Butterfly World & Bird of Prey Centre near Edinburgh

At Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World (located at Dobbies Garden Centre) you'll be able take a trip through a rainforest and experience the most exotic and colourful butterflies from all around the world. See these wonderful creatures in their natural habitat laying eggs, feeding or simply displaying their array of colours. It's not just butterflies that can be seen here though, if you're brave enough you'll be able to handle weird and wonderful insects such as the leaf cutting ant or perhaps you'd like watch one of the resident deadly scorpions.

Also located at the garden centre you'll find Edinburgh Bird of Prey centre. Opened in 1992 with only a handful of birds, this centre now houses the biggest and most diverse collection of raptors and owls in Scotland. Visitors can view the 40 different species on their own or take a guided to tour by one the centres friendly members of staff. Find out how these wonderful birds feed, live and hunt. The centre also believes that the education of children is vital to the survival of birds of prey in the wild.

These two attractions provide a wonderful experience for children of any age as well as adults.

Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is situated at Rough Castle, Falkirk and is one of the most spectacular examples of modern engineering ever produced. The wheel is the world's only boatlift and has once again allowed the reconnection (for the first time in 35 years) of the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals running between Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Visitors can experience the Falkirk Wheel by taking a trip on one of the visitor attraction boat or simply by watching the 15 minute long rotation from the ampitheatre which surrounds the wheel. You can also find out everything you need to know about the Wheel from the Visit Centre which is located adjacent to the wheel itself.

Falkirk Wheel Website

Great for Children Attraction

This is a wonderful place to play for children and adults alike. You'll find this lovely country park near Gorebridge in Midlothian is fantastic day out, especially for children. The park boasts ranger guided walks, 9 hole golf course, an adventure playground and "Giants Chairs". It's the ideal location for a family picnic or a relaxing stroll.

You can also visit the on site Garden Centre which has some superb plants along with a nice selection of gifts. While you are browsing, why not let the children look at the Guinea Pigs and Rabbits which are housed within the Garden Centre.

Dalkeith Country Park at Dalkeith Palace

Dalkeith Country Park ( www.dalkeithcountrypark.com) ,in the grounds of Dalkeith Palace, has a great playground for children. It includes exciting Aerial Ropeways, Highlevel Walkways, Giant Slides and a Wildwest Fort. Naturally it is supervised and childsafe. Open from April to end September - there is also an attractive Visitor Center with a coffee shop and a picnic area. At times you can see Highland Cattle in the field next to the playground.

The woodland walks at the palace are beautful and can also help get rid of that excess "childenergy" or you can just de-stress and wander through the woods and talk to the trees.

Fairies O' Carlops & Icelandic Horse Pentland Hills Trecking Centre

Great for Children Attraction

Take a ride through beautiful scenery on one of these magnificent horses. You don't need to be an accomplished horse rider to enjoy the off-road treks as there are experts on hand to guide every step of the way. This attraction can be enjoyed by children and adults alike.

Recent evidence of the Fairies O'Carlops came in 1997. A mobile telephone mast was erected at
Carlops in the bonnyl and wild Midlothian countryside. Locals were unhappy about the unsightly mast. They appealed to the fairies and one dark night the nasty mast was dismantled.

The national TV stations got hold of the story. The investigating reporters found that the villagers were
united in their conviction that it was the work O' the fairies, ever keen as they are to help the Carlops "muggles". The local people also suggested that the Carlops Fairies had a repuation for perseverance and persistance. It is good to know that the Carlops Fairies have kept the mast away ever since...

Further info: Pentland Hills Icelandics

Edinburgh Zoo

Great for Children Attraction

Edinburgh Zoo was founded in 1913 and is one of the world leading zoos. You'll find this an ideal day trip for all the family and at any time of the year as events are organised in both the summer and winter seasons. For more information, online booking and opening times visit www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Getting you close to Nature

During your visit to Midlothian, a visit to the Seabird Centre www.seabird.org at North Berwick is a must. Get close to nature with amazing close ups of Puffins, Gannets, Guillimots, Shags, Kittiwakes, Fulmers and Razorbills as well as marine mammals, including Grey Seals and Bottlenose Dolphins.
Boat trips can be arranged to The Bass Rock and The Isle of May in the Firth of Forth.

Deep Sea World North Queensferry

Great for Children Attraction

This surely is one of the best attractions for children. Deep Sea World is located at North Queensferry (14 miles from Edinburgh). The underground moving tunnel (largest in the world) allows visitors to look at the many example of marine life (including Sharks). The staff at Deep Sea World and extremely friendly and only to happy to answer any questions. Children will love the chance to touch some of the crabs, lobsters etc during a rock pool demonstration.

Further info: Maximized

National Museum of Scotland

Great for Children Attraction

The adults and kids will both enjoy this wonderfully modernised museum. Since the recent building work has been completed there is now a chance to experience a completely interactive look at the various collections on display. Children will love the touch screens available on certain exhibits which assist in learning. Don't forget to have a look at the rooftop gallery for one of the best views in Edinburgh town centre.

Further info: National Museum of Scotland

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Great for Children Attraction

This is a wonderful day out for all the family. Spend the whole day here at Blair Drummond and you'll find plenty to do including, Giraffes, Elephants, Tigers, Lions and Rhinos. There is also a great selection of amenities and play grounds.

Further info: Blair Drummond Safari Park

Visit the Scottish Mining Museum in Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange and you'll see just how important this declining industry once was to Scotland (hence the name Scotlands Black Diamonds).

All tour guides are volunteer ex-miners and therefore are able to share their knowledge of the pits and their experience of mining in Scotland. You will see how coal was first formed and extracted from the ground and how communities were built around pits in Scotland. Get the real story about the miners strike and how it affected the industry in the 1980s.

You can explore the museum with an audio tour and watch Scotland's Black Diamonds in the film theatre to make this an completely interactive experience that is well worth a visit.

Further info: www.scottishminingmuseum.com

Glenkinchie Distillery

Glenkinchie is located in Pentcaitland and is surrounded by rural countryside and streams. Originally a cow shed, the distillery now boast one of the finest lowland malts available and in 1988 it was chosen by United Distillers to be included in their Classic Malts range.

Whiskey is Scotlands own drink and has an aquired taste. However, even if you don't like the taste of our national drink, you'll still love the smell of the distillery and roaming countryside that surrounds it. Take a guided tour and watch the promotional video then settle down for a dram at the bar.

Further info: www.scotchwhisky.com

Laserquest Edinburgh

Laser Quest is the world's best known and most exciting brand of Laser Tag game. Whether you're 6 or 66 you'll love the adrenaline pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents andunleashing a volley of laser fire in the battle-zone of the 21st century

Further info: www.lqx-edinburgh.co.uk

Racing Karts - Go Karting

Have some great fun testing your karting skills out against the competition - great for groups.

Further info: www.racingkarts.co.uk

Our Dynamic Earth

Over 1.3 million visitors have experienced this science based top Edinburgh attraction since July 1999 (VisitScotland 5 Star Attraction).

Further info: www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway

This is a wonderful place to visit for adults and children alike. Have a trip on the steam engines which have been brought back to their original condition by the many volunteers at Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway. You'll also be able to go down Kinneil mine during your journey and purchase a souvenir from the gift shop. If you around at Christmas experience the Santa train - an absolute must for the children.

Further info: www.srps.org.uk/railway/home.html

Beaches

There are many excellent beaches for family days out and picnics near Lothian including Longniddry, Gullane, Yellowcraig & Pease bay. Your hosts will be happy to give you further information and directions.