A guide to the best baby and toddler friendly places to stay in Scotland including hotels, cottages, holiday parks and resorts which are all ideal for babies and toddlers. Read on to discover the best places to go on holiday with babies and toddlers in Scotland.
#1. Craig Tara Holiday Park – Ayr
Craig Tara Holiday Park in Ayr is run by Haven and has all the key ingredients for a fantastic family holiday. As well as direct access to a beach, the park also has a heated indoor swimming pool with waterslides, sports hall and brand new for Summer 2019 – the Lighthouse Harbour Adventure Village and Toddlers’ Play Village.
The Lighthouse Harbour Adventure Village opens in the summer and will have interactive play areas and space for events. The Toddlers’ Play Village will have a toy kitchen, pretend RNLI lifeboat and little shop to play in. There are also lots of activities and classes for toddlers including Discovery Babies, Aqua Jets, Gym Tots and junior science classes. Craig Tara is in a great location to explore the Ayrshire coast including the Isle of Arran, Culzean Castle and the Robert Burns Birthplace Musuem.
Check out special Tots Breaks at Craig Tara
Learn More – Craig Tara Holiday Park
#2. Forest Holidays – Ardgartan Argyll Lodges, Loch Lomond
Forest Holidays offers holidays and short breaks in some of the UK’s most beautiful forests, and peaceful Ardgartan in Argyll is no exception. There are magnificent views across the loch to snow capped mountains and beyond. Stay in one of the 40 forest cabins around the loch all of which have hot tubs – some are pet friendly too!
The Forest Retreat is home to the snack and coffee bar, shop, playground and reception where you can meet the Forest Ranger and book activities and hire bikes. Toddlers will love taking part in the Mini Forest Ranger activities where they can learn about plants and trees, play games and make forest crafts. Ardgaran is in the heart of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park so there is loads to do in the local area with babies and toddlers. The Argyll Forest Park is close by and little ones will love a trip out on the West Highland Railway Line or having a boat ride on Loch Lomond. The seaside town of Helensburgh is also nearby.
Learn More – Forest Holidays – Ardgartan Argyll Lodges
#3. Crieff Hydro – Perthshire
Crieff Hydro is a baby and toddler friendly resort in Scotland with a hotel and over 50 self-catering lodges, apartments and cabins. There are 6 different places to eat, a swimming pool complex and onsite cinema (included in the price). There is an activity centre which includes an indoor castle with trampolines, ball pool and separate baby area. Educational activities like nature trails and painting are included in the price too.
Learn More – Crieff Hydro Resort
#4. Auchrannie Resort – The Isle Of Arran
The luxury Auchrannie Resort in the Isle of Arran comprises of two 4* hotels, thirty 5* luxury lodges, 3 restaurants, 2 leisure clubs and a new children’s Playbarn. The resort is just 5 minutes drive from the ferry terminal and Brodick village.
Arran is a great place to go on holiday with a baby or toddler. Known as a Scotland in miniature, the Isle of Arran has mountains in the north of the island and beaches and rolling hills in the south. There are castles, secret beaches, museums, walks, stunning sea views and loads of wildlife. Don’t miss the new Isle Be Wild adventure playground at Brodick Castle owned by the National Trust for Scotland.
Learn More – The Auchrannie Resort
#5. Isles of Glencoe Hotel – Near Fort William
Situated in a breath-taking lochside setting at the foot of Glencoe, the Isle of Glencoe hotel has a relaxed family friendly feel. There are spacious family rooms, some with Lochside views and cots are available to hire. Toddlers will love the indoor swimming pool, and parents can take some time to chill out in the leisure complex. Outside there are Lochside trails and the hotel is close to the Oban Sea Life Centre and the famous Hogwarts Express!
Learn More – The Isles of Glencoe Hotel
#6. The Hilton Coylumbridge – Aviemore
The Hilton Coylumbridge is a baby and toddler friendly hotel in the Scottish Highlands. This resort style hotel has an indoor swimming pool and a Fun House with a large soft play, ball pit and slides and tunnels set over 3 floors. There is nightly entertainment including a children’s disco, and family friendly dining. The hotel is in a perfect location to explore the Cairngorms. Entry to 2 local attractions is included in the price of your stay.
Learn More – The Hilton Coylumbridge
#7. Moness Resort
The Moness Resort is set in 35 acres of countryside in the heart of Perthshire within walking distance of the Highland town of Aberfeldy. There are 106 cottages and a 4* hotel – all of which are great for babies and toddlers. All the cottages have access to the resort swimming pool, sauna, steam room and hot tub. The 1, 2 and 3 bedroom holiday cottages are furnished to a high standard, and have everything you would need for a family holiday. Toddlers will love feeding the ducks on the resort pond, or playing hide and seek in the grassy woodland around the resort. There is also an indoor creche area for little ones with toys and a dolls house to play with. Outside, there is a playground and plenty of space for little ones to ride their bike or scooter.
