Art and very good Art it is…read more You forget these Vaults quite easily on Market Street as they just merge into the city backdrop. They don't get used like this so it's a great way to use a space and i hope it's the start of something special for artists. The musty vaults host a series of arts and entertainment. I fell in love with two particular artist's work - David Martin and Miriam Mallalieu apart from the bit where I almost crapped myself going into Miriam Mallalieu's "Charnel House for Roadkill"!! We went in the daytime so know real entertainment to hear, but to see there were plenty of cool artists!

It's an exhibition - it's a party - it's a wonderland it's…read moreall of these things. And more. Every year Edinburgh's art scene opens the Vaults on Market Street and turn them into a world of its own. Sculpture, Fine Art, film, music, installation art and performances will take hold of you as soon as you step in. You will forget your everyday life for a couple of hours and feel like floating in a creative aquarium. I forgot that I was still in Edinburgh. the tickets at 10- 15 Pounds seem expensive but you'll be able to see several bands and DJ's and judging from their Opening Night yesterday, it's spectacular and I would (and will) happily spend it again. And they are a charitable fund! Oh and if you are too busy at night: the exhibition Vaults are open during the day - for free.

Handily situated next to a car park, small visitor centre and tea room, this place has some really…read morewonderfull sculptures, paintings and also jewellery. The topics are mostly the local wildlife (birds, sea creatures, foxes etc.), but really beautiful. Even my husband was enthusiastic and he usually hates being dragged into such places. Was really tempted to take something home, but sadly it was at the end of our holidays (not a lot of money left ). Apart from that, it's also situated handily at a starting (or ending)point for some really nice walks. We saw a lot of birds: a lot of seagulls, many razorbills and even a few puffins.

We drove past them on the highway and I tried hard to take a good picture but as an added surprise,…read moreour tour guide stopped for an hour to give us time to explore the park. Entrance is free and a great place to enjoy. They are reported to be the to be the tallest horse sculpture in the world standing at 100 ft tall. They are an impressive sight!

We drove past the Kelpies several times the past few years. Visible from far away on the M9…read more This time we decided to spend a little time here. And indeed it's actually well worth the hype! Parked at the Helix carpark, just a short walk away. With a fixed rate of only 3.50£. It's really great that visiting The Kelpies if free of charge. As well as the grounds and the Helix Park south of the carpark. Public toilets, some food stalls and a souvenir shop are located on the grounds. The Kelpies represent the lineage of the heavy horse of Scottish industry and economy, pulling the wagons, ploughs, barges, and coalships that shaped the geographical layout of the Falkirk area. The Kelpies are 30 metres (98 ft) high and weigh 300 tonnes each, built of structural steel with a stainless steel cladding. It's an impressive sight - an amazing sight. It's a popular place to visit. But we've chosen a late afternoon and many visitors were gone already. A good decision, took some good pics. Walked along the canal heading east for a bit. Then along the canal heading south back to the carpark. Almost had the paths to ourselves. There's a lot more to walk, to see and to discover. Including a several mile long circle path (through the town). Surely a thing we will do next time. Was a lot more interesting, prettier and rewarding than we thought. We will definitely be back.

On a rainy day on our Perthshire holiday we decided to head to the Beatrix Potter Exhibition &…read moreGarden in Birnam for some indoor fun with our 1 year old. I have to be honest I wasn't expecting much, but I was proved wrong. This is a really lovely place that I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to visitors with little ones. The exhibition is housed in Birnam's Arts & Conference Centre. Outside is a lovely garden with sculptures of the animals that Beatrix made famous through her books. Inside is a lovely gift shop with Beatrix Potter themed goods, and a great range of non-Potter related cards, books, gifts, toys, and trinkets... Downstairs is the exhibition area. This is relatively small compared to other exhibitions/museums, but it's appeal for us was the great range of play activities for the little ones. From drawing and colouring on blackboards and at old school desks, to playing shop, playing with puzzles, dressing up, and reading books - this was a great way to spend an afternoon with our little one. I feel this is really geared towards younger kids under 8, but was just perfect for our inquisitive 1 year old. Upstairs is the Foyer Cafe, where we enjoyed some lovely coffees. The staff here were really lovely too!

A lovely place to go adult and child alike! Personally, I love Peter Rabbit, Miss Tiggywinkle etc…read moreand this museum is a real tribute to 'Miss Potter', There is a large ish shop selling lovely books and other memorabilia. The 'museum' itself is quite small, yet informative and very hands on for the kids. There are also clothes for the kids to dress up in. Beatrix Potter took holidays in Dalguise in Perthshire (now a PGL centre) before her family changed their holiday destination to the Lakes.

The second time we visited Scotland's Secret Bunker, this time with my parents in tow. It remains…read morean interesting and surprising place and a reminder of what we were worried about during the Cold War (and maybe should be again). You arrive via a country road to a country track at the end of which is what looks like a farmhouse and now is the entrance/giftshop. From there you descend via a staircase to come to a tunnel leading to the bunker which is full of historical equipment and information both new and from the time. A very worthwhile history lesson.

We went there yesterday, and there were very few people there (we went early) so go round unimpeded…read morere social distancing etc. Lots of history to this place and a great opportunity to explore our Cold War past.

