Children at The Carnegie Club

Posted: 4 September 2020

Children receive a special welcome at Skibo, making The Carnegie Club a favourite with families. While the summer holidays are always a popular time to visit, our youngest members are well-catered for year-round with a dedicated children's team delivering fun and games whatever the season. And with 8,000 acres to explore, Skibo is perfect for families who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy quality time together in the clear, fresh air of the Scottish Highlands.

Evelix Lodge sits on the banks of Loch Evelix

Families staying at the club are accommodated in one of the estate's twelve lodges, each with a charming character of its own. Evelix Lodge, for example, is a spacious four-bedroom house set amidst woodland on the banks of Loch Evelix, Pulrossie Farmhouse dates from the eighteenth century and is a welcoming, four-bedroom lodge with a cosy sitting room and large country kitchen, and Ivy Cottage is a three-bedroom house that sits on the doorstep of the Skibo Equestrian Centre (making it a favourite for any horse-loving youngsters!). Each lodge offers families a comfortable and welcoming home-from-home during their visit where they can relax in between enjoying the many activities on offer at the club.

The Children's Barn

The Children's Barn is open daily to children throughout their stay, with babysitting in their lodge available in the evenings, so that parents can enjoy some well-deserved 'me' time while children make memories to last a lifetime under the supervision of our experienced and enthusiastic Barn team. Children of all ages will find plenty to keep them occupied, including Lego, art supplies, table tennis and much more on offer, while outside they can enjoy the outdoor play area with its trampoline, putting green, swings and seesaw. Older children and teenagers can enjoy a game of pool or play the latest gaming consoles in their own dedicated area within the Barn.

Families enjoy special themed afternoon tea during holiday weekends like Halloween

During holidays and event weekends, the Barn team also offer a special schedule of indoor and outdoor activities like cake decorating, messy play and crafting, bushcraft and survival skills in the woods, games of rounders and football, and Highland Games on the castle lawn as well as family-friendly afternoon teas. At Easter there is an egg hunt in the castle's walled garden and a visit from Hoppy the Bunny, at Halloween kids can get creative with pumpkin carving and take part in the annual golf buggy decorating contest, and over the festive season children make Christmas decorations, enjoy a traditional pantomime in the castle's Great Hall and can even expect a visit from Santa.

There are ponies and horses suitable for riders of all ages at Skibo

Outside these special event weekends, the club's youngest guests can take part in a plethora of activities in addition to those offered at the Children's Barn. With ponies and horses to suit all ages, even the youngest members of the family can enjoy a visit to the stables. A relaxed and fun way to introduce children to riding and improve their balance and confidence, our pony rides will take them around the castle and gardens while older children and more experienced riders can enjoy longer treks across the estate.

Children are welcome to join their parents on the Carnegie Links, the club's championship golf course that with fewer than 4,000 rounds played on it annually is a relaxed course ideal for young novices. Our friendly golf pros also offer lessons for juniors, whether they are swinging a club for the first time or simply looking to pick up some tips to improve their game.

The club offers a variety of quad bike treks

For those who like adventure, the club offers quad bike riding on our mini track for those aged six and up and junior treks for those aged twelve and over, while older teens can enjoy exploring the full length of the estate's tracks with our guides who will take you up into Skibo's wild moors. We can also arrange an exhilarating RIB boat trip on the Moray Firth where you can experience the beauty of the Highland coastline and perhaps even spot the dolphins, seals and native birdlife like kittiwakes and guillemots that can often be seen in this stretch of water.

Get up close and personal with birds of prey on the castle lawn

Families can enjoy dedicated swimming times in the Skibo pool, play tennis on Skibo’s all-weather French clay court or borrow our croquet set for some traditional fun. Our falconer also visits the club regularly, and guests of all ages enjoy watching the display from their breakfast table before venturing out to meet the birds of prey up close on the castle lawn. We can also arrange private falconry sessions, ideal for celebrating special occasions.

Another popular activity is indulging in some family-friendly competition at the Skibo Range where guests aged five and over can unleash their inner Robin Hood or Katniss Everdeen and try their hand at archery, or enjoy some target practice together with air rifle (suitable for ages 5+) and clay pigeon shooting (suitable for ages 10+) under the expert supervision of our activities team. 

Discover the magic of Skibo with a walk through the 8,000 acre estate

Despite the multitude of activities on offer during their stay at the club, however, one of the greatest draws for a family holiday at Skibo is simply the opportunity to spend time together amidst the tranquillity of the Scottish Highlands. Families can explore the 8,000 acre estate together on foot or on our fleet of bicycles, experiencing the joy of nature and the relaxed pace of life on the estate.

Whatever season families visit Skibo, they find a warm Highland welcome. The Carnegie Club’s estate lodges offer members a home-from-home during their stay, with a wide range of activities for all ages and interests. Whether they are escaping the city for a long weekend in the country, staying for a week (or even longer!), the magic of Skibo keeps our members coming back year after year.

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