With a vibrant and enticing history, Scotland makes for one of the most perfect holiday destinations for solo trips, couples retreats, and, most importantly, family vacations! While exploring castles and numerous archeological sites is fun and exciting, there is no better place to learn about the country’s history than its impressive collection of museums. So, if you are planning your family tours to Scotland, you should add at least a few of them to your itinerary. But which ones? Let’s find out!
Museum of Edinburgh
Naturally, there is no way to omit Scotland’s capital city, and there is so much to learn about it, it can get a bit overwhelming. Luckily, the Museum of Edinburgh allows you insight into the most essential and significant events of the city and its development!
Located on the historic Royal Mile, the museum presents you with the most interesting stories and objects, permanent collections of artifacts, and special exhibitions. Things like decorative art, Scottish craftsmanship, and cultural pieces are thoroughly explained and prepared in a way that people of all ages find enjoyable. So the kids will not be bored!
Keep in mind that Edinburgh is the perfect location if you wish to travel further down the region. For example, it is very easy to reach Ireland’s capital city by ferry, or you can choose train travel from Edinburgh to London if England is next on your list!
National Gallery of Scotland
If you are an art lover at heart, head to the heart of Edinburgh and explore the best of what genius Scottish minds have to offer!
With a vast range of collections of sculptures, paintings, and furniture, the National Gallery of Scotland is a doorway into the historical development of art and craftsmanship the country is very well-known for. And not only Scotland, obviously!
Pieces from the Italian Renaissance to French Impressionism are displayed in the most beautiful galleries that will be very fun to explore. Meet the works of such creators as Monet, Degas, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Reubens, and many more.
Essential to all artsy people out there, the National Gallery of Scotland is also the perfect place for youngsters to learn about the art of creation. The museum is a true inspiration!
Museum of Childhood
It all lies in the name, right? So if your children get a little restless or maybe tired after all the touring, take them to see the Museum of Childhood. One that can be thoroughly enjoyed by adults, as well!
The Museum of Childhood was initially built to explore and celebrate children’s memorabilia with exhibitions of all kinds of fun pieces ranging from the 18th to the 21st century. Here you can learn about the development of school life for the kids, their attire, antique toys, games, and familial tools.
The gallery is educational for the whole family, giving the perspective of how children used to live in the past compared to today. There are also collections focused on education, lifestyle, and the joy of growing up!
Glasgow Riverside Museum
After learning so much about the capital city in the Museum of Edinburgh, it is time to get the same knowledge about Glasgow. However, in a bit of a different way!
With over 3000 collection pieces, the museum offers insight into Scottish life in the mid-twenty century. Learn all you can about their culture, transportation, and general lifestyle. Most of what you see will be vehicles of all kinds – perfectly preserved and unspoiled, authentic in their designs and history! Bicycles, cars, trams, and locomotives are all there for your inspection and enjoyment!
Glasgow Riverside Museum is surprisingly interactive and innovative, as well! There are over 150 interactive displays prepared so you can take yourself back in time and see everything from a more legitimate point of view. Children especially love these ones. Also, to help you see Scottish life better, there are numerous constructions of film and videos, expanding on the themes even more.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
For everyone who once wished to be a skipper, a fisherman, or even a mermaid – Aberdeen Maritime Museum is the place for you!
The collections here explain the intricacies of the dramatic relationship between the city and the sea. All kinds of stories of fishing, trading, and shipbuilding are told in the most exciting ways to ensure your entertainment while acquiring more knowledge!
The pieces include ship models, harpoons, scrimshaws, and all other kinds of artifacts, some of them dating back to the 17th century. Perhaps you are yet to learn of this, but Aberdeen was once called Aberdeen Harbour, and over 3000 ships were built during the 19th and 20th centuries. There are pictures, models, drawings, and even videos expanding more on the centuries of the city’s maritime peak. They even tell the story of Scotland’s genius mind creating warships for Japan!
Now that you have a better idea of what to expect from Scotland, it is time for you and your family to sit down and make the plan solid! So think it over, make plans and reservations, and buy the tickets to the most exciting family adventure yet. Good luck and happy explorations!
