Scotland's best family days out

Don't worry if you or the kids haven't skated before, there are coaches at every session to help you get rolling. Probably best for children aged five and above.

skateglasgow.com

Climb Ben A'an, the Trossachs

There's nothing like the satisfaction of climbing a hill, especially one as dramatic as Ben A'an in the Trossachs, midway between Callander and Aberfoyle. Coming out of the tree line, the summit of the hill rears up in front of you - and the peak looks almost like a mini-Everest, if you squint a bit. Although it looks very steep from that angle it's a straightforward walk to the summit which is suitable for adventurous kids, aged around seven or over. The hill might "only" be 1,489ft high but it will feel like a mountain and a real achievement to youngsters, without being an off-putting slog. There are great views across Loch Katrine and the Trossachs. The walk will take anywhere between two and four hours, and there's parking at the foot of the hill.

www.lochlomond-trossachs.org

Cycling round Millport, Great Cumbrae

No west of Scotland childhood would be complete without a trip to Millport, or more accurately Great Cumbrae. The day starts, of course, with a ferry from Largs, which takes less than 10 minutes but adds a frisson of adventure to any trip. You can get a bus into town but it's more fun to take your bicycle and cycle around the island. Alternatively, jump on the bus and hire a bike in Millport - tandems are always fun. In a nod to modernity you could always hire an electric bike. The roads are very quiet, though there will be the odd car. You might choose to visit The Cathedral of the Isles - the smallest cathedral in the British Isles - or you may rather mess around in a rock pool - but having a knickerbocker glory in one of the town's cafes is non-negotiable.

www.calmac.co.uk

Scottish Championship Car Racing, July 19, Knockhill Racing Circuit, Fife

Spot the next Lewis Hamilton or Dario Franchitti at an action-packed day of racing at Knockhill. Perfect for older kids and wannabe petrol-heads, there's 18 races including Scottish Formula Ford, Legends, Mini Coopers, BMW Compacts, Fiestas, Sports & Saloon and Classic Sports & Saloon Championships. There will be expert commentary to provide live race commentary, pit-lane scoops and behind-the-scenes interviews and discussions. Young fans can text the tower with their questions. The open paddock allows families to get up close to the same machines, and drivers, that will see whizz past on track, at speeds in excess of 120mph. It's sure to be noisy but, like all Knockhil events, it will be friendly and welcoming. Worth the admittance fee alone for the looks on the kids' faces as the cars roar past them.

www.knockhill.com

Reptile House, Queen's Park, Glasgow

Freak the children out (in a good way) with a trip to see the creepy crawlies in

the reptile house in the Glasshouse at Queen's Park on Glasgow's south side. There are snakes, lizards, spiders and the odd cuddly creature, such as Chinchillas. Grown-ups may enjoy a stroll through the hothouses, which have exotic plants from across the world such as spectacular cacti, and there's a cafe, too. The park has plenty of history: there was an ancient camp at the very top of the hill, and there are spectacular views to the west to Argyll - making it an obvious site for a fort. Hundreds of years later, the Battle of Langside ranged across what would become the park. The park is also home the Scottish Poet's Rose Garden, dedicated to poets from Burns to MacDiarmind.

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Aberfoyle

Secluded woodland walks, great mountain-bike trails, sparkling lochs, beautiful views of the surrounding hills and mountains, all within an hour of both Glasgow and Edinburgh - Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is hard to beat. More than 50,000 acres and a variety of terrain, the park has something for everyone. Lovers of flora and fauna will want to keep their eyes open for the ospreys, buzzards, red squirrels, deer and badgers that live in the forests, as well as exploring plant life. Cycling fans, meanwhile, can take advantage of the UK's biggest off-road cycling network. And for those in search of adventure rather than tranquillity, the GoApe! zipwire attraction flies through a small section of the forest without spoiling the quiet elsewhere. Whether you choose to go for the day or camp for the week, you won't be disappointed.

