We'll be traveling to Scotland in July this year after attending a family wedding in Wales. Our family of four includes a 10 and 7 year old so days touring too many museums and the like are out. Also have a husband who'd prefer not to drive so hoping to spend time on trains. Know we want to see Loch Ness and do the Jacobite Steam Train. Also a couple of distilleries and the Highlands if we can get there. Love the outdoors and less interested in the more touristy locations. In general we like to immerse ourselves in the local flavors, smells and personalities of the places we visit. Appreciate any help with itinerary, lodging suggestions (family rooms preferred), must-see places and of course food and drink rcommendations. Thanks!

In your post, you've already mentioned three of the most touristy spots in Scotland...the Steam Train,Loch Ness and most distilleries. If traveling by train, most (but not all) stops will be in/near touristy areas. However, I wouldn't let that bother you too much. Do you plan to get to Scotland by train or plane? It could be a long trip fropm Wales by train,depending on your departure point.Where in Wales will you be coming from?

The Scottish experts will be able to give you a good idea as to what's actually possible and some itinerary advice as well.

There really aren't that many "touristy" places in Scotland -- if by that you mean schlocky, tacky, crowded and filled w/ ice cream dripping families in shorts and sandals.

About the most touristy place is around Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness w/ its "Nessie" exhibits and stuffed copies of her.

BTW - Loch Ness is not even in the top ten (or top 20) scenic lochs in Scotland. It is just the one most tourists have heard of.

As for distilleries - one really is enough. Not that all single malts taste the same - far from it. But just about all single malts are made exactly the same way, so one distillery tour will be like most other distillery tours.

If you are limited to trains you can see a lot - but definitely won't get much off the beaten path. Driving is not hard in any part of Scotland except in the major cities. A car is definitely not needed in Glasgow or Edinburgh - but to get out into the countryside, a car would be a BIG plus.

(Loch Ness, many of the distilleries and the Jacobite train are all in the highlands so I'm not quite sure what you mean by &quot;<i>the Highlands if we can get there.</i>&quot

had you thought about getting a self catering cottage for a week? Of course unless you stay in a larger town or city that probably means driving but to me that has always been the most pleasant way to explore with kids.

Perthshire might be a good location to sort of &quot;park&quot; for a while and enjoy all that outdoor Scotland offers. If you stay around Loch Tay or Aberfeldy you can climb Ben Lawers, boat and swim (brrrr)hike, visit castles and gardens--and enjoy music pubs(Dunkeld). Really this is the nicest way to get to know an area.

I agree that it might be a challenge to &quot;see&quot; Scotland just by train. That said,once you've got a sense of where you might want to go (distances look deceptively easy)it's easier to think about where to stay--and eat.

Places children your kids' ages might really like--this website might be of some help.
http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo...d/scotland.htm

Dunrobin Castle north of Inverness--the falconry exhibition is stellar, Edinburgh Castle, the Monty Python Day at Doune Castle, St Andrews castle and cathedral (excellent walk back in time exhibit for kids). Fife and East Lothian are also good locations for a week's exploring and easily accessible by train to Edinburgh.

The Scottish borders are often &quot;skipped&quot; by families which is a shame as the area has the great abbeys, wonderful walks,castles, beaches, gorgeous vistas--- The small boat ride out to Lindesfarne is well worth--and if the weather is not excellent after your walk around the island--there's the pub til the return ride.
The walk from Pitlochry to Edradour (Scotland's smallest) distillery is nearly perfect for under 'tweens and the tour is well done.

How long do you figure you'll have in Scotland?

cheers,

Opus

As someone who took my two children to Scotland on several occasions, I can recommend the Isle of Arran for a two day visit. To get there,you have a 50 minute train trip from Glasgow to Ardrossan, where the boat to the island is waiting. The sea journey takes 55 minutes and you arrive in Brodick, where there are buses waiting to take you around the island if you desire. Brodick itself has a good beach, putting greens and loads of child friendly eating places. There is also Brodick Castle, owned by the National Trust, which is an excellent place to visit. There are fabulous walks and hikes if you need to tire the offsprings out. As a boy, I spent many a holiday there and it has not changed all that much in the 60 years since then. That is part of its charm. I can thoroughly recommend it.

The area round Aviemore has a lot to recommend itself as far as kids are concerned. Landmark, the Highland Wildlife Centre, the Speyside steam train, and you can get there easily by rail, but getting around will be a bit tricker. the Coylumbridge Hotel bills itself as being child friendly