We’ve picked some of our favourite free days out around each of our holiday parks and separated them by geographic area to help you find somewhere to go close by.

Perthshire

Blairgowrie & Corriefodly Holiday Park

The Hermitage

When the River Braan is in full spate, its waterfalls at the Hermitage are almost deafening. Whatever the weather, there is a magical air to this place, helped by the 18th-century folly of Ossian’s Hall overlooking the falls. The folly is only a short walk from the car park if you have little ones. Look out for the totem pole hidden in the woods – and red squirrels.

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/the-hermitage

Mills Observatory – Dundee

For children who are curious about comets or mystified by meteors this is the perfect way to spend an hour or two. Set in the woodland on the top of Balgay Hill, you can watch stars and planets through the powerful telescopes at Britain's first purpose-built public observatory. Planetarium Shows run on the first and third Friday of the month. There is a small charge for these.

https://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/culture/mills

Perth Museum

Perth’s brand new museum opens Easter 2024. It is home to the Stone of Destiny and running through to September there is a Unicorn Exhibition about Scotland’s National animal. Entry to the permanent galleries is free. Entry to the Stone of Destiny experience and Unicorn exhibition requires a free timed ticket.

https://perthmuseum.co.uk/

Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder

Visit famous Pitlochry Dam and Fish Ladder. The fish ladder was built at the Pitlochry Dam to allow the salmon to travel up and over the 86 meter high dam to get upstream to their spawning grounds.  It is estimated that some 5,000 salmon pass through the ladder each year between April and September.

https://www.highlandperthshire.com/regions/pitlochry/pitlochry-dam-and-fish-ladder-walk/

V&A Dundee

The first V&A museum in the world outside London and the first ever dedicated design museum in Scotland. The museum runs an extensive free family programme that encourages family to be curious about design together.

https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/whatson/programmes/families

The Hermitage, Perthshire

Aberdeenshire

Deeside Holiday Park

Duthie Park & Winter Gardens

Donated by Miss Duthie in 1880, Duthie Park is Scotland's third most visited gardens for its wide range of exotic plants, family play areas, boating ponds, sports fields and recently restored Victorian design features. The park also features the David Welch Winter Gardens which is one of the largest indoor gardens in Europe.

https://www.visitabdn.com/listing/duthie-park

Cycle the Deeside Way

Pack a picnic and take a bike ride along park of the Deeside Way. This route follows the old railway line along the length of the River Dee from Aberdeen to Ballater. It is a nice flat ride, with lots of lovely Scots pine woodlands along the route. Is easily accessible from Peterculter and you can choose to cycle in either direction.

https://www.deesideway.org/

Take a trip to the Beach

Aberdeenshire is blessed with many beautiful award-winning beaches and there are four within just half an hour's drive of Deeside Holiday Park. One of our favourites is Balmedie Beach, a long stretch of beautiful sandy beach behind which are sand dunes, great and small, to explore. The big ones are great fun to roll down!

https://www.woodleisure.co.uk/blog/best-aberdeen-beaches

Explore Footdee

Visiting the charming old fishing village of Footdee. Footdee—also known as 'Fittie' amongst Aberdonians—was first developed as a planned community at the beginning of the 19th-century. It is positioned right next to Aberdeen harbour and beach, meaning a visit to Fittie can easily be combined with a trip to the beach.

https://www.visitabdn.com/listing/fittie-footdee

Hazelhead Park

Surrounded by woods, Hazelhead Park has lots of paths and nature trails, making it popular with walkers and cyclists. Inside the park there are beautiful gardens, big fields, sculpted decorations, a maze and children's play areas. The park was once part of King Robert the Bruce's royal hunting forest.

https://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/services/leisure-culture-and-parks/parks-and-gardens/hazlehead-park

Duthie Park, Aberdeenshire

Stirlingshire

Callander Woods Holiday Park

The Helix & The Kelpies

The Home of The Kelpies - the largest equine sculptures in the world. The Helix has an adventure play park (with accessible equipment), splash play water fountains, parklands, woodlands, wetlands and boardwalks, a lagoon with a cosy coffee shop on its shore. Take your bike to explore the park. All activities are free except for the guided Kelpie tours.