www.scotland.forestry.gov.uk

Crail Festival, various venues, July 22-August 1

The picturesque East Neuk of Fife always buzzes with visitors throughout the summer, and the wonderful Crail Festival provides yet another reason to visit this most beautiful of Scotland's coastal trails. Mixing music, visual arts, dance and literature, this unpretentious community-run 10-day event has genuinely eclectic appeal and has a more low-key feel than its big cousin, the Pittenweem Arts Festival. Performers in Crail this year include Barbara Dickson, Fife Opera and the Robyn Stapleton Trio. There's a wide array of children's activities on offer too, including Funbox, a fancy dress show performed by former members of the Singing Kettle, a sing-a-long showing of the film Frozen, a fossil hunt along the shore and a sandcastle competition. There's also outdoor Shakespeare in the grounds of the castle, while the family ceilidh, provides raucous fun for all.

www.crailfestival.com

Holmwood House, Netherlee Road, Glasgow

Standing proudly on a quiet residential street in Glasgow's leafy south side, Holmwood House is a family home like no other. Designed for a wealthy businessman in the 1850s, Holmwood has often been described as Alexander "Greek" Thomson's finest domestic design. Still being lovingly renovated by owners the National Trust for Scotland, Holmwood offers a unique chance to see a total work of art - what the Germans call a Gesamtkuntswerk - where every detail, both internally and externally, works as part of an overall design scheme. Fans of Thomson will not be surprised to see his love of classical antiquity just about everywhere, from the ornamental plaster and marble work to the pillars of the grand frontage and the breathtaking internal dome. Outside there are attractive riverside grounds to explore, including a small kitchen garden. There's also a lovely tearoom.

www.nts.org.uk

Sail on the Waverley

Many who grew up in the west of Scotland have happy memories of sailing "doon the watter" on the Waverley, the world's last remaining sea-going paddle steamer. Destinations such as Dunoon, Rothesay and Arran will be forever associated with this glorious ship, which this year celebrates her 40th anniversary sailing in preservation. And, following her latest renovations, there's never been a better time to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life with a relaxing day on board. The majestic scenery never changes, nor does the chance to spot dolphins, whales and seals off the west coast. But the on-board dining service has certainly changed since the 1970s, and now offers an impressive range of hot and cold meals - including a top-notch Sunday roast. A classic Scottish day out for all the family.

www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk

Pollok Country Park, Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow

Visitors to Glasgow often marvel at the city's parks, and Pollok is arguably the jewel in the crown, a uniquely wild woodland paradise inside Scotland's biggest city. Voted the best park in Britain in 2007 and the best in Europe a year later, Pollok really is a special place. Beautiful woodland walks and cycle paths wind their way through what used to be the private grounds of the magnificent Pollok House, and is home to an array of wildlife. The 18th century mansion, designed by William Adam, is now a popular visitor attraction in the park, as is the world-class Burrell Collection, which is due to close soon for a £50 million restoration. The park is a favourite with children too, with its fantastic adventure playground, prizewinning herd of Highland cows and much-loved Clydesdale horses which inspired The Kelpies.

www.glasgow.gov.uk

Aberdour Festival, Fife

Announcing itself as "the best small festival of Scotland's summer" the 10-day Aberdour Festival, now in its 32nd year, has come a long way since its humble beginnings. It has expanded beyond the typical small-scale village affair and regularly attracts visitors from further afield. Proximity to Edinburgh during the city's festival means Aberdour is now host to several Fringe events including talks by authors and comedians. This year's theme is food and drink, light and soil and highlights include Dougie MacLean, rock band Break the Butterfly and comedian Craig Hill. Crucially though, the event has retains its small town charm and many of the highlights are long-standing events. These include the Donkey Brae Run, sandcastle competition and the rather hilarious raft race. All of the venues are within a short walk of each other and of course no visit to this picturesque village is complete without a paddle on one of its two great beaches.

