Outdoors

 

Scottish Snowdrop Festival. across Scotland

Dates: The 2025 Snowdrop Festival will run until 12 March 2025.

Price: Varies, depending on admission price of venues.

 

Dozens of gardens across the country will be opening their gates so that visitors can enjoy the spectacle of snowdrop-covered woods. Some gardens will also be hosting special events, with moonlight snowdrop walks, snowdrop-inspired crafting sessions and live music. On Friday, 21 and Friday, 28 February, Teasses estate at Ceres in Fife will be hosting evening walks, when visitors can see the snowdrops in the ethereal glow of candlelight.

 

The Scottish Snowdrop Festival began in 2007 and it has grown to include gardens of all kinds, from castles to crofts, some with acres of native snowdrops and others home to important collections of specialist bulbs. The Festival is organised by Discover Scottish Gardens and many garden owners open in aid of Scotland's Gardens Scheme, with gate receipts going to aid a range of charities.

 

A full list of participating gardens and more information is available from: www.discoverscottishgardens.org/events.

 

 

Fort William Mountain Festival, Fort William, Highlands

Dates: 13- 16 February 2025

Price: Various, including some free events.

 

Discover a programme of inspiring talks and engaging film events. There is also a fabulous line-up of guided outdoor events and adventure inspired workshops.

 

Outdoor fun for families includes a free Family Ride bike session with Tracy Moseley & Alba Mountainbike on Saturday, 15 February from 1000-1200.  Tracy is an ex-downhill and Enduro World Champion Mountain Bike Racer, wife and mum, global athlete and ambassador for Bosch ebike systems & Trek bikes. The session will be confidence building, educational and entertaining. Children will find themselves learning new skills, seeing new trails and be part of a team exploring the forests. The session will be riding at the Nevis Range Skills Area. This allows for some exploring.

 

Other events specifically catered for families include Discover Your Family Adventure, a free event on Sunday, 16 February at 1330 in the Main Theatre at the Nevis Centre.  Go on a journey through film paddling down rivers, pedalling up mountains and campout on cliff tops. And all with young children along for the wild ride. These films are selected for the short attention spans of little people, but also with their adventure-loving grown-ups in mind.

 

For full details see: https://mountainfestival.co.uk/tickets/events/

 

 

Highland Cow & Alpaca Experiences

Newton Farm Holidays, Forfar, Angus

Dates: All year round, but tours pause for lambing season.

Price: From £20 per adult for alpacas, £30 for cow experience. Additional cost per child from £5.  See website for full price lists.  

 

Newton Farm provides authentic, guided farm experiences on a real working Angus farm with farmers Graeme & Louise and their family,  providing a truly memorable and unique opportunity to find out what daily life is like on a Scottish farm.  Offering educational, interactive experiences to inspire all ages, Newton Farm Holidays won "Best Outdoor Experience" at VisitScotland's Regional Thistle Awards 2024 & 2018-19.

 

Groups can also stay in the farm's main farmhouse or three-bedroom holiday cottage. Prices from £300, minimum two nights, based on two adults, 2 children staying in a family room (February dates still available).

 

For full details: https://newtonfarmholidays.co.uk/farm/farm-tour/

 

 

RRS Discovery, Dundee

Wee Explorers in February

Dates: Open Monday  – Saturday: 10am – 5pm; Sunday: 11am – 5pm (Wee Explorers: 10:30am, 25 February)

Price: Adult: £17.00; Child (5-16 years): £9.50; Concession: £13.00; Family: £46.50; Carer: Free (payment by donation for Wee Explorers event)

 

Embark on an intrepid voyage through time at Discovery Point, the perfect destination for adventurers of all ages. Explore the pioneering Royal Research Ship Discovery and uncover the stories of her illustrious past, from her beginnings in the shipyards of Dundee and her legendary Antarctic expedition of 1901 under Captain Scott, to her many adventures beyond. Step aboard and immerse yourself in the journey of Discovery.

 

For little ones, the Wee Explorers event on 25 February Park has stories, games, sustainable crafts, and messy play for wee explorers aged 2-5, all inspired by adventure and the world around us.

