EDINBURGH ACTIVITIES - THINGS TO DO AND SEE FOR KIDS

• Brass Rubbing Centre, Chalmers Close, off Royal Mile. Tel-556 4364.
  Children of all ages can try their hand at rubbing brasses at the centres large collection of replica brasses
• Museum Of Childhood, 42 Canongate, Royal Mile.
  A favourite with adults and children alike. It is a treasure house, crammed full of objects telling of childhood, past and present
• Tartan Weaving Mill and Exhibition, 555 Castlehill.Tel-226 1555.
  Children will enjoy following the stages in the production of wool from sheep to the finished article with working looms and kiltmakers.There is also an exhibition of highland dress.
• Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, Murrayfield. Tel-3349171
  One of Europe's finest wildlife parks, in a spacious hillside setting, and has over 1,000 animals from all over the world. Penguin parade at 2.15pm daily.
• St. Margarets Loch in Holyrood Park
  An ideal picnic spot when the weather is fine, just to feed the many swans and ducks, play football, fly kites and throw frisbees.
• Witchery Tour, 84 West Bow, 2256745.
  Older children will be enthralled and not a little frightened by the ghosts and gore, or murder and mystery tours, led by convincing guides through the darker parts of old Edinburgh.
• Butterfly and Insect World,See Concierge for driving directions, tel- 6634932
  Colourful and spectacular butterflies together with fascinating insects, all in a rainforest habitat.Regular mini beast handling.
• Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith, 654 1666.
  Landscaped parklands with waymarked walks through fine woodlands. There's a variety of attractive livestock, and an exciting woodland adventure area, with ariel ropeways, giant slides and high level walkways
• Edinburgh Cycle Hire and Safaris, 29 Blackfriars Street, tel-556 5560.
  Bikes for hire for adults and kids of all ages, ranging from toddler's bikes with stabilisers, to buggies and kids seats. They can also give you some suggested itineraries of Edinburgh. Cycle hire from £5 per day.

OUTSIDE OF EDINBURGH - ACTIVITIES TO SEE AND DO FOR KIDS

• Livingston:-
  Almond Valley Heritage Centre,Millfield, Kirkton North. Tel- 01506 414957
  Innovative museum of the history of West Lothian, with narrow-gauge railway, friendly farmyard animals, play areas and games and computers to provide an interesting day out for all the family
  
• East Lothian:-
  Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, near Haddington. Tel- 01620 880308
  The huge range of aeroplanes, rockets, models and aeronautica in two massive hangars on this World War ll airfield includes Concorde AA, the original supersonic aircraft, which made its last flight in 2003
  
• Falkirk:-
  The Falkirk Wheel, Lime Road, Tamfourhill, 01324 619888
  This marvel of modern engineering, the only rotating boat lift in the world, reconnects the Glasgow to Edinburgh canal system, and it will impress all ages. The visitor centre explains it all and there is an excellent childrens play area, gift shop and café
  
• North Queensferry:-
  Deep Sea-World, Forth Road Bridge,01383 411880
  Scotland's national aquarium at North Queensferry provides education and great entertainment in a purpose designed enviroment. A special attraction is the worlds longest underwater tunnel
  
• Perthshire:-
  Edinburgh Cycle Hire and Safaris, 29 Blackfriars Street, tel-556 5560.
  This company can tailor make biking, canoeing and hiking tours to suit your taste. They will collect you from the Hotel and chauffeur you to the stunning countryside,
  Provide bikes for adults and kids of all ages, ranging from toddler's bikes with stabilisers, to buggies and kids seats.
  This is the perfect way to see Beautiful Scotland ( and tire the kids out!)
  See concierge for more details