The Scottish Borders is a great place to get out and about for all ages, so we've picked some of our favourite family-friendly activities to help you make the most of your break. The best of Scotland begins at the Border.
One of the best ways to experience the Scottish Borders is from the water and hiring a paddleboard or a kayak from Audrey is a great way to get started. She can deliver to the doorstep or straight to the water. For families, St Mary’s Loch near Selkirk is a great spot to get started.
Get your aim in with expert instruction available for anyone from absolute novices to seasoned shooters. For younger members of the party there’s a virtual indoor shooting range - don’t miss the wild west shootout. There’s a cafe too at this versatile site near Selkirk.
Where can you see some of the UK's favourite wildlife? The south of Scotland, naturally.
The Scottish Borders is home to many of the country's most iconic species, including the majestic golden eagle and the loveable red squirrel. Go Wild Scotland offers a range of nature walks and activities for families hoping to see some of these wonderful creatures.
For those with a head for heights, there are adventures in the trees of the Glentress forest near Peebles. They promise action-packed forest adventures and deliver in a sensational setting, with a high ropes course through the treetops of Glentress Forest (near Peebles) and a 50 metre high zip wire that runs for 325 metres. Keep an eye out for red squirrels.
Experience some of Scotland’s finest fishing with veteran Borders fisherman Bill Drew, who offers family-friendly experiences at the heart of the Scottiosh Borders, with individual tuition or small groups and access to some of the best beats, including the world-renowned River Tweed.
Discover the underwater world of Scotland’s only voluntary marine reserve in the clear waters off St Abbs on the Scottish Borders coast. For experienced divers there’s plenty to see beneath the waves, including wolf fish, octopus, anemone and lobsters - while the added bonus of the chance of spotting minke whale, seals and dolphin from the boat.
The Scottish Borders offer some of the finest cycling routes in the UK - but there's no getting past the fact that the Southern Uplands do feature rather a lot of hills. How better to see them then than on an e-bike - delivered to your door in the central Borders and with a range of between 40 and 90 miles.
For those who prefer not to wrap the kids in cotton wool, something to get them out and about and off the Xbox. Tree climbing, archery, scavenger hunts: what's not to like? They run activity camps at various venues around the Borders including many of the big houses and castles.
The Scottish Borders North Sea coast is becoming increasingly popular as a surfers’ paradise. Come on in, the water’s not nearly as cold as you might think - particularly when you’re wearing a wetsuit. Two hour lessons come with a bit of safety tuition and plenty of time in the water, with all equipment provided. Age 9+ with lessons taking place at the scenic Coldingham beach.
Extraordinary adventures climbing magnificent trees throughout the Scottish Borders, all with the safety of ropes and helmets and expert supervision. Lovely people with a real passion for what they do and fun for all the family. They operate all year round: the one hour tree climbing experience is a great starting point.
The half hour fast blast is popular but take a look at the Coastal Exploration trip which sets a more leisurely pace taking in the Burnmouth sea caves, smuggling haunts and round past St Abbs head, home to thousands of seabirds. There's a chance of dolphins too.
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You don’t have to wait for it to snow to give skiing and snowboarding a go. The ski centre on the side of the Pentland Hills overlooking Edinburgh offers two main dry slopes, three nursery slopes and a fun slope with jumps. There are family lessons available.
Escape reality with an impressive range of escape room adventures, including pirate and vampire themes and an escape from Alcatraz.
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