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7 Things to do with children in Argyll
There are plenty of things to do in Argyll with children and all within only a couple of hours of West Central Scotland. Here are some suggestions:
Visit Inveraray Jail: This museum and living-history attraction offers a glimpse into Scotland"s past. Kids will love the gory exhibits, the chance to dress up in period costumes and to try out some of the instruments of torture used to punish wayward men, women and children in this 19th century prison.
Go on a farm tour:
Lennox of Loch Lomond is a sheep farm in the hills on the western side of Loch Lomond. You can enjoy a fun quad-bike tour of the farm and even see lambs being born. Booking is essential!
Visit a castle: Argyll is home to a number of castles, including
Inveraray Castle and
Dunstaffnage Castle outside Oban. Children will enjoy exploring the castle grounds and learning about their history.
Take a boat trip: There are a number of boat trips available in Argyll, from short cruises to full-day excursions where kids will get the chance to spot wildlife and to see the coastline from the water. Take a ride on the Clyde with
Boat Trips Helensburgh to the Sugar Boat wreckage or
Wreckspeditions in Dunoon where you can have an exhilarating powerboat ride to see lighthouses, castles and amazing scenery and wildlife. You might spot porpoises, dolphins, seals, birds of prey and if you’re really lucky - a whale!
Get close to Nature: The island of
Inchcailloch on Loch Lomond is part of the Loch Lomond National Nature Reserve and can be reached by boat from Balmaha or Luss.
The
Moine Mhor Nature Reserve near Lochgilphead is home to a multitude of birds, otters, butterflies and dragonflies.
Children will enjoy the chance to explore these wild places and learn about the local wildlife.
Take a hike: Argyll is home to a number of scenic walking routes and trails including the
Cowal Way. You don’t have to do the whole thing - there are plenty of sections of each trail that can be walked without too much whinging!
East Cowal Heritage Outdoors (ECHO Trails) has also mapped hundreds of miles of walking and cycling paths in and around the Argyll Forest Park where children will enjoy the chance to explore the outdoors and get some exercise.
Get on your bike!
The Crinan Canal Towpath is a flat, traffic-free trail that runs along the Crinan Canal and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. It is suitable for children of all ages and abilities.
Inveraray Castle Loop: This scenic trail is a 7.5-mile loop around the town of Inveraray, passing by Inveraray Castle and Loch Fyne. It has some challenging uphill sections but is suitable for older children with some cycling experience.
Here are some other walking and cycling routes to explore:
https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/oban-walking-and-cycling-mapRemember to always check the difficulty level and terrain of the trails before setting out, and to ensure that all children wear appropriate safety gear, such as helmets and reflective clothing.