CATEGORY · RAINY DAY APPROVED

Science & Discovery Centres in Edinburgh

Edinburgh's big one is Dynamic Earth, right by Holyrood, with a planetarium and an earthquake simulator to fill a rainy afternoon. If your children are past the wobbly toddler stage, Surgeons Hall Museum near the centre takes them through five hundred years of surgical history and anatomical specimens for £5.50, best saved for ages ten and up rather than younger ones. For something further out, it's a longer trip out to North Berwick for the Scottish Seabird Centre, where live camera feeds of the islands sit alongside rockpooling on the shore and boat trips to Bass Rock. Toddlers will get most from Dynamic Earth's indoor galleries, especially with wet weather ruling out the coast. Older kids curious about the body do better at Surgeons Hall, where the displays are frank rather than fun and the age guidance is there for a reason. If you fancy a full day outdoors with a packed lunch, North Berwick is the one to plan properly for, with dog walking and a café on site once the talks and boat trips are done.

✓ 3 places✦ From £5.50