Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, Comrie / Crieff

The first time my family went to visit the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre, it was closed due to the damage caused by the winds. That was over a year or so ago. This morning we set out and did not quite know what to expect. Was it going to be like Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling or like the one I can't remember the name of near Oban?

Happily, the Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre has elements of both attractions. In addition to having the expected variety of animals and a cafe, it also has covered walkways and indoor play areas that really impressed my son. It's like they know it's going to rain or something. For the record, it did not rain while we were visiting.

It cost £7.50 for an adult and £4.50 for children who do not fall into the under three is free category.

Sherrifmuir Inn

We went again to Sherrifmuir for dinner. We just can't help ourselves.Given the feedback from my mum focus group, I flipped a picture of their baby changing room. Look! They even supply nappy sacks. Very nice. Our meal, by the way was excellent as usual and my son made use of their climbing frame.



You can contact The Sherrifmuir Inn here.

Home of the Whopper? Yes, indeed.

Congratulations to this Burger King restaurant for being the first to make it on my black list. A baby with no shoes on? Stop the press and call in the police.

Which brings me to my latest thought. For all the parents out there, who take their children places....what is your definition of what makes a place family friendly? I want this website to have only parent-approved places rather than be one of many of the websites that invite businesses to advertise as family friendly, whether or not they meet the standard.

What are your standards? What do you look for? I'd love to hear from you and then I'll compile a list.

Sheriffmuir Inn nr Dunblane

Allow me to introduce you to my favourite place to go for a meal...The Sheriffmuir Inn. It's more than worth the 3 mile journey into the countryside from Dunblane and offers wonderful hospitality and those little extras appreciated by parents with children, small and not-so-small.

In addition to the children's menu, brightly coloured plastic cutlery and a child-friendly bathroom (with a proper change table and mat and a child-size toilet seat), there is a playground outside.




Check it out, but don't go on a Tuesday; they're closed. And....if you like ice cream, I always get a bowl of white chocolate ice cream to finish the meal. It's my guilty pleasure.

Ryland's Play Area - Dunblane

Easily accessed by Kippendavie Road (there's even an interestingly circular shaped carpark to use), the play area is situated on a slope and is reached via the gravel/dirt staired pathway. There is a baby swing with two swings, but the other equipment is suitable for older children.
There is ample opportunity for climbing, spinning and for lack of a better word, swooshing. Check out the photos.

Wallace Monument

The "Wallace Monument" is well worth a visit if you are in the Stirling area. If you tend to suffer from vertigo, be warned. The stairs are corkscrew in design and narrow as well, so sometimes you have stop climbing to allow those coming down room to get by. For this reason, I would suggest you do not take children under the age of five.
And be sure to wear sensible shoes. I feel like such a nag, but I'm all about health and safety.

After you descend, you could visit the Monument Gift Shop and Cafe. However, if it's a hot day (and they do happen on occasion), I would suggest that when you leave the Monument carpark, turn left towards Stirling. This will take you down the hill, through a very tight left bend in the road to a roundabout. Turn left past the CO-OP Food Store and look for parking.

There's an Italian cafe called Corrieri's that offers lunches and dinners and also has an icecream counter. A further 20m or so up the road is a children's playpark, wading pool and public toilets.