In Focus - Discover Scotland: Experience the Best of Scotland - page 613

For more advice, see www.babygoes2.com and www.travelforkids.com .
Need to Know
• » Changing facilities Available in most shopping centres, major museums and attractions
• » Cots Usually provided in better hotels, but rare in B&Bs
• » Health Standards similar to most Western nations; no special innoculations needed
• » Highchairs Common in chain restaurants and fast-food places, but ask elsewhere
• » Kids' menus As above for highchairs
• » Nappies (diapers) Sold in every supermarket
• » Strollers Widely accepted on most public transport
• » Transport Child discounts and family tickets (usually two adults plus two kids) widely available
Things To Do
The weather is usually the big deciding factor when it comes to a successful family holi-
day. This being Scotland, expect some rainy days. Pack waterproofs and umbrel las, and
always have a 'Plan B' that involves retreating to an indoor location. Locals are well used
to this, and even outdoor attractions such as national parks have visitor centres and indoor
exhibitions to keep young minds occupied when it's pouring down outside.
It's well worth asking in tourist offices for local family-based publications as a source
of ideas. The List magazine ( www.list.co.uk ), available at newsagents and bookshops, has
a section on children's activities and events in and around Glasgow and Edinburgh. A
good online resource is www.dayoutwiththekids.co.uk .
See also Lonely Planet's Travel with Children, by Brigitte Barta et al.
The Harry Potter Connection
If your kids are fans of the Harry Potter movies, then impress them with a visit to locations where many of the
scenes were shot. Here are a few:
• » Jacobite Steam Train The locomotive that stars as the Hogwarts Express