July 31- August 9, www.aberdourfestival.org

Deep Sea World, North Queensferry

Scotland's national aquarium is a guaranteed hit with the family, whatever the weather. Catch one of the seal or shark feeding sessions or get up close to some of the starfish, seahorses and lobsters who make their home here.

Many of the tanks are floor-to-ceiling which means even little visitors can get up a good look at the creatures. The undoubted highlight the underwater tunnel where you can watch the sharks feeding all around you through the glass. A moving floor here means flagging kids don't even need to walk to enjoy it. From June 27, a new attraction for the summer entitled Monster Creepy Crawlies, is launched. It features animatronic creatures including human-sized snails and duelling scorpions as big as cars. It also incorporates a series of interactive challenges and microscopes with which to view real insects close up. On-site is a large cafe which caters well for younger customers and a gift shop.

www.deepseaworld.com

Almond Valley Heritage Centre, near Livingston

A walkway around Mill Farm provides an easy way to see all the animal enclosures without having to walk too far. Kids can get a cuddle with some of the smaller creatures at one of the regular supervised petting sessions. There are plenty of animals including Highland cattle, goats, horses and ducks.

There are several outdoor play area and, for rainy days, an indoor playground. A narrow gauge railway provides trips across the site and back while a trip in a tractor trailer to see some of the bigger animals at the furthest part of the park is usually a memorable highlight for most kids. An interactive shale oil museum provides an interesting retreat when the weather turns Scottish and there is, of course, a well-stocked shop for souvenirs of your day.

Dining facilities include a cavernous barn full of picnic tables where you can eat your home-made lunch, an indoor cafe with decent coffee and a booth outside for more casual dining.

www.almondvalley.co.uk

Big Wild Sleep Out, Across Scotland

Go wild for one night only by taking part in this nationwide sleeping under the stars event. Designed as a way to get families interested in local wildlife, the format is pretty flexible. Take to your back garden, get together with friends to organise your own event or check out the two big RSPB-organised sleep outs currently scheduled to take place in Scotland. At Wigtown, Dumfries and Galloway, Friday August 7 is Moth and Bat night and local expert Paul will be introducing campers to the nocturnal wildlife sounds from 9.30pm. Bat detectors will be available. The following day, Saturday August 8, camp will be set up at Loch Leven from 10am in preparation for the night ahead. There will be a chance to find your inner Ray Mears with wildlife and bush-craft activities, bat and moth walks and toasting marshmallows on the campfire before bedtime.

August 7-9, www.rspb.org.uk

Mugstock Festival of Music & Merriment, Milngavie

Dubbed "Scotland's newest wee festival" Mugstock takes place at Mugdock Country Park, 10 miles north of Glasgow. The boutique festival extends to music across two (fully-covered) stages, a traders' village and various food and drink vendors amid the stunning natural surroundings.

There will also be family activities and shows, science workshops, walkabout performances, interactive installations, cutting edge theatre and a conga and kazoo world record attempt. Headline acts include feel-good festival favourites Dodgy and electronic fusion outfit Beats Antique featuring David Satori and Sidecar Tommy, all the way from California. The event is not-for-profit and is managed and run by a team of skilled and experienced volunteers with a shared love of music, Mugdock and all things magical. There will be 2,000 tickets released for the event. Weekend camping tickets from £64. Early bird offers are available until June 30. Yurts are available for those who prefer a bit of glamping.

August 7-9, www.mugstock.org

Moffat Classic Car Rally

Scotland's biggest classic car event rolls into the historic spa town in the Annandale Valley on June 27 and 28 with a fantastic collection of vintage cars and bikes to view at Moffat Showground. Thousands of enthusiasts are expected to attend with 9000 cars on show from as far afield as France and Germany. It revs into gear with a colourful road run featuring 300 cars following a route from St Mary's Loch to Megget and Talla reservoirs, stopping for a picnic en route. Entertainment, live music and children's attractions are all planned, with a ceilidh in the marquee, while petrol heads won't want to miss the autojumble and trade stands. The event was set up in 1998 by Scottish Rootes Enthusiasts, a group of collectors of classic cars by the manufacturer of Hillman, Humber, Talbot, Talbot-Sunbeam and Singer.

