Family-friendly holiday accommodation in Scotland

A family walk along a wide gravel path, all holding hands in a line. Culzean Castle is in the background.

Stay in the grounds of some of most spectacular places, including Culzean Castle in Ayrshire

Our family-friendly holiday properties will make your family vacations unforgettable! Perfect for families with children, here’s a list of where you’ll find accommodation near our best play parks, fun local activities, and beaches and woodland to explore together.

Some of the best memories of childhood are made on family holidays. A family holiday together can broaden children’s horizons, enhance their personal growth and independence, and also create even stronger family bonds through shared experience.

Holiday accommodation at National Trust for Scotland properties is also a fantastic and exciting way to introduce children of all ages to history and nature, as our cottages and apartments are within the grounds of spectacular castles and estates, which your stay helps us to care for meaning they will be protected for future generations to enjoy too!

See our full list of holiday accommodation in Scotland

A stay at one of our places is a truly special experience, whether you’re looking for a coastal getaway for family beach days, a cosy woodland retreat with plenty of walks and wildlife spotting, or an activity-packed trip with adventure playgrounds and plenty of fun.

Highlands

Brodie Castle & Estate, near Forres

The Moray countryside and rose-coloured Brodie Castle (ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years) are on your doorstep waiting to be explored, plus the beautiful Moray coastline is only a short drive away. For children Brodie boasts two play areas, including the imaginative Playful Garden which is also home to Scotland’s biggest bunny sculpture.

South Lodge (sleeps 4: one double bedroom, one twin) is a cosy ground-floor cottage with a private garden.

Garden House (sleeps 6: one double bedroom, one twin and one bunk) provides spacious accommodation for a family, and boasts a dedicated utility room for extra storage and an enclosed rear garden with lawn, gravel and a barbecue!

Laird’s Wing is perfect for larger or multi-family gatherings where you can bring everyone together. It is within Brodie Castle itself and sleeps up to 14 people. Experience the life of a laird in this magnificent property, which spreads over three floors and features period bedrooms, a grand dining room, cosy sitting rooms and a games room!

A small cottage with a tiled roof is surrounded by a grassy lawn. Trees stand behind the cottage.

A two-storey stone cottage has a wooden picket fence at the front. Its front door and window shutters are dark green.

Two young children slide down a grassy slope beside a giant model of a white rabbit, that is lying on the bank.

A family play in autumn leaves, throwing them into the air, in front of the pink-walled Brodie Castle.

Glasgow and Ayrshire

Culzean Castle & Country Park, near Maybole

A stay in the grounds of Culzean Castle & Country Park on the beautiful Ayrshire coast will give you a holiday full of adventure, with acres and acres of woodland, beaches and parkland to explore plus two incredible adventure playgrounds for children of all ages. There’s even an onsite ice cream parlour for a sweet treat!

Ardlochan Lodge (sleeps 4: one double bedroom, one twin) is all on the ground floor and is in a quiet part of the estate, just 2 minutes from the beach. It has its own garden and patio area.

North Firbank (sleeps 4: one king-size bedroom, one twin) is close to the beach and woodland walks, and also has its own enclosed side garden.

Garden House (sleeps 5: one super-king-size bedroom, one double and one single) is located at the centre of the Culzean estate, beside the Walled Garden. It features a family bathroom, utility and cloakroom, and an enclosed garden.

The Clocktower (sleeps 6: one super-king-size/twin on request, one queen-size and one adult bunk) is situated close to the castle at the heart of the estate, with incredible views. Inside, the property boasts a snug, perfect for children to have their own space to watch a film while you relax in the living/dining room after a day out, and outside you have your own private enclosed garden with lawn, decking and picnic bench.

A wooden cabin with a grey tile roof is surrounded by a green lawn and patio area. A garden table and chairs are set out on the patio, in front of the large patio doors. Trees are in the background.

A two storey stone house, with a parking area in front and a grass garden at the side.

A rowing boat sits on a bed of golden sand. Behind it is a mini castle tower and a long wall made from wood.

