The best free family days out in the UK this Easter – they’re all in Scotland

WITH money tight right now, and Easter holidays upon us, many will be looking for the best ways to keep the family happy.

And contrary to popular belief, days out don’t need to burst the bank – in fact there’s a huge range family-friendly places to go on a budget.

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Throughout the year, national parks, art galleries and museums across the country host a wealth of activities for the family to enjoy.

From epic walking adventures to discovering hidden hiking trails, there are many adventurous and highly cost-effective activities that the outdoors has to offer.

The GO Outdoors team decided to take a closer look at the top destinations with the best free family activities in the UK – and Scotland took the top five spots!

They used data sources, including social media hashtags, visitor attendance records, TripAdvisor reviews and popular search terms to come up with the best of British.

St Kilda in the Hebrides came out top with an impressive 93 per cent excellent reviews on TripAdvisor.

Wedged in the Hebrides on the West Coast of Scotland, this isolated archipelago is internationally recognised for its magnificent birdlife, spectacular landscapes and some of the highest cliffs in Europe.

You’ll also get a glimpse of the history behind Scotland’s remotest island, with a look back at the unique way the St Kildans lived before 1930.

It was followed by Staffa National Nature Reserve, with 88 per cent Tripadvisor excellent reviews.

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Displaying some of the most iconic sights Scotland has to offer, this beautiful island filled with distinctive rocks, enchanting caves and is home to black guillemots, fulmars, and puffins, who live on the volcanic rock columns.

In third place it’s Goatfell Mountain on Arran – the island known as Scotland in Miniature. A top destination for hillwalkers and climbers, Goatfell offers spectacular views, perfect for gazing across the island.

With its unique and dramatic scenery, it is no surprise that this destination has 86 per cent excellent reviews on Tripadvisor.

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St Abbs National Nature Reserve in Berwickshire, came fourth with 84 per cent excellent reviews. If you love dramatic seascapes, birds and wildlife, then this National Trust for Scotland cliff-top reserve is for you.

Known as ‘seabird city’, it’s also stuffed with geology and history – St Abb’s Head was formed by lava pouring from volcanoes.

Inland you’ll find Mire Loch, where in spring you can watch courtship antics of the swans and other wildfowl that make it their home.

Dolphins are a common sight all year and in winter large numbers of grey seals gather on the local beaches to breed.

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Ending the impressive run of top five is Grey Mare’s Tail, another National Trust for Scotland nature reserve taking in an impressive 81 per cent.

Found near Moffat in Dumfriesshire, it’s home to one of the UK’s highest waterfalls, plunging nearly 200ft from Loch Skeen into Moffat Water Valley – which gives it its name.

Towering above the loch are the peaks of Lochcraig Head, Mid Craig and the summit of White Coomb, with views extending as far as the Lake District and Northumberland to the south.

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