5-Day Highland Family Adventure: Forest Treetops & Wilderness Discovery

Day 1: Arrival & Treetop Thrills at Aberfoyle

The Experience: Pick up your rental family SUV in Edinburgh/Glasgow and drive into the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
Activity: Take on Go Ape Aberfoyle, home to epic cross-valley zip wires over 400 metres long and dual high-ropes courses suitable for different age levels and thrill thresholds.
Evening: Drive through the Trossachs to Pitlochry. Check into the historic Pitlochry Hydro Hotel, featuring family suites, an indoor heated pool, and expansive garden grounds.

Day 2: River Adventures & Loch Tay Folklore

Morning Activity: Head to nearby Grandtully for a gentle family rafting or river duckie (inflatable kayak) safari with Splash White Water Rafting, designed safely for ages 6+.
Afternoon Activity: Visit the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay, an interactive living history museum where kids and adults learn ancient woodworking, iron age fire-making, and textile crafts together.
Evening: Return to the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel for dinner and a swim in the heated indoor pool.

Day 3: Journey to the Cairngorms & Highland Pony Trek

The Drive: Drive north along the scenic A9 into the Cairngorms National Park toward Aviemore.
Activity: Stop at Rothiemurchus Estate. Experience a guided family Hairy Coo Safari (feeding Highland cows and red deer from an open tractor trailer) followed by a gentle Highland Pony Trek through ancient pine forests.
Evening: Check into a family lodge at Cairngorm Lodge / Coylumbridge Hotel near Aviemore.

Day 4: Wildlife Encounters & Heritage Steam Rail

Morning Activity: Visit the Highland Wildlife Park in Kincraig to see native Scottish wildcats, European wolves, and polar bears on a drive-through and walking safari.
Afternoon Activity: Board the historic Strathspey Steam Railway for a nostalgic steam train journey through the mountain scenery from Aviemore to Broomhill.
Evening: Family farewell dinner in Aviemore featuring local Scottish dishes.

Day 5: Departure

Departure: Return south to Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport for your return journey.

Included services:

2 nights at the Pitlochry Hydro Hotel (Family Room with full breakfast & pool access).
2 nights at Coylumbridge Hotel / Aviemore Resort (Family Room with breakfast).
5 days compact SUV family car rental with unlimited mileage.
Go Ape Aberfoyle: Treetop Challenge / Treetop Adventure tickets.
Rothiemurchus Estate: Family Hairy Coo Safari & 1-hour Pony Trek.
Splash White Water Rafting: Family River Safari tickets.
Strathspey Steam Railway: Family return tickets.

Recommended travel period:

April to October

Excluded services:

Flights to and from Scotland
Vehicle fuel, toll charges, and trailhead parking fees
Lunches, dinners, and personal beverages
Travel insurance covering outdoor activities

Picture source: LCC In2Scotland
Picture source: LCC In2Scotland
Picture source: LCC In2Scotland
Picture source: LCC In2Scotland
Picture source: LCC In2Scotland
Picture source: LCC In2Scotland