Roadtrip in Scotland with a child

Point on driving on the left side of the road

Let’s start with what can be scary: driving in the left lane during your trip to Scotland with a child. It was my first time behind the wheel on this side of the road. I don’t know if having seen my whole family drive on the left on every trip to Africa has got me used to it. But it’s really simple. At the same time, we almost forget it but everything is done for smooth traffic but on the left.

Small details, pay attention to:

• Highways, especially when overtaking
• Narrow roads on Skye and the priorities that come with them
• Roadsides outside of towns, there aren’t really any and the ditches are close to your wheels
• Country roads where animals cross your path
• Roundabout entrances where you must be careful when there are two lanes
• Roads approaching cities and their traffic

Roadtrip in Scotland with a child or In the land of Harry Potter ?

Head towards Fort William. From the airport, it took us 5 hours to travel to Glenfinnan which is located after Fort William. Be careful to get ahead because you don’t drive at the same speed as on our French country roads.

Once you arrive at the edge of Loch Shiel, you can sit down to watch the Harry Potter train pass by. Well, it’s not the one from the film that we find in the Studios in London (hello, the article I wrote on this subject). But it’s a real train that really runs on this viaduct for 6 months of the year.

Besides, this train you can board at Fort William station and get off at Mallaig station. If you want to experience it from the inside and say hello to ALL the people who come to the viaduct to see the train go by, this is the best way.

For the more courageous, once the train has passed, take the paths on the hillside and stroll to Loch Shiel which was used for photos of Hogwarts Lake. It stretches everyone’s legs, it gives a crazy view of the lake and it can end up in a carriage transformed into a tea room, too good to warm up.

The Isle of Skye, a paradise for hiking and fairies

After Fort William, head towards Skye. We chose to rent an apartment in Portree, the largest town on the island and the most central, so to speak. Easy place to drive from and to during your trip to Scotland with a child.

On the way to Fort William, we stopped to visit Eilean Donan Castle which served as the setting for a James Bond film. Magnificent castle, well maintained because the owners live there. Lots of collections to see but I must admit that my son found the visit a little long (independent visit I specify).

Afterwards, we took the road back to Skye to avoid arriving after sunset. Because yes, in winter and with the time change (they do it too), the sun starts to set from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and driving in the dark is not easy.

Parking clarification which applies to almost all the places mentioned below: for hikes, you just pay for parking. It costs around €2 to €6.

Old Man of Storm

Arriving on Skye, we did the famous Old Man of Storr hike which served as the setting for one of the Transformers. Bring good shoes, effective rain gear and above all cover up because it’s windy! On the other hand, the view from the promontory over the sea is magnificent even on a cloudy day. Totally doable with a child because the climb is barely 2 km.

Kilt Rock Falls

While we were on the island, we headed towards the north of the island. You’ll be amazed. On the other hand, a little advice: if you want to see the famous Kilt Rock Falls north of Old Man of Storr, get on a boat. Because from land, apart from being rinsed if it is windy, you will not see them like in the photos. In the north, there is also the Quiraing which we chose to bypass to take advantage of the cliffs overlooking the sea.

Fairy Glen

This is a very easy short hike to do with the family. The successive small hills are reminiscent of the Shire in Lord of the Rings. Here on the other hand, you have stones which are placed in a circle and which would have been put in place by the fairies. Please note that in Scottish folklore, fairies have their importance.

Fairy Pools

Then, on these hiking days on Skye, we headed south to Fairy Pools. And that is by far our favorite hike. Yes, it was windy and therefore very cold but the sky was a magnificent blue and it gave intense and contrasting colors. There is a waterfall where everyone stops and then turns around but I advise you to continue afterward. Indeed, you enter the foothills of the Cuillin Hills and you are alone in the world.

A nice place to do nearby, especially for a picnic, are the beaches in the south of the island. For information, in windy weather, you eat sand but the beaches are really very beautiful.

Neist Point Lighthouse

To reach the Neist Point lighthouse, you need patience because you drive on a mini road. The 10 km long takes you to a parking lot. On the road, we encountered sheep and cars. Depending on the time of day, there may be traffic.

Once you arrive, you have about 500 meters to go on foot. And it starts with the descent of the cliff. Easy on the way out, you get hot on the way back (and I remind you that we were really cold during our trip, so you can imagine the effort). The view of the hybrid seas from the lighthouse is breathtaking. On the other hand, hold your children so that they are not blown away by the gusts of wind (I’m very serious).

Loch Lomond and Stirling

On the way back to Edinburgh, we stopped for a day at Loch Lomond and another in Stirling. But before that, we had to take the road from Skye again, passing through the Glen Affric Valley which is a jewel of colors. Along the way, we have a small detour to see the end of Loch Ness. We didn’t do Urquhart Castle or a lake cruise by choice.

Loch Lomond

Speaking of cruising, it was on Loch Lomond that we chose to board a boat for a sunset tour. After a day on the road, this break was welcome. Here again, cover up well because the wind on the lake at the end of October is very present. Price details: around €30 for two.

For your information, we were staying in the Tullie Inn located in Balloch just opposite the quay to board the Sweeney’s Cruise company boat. If you want to sleep in a place that goes back in time in the rooms, the restaurant and the billiard room, come here.

Stirling Castle

Stirling is on the return route between Loch Lomond and Edinburgh, just 1 hour from Balloch. We visited Stirling Castle. It was occupied by the King of the Scottish Clans before they were banned by the British crown. It all happened after the Battle of Culloden and many others in the 18th century.

This castle is atypical because it mixes buildings in black Scottish stone with a very light colored building. It is full of collections and anecdotes about clan life at the time. I really liked the place and my son loved the gardens and the ramparts even if we were rinsed like never before during the trip. Price details: a little over €30 for two.

There are still plenty of places to talk about but I’m going to stop there for this article. I’ll write the full article on Edinburgh in a few days because having done it 3 times. I have plenty to give you ideas for a week-end or a stop on a road trip with the children. Enjoy your roadtrip to Scotland with a child.