June 27 and 28, www.sre-scot.co.uk

Jacobite Steam Train, Fort William

Harry Potter fans and steam train enthusiasts alike can climb aboard for one of the best railway journeys in the world. Book a seat on the 84-mile round and have your camera at the ready for endless rolling beautiful scenery. The nostalgic steam trip starts at Fort William and heads north to Arisaig, the most westerly mainland station; Loch Morar, the deepest freshwater loch in Britain; and Loch Nevis, the deepest seawater loch; before stopping at Mallaig and crossing over the stunning 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. A steam engine and some of the carriages played the role of the Hogwarts Express in some of the most memorable scenes in the Harry Potter films. Movie buffs will also want to look out for the silver sands of Morar that also appeared in Highlander and Local Hero.

www.westcoastrailways.co.uk

West Sands Beach, St Andrews

Whatever the weather, there is no shortage of activities to do along the award-winning two-mile sweeping expanse of golden sands, backed by high dunes, made famous in the opening scenes of the David Puttnam-directed film Chariots of Fire. From sand yachting and wind surfing to a leg-stretching walk, breathe in lungfuls of fresh air and take in the picturesque surroundings with the historic town offering an impressive backdrop. Just a 15-minute walk from the town centre, West Sands Beach is the perfect place to fly a kite, collect pebbles or paddle in the breaking waves on a sunny day. The dunes on this stretch of coast are of international importance, part of the Firth of Tay and Eden Estuary Special Area for Conservation, offering a natural defence against the sea but more importantly, a vital habitat for plants and wildlife.

www.visitscotland.com

The Hunterian Museum and the Mackintosh House, Glasgow

On the sprawling University of Glasgow campus in the west end of the city, the Hunterian is home to one of the largest collections outside of the National Museums, featuring a wide-ranging array of exhibits from Roman artifacts found at the Antonine Wall to ethnographic objects from Captain Cook's Pacific voyage and scientific instruments. Visit the impressive art collection which includes the world's largest permanent display of the work of James McNeill Whistler and the biggest single holding of the work of renowned architect and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Don't miss a visit to the Mackintosh House, a reconstruction of the principal rooms of the nearby home at 78 Southpark Avenue of Mackintosh and his wife Margaret. He remodelled the Victorian end-of-terrace house to let in more natural light, then decorated it in his distinctive style. The recreation of their home, demolished in the 1960s, features the couple's own furniture.

www.gla.ac.uk

Discovery Point, Dundee

Follow in the legendary footsteps of polar explorers Captain Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton on board the fascinating Royal Research Ship Discovery moored at Discovery Point on Dundee's magnificent waterfront. The story of the first heroic voyage made by Scott and his men in 1901 to the southern hemisphere is retold in the tall ship, enduring two harsh winters frozen in the ice before returning home to a hero's welcome and a place in history in 1904. The three-masted barque sits in its home port, now with high-tech audio visual exhibits, original artifacts and a soundtrack of creaking timbers, rattling anchor chains and singing from the crew's mess. See the cramped conditions and find out about life on board for those turn of the century seafarers and how they survived the extreme polar conditions, dining on seal liver and penguin meat.

www.rrsdiscovery.com

Callendar House, Falkirk

THE Stirlingshire town prides itself on its newest attractions - the Kelpies, and the Falkirk Wheel - but for a pleasant, informative trip back in time, Callendar House is terrific. Its core tower house dates back to the 14th century and the mansion is set amidst the impressive backdrop of the woodlands and gardens of the 170-acre Callendar Park, which also incorporates a segment of the Antonine Wall World Heritage Site. History is everywhere here, in the mansion as well as the estate. Callendar House has permanent history displays, a restored, working 1825 kitchen, a fine shop, and the ever-interesting Park Gallery (the current show is 'Fantasia' by the photography legend Fabrizio Gianni; to August 30). Events in the House during July include Hands on History, The History of Tea and a drawing workshop.

