North Berwick
Scottish Seabird Centre · Photo: Anne Burgess
The Scottish Seabird Centre on North Berwick harbour has live cameras trained on the islands offshore, so children can zoom in on gannets and seals. After lunch in its café, drive a few minutes east to Tantallon Castle, a huge red-stone ruin on the cliffs facing the Bass Rock.
Wildlife · 10:00–12:00 (2h)
Try the live cameras and the harbour viewpoints; a same-day train ticket gives a discount.
An indoor and outdoor wildlife park in North Berwick.
Photo: Anne Burgess
Food stop · 12:00–13:00 (1h)
Lunch with sea views in the centre's café.
The cafe inside the Scottish Seabird Centre, free to enter without a Discovery Experience ticket, with views across the water. A convenient lunch stop between the harbour, the beaches and Tantallon Castle.
Photo: Richard West
Castle · 13:30–15:30 (2h)
Climb the walls for views of the Bass Rock; keep little ones close near cliff edges.
A red sandstone clifftop ruin east of North Berwick, once a Douglas stronghold, looking straight out to the Bass Rock. Children can climb onto the battlements and explore the remaining towers; some areas are shut for conservation work.
Photo: Richard Park
ScotlandEdinburgh city centre
Spend the morning in the free National Museum of Scotland, where skeletons, space kit and a whole floor of science and technology galleries keep curious kids busy. After lunch, walk downhill to Dynamic Earth for a journey through the planet's history under one roof, with no need to step outside for long.
National Museum of Scotland → Dynamic Earth
ScotlandStirling
Day one is Stirling's big history double: the royal palace and great hall of Stirling Castle, then the climb up the Wallace Monument for views across the Forth valley. Day two heads north-west to Blair Drummond Safari Park, with a stop at Doune Castle on the way home.
Stirling Castle → The National Wallace Monument → Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park → Doune Castle
ScotlandDundee waterfront
Climb aboard RRS Discovery, the polar research ship built in Dundee, then cross the road to the free V&A Dundee for design galleries and lunch. Finish with a booked session at Dundee Science Centre, a few minutes' walk away.
Discovery Point → V&A Dundee → Tatha Bar & Kitchen → Dundee Science Centre