Learn More – The Moness Resort
#8. Seton Sands Holiday Park
Seton Sands holiday park is a small park with superb views over the Firth of Forth. The park is close to a sandy beach and has an indoor swimming pool which runs swimming lessons. Learn to Bike Ride lessons, bug hunts arts and crafts den building, and Nature Rockz lessons are also available on the park. Edinburgh is also within easy reach. Accommodation is in cozy caravans.
Learn More – Seaton Sands Holiday Park
#9. Peebles Hydro
Peebles Hydro is part of the Crieff Hydro family of hotels, and is a spa hotel in the Scottish borders. Babies and toddlers are welcome (under 2s stay for free). Family rooms are available and the hotel also has a creche, woodland walks, indoor play area and swimming pool.
Learn More – Peebles Hydro Hotel
#10. Gleneagles
Gleneagles is one of Scotland’s most famous hotels, but did you know it also welcomes families with babies and toddlers? Sumptuous family rooms are available, and there is also an indoor swimming pool to have a dip in. The Little Glen is a magical land full of toys, games, castles and dressing up costumes. There are also specific activities for babies and toddlers at Gleneagles including hand and foot painting, sandpit and water play. Extra activities are available for children aged 3-5.
Learn More – Gleneagles Hotel
#11. The Dairy At Daviot
The Dairy at Daviot is a converted 19th century farm with 6 self-catering cottages on a private estate in the Scottish Highlands. The luxurious cottages are arranged around a courtyard and have a playground and ice parlour all surrounded by fields, farm animals and wildlife. As well as an ice cream parlour on your doorstep, the cottages also have toys, books and games as well as loads of baby and toddler equipment to borrow for the duration of your stay.
Learn More – The Dairy At Daviot
#12. Thistle Lodges, Sandyhills
Thistle Lodges are 3 beautifully designed A frame lodges in Dumfries and Galloway. The Scandanavian style lodges sleep from 4 to 8 people and are just a 5 minute walk from one of southern Scotland’s best beaches. There are stunning views over the fells and small loch, as well as an indoor swimming pool which is ideal for rainy days. Cots, highchairs and stair gates are all provided.
There are loads of family friendly days out in the local area including cycling in the Galloway Forest and days out at the Dino Park and Mabie Farm Park.
Learn More – Thistle Lodges
#13. Lagnakeil Highland Lodges
These lodges are set on a hillside just 10 mins drive from Oban. They are open plan with a kitchen, living area and comfortable bedrooms. There is a private patio and picnic bench outside, as well as a playground. Oban is the gateway to the isles and from there you can get the ferry to the Isle of Mull where you can visit the pretty town of Tobermory.
Learn More – Lagnakeil Highland Lodges
#14. Blairmore Farm
Blairemore Farm are luxury holiday cottages on a farm near Perth. There are 6 stunning holiday cottages with wood burning stoves, Scottish inspired textiles and private gardens with BBQs. Baby packs are provided (additional charges apply) which include a cot, highchair, baby bath, nappy bin, baby gate and bumbo. Toddlers can get involved in farm life by joining in on a farm tour, helping feed the animals or picking some veg from the kitchen garden. Edinburgh, Glasgow and St Andrews are within 90 mins drive. The Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, Scottish Crannog Centre and Faskally Forest are also near.
Learn More – Blairmore Farm
#15. Harvest Moon Holidays
Harvest Moon Holidays offers glamping in treehouses and safari tents just 45 mins from Edinburgh. They all have wood burning stoves, ensuite wc’s and hot showers. There is also a BBQ, farm shop and a little Kids Corner with chickens, ducks, rabbits, lambs and ponies. The best thing about Harvest Moon is that is it is right by the beach!
Learn More – Harvest Moon Holidays
#16. Strathspey Lodge
Sprathspey Lodge is a stylish retreat near to Aviemore in the heart of the Cairngorm National Park. There are 3 double bedrooms, a twin room and a playroom with books and toys. The lodge has amazing views across open countryside towards the Cairngorm mountain range and is close to the Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Landmark Forest theme park and Rothiemurchus. Each bedroom has a wall mounted TV and there is a table tennis table and plenty of board games to keep you occupied during the occasional wet day!
Learn More – Strathspey Lodge
Can you recommend any baby and toddler friendly places to stay in Scotland?