. I am told that this type of activity would not be permitted in the United States, but there are good safety precautions. The Go Ape course at Aberfoyle begins and ends with a zip slide over 400 metres long. It was very busy last week, with both adults and children, and you are advised to book in advance.

Inchmahome is a small Island in the only "lake" in Scotland. It has paths around and across the island. If you search for a map of 'Port of Menteith' or 'Inchmahome' or 'Lake of Menteith' and then click on the satellite version you can see the entire island and it gives you an idea of the topography. It is not a big island and would be good for young kids.

Nearby are two easy walks to waterfalls - Bracklin is just NE of the center of Callander and Leny about 1.5 miles west of Callander.

scottishsport.co.uk/walking/bracklin.htm

forestry.gov.uk/website/Recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/ScotlandStirlingQueenElizabethForestParkStrathyreF orestPassofLeny

Inchmahome is a small Island in the only "lake" in Scotland. It has paths around and across the island. If you search for a map of 'Port of Menteith' or 'Inchmahome' or 'Lake of Menteith' and then click on the satellite version you can see the entire island and it gives you an idea of the topography. It is not a big island and would be good for young kids.

Nearby are two easy walks to waterfalls - Bracklin is just NE of the center of Callander and Leny about 1.5 miles west of Callander.

www.scottishsport.co.uk/walking/bracklin.htm

http://www.forestry.gov.uk/website/R...restPassofLeny

oops - I meant to use tiny url -- sorry.

About an hour and a half north in Aberfeldy is the Scottish Crannog Center, a great place for kids.
You actually sit in a Crannog and hear a short presentation about life 5,000 years ago. After that, there are hands on exibits and demonstrations.

www.crannog.co.uk

The Trossachs area has loads of good walks / hikes to suit all abilities.
The "Lake" of Mentieth is in fact a spelling mistake, it was originally "laigh", a Scots word for low lying country and referred not to the water but to the land round about.