Easy days-out planning from Tullochwood
Families staying at Tullochwood Lodges can mix nearby play parks, castles, farms and museums with swimming, cinemas, trampolining and bigger Highland adventures. The ideas span younger children, teenagers, parents and grandparents; the closest are around 15–35 minutes away, while selected Inverness and Cairngorms trips are roughly an hour or a little more.
Active families
Use these when your family wants an organised activity or a more active day beyond the attractions below.
A particularly good fit
Outfit Moray runs outdoor activity days, weekend courses and family sessions. Holiday programmes are generally aimed at ages 8–18, with some bike sessions for younger children; exact ages, dates and spaces vary.
Read our Outfit Moray guideMore ways to get outside
Our broader guide covers cycling, horse riding, fishing, watersports, quad biking and other active days, including family-friendly providers and genuine journey guidance from Tullochwood.
Explore outdoor activitiesShorter drives, flexible outings
These are the easiest choices for a half day, a change of scene after lunch or a lower-pressure outing with younger children.
About 15 minutes · Outdoors · Free
A handy local play stop with climbing and slide equipment, open lawns, picnic space and toilets. It works well for toddlers and primary-age children when the family needs fresh air without committing to a full day.
Booking: None
Access: Park paths; check the council page for facilities
About 20 minutes · Mixed weather · Paid areas
The National Trust for Scotland’s castle and grounds include the Playful Garden, with imaginative outdoor play as well as seasonal family events. Check which areas are open on your date; castle visits and events may need tickets.
Best for: Younger and primary-age children
Access: Official accessibility details available
About 20 minutes · Mostly indoors · Seasonal
A hands-on aviation museum at Kinloss with aircraft, cockpits and local flying history. It is a strong option for curious primary-age children, teenagers and adults, but opening is seasonal and special sessions can change.
Booking: Check current opening
Cost: Paid admission
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About 35 minutes · Farm · Seasonal activities
A working farm near Fochabers offering day visits, preschool sessions, farm tours and seasonal events. What is available depends on the farm calendar, so this is one to check and book before setting out.
Best for: Younger families and farm-curious children
Cost: Paid tickets or sessions
Reliable alternatives when the weather turns
Check film times, public swim sessions and timed activity slots before leaving the lodge, especially at weekends and during school holidays.
From 15 minutes · Indoors · Paid
Forres Swimming Pool is the closest wet-weather swim, while Moray Leisure Centre in Elgin combines swimming with an ice rink. Check the live public timetables, family sessions and age rules before leaving.
Best for: Most ages; session rules apply
Journey: Forres about 15 minutes; Elgin about 30
From 30 minutes · Indoors · Paid
Choose the independent Moray Playhouse in Elgin for the shorter trip, or combine another Inverness outing with Vue Inverness. Check live family films, certificates, running times and prices.
Best for: Ages depend on the film certificate
Journey: Elgin about 30 minutes; Inverness about 55–60
About 55–60 minutes · Indoors · Timed sessions
A large inflatable activity centre with open bounce, toddler-focused Innotots, relaxed ASN sessions, gaming and a café. Match the session to the child’s age and needs, then book a timed slot before making the longer drive.
Best for: Toddlers to teens; session dependent
Booking: Recommended
About 40 minutes · Indoor/outdoor · Free entry
At Spey Bay, the WDC centre combines a free interactive exhibition and café with shore-based wildlife watching and bookable icehouse tours. Dolphin sightings are never guaranteed, but the centre still gives families plenty to discover.
Best for: All ages
Access: Accessibility guide available online
Animals, play and full family days
These work best when families want more than a short stop. Farm and wildlife days are weather-aware, while the larger attractions reward an early start.
About 55–60 minutes · Farm park · Paid
A family farm park near Inverness with Highland cows and other animals, feeding experiences and children’s play. Check opening dates, admission, animal activities and any age or supervision rules before travelling.
Best for: Younger and primary-age children
Booking: Check the current calendar
About 50 minutes · Mixed weather · Paid
A full family attraction at Carrbridge with rides, water slides, forest experiences and play. Height, age and seasonal restrictions apply to individual activities; check the official opening calendar and attraction status before booking.
Best for: Broad family age range
Booking: Recommended in busy periods
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About 1 hour 10 minutes · Outdoors · Paid
Near Kingussie, the park combines a drive-through reserve with a walk-round area and animals adapted to mountain and tundra habitats. This is a substantial day out; check feeding talks, accessibility, weather and ticket guidance.
Best for: All ages who enjoy animals
Access: Official accessibility information available
About 55–60 minutes · Outdoors · Free park
A larger destination play park beside the River Ness with extensive play equipment, paths, picnic space and seasonal waterside activities. It combines well with another Inverness stop when the weather is settled.
Best for: Toddlers to older primary ages
Cost: Park entry is free; extras may charge
Make a day of the journey
Allow extra time for Highland roads and weather. Book ahead where possible, and check the operator’s live service report before leaving Tullochwood.
About 1 hour · Train journey · Paid
A heritage railway journey from Aviemore with family tickets, a child activity book and an accessible carriage on selected services. A normal return trip is about 1 hour 45 minutes; special dining and event trains take longer.
Best for: All ages; under-fives travel free on standard services
Booking: Recommended
About 1 hour 10 minutes · Mountain weather · Paid
The funicular reaches the Ptarmigan top station in about eight minutes, where families can find views and an indoor learning zone. Operations can change quickly with weather or maintenance, so check the live mountain report before travelling.
Best for: All ages comfortable with mountain conditions
Access: Check current funicular and building access
About 55 minutes · Outdoors · Booking essential
Guided quad-bike treks near Aviemore include family and private options. Junior riders are generally accepted from age nine, while adult treks have a higher minimum age; confirm ages, clothing and current conditions directly.
Best for: Ages 9+ for junior options
Cost: Paid activity
About 1 hour 10 minutes · Boat trip · Paid
Cruises range from short sightseeing trips to longer experiences combining the loch and Urquhart Castle. Choose the departure point and duration carefully, then include time for parking, boarding and Highland traffic.
Best for: Broad family age range
Booking: Strongly recommended
Before you set off
Quick answers
Checked August 2026. Journey times are approximate from Tullochwood Lodges. Opening, prices, age limits, access, weather restrictions and booking arrangements can change; always confirm details with the official attraction before travelling. Tullochwood provides this guide for general planning only and does not own, operate or control any external attraction or activity provider, so it cannot accept responsibility for their availability, safety arrangements, prices, terms, cancellations or subsequent changes.
Choose the outings that suit your family, then return to the space and calm of Tullochwood Lodges near Forres.
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