Dramatic landscapes, historical castles, magical destinations, and so much more are waiting for you in Scotland. During a family vacation in Scotland, you can visit the attractions that interest you the most. I can help as I am personalizing your family vacation itinerary in Scotland. Today, I am sharing an itinerary that will have you experiencing the best of Scotland in 10 days. You won’t need to follow this exact itinerary, but it will give you an idea of what is possible as you are making memories with your family.  

Experience the Best of Scotland in 10 Days 

Day One: Edinburgh 

On the first day of this magnificent family vacation in Scotland, you will begin by landing in Edinburgh. After checking into your hotel, you will have some time to walk around and see a few attractions.  

Start with a walk along Victoria Street. This cobblestone lined street is the heart of Old Town Edinburgh. Pay close attention to the historic features, as you wander into shops and start collecting souvenirs.  

If you have a Harry Potter fan in your family, you will be thrilled to know that Victoria Street was used as inspiration for Diagon Alley.  

After your shopping adventure, head to Greyfriars Kirkyard. There, you can see the grave of John Gray and his dog, Bobby. According to legend, Gray, who was an Edinburgh City Police night watchman, died and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. His dog, Bobby, sat on his master’s grave for fourteen years until his death in 1872.  

Your next stop could be Holyrood Palace. This palace is the residence of His Majesty the King. During your visit, you can see the Royal Apartments, the Great Gallery, and the display about the Order of the Thistle. I recommend taking the time to go on a guided tour of the Holyrood Abbey ruins to learn more about the history of this attraction.  

There are many other ruins in Scotland. Let me know if you are interested in seeing them during your family vacation.

Day Two: Edinburgh 

Yes, you will need two days in Edinburgh to ensure you see the best of Scotland during your family vacation. Start your day with a guided stroll on the Royal Mile. Learn about the locals from past generations, as well as historical people like Mary Queen of Scots.  

Towards the end of your tour, you will be taken to Edinburgh Castle. Pay close attention during your tour, so you don’t miss displays that include the One O’Clock Gun and the Crown Jewels of Scotland.  

Afterwards, you can walk the Royal Mile on your own or head into the Centre for the Scotch Whisky Experience. Whisky is the most popular drink in Scotland. Take the guided tour of The Centre to see how the whisky is made. Your tour guide will be led by the resident Distillery Ghost. But don’t worry, they are not really a ghost. They are real people who are knowledgeable in all things whisky related.  

Depending on when your flight to the Shetland Islands is on day three of your vacation, you may want to go to bed early. However, if you have a later flight, you can sleep in or choose to explore Edinburgh a little more.  

Day Three: Shetland Islands 

Day three of your Scotland vacation will include a little downtime in the Shetland Islands. If you arrive early enough, you can wander around near your hotel. Or relax at the hotel and simply enjoy some lively conversations with your family. This might be the perfect time to reminisce about the experiences you have had in Scotland so far.  

Day Four and Five: Shetland Islands 

You have a full three days in the Shetland Islands during your family vacation in Scotland. Hopefully, you are visiting when one of the twelve fire festivals is taking place. These festivals are called Up Helly Aa, and they are held between the months of January and March. They mark the end of the yule season.  

If there are no fire festivals during your visit, take the ferry over to Lerwick. Once there, you can see the handcrafted Viking-style longships or explore the fortified site known as Clickimin Broch.  

Your time in Shetland Islands can be as lazy or busy as you want it. If you are looking for more authentic things to do, talk to the locals and have them share their favorites with you.  

Day Six: Aberdeen 

I recommend flying to Aberdeen early on day six of your vacation. This will allow you to see the most of this city in the short time you have. Live shows and musicals can be seen at His Majesty’s Theatre. Classical concerts are held at the Music Hall and foreign films are shown at the Belmont Theatre.  

If your family loves castles, there are plenty for you to see. Start at Fyvie Castle, then work your way to Drum Castle, and Crathes Castle.  

Of course, you won’t want to miss enjoying a drink at either the Glenvilet Distillery or the Cardhu Distillery. Remember, Scotland is known for its whisky. So, drink the best whisky while you can! 

Day Seven: Inverness 

You could spend a week in Inverness and still not see everything you want. This itinerary of the best of Scotland only has you there for two days. Keep that in mind if you know there are so many more things you want to do in this area of Scotland. I can always arrange for you to spend more time here than in other destinations during your family vacation.  

Begin your time in Inverness at the Castle Fraser Garden and Estate or head over to the Malt Whisky Trail. The former will have you exploring beautiful gardens and the adjacent castle. The latter will have you stopping at eight distilleries for guided tours and lots of whisky.  

No matter how you choose to spend your day, take the time to visit The Victorian Market. The small shops within the market offer products you won’t find in many of the other stores in Inverness. If you don’t want to go shopping, at least stop by to grab a bite to eat from one of the cafes.  

Day Eight: Inverness 

There are so many ways you can start your second day in Inverness. The most exciting option though is to head over to Loch Ness to see if you can spot the Loch Ness Monster. Now, you probably won’t see anything in this freshwater lake. But have your camera ready just in case!  

When you finally give up on spooky sightings, you can choose to visit Urquhart Castle, Inverness Castle, or the Culloden Battlefield. Of course, you can see all three if you are ambitious and don’t mind arriving back at your hotel later than planned.  

Day Nine: Pitlochry 

It is close to the end of your family vacation in Scotland. And yet, there are so many other things you need to see before you board the plane to go home. Today, you will spend the day exploring Pitlochry. This area used to be a quiet village until Queen Victoria fell in love with it and it turned into a vibrant town.  

Start by exploring Cairngorms National Park. Walk the trails to spot the only reindeer in Scotland. Embrace the spectacular landscape and capture some family pictures.  

And if the kids want to have a few thrills, consider going rock climbing.  

Later on, venture over to Black Spout Wood and hike to the Black Spout Waterfall. This is an easy walk on a trail that is accessible from the center of town. I recommend picking up a pamphlet at the Pitlochry Information Centre before going out on the trail. It is packed with information you will want to know during your walk.  

When you reach the waterfall, stand on the platform for the best views.  

Day Ten: Livingston 

Livingston is the last stop for your family vacation in Scotland. You are going to want to cherish every minute of this day, because tomorrow your family will be heading back to reality.  

Begin this day by going to Stirling to take a tour of Stirling Castle. Check out the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Great Kitchens, and the Tapestry Studio. Stop at the viewpoints to see the seven battlefields surrounding the castle.  

If you have any energy left, go to Falkirk to see the massive Falkirk Wheel. This wheel is a rotating boat lift that takes boats one hundred fifteen feet up or down to the different levels of the Clyde, Union, and Forth canals.  

Your family can ride on the wheel to see how the locals go between the canals. Or visit the Callendar House, Blackness Castle, or Helix Park for other unique opportunities.  

The day will quickly come to an end, and you will need to go back to your hotel for a good night’s sleep. After all, your flight back home will be in the morning.  

Doesn’t this sound like a fabulous family vacation experiencing the best of Scotland? I can easily personalize your itinerary in Scotland, so your family is seeing the sights and attractions you are all interested in the most. This will allow you to make those memories that matter with your family.  

So, are you ready to have me create a personalized family vacation itinerary for your trip to Scotland or another destination?  

If you said yes, I would like to invite you to click here to schedule a personalized family vacation planning session with me. When you click the link, you will be taken directly to my digital calendar to schedule a time that is convenient for you.  

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