Access our itinerary detailing our 14-day journey by clicking on the image above.
Access our itinerary detailing our 14-day journey by clicking on the image above.
Days 1-4
Little Guide for you to know what day we did what on my map :)
We chose Montrose as our home base, staying at my aunt's charming house. Nestled on the east coast, Montrose is a delightful small town, offering the ideal setting to relax and recharge before exploring the rest of the country. Upon our arrival, we were greeted with a spread of our favorite treats and a delicious dinner prepared by Aunt Carol, who is renowned for her hospitality and flair for entertaining. It was the perfect start to our Scottish adventure!
The next day the kids and I woke at 12.30 PM (remember the time difference is 6 hours)! We didn’t sleep at all on either flight from Dallas to Edinburgh so we were exhausted. Jeremy and my mom had already been on the beach since 8am for a walk. We got ready then went off to Glamis Castle which is an amazing Castle just southwest of Montrose about 40 min. We had lunch and toured the castle, this was probably my 4th time there, so it was fun to take the kids for their first time!
Day 3 was filled with fun activities! We started with a round of mini-golf at Montrose Links followed by refreshing cocktails at the Golf Course Clubhouse overlooking the ocean. While the kids enjoyed the Splash Park by the ocean, we indulged in a snack at the Beach Cafe. Later, we embarked on a hike to Scurdie Ness Lighthouse on the opposite side of the River Esk, treating ourselves to breathtaking views along the way.
Day 4 was packed with adventure, and despite our initial concerns, the kids absolutely loved it! We started our day around 10am by visiting the gravesites of our relatives in Inverbervie, a touching and meaningful experience. Next stop was Dunnottar Castle, a breathtaking sight that left us in awe of its beauty and history. Our day culminated in Stonehaven at the Highland Games, where we immersed ourselves in the vibrant atmosphere and enjoyed every moment. It was truly a perfect day filled with unforgettable memories.
Attending the Stonehaven Highland Games was serendipitous; we couldn't miss such a quintessentially Scottish experience, especially with the kids experiencing it for the first time. And Dunnottar Castle, nestled amidst stunning scenery, was an absolute must-visit for all. Witnessing the awe on the kids' faces as they beheld the breathtaking views was a highlight of our trip. While Visit Scotland's blog post highlights many remarkable castles, for us, Dunnottar Castle stood out as the pinnacle of our Scottish adventure.
Check out our spectacular collection of photos from Dunnottar Castle below!
Day 5 - Montrose to Loch Ness
Day 5 was action-packed as we embarked on a journey to Balmoral Castle. Using Waze for navigation in Scotland's Highlands turned out to be a bit challenging – what was supposed to be a 45-minute drive from Montrose turned into a 2-hour adventure! Despite the unexpected detour, visiting Balmoral Castle was a truly remarkable experience, especially for the kids, who got to explore the Queen's Scottish retreat. The expansive grounds were breathtaking, and although we didn't catch a glimpse of any royals, spotting their cars was a thrill in itself. Our impromptu visit to Glenlivet was a delightful surprise – the picturesque setting left us wishing we had more time to explore. Jeremy had a dram and we were then made our way to Loch Ness in hopes of catching a glimpse of Nessie herself!
Balmoral in the backdrop!
The Watchers, tucked away in the Highlands just past Balmoral, were seriously impressive. They serve double duty as architectural wonders and cozy wind shields. Can't believe I forgot to mark them on the map!
Leaving Balmoral without picking up a couple of Corgis? Unthinkable!
Days 6-9: Loch Ness to Fort William
Day 6 was marked by a visit to Urquhart Castle, although our plans hit a snag as we hadn't secured tickets in advance and the parking lot was too full to even catch a glimpse of the castle. Despite the setback, the castle's picturesque setting along the loch made it a worthwhile stop. Note to future travelers: be sure to book tickets well in advance! This was also the day we were eagerly anticipating our ride on the Jacobite Steam Train, famously known as the Harry Potter Train. However, our excitement was dashed when we learned that the train ride had been canceled for maintenance the day before. Despite this unexpected turn of events, we remained resilient and made the most of our day!
Our stay at Torcastle House Bed & Breakfast turned out to be a delightful surprise, despite not having much information about the property when we booked. The grounds boasted a hidden treasure trove of beauty, with a river meandering through the property, castle ruins to explore, and a bustling farm atmosphere. We found ourselves befriending the resident chickens and eagerly awaited visits from the friendly dogs each day. Our experience navigating the property, particularly through a memorable tunnel, became a recurring topic of conversation among our friends long after our trip concluded.
