It may be the summer holidays, but for many children the spell of school is still strong. Anne Shade explains

ARE your kids missing the discipline and routine of term time? The answer is likely to be a resounding ``no'' - except among P1s and P2s, who frequently start playing ``schools'' as soon as the holidays begin. Even as you read this, it's likely that hundreds of tiny tots around the country are instructing their dolls and teddies in the three Rs!

Playing at schools is not restricted to the infants though. At Scotland Street School, kids can sample the strict regime of a Victorian-style school day. After donning a uniform, ``pupils'' take their places at the old-fashioned desks and are taught their lessons by ``Miss Baxter'' - who does not take kindly to mistakes, mumbled answers, or fidgeting.

The other reconstructed classrooms in the school are sure to look familiar to parents and grandparents - but the straight rows of wooden desks and big dusty blackboards still look rather forbidding compared to the informal style of schools today.

Scotland Street School, 255 Scotland Street, Glasgow, is open Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, and on Sunday from 2-5pm, and entry is free - on Victorian school days, July 16-21 and August 6-11, entry is #1. Telephone: 0141 429 1202.

n IN direct contrast to Scotland Street School, the atmosphere at the Almond Valley Heritage Centre is very relaxed and easy-going. Although children come here to have fun, they end up learning about traditional farming methods and various scientific principles without even realising it. A good programme of craft and science sessions has been put together for the holidays. And with titles like ``Buttery Business'', ``Pigment Power'', ``Wicks and Wax'', ``Whirlies and Birlies'', ``Fossil Factory'' and ``Wooly Ways'', they'll be wanting to go to every one!

Educational activities aside, be sure to allow sufficient time for the children to explore the working water mill, pet the goats, kids, calves, chickens, ducks and turkeys which wander freely around the farm yard, and watch cows being milked. Other attractions include an ``Oilshale Adventure Zone'', tractor and trailer rides, and a nature trail, while tiny tots have exclusive use of the pedal tractors and a new soft play farm.

Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield, Livingston, is open daily, 10am-5pm, #2.20, children #1.10, #1 extra per child for special holiday activities, daily sessions at 11am, 2pm and 4pm; telephone: 01506 414957.

n OLDER kids might well be inspired to do something artistic with flowers after a visit to the Priorwood Everlasting Flower Garden. Around 100 varieties of flowers are grown here and the shop has wonderful dried flower arrangements in a huge range of colour combinations. These can be pricey so look out for the leaflets explaining how to do-it-yourself. With a little practice, they will soon be churning out birthday and Christmas presents faster than they can be given away!

The adjoining walled garden is full of wild flowers and old apple trees which document the development of apples from Roman times to the present day - and it makes a delightful spot for a picnic lunch.

Priorwood Everlasting Flower Garden, Abbey Street, Melrose, is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5.30pm, and on Sunday from 1.30-5.30pm. Entry is free. Telephone: 01896 822965.

n CHILDREN of all ages will wax lyrical about Isle of Bute Candles. Inspired by watching professional candle-makers at work, children can try making their own works of art. First of all, they build up a candle by dipping it into different coloured waxes. When this has cooled sufficiently, they carefully carve and twist the soft wax to reveal the layers of colour. Don't make the mistake of assuming that boys won't be interested - there's nothing to stop them making a candle that ties in with the colours of their favourite football team!

Isle of Bute Candles, West Princes Street, Rothesay, is open from Monday to Saturday, 10am-5pm, and on Sunday from 1-5pm. Candle-making, including materials and a certificate, costs #1. Telephone: 01700 505357.

n THIS is a great time of year to go dolphin spotting around the Beauly Firth. The Dolphin and Seal Centre offers one of the best vantage points - and if your visit coincides with the rising tide you are almost guaranteed to see a school of bottle-nosed dolphins. It's not unusual to see 10 or 20, and on a good day you might see as many as 30 close in to the shore.

The centre has interactive computers which can be used to learn about these fascinating creatures, and hydrophones have been set up so you can listen to them communicating. Binoculars are available too - but it's often easier to watch large groups of dolphins with the naked eye.

Seals are also regular visitors to the area. If you want to see them on land, the wardens at the centre will give you instructions on how to get to their nearest haul-out point, a couple of miles along the coast.

Dolphin and Seal Centre, Tourist Information Centre car park, North Kessock, two miles north of Inverness, is open daily from 9.30am-7.30pm, #1, children 50p (allows re-admission all summer); telephone: 01463731866.

Anne Shade is the author of Scotland for Kids (Mainstream #9.99).