Finest Family Walks In Scotland

If you’re looking for new family walking routes in some of the most beautiful scenery the UK has to offer, then you’re in the right place.    

As partners of the National Trust for Scotland, we’re proud to share six incredible walking destinations that are accessible for the whole family from their Scottish sites. Each of these routes is child-friendly to ensure even the littlest explorers can get out in nature. 

Where will you adventure first? 

Packed with history and surrounded by mountains, Brodick is every inch the quintessential island castle. The gardens offer spectacular views of Brodick Bay and the Ayrshire coast. With a country park featuring 10 miles of waymarked trails that are home to fantastic wildlife including red squirrels.  

A short walk will take you to Soldier’s Leap, and if you continue on the path for around a mile you’ll reach the southern end of the Pass of Killiecrankie, where a footbridge crosses the River Garry. Take a minute to enjoy the view from the footbridge which is particularly beautiful in autumn. Plus, look out for rare fungi, woodpeckers and pine martens along the way. 

At this site, there are lots of accessible walks around the estate, pond and shrubbery that are free to all. The Green Walk was used as a scenic shortcut to Brodie village and station. Villagers also used it in the 1950s to get access to the farm and road beyond. The route can be made longer by returning via the exit driveway or by following the public road to the pond. Rodney’s Stone, an 8th-century Pictish monument, is situated on the castle entrance drive and can be accessed on foot from the main car park. 

Standing against a backdrop of rolling hills and set within its own glorious gardens, Crathes Castle is the classic Scottish tower house – and a fantastic day out for all the family. Crathes Castle Estate was once part of the Royal Forest of Drum and today there are a range of waymarked and clearly signposted trails. Look out for wildlife along the way including red squirrels, woodpeckers and herons. Take a walk along the Coy Burn and you might see buzzards and kingfishers.  

From the Linn of Dee and Linn of Quoich car parks there are a number of low-level walks with views of the rushing falls. Throughout the estate, there are lots of reminders of the area’s human history, from Mesolithic remnants and post-medieval townships to the remains of 19th-century sheep farming. Mar Lodge Estate is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. On the moors, red grouse, meadow pipits and skylarks are active, while treecreepers, willow warblers, stonechats and great tits are at home in the woods. You might even spot a golden eagle soaring high above. But perhaps the most spectacular display comes in autumn when red deer stags start to rut – their roaring and clashing battles echo across the glens. 

There’s a network of paths throughout the garden and two trails that lead around the estate – the Pinewood Trail (a 45-minute low-level circular walk) and the Kernsary Path (a 2–3 hour circular walk through the spectacular wilder countryside). Both have fantastic views, and the wildlife hide offers the perfect vantage point over Loch Ewe where you can often spot coastal birds, seals and otters.  

There we have it – 6 fantastic Scottish walks to enjoy with the whole family. All you need to get out there is the right kit. For advice on the right footwear and clothing for you and your family, visit us in-store and talk to our experts.  

To learn more about our partnership with the National Trust for Scotland, click here. And don’t forget, National Trust for Scotland supporters get 15% off at Cotswold Outdoor in-store and online. T&Cs apply.