Where fun for all the family really is child’s play

Top places for youngsters to have fun in Scotland.

They cater for kids big and small, from babies to teenagers and if you’re planning a family holiday this year, you’ll need a family-friendly hotel.

We scoped out four of Scotland’s best.

Gleneagles promises fun, excitement and adventures in endless acres of beautiful countryside the perfect playground no matter what your age.

From cycling around lochs and playing polo to training a gun dog or even driving an all-terrain vehicle, there are so many outdoor treats on offer your children will never get bored.

There’s also tennis, swimming, golf, games consoles and even falconry. The Perthshire hotel was named Best UK Family Hotel last year and also won Best Family Programme. See gleneagles.com.

Cameron House is one big happy family, with something for Mum and Dad, as well as plenty of supervised activities for the kids.

From its in-house creche to the Kids Zone, which boasts everything from retro computer games and air hockey to swimming pool with flume (left) and mini golf, there’s more than enough to keep those little ones entertained.

At weekends, the pool parties and movie and pyjama nights are especially popular.

Outdoors, on the shores of Loch Lomond, the hotel’s countryside ranger James Elliot hosts weekly rambles, bird watching and welly walks that both adults and children will enjoy, not to mention pony trekking, quad biking and climbing. See devere-hotels.co.uk.

Take a ferry from Ardrossan on Scotland’s west coast to the two-hotel Auchrannie Resort on the Isle of Arran, which has self-catering lodges and a spa resort.

There are two pools, a games room, soft-play area and teen zone with big TV, juke box and wi-fi. The Cruize restaurant also has a soft-play area and a mix of kid-friendly pizzas and grown-up food.

It’s within easy walking distance of Brodick, which boasts crazy golf, putting, golf course, chocolate shop, beach and Brodick castle. Auchrannie offers kids of all ages a great adventure. Just step off the ferry and the fun will begin. See auchrannie.co.uk.

Cally Palace is a hotel surrounded by stunning scenery in Dumfries and Galloway.

A swimming pool, table tennis, play park, a putting green and an all-weather tennis court are among the child-friendly activities within the hotel. And of course the extensive gardens are perfect for little legs to explore.

Choose a family room with a balcony and enjoy a spot of al fresco relaxation. Or maybe adjoining bedrooms to give Mum and Dad peace of mind as well as peace and quiet. With a fabulous beach within walking distance, and nearby chocolate and ice cream factories, this is the perfect base for families. See mcmillanhotels.co.uk.