Edinburgh for The Three Generations: a Friday-to-Monday weekend

Flat paths and benches below the castle rock, the Ross Fountain and the floral clock; the gardens are the city's front lawn and everyone can sit.

Lifts to every floor, free entry, and a room each of Titian, Raeburn's skating minister and the Scottish colourists; an hour is enough.

A ground-floor Italian room in a former bank with long tables, pasta for the children and a good Barolo for the grandparents.

Lifts to each deck, an audio guide at every age, the Queen's bedroom and the Rolls-Royce in its garage; tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room.

Stovies, cullen skink and a children's menu at long tables on a pontoon over the old dock; book the inside room if it rains.

The 2023 tram line from the harbour back to Princes Street, level boarding and a seat at the front window for the children.

Lifts and benches throughout, the gardens on the flat, and Mary Queen of Scots' rooms for the grandparents to explain to the children.

A small tearoom on the Canongate, a short walk from the palace gate: soup, sandwiches and cake for the whole family. Go before two and ask for the biggest table.

The science centre with a lift to every gallery and a time machine ride the eight-year-olds will replay for the rest of the trip.

Level paths, benches every fifty metres and squirrels for the children; the John Hope Gateway has a lift and a café for the first stop.

A red sandstone palace with a lift, the Great Hall's processional frieze of Scots through the ages, and faces the grandparents will recognise.

Soup, scones and sandwiches in the gallery café with the museum next door for the children between courses, then a taxi to the airport.