Located approximately one mile from our Airbnb was Neptune's Staircase, an impressive feat of engineering and the longest staircase lock in Britain. This remarkable structure raises boats a staggering 64 feet, with a total of eight locks each spanning 180 feet. While we didn't witness Neptune's Staircase in action during our visit, we did observe the lock system at Fort Augustus, where it took a jaw-dropping 1.5 hours for a single boat to navigate through to the loch. The scale and operation of these locks left us in awe of the ingenuity behind Scotland's canal system.
Day 9-10: Carnoustie
Days 11-12: St Andrews & Glasgow
Days 11 & 12 were a blend of nostalgia and new experiences as we hurried through St Andrews en route to Glasgow. St Andrews held a special place in my heart, having attended two British Opens there. I fondly recalled the excitement of witnessing historic moments on the renowned golf course, like Jack Nicklaus's retirement in 2005 and Nick Faldo's victory in 1990. My mom's bold gesture of shaking hands with Nicklaus during one of these Opens remains a cherished memory. Despite not being a golfer myself, those Opens were defining moments of my childhood, filled with the thrill of meeting golfing legends amidst a relaxed atmosphere, all for the modest price of 15 pounds.
Just as we were en route to Glasgow, we received an unexpected phone call from my cousin, offering us tickets to attend the Rangers Football Game. Kienan, especially, was ecstatic at the prospect. Additionally, we had reservations for a tour of Celtic Park scheduled for the same night. However, we soon discovered that traveling directly between the two stadiums via Uber was not advisable, and potentially unsafe. Undeterred, we opted to take the train back downtown after the Rangers game and then hailed an Uber to reach the other field. I'm immensely grateful to my cousin and his son for guiding us through the subway system to the game and for generously providing us with tickets. It turned out to be a fantastic experience for all of us.
The following day, we woke up and headed to Charlies Rennie Mackintosh's tea room. I'm passionate about architecture, so I thought it would be great to show the kids his school and tea room.
Days 13-15: Edinburgh
Then we were off to our final stop, Edinburgh! Jeremy and I are huge fans of the city and were so excited to share it with the kids.
These are our favorite spots in Edinburgh, perfect for enjoying with the kids. But the bars we like are great for some adult time as well! We always bring Uno to play with the kids, and they love indulging in hot chocolate while we relax.
Edinburgh is known for its vibrant cultural scene, particularly during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest arts festival, which was starting at the castle across the street from our hotel the day after we left. The city also has numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, including the National Museum of Scotland, the Scottish National Gallery, and the Edinburgh Playhouse.
Despite being a bustling urban center, Edinburgh is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes. From the green spaces of Princes Street Gardens to the rugged coastline of nearby areas like East Lothian, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities within easy reach of the city center.
With all that being said, here's our itinerary for Edinburgh with kids:
Day 1: We start at Scotts Kitchen for a pint, then head to Deacon Brodies Tavern for some kid-friendly food. Next, it's off to Edinburgh Castle for a self-guided tour, followed by dinner at Made in Italy for some delicious pizza!
Afterward, we embark on our own walking tour of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter sites. We have a map for this that will be posted soon. Don't miss the official movie shop on Victoria Street, Museum Context: Retailer of Harry Potter Merchandise—it's fantastic, but there's usually a line, so go early! Finally, we explore Grayfriars Kirkyard, home to about 10 graves of characters from the movies. Exploring the old graves was definitely a highlight of our trip! We had an absolute blast searching for the characters from the movies, alongside many other Harry Potter fans. Keep in mind these names are fictional and not based on real people.
We capped off our evening with a delightful visit to Sofi's for ice cream, desserts, and coffee. It was a wonderful ending to our day, made even better by a beautiful rainbow!
Victoria Street is directly across from our beloved Apex Grassmarket Hotel. However, it's worth noting that the hotel doesn't have air conditioning, so we won't be returning, at least in the summer time. Yes, you still need air in the summer in Scotland :)
Day 2 was a blast from start to finish! We stumbled upon the charming Scotts Kitchen for breakfast, where we not only enjoyed delicious food but also met fellow travelers, adding to the fun. After a short ride on the on & off bus, we found ourselves in the enchanting East Princess St Gardens, where the kids had an absolute ball playing with new friends for nearly an hour. Then, it was time for tea at The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, where we savored delightful treats while overlooking the picturesque park. The kids would dash off to play again, returning for a bite now and then—a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure!
After our delightful tea, we ventured to the National Galleries of Scotland to indulge in some art appreciation, always a favorite pastime of mine! From there, we strolled back to Victoria Street, a place we simply adore, where we also enjoyed a bit of shopping for souvenirs for our family and friends. After a few more miles of walking, dinner time arrived, so we selected The Beehive Inn for our evening meal and it was adorable and great fish & chips!
Here are our favorite spots marked on the Google Map for both days:
