– 6 3 – T H E C A R N E G I E C L U B P  ushing open the gate to the beautiful walled garden at Skibo – the crunch of gravel underfoot – a subtle aroma of a thousand flowers punctuates the air and a rainbow of dahlias, peonies and garden roses flanks every turn. In the background, Skibo Castle stands proudly admiring the view but there’s no time to return the favour because there’s a mission to be completed: to find Hoppy – Skibo’s Easter bunny, who is hiding somewhere among the foliage. The hunt for Hoppy is a familiar ritual for many of the children who visit Skibo, and just one of the myriad activities and events designed especially for younger guests through the Children’s Barn. ‘We are creating memories,’ says Barn manager Carole MacLennan. ‘We want them to have as much fun at Skibo as their parents.’ Catering for all ages, the Barn is open daily and has everything a ‘wee bairn’ could wish for – there’s the new wet-play messy area where children can experiment with water and paints; there’s pool, table tennis, toys and dressing up as well as an extensive outdoor play area with a large trampoline, helter-skelter slide and crazy- golf putting area. ‘It’s important for us to have a breadth of activities. The children all have different interests,’ says MacLennan. Children can also enjoy the estate’s abundant animal life, with alpacas and horses in the field next to the Barn, as well as the Barn’s resident tortoise, Hattie. On occasion, the team will also arrange for an exotic animal supplier to bring snakes and other creatures to meet the children. Outside the Barn, children can book to roll around inside giant inflatable “Wow balls” at Skibo’s swimming pool, roar around the mini track on quad bikes, learn bush craft, take a pony ride or enjoy one-to-one tennis or golf coaching. ‘If a parent or child requests an activity, we will go over and above to make it happen,’ says MacLennan. The Children’s Barn is open daily from 9.30am–5.15pm During busy periods, the Barn team organises events, including yearly Skibo traditions. ‘Every Halloween we have a golf buggy parade, no matter what the weather,’ explains MacLennan. ‘Each family decorates their buggy using decorations made by the children. Then we’ll take them trick-or-treating around the different lodges. It’s so much fun.’ Another popular event is the hunt for eggs and Hoppy at Easter. ‘When Hoppy runs about chasing the children, it’s amazing to see their smiling faces,’ she says. It’s the ideal place for children to thrive, explore and learn while their parents relax and enjoy some well- deserved adult time in the castle. ‘The main thing is that the children are happy and having fun,’ says MacLennan. ‘We offer the best we can and they always come back year after year – it’s like one big family.’ ª Opposite page: some budding equestrians with a couple of Skibo’s ponies. Above: children play in a “Wow ball” in the pool. Below: young guests can meet a wide range of exciting creatures I F A PA R E N T O R C H I L D R EQ U E ST S A N AC T I V I T Y, W E W I L L G O OV E R A N D A B OV E TO M A K E I T H A PP E N Keith Hart, Brent Darby – 62 – C H I L D R E N W E L C OME TO T H E F UN HOUSE Trampolining, tennis, pony trekking and quad biking are just a few of the exciting activities to keep the little ones entertained at Skibo WORDS Lucy Frith