By Parkdean Resorts on 14/08/202
Planning family holidays with teenagers can often be challenging, however, Scotland is packed full of exciting things to do and attractions for everyone to enjoy, making it the perfect UK holiday destination. From adrenaline-fuelled water sports to exploring some of the finest Scottish towns and cities, you’ll be sure to find plenty of activities for teenagers.
Additionally, our 8 holiday parks in Scotland offer facilities to keep older kids entertained during your break, including swimming pools, amusement arcades and our Unleashed activities programme, exclusively for teens! Find out more about what family holidays in Scotland have to offer below.
Water Sports
When it comes to finding things to do with teenagers on holiday, water sports come high on the list, and Scotland certainly delivers the goods. With an impressive 10,000km of coastline and lochs and rivers aplenty, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best places in the UK for water sports. And whether you’re a family looking for action-packed adventures or something more slow-paced, there is so much choice, from wakeboarding to canoeing.
Water Sports for Beginners at Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is home to some of the best open waters in the country, consisting of 22 lochs and an expansive lake, making it a brilliant location for water sports. You’ll find water activities of a more relaxed nature here, including paddle boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and sailing, so it’s a great starting point for beginners.
Extreme Water Sports at Nae Limits
For more experienced thrill-seekers, Nae Limits near Pitlochry is a haven for family activity holidays in Scotland, and is a short half hour drive from Tummel Valley Holiday Park. With its fast-flowing rivers and towering gorges, there is a wide variety of exciting water sports on offer here, the majority of which are suitable for children aged 12 and over. Whether you’re braving the rapids with some white water rafting or taking the plunge with some cliff diving, it’s the ultimate adrenaline rush!
Video courtesy of Nae Limits
Outdoor Activities
From sky-high mountains to beautiful lochs, Scottish countryside is breathtaking, and no holiday in Scotland would be complete without exploring the great outdoors. There are plenty of open spaces to discover and lots of outdoor activities to try that are perfect when planning days out with teenagers.
One of the best places to experience Scotland’s rugged beauty is the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, the largest in the UK. The park can be easily accessed from two of our holiday parks: Nairn Lochloy to the north and Tummel Valley to the south.
Action-Packed Adventures
If you fancy a challenge, the park is home to 5 of the 6 highest mountains in the country which can be climbed on a variety of walking and cycling trails. There are several routes on lower ground too, where you can take it easy and simply soak up the amazing scenery. Other popular pastimes within the Cairngorms include quad biking, bungee jumping and even skiing and snow sports when weather permits.
Relaxed Family Fun
For a more peaceful excursion, head to the Highlands Wildlife Park where you can discover a diverse range of endangered animals from polar bears to Scottish wildcats. It’s an unmissable day out that the whole family can enjoy! Alternatively, you can visit countless museums, castles, and of course, many great restaurants and cafes when it’s time to refuel.
Video courtesy of Kirk Watson
Exploring Scottish Towns and Cities
Nothing beats a day of sightseeing whilst you’re on holiday, and from major Scottish cities brimming with attractions to quaint towns and villages, Scotland makes for a fantastic teenage holiday destination.
Discover Glasgow
Three of our holiday parks are less than an hour’s drive from Glasgow, and being Scotland’s largest city, you can expect to find lots to see and do. From museums and art galleries to restaurants and shopping, Glasgow has so much to offer in the way of culture. Explore Scotland’s oldest museum, The Hunterian, or for football fans, the Scottish Football Museum is a must-see. If you’re looking for something a bit different, Escape Glasgow is popular with teens, with five themed escape rooms to tackle.
See the Sights in Inverness
If you’re staying at Nairn Lochloy Holiday Park, you’re only half an hour away from the bustling city of Inverness, and with everything from a large shopping complex to small boutiques, you’ll have no trouble whiling away the hours browsing the shops. There is also a Victorian Market and plenty of pubs, restaurants and cafes where you can pick up a tasty bite to eat and enjoy some live music.
Buchanan Street, Glasgow