 

For more information: www.dundeeheritagetrust.co.uk

 

 

Indoors

 

Beatrix Potter at Birnam Arts, Dunkeld, Perthshire

Dates: Open daily, 1030 – 1530 (Last Entry 3pm)

Price: Adult, £4.00; child, £3.00; concession,  £15.00 (Children under 3 & carers free).

 

The family of Beatrix Potter had a long and heart-felt connection with Dunkeld & Birnam and the surrounding area. Find out how Beatrix Potter spent many of her childhood summers in Perthshire. Wee ones will enjoy spending time playing traditional games, dressing up as their favourite character & stepping back in time to visit our Victorian School Room.  For enthusiasts of the world she created, discover the story of where she sought inspiration for these much loved characters, as well as our collections of original memorabilia.

 

For full details: https://birnamarts.com/Beatrix-Potter-Tickets

 

 

Great Tapestry of Scotland, Galashiels, Scottish Borders

Dates: Open Tuesday – Saturday 0930 – 1700

Price: Adult, £10.50; Children (16 and under), £4.50; under 5s, free

 

It was the world-renowned author Alexander McCall Smith who had the idea for the Great Tapestry of Scotland. Inspired by a visit to the Prestonpans Tapestry, he set to work gathering together a team to bring his vision to life. The Great Tapestry of Scotland gallery & visitor centre is where the people's story of Scotland and creative journeys begin. It houses one of the world's largest community arts projects (The Great Tapestry of Scotland), visiting exhibits, workshops & a cafe.

 

For full details: www.greattapestryofscotland.com

 

 

Kids Tours & Crafts, Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire

Dates: Monday 11 & Tuesday, 12 February 2025, 1000-1430 (Castle & grounds open year round, see website for full details).

Price: Child Ticket: £5.00; Adults, Free

 

Come along to explore the 702 year old history of one of the most famous items inside Crathes, The Horn Of Leys. From what it's made from, where it came from to how its represented throughout the Family History and the Castle. This will then be followed by arts and craft in the Café, where you'll get the chance to make your own horn (this event is aimed at age group 4-11years).

 

For full details: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/crathes-castle

 

 

Aberdeen Maritime Museum, Aberdeen

Dates: Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-4pm

Price: free

 

Ahead of the Tall Ships Races 2025 which will be taking place this July in Aberdeen, head to the Aberdeen Maritime Museum this half term and learn the story of the city's long and often dramatic relationship with the sea. From the earliest days of trading, fishing and shipbuilding, to offshore energy and life in the industry, and Aberdeen's place today as a leader in global energy transition. Outside the Museum, stop to admire the Aberdeen Fishing Memorial. Made by sculptor David Williams-Ellis and unveiled in 2018, the bronze figures commemorate the major contribution fishing and fishing folk have made to the city. From the top floor of the Museum, enjoy fantastic views over the bustling Aberdeen Harbour - the oldest existing business in Britain has a history that has spanned almost 900 years.

 

For more information: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/AAGM/plan-your-visit/aberdeen-maritime-museum

 

 

Ferocious February, Glasgow Science Centre

15 - 23 February, 10:00 - 17:00

Price: Included in admission (adult: £14.75, child £11.50, concession £13.15; under 3s & carers, free.  Some experiences like IMAX can be added at additional cost)

 

Dino-mite activities await this half term, including a Dino Dig (most suitable for children aged 7 and under) where visitors can step into the shoes of a palaeontologist, grab the tools and dig into the prehistoric past to uncover hidden treasure. Also check out 'Flying Monsters 3D' IMAX 3D: Join Sir David Attenborough on an adventure into the world of pterosaurs, prehistoric flying reptiles with wingspans as wide as modern jet planes, discovering how they took flight and why they vanished.

 

For full details: www.glasgowsciencecentre.org/whats-on

 

 

Penguin Love Pebbles, Edinburgh Zoo

Saturday, 8 – Sunday,16 February 2025, 1000-1400

Price: £3 per pebble, alongside cost of admission.   

 

P-p-p pick up a pebble this half term!  Stop by Lemur Lodge and paint a pebble for our penguin nests this breeding season. Will your pebble be chosen by one of our lovely penguins? Be in for a chance of naming a chick if it does!   

 

No advance booking is required to participate. Pebbles are subject to availability on a first-come-first-served basis. 

 

For full details: www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/events-experiences/events