Real Family Holidays in the Scottish Islands

Real Family Holidays offer all-inclusive family breaks during school holidays, with heaps of outdoor activities.

• Comfortable accommodation.
• All meals included, with unlimited hot or cold drinks.
• One free activity for all the family per night stayed.
• Advice and guidance if you want to explore the area yourself.

The Scottish Islands base for Real Family Holidays is on the Ilse of Cumbrae on the Firth of Clyde, which is just 10 minutes by ferry from Largs on the mainland. Your base for this holiday is FSC Millport. FSC is the Field Studies Centre, a charity that helps children understand and enjoy the outdoors.

Accommodation is with meals included, with catering for special diets. Packed lunches can be made too. Bed linen is provided as well as private and ensuite family rooms. If you need additional outdoor clothing, it can be hired at the centre.

There are many nature and environment guided walks for families, as well as many other activities you can do. If you want to explore the island yourself, you can hire bikes in the village, or get out on foot.

Some example activities: Team Games Can your team complete the Island team challenges? You will need skills and perseverance to get through each hurdle your team faces. Aimed at over 7's, younger family members are welcome with parental help.

Beach Art/Wildlife Walk Explore our local beach for washed-up treasures, and create your own holiday-inspired masterpiece on the sandy shores of Millport, Scotland. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Bushcraft Make a fire from locally scavenged material and see if you could survive on your own desert island. Aimed at over 8's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Hidden Histories What was Millport like in the past? Create a Viking house and imagine yourself in the past. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Rocky Shore Explore the inhabitants of the rocky shore on the Island. What lives under the rocks and in the seaweed? Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Minibeast Hunt Explore the area hunting for things that creep and crawl. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Orienteering Explore your way around the local surroundings by using a map and learn about the environment on the way. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Rock Climbing After a short practice on our low-level Wall Traverse to warm up, climbers will then have a go at reaching the top of the infamous Deil’s Dyke; a unique geological structure in the centre grounds that are millions of years old. Multiple routes of difficulty are available to climb up to 10 metres high, all the while being belayed safely by your fellow climbing team! A real adrenaline rush!

What Wanders at Night? Find signs of creatures who come out as night falls from moths to mice and bats to otters. Aimed at over 5s, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Snorkelling The shallow waters of Kames Bay offer beautiful sandy and rocky seabed's to explore from the warmth of a wetsuit! Must fit wet suit/mask. Usually 8+

Camp Fire Share stories and sing songs around the campfire overlooking the sea. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members welcome with parental help.

Boat Trip Take a trip on Actinia our research vessel exploring the sea, spotting seals, porpoise and occasionally a whale! (1 hour) Must fit life jacket, usually 8+

Rafting Problem-solving and teamworking skills will be tested during this survival activity. Can your team not only build a solid raft out of the materials provided but also use it to transport your whole team across the loch safely? Raft building will take place in the wild interior of the island on a small loch near the highest point on Great Cumbrae; the Glaid Stone, with fantastic views of the Firth of Clyde.

Habitat Creation Enhance your local environment by building a bird box, bat box or bug hotel. Aimed at over 5's, younger family members are welcome with parental help.

Please note that there is an additional charge for some of the activities.

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