Finlaystone attracts over 3,500 school and nursery children every year who visit for fun and education. Our rangers work with teachers in arranging activities to promote an understanding and appreciation of our natural surroundings.

Finlaystone Country Estate is comprised of 150 acres, 10 acres of which are formal gardens and 140 acres are mixed woodlands with a network of trails, play areas, ponds and burns with spectacular waterfalls.

The Visitor Centre is the wildlife centre with displays and houses the ‘Dolly Mixture’, accessible toilet and a gift shop stocked with goods, many at pocket money prices. Each class will be allocated a 15-minute time slot for the shop.  The ‘Dolly Mixture’ is a doll museum with an international collection of dolls collected by the MacMillan family. 

 A mixture of dense conifer plantations and open broad-leaved woodlands cover the estate, complemented by their associated woodland flora and fauna.  Woodland clearings provide areas for BBQs, picnics and play.  Throughout the woodland are extensive timber play areas from fort, tram, train and pirate ship to slides & swings for the younger visitors.

What to Bring

Please wear suitable clothing for the weather.  Wellington boots are advised for some activities in the forest.  We recommend midge-repellent, they love joining us!  Sun cream for sunny days and your packed lunch if you don’t buy our packed lunches from the Tea Room (see below).

 Tea Room

Packed lunches can be provided by the Tea Room on request for £3.50 per child.  To order call Jill on 07795606730. A discounted price can be offered to large school groups.  A discount on tea/coffee is available for teachers and coach drivers. 

 

Nursery Groups

We work with various local nursery groups and enjoy our activities with our regular visitors.  We can offer half hour ranger-led activities to accommodate for the wee ones.  Activities include ‘My First Nature Walk’.  

To book, complete and return our Nursery Booking Form 2019.

 

Primary School Groups 

We are experienced in working with small and large primary school groups.  We love the buzz about the place!  We offer a variety of activities that link in with subjects within the Curriculum for Excellence such Biodiversity and Renewables.  Below is a list of some of our activities.  We are happy to work with you school based on your current curricular subjects and projects, so just let us know.  

Visits are curriculum-based and some of the topics currently on offer include:

Topics	P1	P2	P3	P4	P5	P6	P7
My First Nature Walk	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Minibeast Safari	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Sensational Senses	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	No	No
Art in Nature	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
How the Woodland Works	No	Poss	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tracks and Trails	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Renewables	No	No	No	Poss	Yes	Yes	Yes
Plants and Animals	No	Poss	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Seasonal Scavenger Hunt	Poss	Poss	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ranger Hike	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Den Building	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

To book complete and email our booking forms below to shop@finlaystone.co.uk  There is a booking form for 24 children or less and a different one for 25 children or more. Please specify using the relevant form.

Finlaystone Primary School Trip Booking Form 24 or less 2019

Finlaystone Primary School Trip Booking Form 25 or more 2019

 

Secondary Schools 

We are now working with secondary school groups to help pupils achieve various awards and qualifications such as their SQAs courses or John Muir Award.  We can offer activities to fit in the Curriculum for Excellence such as Outdoor Education or Health and Wellbeing.  

Our Ranger Team have developed a Junior Ranger Programme.  This is a week-to-week course to provide training on ranger skills such as maintenance, conservation and events.   Finishing off with a certificate and pupil presentation.  

Cedar’s School of Excellence, Greenock have taken part in our Junior Ranger Programme previously.  Emma Rukin, Social Studies Teacher said “Thanks so much for yesterday afternoon – it was great fun!  The girls will really enjoy being outside for an afternoon a week, and in such lovely surroundings“.   

We also provide ranger-led activities for secondary schools including den builds and fire-lighting, team-building games, orienteering, obstacle course, renewables, ranger hikes, art in nature, seasonal scavenger hunts, flora and fauna ID and surveys. Further detail on these activities is available on request.

We would also like to work with teachers to create an outdoor classroom for maths, science, arts and geography. 

If you are interested in working with us or have any questions, call us on 01475 540505 or email info@finlaystone.co.uk – we are happy to help. 

To book a session with our ranger team, please complete and return the relevant form for your group if it’s under 24 pupils or over 25 pupils. 

Finlaystone Secondary School Booking Form 24 pupils or Less 2019

Finlaystone Secondary School Booking Form 25 Pupils or More 2019

 

Scouts, Brownies, Guide Groups 

We offer various activities for groups including our ranger-led activities and overnight stays.  To discuss please call 01475 540505.

Finlaystone Group Booking Form March 2019

Children’s Birthday Party Booking Form 2019

Hootenanny Price List for all events

What children have to say about their visit

 

Feedback 

We are consistently looking to improve the facilities and activities we provide.  Your feedback is welcomed and essential for us to do just that.

Please complete our Visitor Feedback Form.  We look forward to hearing from you.