Ten things to do with kids on a rainy day in Scotland

Rain or shine, Scotland is an amazing country to visit. Mainly associated with outdoor pursuits like climbing, skiing, trekking, and cycling, there are still so many places to visit with your kids when the weather takes a turn for the worse - the possibilities are endless. Make the most of your holiday to Scotland whatever the weather. 

We’ve compiled a selection of visitor attractions from the Highlands to the Borderlands that offer a great indoor alternative for those rainy days for children and accompanying adults too! And for even more inspiration, check out our Ultimate UK guide to things to do in the rain.

Scotland cottages

Glasgow Climbing Centre, Glasgow

The Glasgow Climbing Centre is a great alternative to dealing with slippery cliff-faces in the rain. It’s a great space in Glasgow to improve your climbing skills, or take beginner’s courses. There are both lead and boulder walls with routes to the top to puzzle out, over 40 rope lines, and a handful of auto-belays for use. If you would sooner watch other members of your family get into the thick of the task at hand, there is a café and an extensive kit shop to browse.

Scottish Football Museum, Glasgow

If you are football mad, this is the place for you to warm up and escape the downpour. You don’t necessarily have to support a Scottish football team to appreciate this extensive and interesting collection of sports memorabilia and ephemera. At the Scottish Football Museum, you can have a tour of Hampden Stadium too – home of Scotland’s National Team. There’s also a great little café and shop to get a souvenir to commemorate your visit.

The Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, Drumnadrochit

Scotland is brimming with myths and legends, and is almost synonymous with the iconic Loch Ness Monster. Over 30 years old, the centre at Loch Ness doesn’t disappoint all those who want to learn more about the sightings, theories, and the mystery of one of history’s most enduring myths; exhibits, true accounts and photographs are all on display. There is a café on-site, and a trip to the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition is well-worth a visit if you are within decent driving distance. As the centre slogan goes, “This place has everything about Loch Ness that you can't see by looking at it!”

Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh 

Situated on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh is one of the British Isles' biggest and most comprehensive collections of children’s toys and games through the ages, along with school paraphernalia. With massive collections of Corgi, Matchbox and Dinky Cars, Meccano, Lego, Star Wars, Space 1999 and enough dolls houses and teddy bears to fill a palace, the Museum of Childhood is an unforgettable treat for mums and dads, as well as children. You never know what toys from your past you might see within its walls. 

RRS Discovery, Dundee  

Follow in the footsteps of the explorer Captain Scott and visit the actual ship that the famous expedition leader journeyed to the Antarctic at RRS Discovery. This award-winning spectacle is a great place to visit if you are in Dundee – the place where this unique vessel was originally built. If you're looking for Scotland rainy day activities, then this is a perfect choice with a visitor centre and gallery full of interactive displays, which should be of interest to children of all ages. Who doesn’t want to find out more about life on the ocean waves?

Smoo Cave, Durness

This is a good place to scramble and have fun if you like being out in the rain. There’s still plenty of places to shelter, but wrap up in your waterproofs and get yourself to Smoo’s Cave in Durness. If you want to find out what a life of smuggling would have looked like in centuries past, then look no further than this unspoilt, beauty spot; it’s also associated with the infamous Highlands 'cutpurse', McMurdo. There is a stable stairway down to the riverside and the 50ft tall entrance to the cave.

Inverness Aquadome Leisure Waters, Inverness 

Hide away from the rain and get wet anyway. Inverness Aquadome, is, as the name spells out, a massive, fun indoor water park in Inverness with wave machines, flumes, slides and enough to while away a few hours with the family. There are areas for children of all ages including splash areas for tiny tots.

Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling

A good proportion of Blair Drummond Safari Park can be enjoyed undercover. The park in Stirling has four large drive-through enclosures to see monkeys, big cats, rhinos, zebras, camels and antelope. Take a covered boat trip around Chimpanzee Island too. There’s a bunch of activities on offer, so pick a day when there are intermittent showers forecast (at the very worst), rather than a black cloud day to get the full safari park experience.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Edinburgh

One of Edinburgh’s most unusual curios is the Camera Obscura, which is perched on the roof of the World of Illusions – the city’s oldest existing visitor attraction. See live images projected onto a screen through a periscope; this mysterious Victorian-era roof chamber is a must-see. In the World of Illusions, you will find the Magic Gallery, the Light Fantastic which is full of holograms, Edinburgh Vision with its display of city photos across the ages, the Fun and Games Stairway, and a history of the museum itself.

Dundee Science Centre, Dundee

This is a great choice for families with inquisitive kids who have an interest in the world around them. A local learning resource as well as a tourist magnet, everyone who visits is bound to leave with some new and interesting facts under their belt; there are dozens of interactive displays, and hands-on exhibitions. The Dundee Science Centre also hosts touring exhibitions with a rolling programme.

Glencoe Visitor Centre, Glencoe

Nestled in a woodland glade and cared for by the National Trust for Scotland, the eco-friendly Glencoe Visitor Centre is an essential starting point for your adventures in the Glencoe National Nature Reserve and a perfect place to take shelter if the weather is inhospitable. One of our favourite Scotland indoor activities, you can discover the remarkable history, landscape and wildlife of one of Scotland’s most famous places through a series of exhibitions, interactive displays, sound and sculpture. And if your kids are feeling peckish, there’s a great café with panoramic views of the haunting mountains.

Deep Sea World, Fife

You and your little explorers can come face to face with one of Europe's largest collections of sharks in one of the world's longest underwater tunnels at Deep Sea World, Scotland's National Aquarium in Fife. As well as the 4.5-million-litre Underwater Safari with its walkthrough tunnel, there are daily dive and feeding shows, a touch pool with starfish and rays, and even junior shark experiences for children between the ages of 8 and 15. You’ll soon see why this is one of the best wet weather activities in Scotland.

Falkirk Wheel, Falkirk

A marvel of engineering, the Falkirk Wheel is the world’s first and only rotating boat lift, designed to connect the Forth and Clyde Canals, which before the lift was opened, were connected by 11 locks and took a day to pass through. This work of art and iconic Scottish landmark can be enjoyed by the whole family from the comfort of a covered canal boat giving little ones a view right across Scotland as well as a bird’s eye view of the neighbouring Kelpies. This rainy-day attraction in Scotland also has a visitor centre, café and a plethora of outdoor family activities should the weather improve.

Stirling Castle, Stirling

Budding young knights and princesses looking for things to do in Scotland in the rain will love an undercover adventure at Stirling Castle. The largest castle in Scotland - once the home of the Stewart kings and queens - this mighty fortress now welcomes families to discover its fascinating past with the help of costumed performers. There are hands-on activities, games and costumes for kids to play dress-up throughout.

The Jacobite Steam Train, Fort William

If the weather’s not on your side but you still want to see the sights, why not treat the kids to an enchanting journey onboard the real Hogwarts Express? From the highest mountain in Britain (Ben Nevis) to Britain’s most westerly station (Arisaig), you’ll be treated to an abundance of spectacular scenery as the Jacobite Steam Train thunders along from Fort William on what many consider to be the greatest railway journey in the world. Little ones will especially enjoy crossing the 21 arches of the Glenfinnan Viaduct, which most kids, and adults too, will recognise as the route to Hogwarts from the Harry Potter films!

Take a look at our map of things to do with kids on a rainy day in Scotland

Stay with us in Scotland

From the dramatic Highlands to the bustling towns and cities, this holiday destination is bursting with wonderful sights and things to do during your next getaway. If you’re looking to stay close by and explore the indoor attractions in Scotland detailed in this guide, take a look at our full collection of cottages in Scotland for some inspiration on where to base your next family holiday.

Scotland family-friendly cottages