It dazzles with somewhat lots of lights and has pre-recorded choirs tuned to lighting display…read more Sure it's good but I wouldn't say I was overwhelmed by it. Mind you saying that it's good for kids and it's free. I can't complain too much as it was free. It's set on the Royal Mile and it's a ticketed event. It last around 20 mins and your welcome to wander through the lights whilst listening to the choirs. There is about 4 choirs that sing a song each. All very good but pre-recorded. It's a lot of standing/ walking around and it's outdoors, so wrap up warm and be prepared for the seasonal Scottish weather because you ain't protected - at all! I had a good time, but I'm sure the kids would enjoy it too if you have them!

I first laid eyes on the Street of Light on the bus home. Oooh, shiny; I was drawn to the dazzling…read morebright lights in the distance. So, I made sure to visit the next evening that I was close by. I didn't take part in one of the free ticketed choir events but just walking through the tunnel of light was a dazzling thing in itself. Of course, it's not unmissable as others too have said, but it's a pretty nice little addition to Edinburgh this Christmas and could have you feeling in the festive spirit. This is a teeny tiny bit tainted by the 'Virgin Money' sponsor that shines from every illuminated archway. But yes, ooooh...shiny, indeed.

I visited this time for Puff's toddler group trip and was delighted to go back. Smudge has now…read moredeclared herself far too grown up for this sort of activity much to my disgust as I loved our trips here when she was little. This visit was a beautifully sunny day so the perfect day to wander around checking out all the animals; goats, donkeys, GIANT bunnies, guinea pigs, cows, sheep, rats, collie dogs, geese and puff's favourite a cat - we have a cat at home!!! As well as a farmyard full of animals to check out, you can pet lots of the wee ones. A whole barn full of fluffy bunnies, chickens and guinea pigs to stroke. Unless like me you're allergic in which case not touching is a much better option - puffy eyes, manic sneezing and a snotty nose does not make for a fun day out. Once you have spent a happy hour trying to teach a stubborn one year old any animal noise other than meeow, and failed, there is still plenty to do here with an inflatable cow bouncy castle, indoor soft play area, tractors to ride, trampolines to bounce, fossils to uncover and a lovely cafe to eat cake and drink coffee in. It has to be said that a rainy day would not completely ruin a trip to Almond Valley. There is plenty to do under cover and even a big picnic barn to eat in, not to brag but we used it for shade because it was so hot.

This is a lovely little place, a great day out for all the family. Lots of animals to see, an lots…read moreto learn. they're upgrading it all the time so it just keeps getting better and better. They do lots of special activities, Christmas Fayres, Easter, all year round really. they have soft play for toddlers and a new bigger area for older kids. It's got a great little cafe too with friendly staff and good food. It really is worth a visit, you will undoubtedly learn something and have fun while doing it.

This cinema has room for improvement but I like it…read more It is totally old school and reminds me of picture houses when I was a wee lass. You enter on the ground floor where you buy your tickets. But the screens are on the floors up the stairs (there's disabled access). There are 4 screens and there is usually a decent selection of films for all ages and tastes. Some screens are smaller than others and there is one which seems to sit just a few dozen. However the seats are comfortable, the screens and film quality is good and the place is clean. This is more than I can say for some chains I have been to. There is also an old fashioned projector that you can have a look at. The down side is there is very limited food and the staff can be a bit grumpy. However, if you eat at the Shish Tandoori first (see review) you won't be hungry. Plus, there is a Tesco near by if you need to stock up on treats for the film.

I love the pavillion as it is like going back in time…read more The staff are really friendly and collect your ticket at the dooryou can buy popcorn at a price which is not so high you have to sell a child and the 4 screens mean the cinema is intimate enough that you can engage easily with a film without feeling like it is a completely impersonal and mass participation event. New films can take a bit of a while to make it to Gala but I would go here rather than to a massive multiplex anytime.

It should not take long to get there from Edinburgh (approx 1.10h), if you take the right junction…read moreof the A92 onto the A915 and B942. It also helps to have a car as I can't imagine it's an easy destination to get to with local transport. The car park is of good size. This property belongs to NTS, so if you are not a member they might ask you to pay £2 for parking. It's quite relaxed there with controls. During Easter the younger generation enjoyed a well planned Easter Hunt followed by an adventurous play in the children's playground in the woods. Entry is about £10.50. Please ask for family concession. National Trust members go free. I started with the building first and absorbed it's 650 years of history. Originally it was a tower house and belonged to one of the 5 families that once owned it. Amongst the owners or keepers during the 1800's were the Erskines and Lorimers (famous painters and architects). When walking through the building you can either read about the history of each room or ask a guide to help you. I believe the guides are multi lingual. One of the ladies gave me access to Henry Lorimers tower room in which he painted his famous paintings. It's a very intriguing room. The Lorimers made this castle their home and you can still feel the homely touch around this place. The tearoom is not cheap and you don't get much for your money. Not much food choice either. There are two rooms with tables inside and an outside sitting area, which is lovely when the sun is out. As the sun was shining I also enjoyed a stroll around the walled garden, which by the way is beautiful, even without the summer's touch. Last but not least I made my way out using the woodlands walk. There are also toilets to be found in an outside roundhouse building, which serves it's purpose. It's a lovely family outing for young and youthful adventurers!

The castle itself is a 3 start (especially if you get to go up to the artist studio way up at the…read moretop), but the gardens are absolutely heavenly and worthy of all 5. We went in early Sept and and it was like walking into a flower wonderland. In April, things are just beginning to bloom, but I would think anytime during the summer would be perfect. And you can visit the gardens any time you want--just pop a few quid into the honor box and enter the garden through the little door. Secret surprise the first time we went and discovered the castle was closed. Also fun places for kids to play and a nice cafe if the castle is open. Also a nice view of the sea from the front.