An action-packed campervan holiday in Scotland is guaranteed to leave the kids exhausted by bedtime

AFTER an adventure guaranteed to have the kids happily exhausted by bedtime? That’s what we got with Scotland’s new Heart 200 driving route in a hired campervan.

Here writer Robin McKelvie takes the high road with his family on an action-packed drive in Scotland

Robin McKelvie

A campervan holiday in Scotland is the perfect way to wear out the little ones[/caption]

LIVE THE HIGH (LAND) LIFE

The idea behind the Heart 200 is to enjoy a “slow travel” adventure around the heart of Scotland via this scenic 200-mile route.

You’ll visit Perthshire, with a bit of Stirlingshire, and the route links two national parks – the Cairngorms & Loch Lomond and The Trossachs

Thankfully, the route’s website makes planning stop-offs easy, with recommended campsites and hotels if you’re sans campervan (Heart200.scot).

Robin McKelvie

Writer Robin McKelvie got back to nature on his trip with his family[/caption]

PITCH PERFECT

In Edinburgh, we pick up our campervan – complete with two double beds, a shower, TV and kitchen.

Close quarters make family bonding a foregone conclusion as I, my wife Jenny and our kids Tara, 11, and Emma, eight, set off to our first site, Comrie Croft, where a pitch costs from £30 (Comriecroft.com).

There are amazing views over the hills of “Big Tree Country” (as Perthshire is known), and a mountain bike circuit.

So, we jump on bikes, hire from £25, for a free skills lesson, before bangers and marshmallows round the campfire.

Robin McKelvie

Comrie Croft offers views over Big Tree Country[/caption]

BE A WILD CHILD

Perthshire is famous as a white water sports haven, with plenty of opportunities to get on – and in – the water.

We spend the morning gorge-walking with Nae Limits, £45 for adults and £35 for under 12s, before an afternoon flying down the river in a rubber raft, £45 per person (Naelimits.co.uk).

In Perth, Piotr at Outdoor Explore leads us by sea kayak into the city, £140 for a family of four (Outdoorexplore.co.uk), spotting kingfishers on the way.

Robin McKelvie

Go for a really wild ride in a rubber dingy [/caption]

Getty Images - Getty

Keep an eye out for kingfishers along the way[/caption]

WALK THIS WAY

Don’t miss The Hermitage in Dunkeld, a National Trust for Scotland forest built as a pleasure ground for the Duke of Atholl.

The kids enjoy scampering among huge firs, and finding a waterfall and 18th-century folly.

If you’re feeling energetic, bag a Munro (climb a mountain, FYI!) along Loch Tay – the views are incredible.

Getty Images - Getty

Views along the loch Tay are incredible [/caption]

RELIGHT YOUR FIRE

For a treat, we head to Five Senses in Alyth for a day’s bushcrafting, £75 each.

We learn about navigation, foraging and how to conjure up fire from bits of wood – fun for kids and big kids alike (Allfivesenses.com)!

MEET THE MEERKATS

In Aberfeldy, the kids play in the free playground at Highland Safaris, before a Land Rover Safari, £45 for adults, £25 for children, in search of the UK’s largest land mammal – red deer (Highlandsafaris.net).

For animal lovers, Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre is a must, where we get close to meerkats, lemurs and Scottish wildcat, £19.50 for a family of four (Auchingarrich.co.uk).

This is one high road we’ll definitely take again!

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