Planning a family holiday in Scotland? There are so many beautiful places to visit across the country, but if you’re after coast, space and wildlife, Portpatrick is well worth a look.
Located in Dumfries and Galloway, Portpatrick puts secluded beaches and beech woodlands right on your doorstep, with some of the UK’s darkest skies for stargazing within easy reach.
Whether you’re looking for a peaceful family break on the coast or an adventure-filled holiday by the lochs, south-west Scotland has something for every kind of family.
To help you plan your family holiday, we’ll explore what the region has to offer and how you can make the most of it at Dunskey Estate, with our 12 lodges and 25 castle bedrooms.
We’ll also share some of our favourite holiday ideas to give you more inspiration.
Why Choose South-West Scotland for a Family Holiday?
When planning a family holiday in Scotland, most people think of Edinburgh, Glasgow or the Scottish Highlands, while some of the country’s most beautiful coastal areas are often overlooked.
The south-west in particular is home to plenty of things to do and see, from outdoor activities, history and cultural attractions to delicious food and wildlife spotting, so you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
You can take a day trip to spot wild goats in Galloway Forest Park, wander among palm trees and giant gunnera at Logan Botanic Garden or climb the lighthouse at the Mull of Galloway, Scotland’s most southerly point.
In 2009, Galloway Forest Park became the UK’s first International Dark Sky Park and only the fourth in the world. On a clear night, you can see more than 7,000 stars and planets with the naked eye, making it one of the best places in the UK for stargazing and a night-time adventure children won’t forget.
All of these are within easy reach of Dunskey Estate, making it an ideal base for exploring the south-west coast. And if you fancy something a bit closer, Dunskey has its own 2,000 acres of woodland, lochs and shoreline starting right outside your door.
The estate features an Edwardian castle, with 25 uniquely styled bedrooms, as well as 12 individual lodges for families to stay in while they explore.
Where to Stay in Scotland With Family: 12 Lodges for Two to Ten Guests
A lodge is the perfect family base, a home from home where you can settle in, set your own pace and make the space truly yours for the week.
Unlike other types of accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs, a lodge offers enough room for the whole family to come together, as well as somewhere to relax and wind down after a busy day exploring.
With space indoors and out, your own lounge and a fully equipped kitchen, a lodge works whatever the weather. There are no set mealtimes or reception hours, so you’re free to explore all day and come back whenever suits you.
At Dunskey Estate, there are 12 lodges available to book, each suited to families for a range of reasons, and all ideally placed for exploring the south-west of Scotland.
With so many options, picking the right one can feel overwhelming, so we’ve broken them down into their key features to help you decide.
| Lodge | Sleeps | Bedrooms | Garden | Why families like it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Royal Apartment | 10 | 5 | Open | Space for grandparents and extended family |
| Fern Forest House | 6 | 3 | Open | Room for bigger families, between two lochs |
| Saltwater Chronicles Lodge | 6 | 3 | Open | All on one level, 200m from the beach |
| Fawn’s Velvet | 4 | 2 | Enclosed | Safe walled garden, near the maze |
| Heritage Coachman | 4 | 2 | Courtyard | Cosy wood-burner, near the maze |
| The Velvet Upperground | 4 | 2 | Open | Stay inside the castle |
| Harriet’s Lodestar Lodge | 4 | 2 | Open | Secluded, with a private loch dock |
| Artemisia Lodge | 4 | 2 | Open | Plenty of space for children to play |
| Symphonica Lodge | 4 | 2 | Enclosed | All on one level |
| Rose Blair Lodge | 2 | 1 | Enclosed | Small families: one parent and one child, with an enclosed garden and a path to the beach |
| Wren’s Nest Lodge | 2 | 1 | Enclosed | Small families: one parent and one child, near the maze |
| Selkie’s Haven Lodge | 2 | 1 | Enclosed | Small families: one parent and one child, right on the beach |
Each lodge also has Wi-Fi and a BBQ, and if you’re bringing the dog, you’re in luck: all lodges welcome up to two pets (a £60 cleaning fee per stay applies).
Want to know more? Browse all 12 lodges or get in touch with our team to find the one that suits your family best.
25 Bedrooms Inside Our Edwardian Castle
Fancy staying in a castle? It’s the kind of holiday your children will still be talking about years from now, and it gives families something genuinely different from the usual getaway.
At Dunskey, you can stay inside the castle itself, surrounded by original furniture, artwork and a spiral staircase, all set within a private 2,000-acre coastal estate. With 25 bedrooms, the castle is ideal for extended family holidays or a joint getaway with friends and their families.
Everyone is together under one roof, so it’s easy to share meals and activities, but each family still has its own private space to retreat to at the end of the day.
Each castle bedroom has its own en-suite and views over the grounds or woodland. Got grandparents staying? There’s an accessible bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor for anyone who’d rather avoid the stairs.
The castle has rainy days covered too, with a movie theatre, library, billiards room, art studio and magic parlour to keep everyone entertained indoors. And when the sun comes out, the hedge maze and walled garden are around 400m from the castle and the beach is 1.3km away, so everything is easy to reach on foot.
Because the estate is only open to guests, children can explore more freely than they would at a busy public attraction, so you won’t need to plan every minute of the day.
Find out more about our castle bedrooms and choose your favourite for your upcoming family holiday.
Scotland Family Holiday Ideas on Your Doorstep
You don’t need to get in the car to fill your days. Most of what families love about Dunskey starts within walking distance of your lodge or castle bedroom.
Find Your Way Through the Hedge Maze
Planted in 2003, Dunskey’s hedge maze is thought to be the first of its kind in south-west Scotland. Its ten-foot hedges are tall enough to keep even grown-ups guessing.
Explore the Walled Garden and Glasshouse
The 18th-century walled garden was built to feed the original country house. Inside, the Victorian glasshouse still grows fruits and vegetables.
Head Out on the Loch
Lodge guests can take the estate boat out on the loch at no extra cost. Keep an eye out for otters along the banks.
Follow the Glen Down to the Sea
The glen path takes you past a waterfall to the estate’s private bays, which are ideal for rock pooling, picnics and a paddle.
Try Something New
You can book activities on the estate, including archery, loch fishing, guided ranger walks and beach bonfires with marshmallows.
Wander Into the Village of Portpatrick
About a mile from Dunskey, the harbour village of Portpatrick makes a great day out, with its colourful seafront, ice cream and fish suppers.
Book Your Family Stay at Dunskey
Each lodge has its own personality. The same goes for the castle bedrooms, which are individually styled with canopy beds, claw-foot baths and bright feature walls, so children will have fun choosing their own room.
Whether you’d rather wake up by the coast, next to the walled garden or tucked away in the woods, where you stay shapes the whole feel of your holiday.
You can be a short walk from the castle, find a quiet corner further out on the estate, or stay inside the castle itself, so there’s something for every type of family.
