Hunter's Quay, Argyll Holidays

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8 Easter Holiday Activities for the whole Family in Argyll & the Isles

Author: Lara Ehmler

Easter is a great time of the year to visit Argyll & the Isles. Spring has arrived, with lambs in the fields, primroses flowering, and birdsong filling the air. The longer days give you extra hours for outdoor family adventures, whether that’s wandering in the woods, kayaking around the coast, or exploring an island by bike.

Many of the gardens, castles, and visitor attractions in Argyll open for the season at Easter, and many of them celebrate with family-friendly events.

Take a look at our top tips for family things to do in Argyll & the Isles this Easter and start hatching your plans for the spring holidays.

1. Head on a walk

Get out and explore the beautiful Argyll landscape on foot this Easter. Hike up a hill, stroll through a forest or amble along a beach; there are plenty of walks to enjoy in Argyll & the Isles this Easter! If you’re coming from Glasgow, the Arrochar Alps offer fantastic walking and are incredibly accessible by car, bus or train. These magnificent mountains have drawn generations of walkers and, for many, kicked off their love affair with hill walking in the Highlands.

A stroll along the Crinan Canal is another delightful thing to do at Easter, or why not visit Duchess Wood in Helensburgh, a rich and diverse woodland with a variety of plant and animal species, and a network of paths and bridges. This is a lovely place to visit and enjoy a fun-packed woodland stroll with all the family; for more walking ideas, why not check out our Top walks here.

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2. Go Mountain biking & Cycling

With its vast forest and mountains, Argyll & the Isles is the perfect place to go mountain biking & cycling with your family. There are thousands of miles of trails and forest tracks to explore. The Fire Tower Trail near Lochgilphead provides a fabulous 12 miles (19.5 km) of riding.

A whole network of trails from Ardgartan makes for a great day out. The 11km Glenshellish Loop is a good introduction to off-road cycling; kids will enjoy splashing through a ford at the head of the glen!

Why not explore some of our recommended cycle and trail routes, which show routes suitable for families too?

3. Try Kayaking

Argyll & the Isles' diverse coastlines, sheltered waters, islands, sandy beaches, caves, and much more make it a fantastic place to kayak. Paddle the Argyll Sea Trail (or bits of it!) for some of the best sea kayaking in Europe. The Crinan Canal is ideal for kayaking novices and kids, with calm, protected waters and lovely grassy banks for a picnic.

Join a guided kayaking tour for the full experience! Some of our recommended providers are Wild Isles Kayaking, Loch Goil Kayak and Sea Kayak Oban.

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4. Explore our Gardens

Many of the glorious gardens of Argyll & the Isles are open for the season during spring, making it the perfect place to visit during Easter. Enjoy magnificent displays of spring flowers in stunning settings, wildlife, and hopefully some lovely weather.

The gardens at Mount Stuart on the island of Bute look particularly gorgeous at this time of year, and there’s an adventure playground too, which is brilliant to keep the children entertained. Benmore Botanic Gardens near Dunoon is another stunning spot to visit in spring. Ardkinglas Woodland Gardens offers a fun Easter stroll along the Gruffalo Trail, which is perfect for keeping the kids amused whilst spotting all the little fairy houses and enchanting things it has to offer!

5. Step back in time

Castles & Standing Stones

Fancy heading to one of Argyll & the Isles's castles or historic attractions to learn more about the history of these historic sites? Then why not check out Inveraray Castle and Inveraray Jail, which make for a great day out, as does Dunollie Castle in Oban.

Discover the wonders of Kilmartin Glen and Museum, one of Scotland’s richest prehistoric landscapes. You'll find standing stones, stone circles, cairns, and decorated rocks. You can join a guided walk on Easter Day to learn more about this unique ancient landscape. Afterwards, make sure to pop by the Argyll Beaver Centre in Knapdale for a chance to see some beavers!

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6. Go Wildlife Watching

Argyll & the Isles is home to Scotland's famous "Big Five", red squirrels, otters, red deer, harbour seals and golden eagles, and spring is a wonderful time to spot them as the landscape wakes up after winter. Scalpsie Bay on the Isle of Bute is a brilliant, accessible spot for seal watching, with a dedicated viewpoint just a five-minute walk from the road, making it a great stop for families with younger children.

For something more adventurous on the water, Cowal Cruises runs short boat tours during the spring & summer around the Kyles of Bute. Departing from Tighnabruaich, this makes for a great addition to your weekend trip.

7. Head for an Easter Brunch

Easter is a time to enjoy good food with family and friends. In Argyll, you’re spoilt for choice regarding family-friendly places to eat this Easter. Here are a few of our favourite spots in day-trip distance from Glasgow:

The Blairmore, Cowal
Brambles Café, Inverarary
The Cafe at Luss Distillery, Luss

8. Easter Events for Families

Of course, there will be lots of local, traditional Easter activities in towns and villages throughout Argyll and the Isles, so if it’s a spot of egg rolling or an Easter egg hunt you’re looking for, you shouldn’t be disappointed! Discover what's on this Easter holiday.

Extend your Easter weekend

If you plan to extend the Easter break in Argyll, how about heading over to the Inner Hebrides? Discover the Isles of Islay, Jura and Colonsay. With stunning landscapes, an abundance of walks and wildlife in all corners, with a chance to see eagles, otters, deer and goats, a trip to the Inner Hebrides will leave you with lifelong memories.

If you want to elongate the holiday post-Easter, and you’re a competent rider, you might fancy a short-trip equestrian trip with Wilder Ways. Explore the wild hills and beaches of Kintyre during this action-packed adventure.

Places to Stay for the Whole Family

Argyll & the Isles is home to numerous family-friendly accommodations and holiday parks.

Melfort Village, near Oban, is a fantastic place to stay with the whole family. Whether it’s marvelling at a breathtaking sunset, exploring rock pools and skimming stones on the beach, taking long woodland walks with the family and dogs, or just relaxing in the Restaurant after an excellent meal - the opportunities are endless.

Argyll Holidays has a selection of holiday parks across Argyll that offer adventure experiences and accommodation for the whole family. Whether you're looking for a self-catering cottage with a hot tub at Hunters Quay Holiday Village near Loch Lomond, a peaceful and relaxing escape to Loch Eck Caravan Park or an adventure-packed trip to the Drimsynie Holiday Village near Loch Lomond, Argyll Holidays has the right accommodation for your family trip!

8 Easter Holiday Activities for the whole Family in Argyll & the Isles

1. Head on a walk

2. Go Mountain biking & Cycling

3. Try Kayaking

4. Explore our Gardens

5. Step back in time

6. Go Wildlife Watching

7. Head for an Easter Brunch

8. Easter Events for Families

Extend your Easter weekend

Places to Stay for the Whole Family

Whatever you do this Easter in Argyll & the Isles, we’re sure you’ll make family memories that will last a lifetime.

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