Websites: www.falkirkcommunitytrust.org/venues/callendar-house; http://callendarhouse.co.uk

The Amazing World of M.C.Escher

Modern Two (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), Edinburgh

MAURITS Cornelius Escher may have died in 1972 but his enigmatic, intriguing works live on. A Dutch-born graphic artist, he is best-known for what are known as his 'impossible constructions'. such as Ascending and Descending, which one group of figures mounts an endless staircase while passing another group walking down it; no-one ever seems to get any higher or lower. This comprehensive exhibition, part of the 2015 Edinburgh Art Festival, is a must-see. In the words of the Gallery, Escher's work is part of our modern-day visual culture, as recognisable as anything by Dali, yet his name means little to us in Britain. Exhibitions such as this one, which includes some 100 prints and drawings from across his long career, should help change that.

June 27-September 27. £9/£7, www.nationalgalleries.org/whatson

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

July 17-26

THE capital's jazzfest was established in 1978 by guitarist and banjo-player Mike Hart. It has expanded greatly since its early years and has become one of the leading events in its field in the UK, regularly attracting the biggest names; this year is no different. Stefan Grossman, Tommy Smith, Mud Morganfield and Lurrie Bell, Jools Holland and his R'n'B Orchestra, George Benson, amongst others. Look out for the celebration of Willie Dixon, with Maggie Bell and Tim Elliott; the BBC Big Band Sinatra Centenary Concert, featuring Curtis Stigers, Jacqui Dankworth and Todd Gordon; and Person to Person, in which three of the original Average White Band members - Hamish Stuart, Malcolm Duncan, and Steve Ferrone play the group's greatest hits and their celebrated 1976 album in full. Overall, the festival continues to bring jazz and blues, funk and soul, hip-hop and samba, to the heart of Edinburgh, to quote from its Twitter page.

Website: www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/

Wickerman Festival

THE best festivals pit some unlikely names together on the same bill. Take Friday's line-up at Wickerman, at Dundrennan: where else can you see Pere Ubu (the underground rockers from Cleveland, Ohio) and Scotland's own Lulu (albeit in different parts of the festival: Lulu is on the main stage and Pere Ubu are in the Scooter Tent)? Friday's headliners are the evergreen Waterboys; Julian Cope and Stereo MCs can also be seen. Saturday's Scooter line-up includes John Cooper Clark. The main stage offers RM Hubbert, whose album, Thirteen Lost & Found, won the second annual Scottish album of the year award, in 2013; Neneh Cherry, reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Example & DJ Wire, with the highly-rated twentysomething singer-songwriter Tom Odell headlining. "This year's Wickerman Festival is shaping up to be an epic weekend," spokesman Brian Reynolds said the other month.

July 24-25, www.thewickermanfestival.co.uk

Pittenweem Arts Festival

SET on the highly picturesque East Neuk of Fife - where, as The Herald noted last year, there's something about the light and the physical surroundings that "makes the place an alluring proposition for anyone with half a painterly eye" - this annual arts festival is a remarkably popular attraction. During its nine-day run it offers an estimated 25,000 visitors a substantial menu of exhibitions, workshops, talks, children's events and evening performances, all of them linked to the arts. The festival was launched in 1982 by several of its resident artists and has grown considerably since then. One measure of its status and reach is provided by a list of the top-notch artists who have been exhibited at Pittenweem over the last decade: Sean Dooley, Dugald MacInnes, Alasdair Gray, John Byrne, Brigid Collins, Kate Downie, Adrian Wisniewski and Dame Elizabeth Blackadder, to name just a few.

August 1-9, www.pittenweemartsfestival.co.uk

2015 IPC Swimming World Championships, Glasgow

International stars including four-time Paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds are set to compete at the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow.

Tollcross International Swimming Centre was the backdrop for some of the most thrilling moments of the 2014 Commonwealth Games and this summer is shaping up to be no less exciting.

