The ideal time to unwind with the family and enjoy the good weather (when it appears), the summer can often disappear in the blink of an eye these days if you don't stop and make the most of it. One of the best times of the year to create memories with your loved ones, it's also ideal for getting out and exploring what Scotland has to offer.
With the children off school, there can be a void to fill with activities to keep them entertained but this doesn't have to be a chore in fact with some of the activities out there it can often be as rewarding for adults as it can be for the kids.
To help we've picked out 22 of the best events and activities around Scotland to enjoy this summer, from long walks and nature trails to assault courses and play parks, which are perfect for families on a staycation or visitors on holiday too.
Edinburgh and the Lothians
The Festival will be in full flow in the capital in August so there will be hundreds of incredible shows and events to check out too - you can find out more here.
1. The Potter Trail
This spell-binding tour is a great way to get any young Harry Potter fan out and about as it takes in all of the spots that inspired the books and films of the Boy Wizard universe.
Best of all it's entirely free - though you will have to book in advance ( here ) and donations are also accepted at the end of the tour.
2. Museum of Childhood
Fun for both kids big and small, this Royal Mile attraction is filled with a vast array of incredible toys and heavy hits of nostalgia.
3. Camera Obscura
Self-described as "Scotland's most fun day out", this hidden gem in the capital certainly lives up to that billing. With five floors and over 100 interactive, hands-on exhibits – this is one of those that will delight adults as much as the kids.
And don't forget to head to the roof for incredible 360 views of the city.
You can book here.
4. The 'World's longest' Inflatable Assault Course
The Tartan Titan is an immersive adventure with over 50 sections of obstacles to tackle, and even a Wipeout Challenge sweeper arm to take on. Coming in at a whopping 560metres, the team at Conifox Adventure Park, where it will be opening next month (August), say it is almost 65 metres longer than the current world record course and packed full of "challenges for all ages".
From August 6 until August 16, whole family can climb, crawl, jump and bounce their way to glory, with dedicated time slots for adults and younger children to ensure everyone enjoys the experience.
5. The Giraffe Trail
Look out for over 40 magnificent giraffe sculptures all across Edinburgh during the month of August! Edinburgh Zoo is working with creative producers Wild in Art to present Giraffe About Town.
You can download the app here.
6. LOVE Gorgie Farm
This friendly urban farm is located right in the heart of the capital and is free for visitors. You don’t need to book in advance, but the staff will be monitor numbers in line with their space and capacity and government guidelines on social distancing.
You'll find plenty of cute animals as well as having the chance to enjoy fun events like alpaca trekking.
7. The Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick
Wildlife-loving kids will have plenty of interactive live cameras that will allow you to watch in on the area's huge puffin and gannet colonies.
Highlands
8. Dolphin spotting, Chanonry Point, Moray
Between Fortrose and Rosemarkie on the Black Isle, you'll find this incredible spot for a bit of fun wildlife spotting and should you be lucky will be able to see anything ranging from minke whales and porpoises to the even more likely, bottlenose dolphins.
With views across the Moray Firth, the channel here will bring you up close and personal to the second-largest pod in the UK.
9. Adventure tubing
The Cairngorms Mountian Resort is better known for its skiing but even off-season they have plenty of fun on offer with their tubing slides offering a great activity for people of all ages. Their Adventure Play and Tubing Park is the ideal place to while away the afternoon with your family surrounded by the spectacular scenery of Loch Morlich and the Spey Valley.
Prices start at £5 for kids and £10 for adults and tickets must be booked ahead of time here.
10. Zip line
Ever fancied soaring like an eagle over one of Scotland's most beautiful beaches?
Well, this summer you could be in for a treat with a trip to a true hidden gem in the Highlands. The ideal way to entertain adventurous kids this summer, the Golden Eagle Zip Line in Durness sees you flying at speeds of up to 45mph over the pristine white sands of Ceannabeinne Beach, Durness.
11. Hunt for Nessie with a cruise on Loch Ness
Scotland's famous monster is waiting just below the surface of this incredible loch and little Nessie hunters will have a great time searching for it either on the loch itself with one of its brilliant cruises or at the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition in Drumnadrochit.
There are also castles to be explored and scenery galore with plenty of options to stop and refuel too.
Dundee
12. Visit the world's oldest ship with a trip to the HMS Unicorn
An incredible piece of Britain's naval past can be found in Dundee and it's a fun and educational day out for inquisitive children (and big kids too).
At nearly 200 years old, HMS Unicorn is one of the world's most remarkable surviving historic ships, and with four decks to explore, groups of all ages can step back in time and experience life in the Royal Navy.
13. Mills Observatory
Head to Balgay Hill to find Britain’s first purpose-built public observatory, with plenty of fun to be had including fascinating space exploration and astronomical displays, planetarium shows and a fully computerised telescope that can detect 30,000 objects in the sky.
Open 12:30pm - 4pm daily and is free to go - you can find their opening dates on their website here.
Falkirk
14. Muiravonside County Park
Lying just south of Grangemouth is this exciting little country park with nature trails, picnic sites, play areas and the Newparks farm.
You'll find Heilan Coos, ponies, pigs, Llamas, Alpacas and even a parrot!
Ayrshire
15. Kelburn Castle
This whimsical castle estate in Ayrshire is filled with magic – play areas, gardens and even a Secret Forest – best of all? It'll only cost you £5 to park your car.
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm (with last entry to the car parks at 5 pm) the only thing that costs any additional money is the secret forest which is open daily from 11 am until 5 pm and will cost £4 per person but under-threes get in for free.
Glasgow
16. Riverside Museum, Glasgow
It's free to visit all museums and art galleries in Glasgow, meaning you can easily also pair this up with the nearby Kelvingrove.
With 20 hands-on and interactive exhibitions, the new home of the transport museum is great for a rainy day with the kids.
17. The Science Centre
Filled with new, interactive exhibits that will inspire and excite youngsters, the Glasgow Science Centre is not only loads of fun but also educational.
Budding scientists can look forward to a new thermal imaging camera that will let them see their bodies’ temperatures; a giant pulley system that explains how force works and other fun ways to discover about magnets, surface tension and gravity with black ferrofluid.
Dumfries & Galloway
18. Crawick Multiverse, near Sanquhar
This amazing land art installation is fun to explore and offers plenty of space to get out and about for a fun and rewarding walk with the family.
Enjoy cosmology, science and art or just walk your dog in this intriguing landscape. You can find out more here.
Stirling
19. The David Marshall Lodge
Found at the heart of The Trossachs close to the village of Aberfoyle, The David Marshall Lodge has brand new indoor play areas, water trails and its 'Lumber Jill' tree maze.
There is also plenty of chances to spot wildlife like ospreys and red squirrels too.
Free to enter it also has full disabled facilities.
Perthshire
20. Strathallan Airfield
This is a bit of a left-field one but it's a great place to go with a wee picnic and watch as the skydivers fall through the sky.
The team welcome spectators but asks that they stick to the public areas, and not cross into any restricted area without permission.
Argyll
21. The Gruffalo Trail through Ardkinglas Woodland
This fun adventure is sure to be a big hit with the little ones, combining extracts from one of the world's favourite children's books with a magical woodland trail it's the ideal way to while away an afternoon.
You don't need to book in advance as you can simply pay when you get there.
St Andrews
22. Land yachting
Heading over the beautiful beaches of St Andrews is ideal not just for a walk but also for indulging in the latest thrilling activity, land yachting, which will see you zoom around on these converted Karts with sails.
You can book here.
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