Enjoy a free-range Highland break that will take your breath away

Local Parks

In Killin, Breadalbane Park has tennis courts, bowling and putting green as well as swings, roundabouts and climbing frames. Equipment can be hired out during the summer and there is a clubhouse with changing rooms which visitors are welcome to use.

Cycling

The National Cycle network - which makes safe cycling for all the family - passes through Killin (Sustran S Route No 7) and on through quiet Glens and little used routes. There are also designated cycle tracks through nearby forest parks and Forest Enterprise has way-marked cycle routes through many of its woodlands. This all makes for very safe cycling for family outings.

National Cycle Network information is available on 0117 929 0888

Bike hire and route suggestions are available from Killin Outdoor Centre in the village, or from Perthshire Mountain Bikes at Aberfeldy or Freespirits at Aberfeldy.

The National Cycle Network (Sustrans cycle route 7) passes through Killin which, together with designated cycle tracks through the nearby forest parks, you can safely enjoy even if you forget your bike as they can be hired locally at Killin Outdoor Centre & Adventure Ardeonaig.

Watersports

Canadian Canoes or open Kayaks can be hired locally from the Outdoor centre and used on the River Lochay where it is quiet flowing into Loch Tay. Or you may prefer to hire a motor boat and explore more of the loch - you will have to take a grown up along and maybe have to let them have a turn of steering!.

If you feel adventurous and want to try white water rafting or canyoning you can. See www.active8s.com for further information.

Across Loch Tay from Killin Highland Lodges lies " Adventure Ardeonaig " where you can try many exciting outdoor challenges Choose from abseiling, archery, gorge exploring, high rope courses, kayaking, sailing, raft building and many more.

There is opportunity for water sports in all directions surrounding Killin Highland Lodges. Croft na Caber on loch Tay near Kenmore offers sailing and canoeing. Waterskiing and jet biking are available at Lochearnhead, just 8 miles through Glen Ogle, on Loch Earn. Towards Callendar, Standing Waves Leisure at Strathyre (approximately 20 minutes drive from the Lodges) provides canoes and kayaks with instruction and a canoe safari to Loch Lubnaig. Life jackets are provided with all boats. Something for every degree of skill and enthusiasm!

Fishing

If Dad is not having much luck fishing on the loch or the rivers, why not persuade him to take you all to a fishery where you will all be almost guaranteed to catch a fish, and have a fun day out at Drummond Estates Fish Farm.

These are both near Loch Earn and could be combined with a trip to Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, but the Lake of Menteith Fishery is near Aberfoyle and a trip to it could also take in a sail on the Steamship Sir Walter Scott on Loch Katrine .

If you are a keen fisherman yourself see the section above on fishing and the Angling Tayside website and good luck!

Day Trips and Excursions

We keep a list of some good local walks available for you in the Lodges as well as Ordnance Survey Maps which you are invited to borrow during your stay. If you enjoy walking there are walks to suit everyone, from gentle strolls which are pushchair friendly (some originally designed for Queen Victoria), to challenging hill walking and Munros.

Killin Highland Lodges sit at the base of the Tarmachan Mountains and a gate at the back of the Lodge gives you easy access.

The nearby Lawers Visitor Centre provides information and route maps. The Killin Outdoor Centre in the village is also a great place to get advice on local walking, cycling and watersports.

Other ideas for family outdoor trips include:

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is the world's only rotating boatlift! With its impressive reach it lifts boats 115ft (the height of 8 double-decker buses) and joins the Forth and Clyde canal with the Union canal, where they meet to provide a link between Scotland's North Sea and its Atlantic Coast. The visitor Centre gives fascinating insight into the feat of engineering required to build this most intriguing structure.

The Scottish Deer Centre

The Scottish Deer Centre at Cupar (1 1/2 hours away) allows you to see the different types of deer, hear all about their lifecycle and feed some of the young calves. There is a playbarn close to the exhibition area and a superb adventure play area reached by a treetop walkway to the middle of the wood (a ground level path which is wheelchair and buggy friendly can also take you there). It makes a wonderful day out and is only 20 minutes away from St.Andrews with its beaches, harbour, shops, golf courses and Sea Life Centre.

The Rob Roy Exhibition

The Rob Roy Exhibition in Callander is just a short drive away. There you can explore the life of this highland hero, and on the way back you can divert into Balquhidder, along the glen where Rob Roy rode and see his grave in the churchyard there.