Some 580 athletes from nearly 70 countries will converge on the city in what marks a major qualification opportunity for Rio 2016.

Flying the flag for Scotland will be Glasgow-born Andrew Mullen and Scott Quin from Edinburgh. Four-time European gold medallist Mullen learned to swim at Tollcross International Swimming Centre as a seven-year-old and those very same waters could see him become a world champion.

Among the other big names will be 19-time world champion Jessica Long and London 2012's most decorated Paralympian Jacqueline Freney who won an impressive eight golds.

July 13-19, www.paralympic.org/glasgow-2015

Beecraigs Country Park, near Linlithgow, West Lothian

Woodland walks, mountain bike trails and an orienteering course are among the many lures of this 913-acre country park nestled in the Bathgate Hills located only a short drive from Linlithgow.

One of the main attractions is the sprawling adventure playground featuring a giant spider net, flying foxes, wigwam huts, slides, swings and a sand pit providing plenty of ways to help tire out even the most energetic of live wires.

Those planning to tackle the mountain bike trails can download a map online before setting off which shows the green (easy), red (difficult) and black (severe) routes available.

Beecraigs Loch offers fly fishing and is well stocked with rainbow trout, while the park's animal centre provides the opportunity to see red deer, Belted Galloways and Highland cattle.

Picnic tables are located at the play area and two main car parks with barbecue units available to hire.

www.westlothian.gov.uk/beecraigs

Scottish Owl Centre, Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn, West Lothian

Home to one of the largest owl collections in the world, we would defy anyone not to have a hoot. With 100 owls from 40 species there are some seriously cute residents including great grey owl Oulu, tawny owl Hosking and Eurasian eagle owl Broo.

The themed areas include a flying display arena which allows visitors to see these majestic birds in soaring flight and Professor Hoot's Owl School which features an interactive education zone.

Other highlights include the North Pole (try to find an owl among the icebergs), Rainforest Realm (experience the sights and sounds of the tropics right here in West Lothian) and adventure on Shortie's Chute (super fast sliding).

When you've had enough feathered fun, Polkemmet Country Park also has a play area, driving range, bowling green as well as an abundance of cycling, walking and orienteering trails.

www.scottishowlcentre.com

Cycle from Caldercruix to Bathgate, West Lothian

This section of the National Cycle Network route 75 (NCN 75) is perfect for family cycling outings. Caldercruix to Bathgate is a leisurely 11 miles and with train stations dotted along the route it has that added reassurance should mechanical mishap befall your bike adventures.

Start at Caldercruix train station and follow the Main Street across a B-road to access the cyclepath on the right. This leads past Hillend Reservoir towards Blackridge.

The wind whipping off the water is wonderful for blowing away the cobwebs as you pedal along an undulating cyclepath.

One of the prettiest stretches comes shortly after you cross the B-road above Blackridge to pass through the Westrigg Bing - young mixed woodland on what was an old mine - in a flora-filled loop that includes fungi and blackberries.

Follow the NCN 75 route though Armadale and into Bathgate where the train station is just a short cycle - or walk - from where the traffic-free path ends.

www.sustrans.org.uk

Laggan Outdoor, Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway

If you like a bit of healthy family competition then why not challenge each other to a grass-sledging race?

Throw in breathtaking panoramas of the Dumfries and Galloway countryside and it's a pleasant as well as exhilarating way to spend an afternoon. Nor is there the frozen fingers and soggy salopettes to contend with that you get with winter snow sledging.

Grass-sledging is one of several high octane activities offered by Laggan Outdoor. Others include mountain balling (where you hurtle downhill encased in a giant inflatable sphere) and Segway tours (an electric-powered contraption that looks like the love-child of a pogo stick and a lawnmower).

The family-run site is home to one of the longest zip trek lines in Europe. Stretching 820 metres, the double line zip allows two people to descend in tandem at speeds of up to 45mph.

