Anderson Family Adventure Scotland 2026 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Your adventure through Scotland begins in the Highlands! Scotland is a country steeped in history, legends and mystery and there is nowhere better to experience true Scottish life, than in the heart of the Highlands.

Old Milton Lodge will be our home for the next week and is the perfect base for exploring this unique corner of the world. 

Each bedroom is a master suite with a king or two twin beds and a luxurious private bathroom. There are multiple lounges and cosy wee nooks in the lodge, perfect for curling up with a book or enjoying the views over the Spey Valley.

The Highland estate is ideally situated in the stunning Cairngorm National Park-perfect for discovering the Highlands. Each day we will travel the surrounding area learning the history and traditions of this beautiful part of the world. Join me in hiking the heather-clad hills, fishing on a private loch or golfing on our own private course. 

The estate also offers a private, stocked fishing pond, walking trails, tennis courts, hot tub and clay pigeon shooting for our enjoyment during our stay.

Learn to make authentic scones, watch our neighbor’s sheepdog at work and try your hand at clipping (shearing in the U.S.) a sheep. Many meals are included at the lodge and some will be at my favorite restaurants in the area.

Sunday 2nd

After your arrival in Inverness, the Highlands wee airport and picking up your vans, it’s a short drive to Kingussie and Old Milton Lodge. We will be there to welcome you, help you settle into your suites and serve a light dinner. I love showing off the property so am looking forward to taking you on a short after dinner walk to explore the estate and all it has to offer during your stay. 

Monday 3rd

After breakfast we will drive through the Cairngorm National Park and stop at the lovely Loch Morlich. From here we will walk to Green Loch, a beautiful hidden spot in the national park. Lunch will be in the nearby town of Aviemore. From here we will drive to Loch an Eilean for a walk around this picturesque “loch of the island”. Dinner will be served back at the lodge and then you will have free time to relax or explore the grounds.

Tuesday 4th

Breakfast will be served then we will venture south to the quaint Highland town of Pitlochry. This is a great spot to do some shopping. We will stop at the House of Bruar where you will be able to find everything from cashmere and tweeds to souvenirs and food items. After some sightseeing you will have time to wander, shop and eat lunch. There is a short hike to The Falls of Bruar for those who prefer to stay clear of the shops. On our way home to the Lodge we will pass the Dalwhinnie Distillery. For those who wish, a stop can be made for some whisky tasting and a tour of the distillery.

Wednesday 5th

After breakfast it is going to be time to learn about highland farming. Our neighbors are a family of shepherds and will demonstrate their highly trained working sheepdogs on their nearby farm. The Ross family are local legends and shepherding is in their blood.

We’ll have a shepherds picnic lunch then visit the local living history Heritage Museum. Sit through a lesson in the old school house or watch the spinners at work in their cottages for a glimpse of life through the ages in a Highland village.

In the evening we’ll be joined by a local storyteller for local folklore, poetry and tales of the Highlands.

Thursday 6th

Today we will drive north to the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. A stop on the way will be at one of my favorite antiquing spots for all kind of treasures. I can’t call this an antique shop it is more of an antiquing experience!

After lunch, a walking tour and free time in Inverness we will cruise on Loch Ness, do some Nessie spotting, then explore the scenic Urquart Castle. You’re going to love the history and scenery and might even catch a glimpse of the elusive wee beastie.

On our return journey through Inverness we are going to stop in at a local spot where you can enjoy live traditional music and Scottish pub food. 

Friday 7th

After breakfast you can join me in the kitchen for a traditional scone making class. We will enjoy the delicious results with lunch. My mum, June, will make Girdle Scones, a specialty of hers, which I guarantee you will love!

In the afternoon you will have the choice. You can golf 18 holes on a local course with a few local characters, go to a nearby mountain biking trail, fish in the stocked pond or River Spey or try clay pigeon shooting. If you would like to try more than one of these activities, we will try to offer them at other times during the week. Dinner will be at the local “chippy” where you can try the fresh fish and chips or be more daring and try a local specialty, Black pudding.

Saturday 8th

Breakfast and the mornings activities will be leisurely. You can get in a few holes on the private golf course, sip your coffee in the hot tub, wander along one of the beautiful trails or visit one of the local churches.

In the afternoon we’ll visit Ruthven Barracks and have a wee visit with some “Heilan coos”

We will be back at the lodge in lots of time for you to get ready for our grand finale- our Highland Ceilidh night. If you have ever fancied dressing up as lord and lady of the Highlands this is your chance! Break out the party dresses and kilts (which I will arrange and have delivered) and enjoy a night of traditional celebrations. A Highland banquet dinner, traditional music, dancing and entertainment will leave you with memories to last a lifetime.

Sunday 9th

Breakfast will be served then you will have time to pack up, relax in the lodge and grounds or get in a last minute hike. This is the time to get in one of the activities that you may have missed earlier in our trip. One last cast on the pond, a round of golf or maybe relax in the hot tub before checking out of Old Milton Lodge. 

As we head south you’ll notice the change in scenery as we leave the Highlands and drive through the lowlands to Edinburgh. On the way south we’ll make a stop in Stirling to visit the Wallace Monument where you can see Willam Wallace’s claymore and the incredible view from the top of the tower. 

Alternative- drive south to Pittenweem, explore family heritage in the area, on the way to Edinburgh.

After checking in at our hotel in the heart of Edinburgh, it’s going to be time for a night out on the town. Edinburgh is an ancient city and is especially vibrant in August.  “The Fringe” is the world’s largest arts festival. It offers a unique variety of music, theater, comedy and dance. We’ll have a quick dinner so that you have time to enjoy some of the shows. 

Monday 10th

Breakfast will be served in the hotel dining room before we meet in the lobby for a walking tour of Edinburgh. This ancient city has so many secrets, beautiful architecture and a long history. The walking tour will end at a favorite lunch spot for a quick take away snack. From here you are free to explore and enjoy The Fringe Festival for the afternoon. 

Options in Edinburgh for free time: 

Fringe show, shopping on Royal Mile, The Writers Museum, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of Scotland, hike to Arthur’s Seat, shorter hike with good view Calton Hill. 

7:30 Dinner in a traditional Scottish restaurant, close to the castle. 

9:30pm Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This show is held in the castle grounds and is the perfect ending to your adventure through Scotland. It’s filled with music, dance, military bands and poetry. I have seen it many times and can’t wait to go back!

Tuesday 11th

After breakfast in the hotel it will be time to say goodbye for now and start dreaming of your next family adventure. A driver will meet you at the hotel and take you directly to Edinburgh airport. 

Alternate options in the Highlands:

Mountain bike trails, e-bike rides, Culloden Battlefield & visitor center, standing stones, antiquing, more hikes in the Cairngorm National Park, Speyside Distillery & tasting (next door to Old Milton) Gin tasting at Kinrara Distillery, Inverness Castle, bird watching with a local guide, canoeing on river Spey, day trip to Dunrobin Castle (about 2 hr drive each way)