A family walk hand in hand along a sandy beach, with rocky cliffs behind them. The two children are skipping and laughing.

Aberdeenshire and Angus

Crathes Castle, Garden & Estate, near Banchory

During a stay at Crathes there are 240 hectares of grounds to discover with plenty of history and wildlife, via six waymarked trails. Head out on a nature trail and look out for buzzards, bats, roe deer and herons! Wild Wood Adventure Play has plenty for our younger explorers to discover and let their imagination run wild.

East Lodge sleeps 4 people (one double bedroom and one twin), has a garden with a picnic table and is located at the entrance to the Crathes estate. Please note there is no bath, only a shower.

A grey lodge house with crow-stepped gables stands at the entrance to an estate. A paved parking area lies to the front. Tall silver birches can be seen behind.

A family walk across the manicured lawns in front of Crathes Castle. Two young girls run in front of an older couple. Big yew hedges can be seen in the background.

A view of an adventure playground set among tall trees. A wooden shed-like building rests on top of tall wooden stilts, with various high-level walkways running between various platforms, The ground is covered by sand.

House of Dun, near Montrose

A tour in House of Dun will entertain all ages, as you are taken around and told stories by our incredible costumed guides. For days outdoors, choose between the many woodland walks around the property, stop by the playground, and visit the Den of Dun at the top of the estate. Further afield, pack up a picnic and explore the sandy beaches of the Angus coastline with bucket and spade in hand.

North Stables and South Stables (both sleep 4 across two twin bedrooms) are first-floor accommodation inside Dun’s sandstone courtyard. Please note that access to both properties is via external staircases with approx 18 stairs and there are no baths, only showers.

A view of a gravelled courtyard, with a small clocktower over the archway. Either side of the archway are converted stables, with external stairs leading up to a front door.

A costumed guide dressed as a Victorian lady in a high-collared, long-sleeved white and purple dress and a hat is stood in the Saloon at House of Dun. Behind her is an ornate three-piece screen and fireplace. The walls are adorned with intricate plasterwork designs.

The front entrance of House of Dun, with the gravelled driveway and lawn.

Fife and Perthshire

Hill of Tarvit, near Cupar

All three ground-floor cottages stand in the grounds of this Edwardian mansion in Fife. They have their own enclosed gardens, and you also have access to explore all of the mansion’s beautiful gardens, woodland, open heath and parkland – our lawn games including croquet are very popular with families! Head out on day trips across to St Andrews, with its vast sandy beaches and aquarium, or to one of our popular nearby properties, family-friendly Falkland Palace & Garden.

West Cottage (sleeps 5: One double bedroom, one twin and one single) is homely and cheerful, with a utility and family bathroom.

East Cottage (sleeps 5: two double bedrooms, one single) is pretty and comfortable, and includes a family bathroom.

Middle Cottage (sleeps 4: two twin bedrooms) is a bright and classic country cottage for a cosy family getaway. Please note there is no bath, only a shower.

A small white cottage with a grey tiled roof is surrounded by a grassy lawn. Pretty rose bushes grow up the front walls of the cottage.

A small white cottage with a tall stone chimney and black painted doors. The cottage is surrounded by a grassy lawn and little box shrubs.

Three young boys play croquet on a lawn, with some ornate stone steps rising behind them to a terrace.

A view of the white-walled Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse, seen from across the manicured lawn. A row of clipped yew hedges leads to a set of stairs leading up to the house.

Discover more unique holiday properties

We provide self-catered holiday accommodation all over the country, with modern furnishings, lovely living spaces, comfy bedrooms and easy access to the best culture, landscapes and activities that Scotland has to offer!

Whether you want to explore our wild landscapes or curl up by the fire with a good book (and a wee dram), explore our portfolio of brilliant holiday accommodation to find the place that’s perfect for you.

Holidays

Take a well-earned break with us, and enjoy Scotland at its glorious, vibrant and tranquil best!

Family-friendly holiday accommodation in Scotland