You can also choose from archery, clay pigeon shooting, dirt scooters and a reverse steer jeep.

www.lagganoutdoor.co.uk

CALDERGLEN COUNTRY PARK

Strathaven Road, East Kilbride

Big, friendly country park, home to a zoo (complete with entertaining meerkats, beautiful love birds and noisy kookaburras, amongst many others), café, gift shop, playparks for small children and bigger ones, woodland walks, nature trails and a glasshouse. It is a four-star tourist attraction, always popular on sunny days, which are perfect for picnics and play. There are more than eight miles of nature trails at Calderglen, including a trek to what remains of Calderwood Castle and a walk to beautiful Langlands Moss. And on rainy days, you can visit the gallery, which showcases the work of local artists and photographers. The Calderglen estate is also home to an 18-hole golf course, football pitches and East Kilbride Sports Club, home of the town's cricket, rugby and tennis clubs. The park is free and the conservatory and zoo cost £1.30 to enter for adults, children go free.

www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

Strathaven Park

Glasgow Road, Strathaven,

Lovely park in a pretty market town, with boating pond complete with kayaks, pedalos and rowing boats; a miniature railway - laid out by Strathaven Model Railway Society in 1949 - and play parks for both toddlers and older children. It's a traditional old park, and still has as its magnificent centrepiece an ornate cast-iron bandstand dating back to 1902 - handy shelter if it rains in the middle of your picnic. Strathaven Park is actually two parks for the price of one - the George Allan Park, named after a local boy who died aged just 13, and the John Hastie Park, a tribute to a local grocer who left money in his will for the park to be created. In the summer, it's a hive of activity, thanks to local Gala celebrations including the famous Duck Race down the burn, and the annual Balloon Festival. There's a putting green, tennis courts and a bowling green, plus a café.

www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

National Museum of Rural Life

Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride

Fascinating museum packed with fun activities and interesting exhibits, including impressive combine harvesters and tractors. One of the best bits is the Garden Detectives room where, inspired by the work of Charles Darwin, you can take a larger-than-life look at plants and flowers, learn all about nature and experience a real garden without getting your hands dirty. You can take the tractor up the hill (it's a bit bumpy, but mercifully short) to visit the working farm where it's fun to watch the experts milking the herd of cows, then try your hand on a model Daisy the cow in the 1950s byre. There's also a period farmhouse to visit, for a sense of what living on a farm was really like more than 50 years ago. With each season there's always something fresh to see, from new born lambs and calves to harvesting and haymaking. It's open daily from 10am until 5pm and costs £7 adults, £6 concessions, £3.50 children and under-fives go free.

www.nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-rural-life

People's Palace

Glasgow Green, Glasgow,

From watching videos of the couples in the Barrowland Ballroom when the city's dance hall craze was at its height, to listening to Billy Connolly's jokes or trying out a mangle in the old steamie, the People's Palace helps bring Glasgow's social history to life. The beautiful building, on historic Glasgow Green, tells the story of the people and city of Glasgow from 1750 to the end of the 20th century. There are artefacts, paintings, prints and photographs, film and interactive computer displays and fun activities, all providing a wonderful insight into how Glaswegians lived, worked and played in years gone by. In the adjacent Winter Gardens you can wander among the exotic palms and plants or enjoy a coffee or lunch at the café. Outside, the restored Doulton Fountain takes pride of place in the heart of Glasgow's oldest public space.

www.glasgowlife.org.uk

Glasgow Science Centre

50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA

It's easy to spend a whole day at Glasgow Science Centre and still not have seen all there is to offer. Apart from the three awesome science mall floors, home to an astonishing array of interactive exhibits (solve brainteasers in the Maths Factor Zone; go head to head with your friends to see who has the steadiest hand with the wiggly wire; glimpse your future with the weird Age Machine..... the fun is endless) there is an IMAX cinema, an excellent café and the newly-reopened Glasgow Tower, the only structure on earth capable of rotating 360 degrees into the prevailing wind. At 127 metres high, the equivalent of more than 30 double-decker buses, the Glasgow Tower is the tallest freestanding building in Scotland. There is also a planetarium but it closes on June 24 for an upgrade - check the website for details. Entry tickets cost from £10.50 adult and £8.50 child.

