There are many attractions in the area suitable for children, from wildlife parks to walks, and for the more adventurous a variety of outdoor activities.
Fun, Family Friendly Activities and Places to Visit
Auchingarrich Wildlife Park
Comrie is set in 100 acres with spectacular views over the Perthshire countryside. The park has something for everyone with lots of animals to see and plenty of play areas for the kids to explore. The park enjoys a great location and is ideal for a day out, only a 40 minute drive from Stirling.
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Located just off the A84 north of Stirling. In addition to a wide variety of interesting and exotic animals the park has a number of other attractions including: boat trips round chimp island, sea lion shows, bird of prey displays, a wooden fort and pirate ship pedal boats and much more. This would provide a good family day out in Stirling.
Loch Lomond Sea Life Aquarium
Located on Loch Lomond shores at Balloch and giving an amazing glimpse into the underwater world. The attraction has an interactive rock pool and a tropical ocean tunnel featuring a giant sea turtle and the largest selection of sharks in Scotland. Playful otters can also be observed at the attraction.
Go Country Adventure Park
Located on Loch Ard in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park and provides a full range of outdoor activities including quad biking, a unique waterpark, canoeing, climbing/abseiling, cliff jumping, archery, mountain biking, orienteering and many more.
Loch Katrine Cruises
An opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Loch Katrine by Callander on the famous steamship Sir Walter Scott. Cruises operate from April until October with first sailings departing from Trossachs Pier at 10.30 am.
Other Family Days Out
Bracklinn Falls and Callander Crags, Callander – Bracklinn Falls are located at the east end of Callander and is signposted from the A84. The falls consist of a wooded gorge with stepped falls on the Keltie Water. The falls are signposted 3/4 of a mile from the car park. There is a vantage point right above the highest cascade. Callander Crags are a pleasant wooded walkway leading to steep crags with fantastic views over Callander, Menteith Hills, Loch Venachar and Ben Vorlich. There are many more picnic areas and walks to be found, many of which are located adjacent to the many Lochs in the area.
Briarlands Farm, Blairdrummond, Stirling is a working mixed farm which contains a fun yard which has jumping pillows, a specially designed low energy exercise programme for both children and adults. There is also a straw mountain tower for kids to climb, go karts, a tyre maze, sand pit and football skills game. There is also an outdoor ‘maize’ which is naturally grown and covers a an area of 5 acres and grows to a height of over 6 ft.
Briarlands Farm is located close to Blair Drummond Safari Park just off the A84.
Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre has over 27 species of birds and owls, including Kestrels, Buzzards, Hawks Falcons, and even a Golden Eagle. As well as a visit to the centre, guests can also enjoy activities, such as the Hawk Walk, or Meet the Birds Experience.
Lodge Forest Visitor Centre Aberfoyle provides an opportunity to see Ospreys up close on live CCTV when they are resident in Scotland between late March and September each year.
The viewing facility is located at The Lodge in the Queen Elizabeth Park.
The Trossachs Bird of Prey Trail is a 25 mile circular driving route which runs from Aberfoyle to Doune. The trail was launched in 2004 and is based on the route of the old Trossachs Trail. The varied and dramatic landscape along its route offers the perfect habitat for up to 13 species of bird of prey with the possibility of seeing ospreys, hen harriers, red kite, Buzzards, Kestrel, Merlin, Peregrine, owls and even golden eagles.
Country Parks are located throughout Scotland and provide families with many opportunities for outdoor activities. The Ochil Hills Woodland Park is one example and is the site of what was a grand 17th century house and estate. It now provides an attractive woodland park that shows some of Stirlingshire’s finest scenery. The park is located between Alva and Tillicoultry and has a children’s play area, a number of picnic sites and display boards describing the former grandeur of the old estate.
Loch Ard Forest is in the heart of Queen Elizabeth Forest Park near Aberfoyle and has 16 miles of routes for cyclists, walkers and horse riders. The routes provide some impressive views including Loch Ard, Loch Chon, Duchray Water and Kelty Water. There is also an Loch Ard sculpture trail and picnic areas at various locations
For more information call the Forestry Commission Scotland 01877 382 258
Website: www.forestry.gov.uk/qefp
Glen Ogle Lochearnhead extends for 7 miles north west from Lochearnhead to Lix Toll where it opens into Glen Dochart. You can walk through the glen on a footpath that follows the route of the old Callander and Oban railway to the summit of the glen and Killin junction. You will walk over the Glen Ogle railway viaduct and the route forms part of the Sustrans national cycle route 7.