https://www.thehelix.co.uk/

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

Here you’ll find waymarked trails of varying degrees of difficulty, a playpark and the chance to see ospreys. Set in the woodlands above Aberfoyle, the lodge has great views. Look for frogs in the ponds next to the car park or join in some ranger-led activities on offer during the summer holidays – from spotting wildlife to map-reading. There’s the Go Ape high-wire adventure course as well, but you have to pay for that.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/queen-elizabeth-forest-park-p331081

Bracklinn Falls

Situated in a beautiful wooded gorge, Bracklinn Falls is a steeped falls on the Keltie Water. Visited by Queen Victoria, the Bracklinn Falls are one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Scotland. Located in the woods above the town of Callander, they are especially impressive after a heavy rain fall. Visitors can admire the falls from their best vantage from the viewpoint suspended right above the cascade. To reach the falls, follow the footpath for just under a mile from the car park.

https://www.seelochlomond.co.uk/discover/bracklinn-falls

Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine is a 13km-long fresh water loch in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Take the bikes and cycle around the shoreline. Outlander fans might want to follow in the footsteps of Brianna and Roger and explore the Brenachoile Trail and recreate their own picnic.

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/loch-katrine-p2569771

The Falkirk Wheel

Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel connects the Union Canal with the Forth & Clyde Canal via a fantastic piece of engineering. Boat trips are run from the visitor centre and there is a cafe, but you can take your own picnic and marvel as the boat lift scoops up barges from one level to another.

https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/visit/canals/visit-the-forth-clyde-canal/attractions/the-falkirk-wheel

 

Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Trossachs National Park

Loch Lomond

Lomond Woods Holiday Park

Balloch Castle Country Park

Loch Lomond’s only country park commands impressive views over its waters, spanning 200 acres which include walled gardens, nature trails and guided walks. There are multiple play parks in the park at the loch shore and next to the carpark at Moss O’ Balloch. A 'Fairy Trail' has also been created using tree stumps.

https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/leisure-parks-events/parks-and-greenspaces/parks/balloch-castle-country-park/balloch-castle-visits/

Inversnaid Falls & Rob Roy’s Cave

Located in the sleepy hamlet of Inversnaid, perched on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond, this beautiful waterfall tumbles into the loch and is spectacular when in full spate. Walking a little further will take you to the cave that Rob Roy hide out in. The is around two miles and takes about 1hr 20mins if leisurely strolling. This is a lovely spot for bluebells if visiting in May.

https://onawildhunt.blogspot.com/2014/07/inversnaid-and-rob-roys-cave.html

Loch Lomond Shores

Loch Lomond Shores is a stunning visitor destination on the edge of Loch Lomond within walking distance of Lomond Woods. Offering unrivalled views of Loch Lomond, Loch Lomond Shores is a great place to visit and most weekend throughout the season there are free events taking place. It's home to beautiful shops, restaurants, the Loch Lomond SEA LIFE Aquarium, Treezone and water activities. However, there are also nature walks to enjoy

https://lochlomondshores.com/

Explore the National Park by Bike

Peaceful family-friendly bike ride through stunning forests or hard-core mountain biking trail and challenging terrain? Whatever your style, cycling is a fantastic way to explore Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park.

https://www.woodleisure.co.uk/whats-on/cycling/loch-lomond

Visit the Picturesque Village of Luss

This conservation village on the shores of Loch Lomond is within easy reach from Lomond Woods. The neat rows of cottages come alive in spring and summer with elaborate flower displays on all sides as visitors make their way to the loch shore.  No visit to Luss is complete without taking in the view from the end of the pier with Ben Lomond standing proudly over Loch Lomond. The little beach is popular for picnics and paddling when the sun is out. There are also four walks to choose from for different abilities

https://www.seelochlomond.co.uk/discover/luss

 

Luss Play Park, Loch Lomond