Scotland Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do throughout Scotland


  • fortress
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • politics
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  • royalty

one of Scotland's best known landmarks, a mighty fortress dominating the Edinburgh skyline, with 3 military museums and Scotland's own Crown Jewels

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

the Scottish home of the British Royal Family since Queen Victoria's time, with major Scottish works of art, and surrounded by extensive gardens

  • battlefield
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  • memorial
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • military history
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  • politics

interact with medieval warriors, archers and knights on either side of the conflict as they reveal how they became involved in this decisive battle

Brodick Castle

Isle of Arran

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • fashion
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

Enjoy a new, interactive visitor experience in the castle, including a Victorian arcade and extensive gardens and woodland

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

childhood home of the Queen Mother and legendary setting for Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' with sumptuous furnishings and extensive grounds

  • distillery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • whisky

with guided tours and an introductory film in six languages and offering an outdoor picnic tables for visitors

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • café
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • geology
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  • history
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  • science

cleverly combining 19th Century and 20th Century buildings to deliver light and airy galleries depicting Scottish history from geological beginnings to the 1990s

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • film
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage
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  • technology
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  • TV

huge working spinning mule, producing woollen yarn, a historic schoolhouse, a millworker's house and 1920s style village store

  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • social history

one of Scotland's earliest visitor attractions. Curiosity has attracted travellers to Gretna Green since the middle of the 19th Century

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

visited by some of Scotland's most well known historic figures, such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. Today it is used by The Queen when carrying out official engagements in Scotland

  • historic house
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • history
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  • literature

retaining much of its 18th Century character with many personal relics belonging to Burns including manuscripts and entertaining letters

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • history
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  • royalty

the favourite royal residence of Her Majesty the Queen. Visit the state rooms, the engine room and even the laundry

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • royalty
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

site of the coronation of the Scottish kings, boasting magnificent collections of objets d'art, woodland walks and a unique Murray Star maze

  • art gallery
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • art
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  • history

come face to face with the people who shaped Scotland’s past, present and future

  • fortress
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • needlecraft

set in a commanding position, the residence of the Stuart monarchs and luxuriously, recently refurbished. Don't miss the Stirling Heads Gallery with beautiful sculptures

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • industrial heritage

one of the finest industrial museums in Europe, exploring the history of the jute industry, with interactive and computer generated displays

  • natural landscape
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • craft shop
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • cycling
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a major tourist development with various family friendly visitor attractions, outdoor activities and boat trips

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • nature

adopting a scientific approach to the Nessie story allowing the visitor to make up their own mind with many exhibits used in past monster hunts

Nessieland

Inverness

  • theme park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

aimed firmly at the kids, a mini Nessie theme park, including an outside children's play area

  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

with up to the minute information about the weather forecasts and specific advice on climbing Ben Nevis and guides for local walks

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