www.glasgowsciencecentre.org

Chatelherault Country Park, near Hamilton

Impressive adventure playground suitable for all ages and nature trails in the grounds of the Dukes of Hamilton's 18th-century hunting lodge. The best of the easily navigable trails takes you across The Dukes Bridge high above the stunning Avon Gorge, past the ruins of Cadzow Castle and out through the woods to the 600-year-old Cadzow Oaks in around 20 minutes, with some interesting wood carvings along the way. The 600-year-old Oaks are a perfect spot for a picnic and game of hide-and-seek. Some of the famous Cadzow white cattle might come and say hello at the fence. Back at the lodge, there is a cafe and nature exhibition, which includes tunnels for little ones to crawl through, and the obligatory gift shop. Before you leave, make sure you take in the stunning views across the Clyde Valley from the front of the house, all the way down to Hamilton Mausoleum where the late Dukes were once interred.

www.slleisureandculture.co.uk

Inchmahome Priory, Lake of Menteith, near Aberfoyle

A real hidden gem. Historic Scotland staff take you across the country's only lake (the name is in fact probably the result of an ancient mapping error) in an open boat to the extensive remains of an Augustine priory built in the 1200s. Mary Queen of Scots was brought here for a few weeks as a toddler for her own safety and your own little ones can easily spend the best part of a day exploring the small island which often has treasure trails for children to play detective. Best to take a packed lunch, however, as the only facilities are toilets and a small shop. There are some great trees to climb and the roofed Chapter House has a rare 13th century double effigy of a couple in a loving embrace. Once back on dry land, retire to the Lake of Menteith Hotel for coffee and cake.

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Wallace Monument, near Stirling

Visible from afar on the outskirts of Stirling, this Victorian tribute to arguably Scotland's greatest warrior is well worth a visit. The entrance is a 10-minute walk up from the car park, with a minibus for those unable to make it to the top of the Abbey Craig hill under their own steam. In the monument itself, there are exhibitions across three floors about other famous Scots as well as the story of Sir William's life and the Wallace sword forms a striking centrepiece. The highlight for many, though, is the climb to the top via 246 steps and the view from outside on the Crown which takes in much of the Trossachs as well as the sites of the Battle of Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn.

www.nationalwallacemonument.com/

The Hermitage, near Dunkeld, Perthshire

You've probably driven past here on the A9 many times but stopping off is highly recommended. Just minutes from the car park, you find yourself on a woodland walk through some of the tallest Douglas Firs in the country, with special benches to lie back on to appreciate the full height of these impressive specimens. Then go through the small Ossian Hall, with its mirrored artwork and sliding panels, for dramatic views of the foaming Black Linn waterfall. Nearby, there is a totem pole carved from a Douglas Fir by a native Canadian and then further up the River Braan you can find Ossian's Cave which is actually another folly, this time with an earthen roof and small windows which adventurous youngsters will enjoy clambering through. Dunkeld and Birnam are a short walk or cycle away,with the path taking you safely under the A9.

www.nts.org.uk

Active Kids Adventure Park, Stanley, near Perth

Follow the brown signs from the A9 north of Perth for this farm-based attraction which does what it says on the tin. As well as trampolines, crazy golf and a sizeable Wild West-style fort, more energetic fun can be had on large inflated mounds dotted around the park, with adults as welcome as kids to take part. There are farm animals to pet and a mini-assault course as well as a soft-play area for younger children and cafe which comes in handy if it is raining. But by the far best fun is to go tearing around the special track on a pedal go-kart, as long as you are able to get a look-in ahead of some fairly competitive grown-ups. Thankfully, the staff keep order. Nearby Stanley Mills is also worth a visit.

www.activekidsadventurepark.co.uk