Scotland Family Holiday with Teenagers

Welcome all to Inverness! Be sure to arrive around lunchtime for an important welcome meeting at 1 pm, where you’ll meet your local leader and other families joining you for this Scottish adventure. Afterwards, hit the road towards Fort William, and stop via Urquhart Castle, which sits on the banks of Loch Ness. This riverside fortress ruins is packed full of history and is a great focal point of the loch and countryside around. After snapping some family photos and having a stroll, continue to Fort William, arriving around 5 pm. Keep the introductions going today with an included welcome dinner for you all! (D)

After breakfast, lace up your walking shoes, as it’s time to get the crew active! You’ll begin and end the walk at your accommodation in Fort William, with the 4-hour hike taking you up a small peak on the edge of the village, known as Cow Hill. Marvel at stunning vistas greeting you at the top, over the nearby lochs and villages, and the mighty Ben Nevis behind – the highest peak in the UK. Return on foot to Fort William, arriving in the early afternoon. After your hike, the day is free for you and the kids to continue exploring at your own pace. (B)

Today, keep the activity going with a canal canoeing adventure. After breakfast, take an easy 1-hour hike following the Great Glen Way, leading you to the Caledonian Canal. This stretch of water threads through the Scottish Highlands from Inverness all the way down to Fort William. Swap the walking trails for waterways as you jump in your awaiting canoes and paddle an approximately 11-kilometre section of the canal to the tiny village of Gairlochy. Afterwards, transfer back to Fort William and enjoy another afternoon at leisure. Your leader will be able to recommend a whole range of activities to consider today, so be sure to ask them if you’re stuck on what to do. (B)

Stock up on some breakfast, then embark on a scenic drive towards the Cairngorms National Park. En route, pass by the fascinating Highlands Folk Museum – a large outdoor display of typical life through the centuries. With an onsite café, it’s a great place to take some time and explore in depth. Also, keep your eyes peeled for red squirrels! From here, walk along a designated footpath to the village of Kingussie – your base for the next two nights. Once arrived, you guessed it – free time to get your bearings and perhaps grab some dinner in town. (B)

This morning, venture into the countryside on a scenic hike to peak of Creag Bheag (approximately 3-4 hours). Follow the trail to the peak, offering sweeping views across the national park. From above, you begin to understand how expansive, fertile and green the land is around. Peer over Loch Gynack and back towards the village, perhaps capturing a family selfie from the summit. Once back down in Kingussie, you have the afternoon to explore at your own pace. There’s a number of galleries and craft shops to explore, plus a nearby golf course and horse-riding experiences. Otherwise, it’s also possible to head to the town of Aviemore by public transport – a popular historic hub deep in the Cairngorms region. Rendezvous back with the group of families at night for an included dinner to celebrate your time in the Scottish Highlands. (B/D)

After breakfast, make your way to the nearby railway station – a short walk from the hotel. With no activities planned for today, you and your family are free to continue your adventure wherever you please, or else begin your homeward journey. There are regular trains heading north towards Inverness (approximately 1 hour), or otherwise, southbound routes to Edinburgh (approximately 2.5 hours) and Glasgow (approximately 3 hours) are available. It’s totally your call. (B)