Day Trips from Edinburgh to Scotland

Take a personalized tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness on this day trip to the Scottish Highlands. See wooded lochs and tucked-away villages as you journey through spectacular scenery en route to Glencoe and Fort Augustus. Enjoy an optional boat tour in search of the Loch Ness Monster and traverse the picturesque Cairngorms National Park. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers.

An Edinburgh bus tour is the perfect way to hear commentary on city sights and get a panoramic overview. This City Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh lets you hop on and off at several strategically placed stops as many times as you like. Board the open-top double-decker bus and travel the entire route, or stop at Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum and many more. Buses depart regularly and tickets are valid for 24 hours from first use.

See the best of Scotland in one action-packed day on this Glencoe, Loch Ness and the Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Pass Stirling Castle on route to Kilmahog with a guide, then continue through Rannoch Moor to the soaring Highland peaks of Glen Coe. Head along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William and gaze over Ben Nevis — Scotland’s highest mountain. Enjoy free time to explore Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, and learn the famous legend of Nessie! Visit Inverness, then travel through the mighty Grampian Mountains to Edinburgh.

This full-day Scottish Highlands tour takes you on a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness. The journey travels by coach across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and through the Great Glen to Fort Augustus, where you’re treated to a locally made picnic lunch. Take an optional boat ride on the legendary loch in search of ‘Nessie’ before the return trip over the Drumochter Pass and through the forests and rivers of Highland Perthshire, with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.

Guarantee entrance to one of Edinburgh's most popular attractions, and skip the ticket line by pre-booking your admission to the Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Choose your allotted time (morning, evening, or all-day) and get ready to enjoy the spectacle of mind-bending illusions and hands-on exhibits.

Edinburgh is known for its dark past, and this evening walking tour is the original one to showcase the city's historically sinister and spooky side. Discover the hidden ‘wynds’ (alleys) and closes of the Old Town as you learn their mysteries and horrors; visit the ghost-ridden Greyfriars Kirkyard; and explore the city’s underground vaults to uncover their spirits and secrets. Your tour is led by a creepily costumed guide.

Journey through Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on the capital city. Discover the stories and sites of witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions, and hear about local monsters that live in urban myth. Then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous interred.

Enjoy a unique experience visiting some of the most charming places in Scotland: Glencoe, Ben Nevis, Great Glen and, of course, Loch Ness. This is the best value for money tour you can book in Scotland!

Take in top natural attractions including Glencoe, Ben Nevis, and Loch Ness on this day trip from Edinburgh. Pass the iconic Stirling Castle en route through the Trossachs, then head onto Glencoe—a region steeped in history. Explore Fort William and Ben Nevis with a guide, then follow the Great Glen to the village of Fort Augustus. After lunch on the shores of Loch Ness, pass Loch Laggan and stop for a stroll in a Highland village.

Marvel at Scotland’s rural majesty on this 3-day Isle of Skye and Highlands tour from Edinburgh. Admire Loch Lomond and Eilean Donan Castle; and discover the relaxed lifestyle of Skye, with a stroll around the harbor town of Portree and a whisky tasting. Plus, explore Culloden Battlefield to learn of Scotland’s Jacobite Rising; visit Urquhart Castle, and cruise on Loch Ness. Some entry tickets are at your own expense.

Escape the city and see some of Edinburgh’s lesser-known sights on a boat cruise that takes you to Inchcolm Island, home to both a medieval abbey and a colony of sea lions and seals. As well as escaping the crowds on land, you’ll bag the best views of the famous Three Bridges.

Soak up the majesty of northwest Scotland on a full-day trip through the West Highlands and Oban from Edinburgh. With a friendly guide, see some of the world’s most stunning scenery from the green hills of seaside Oban to the lochs and mountain peaks of Trossachs National Park. See landmarks like Kilchurn Castle, visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scots such as Robert the Bruce.

Soak up Scotland’s majestic countryside on a full-day tour of Highlands from Edinburgh. Aboard a comfortable coach, stop at Loch Lomond, the largest inland body of water in Great Britain. Wind through Trossachs National Park, spotted with moors, lochs and jutting peaks, and on to Stirling Castle, coronation place of Mary, Queen of Scots. Explore the grounds or purchase an optional tour of the castle’s opulent interior rooms. On the return journey to Edinburgh, the tour stops at the Kelpies. The world's largest equine sculptures dedicated to the horse-powered heritage of Central Scotland, designed by Andy Scott.

Venture to the Scottish Highlands and spend two nights on the Isle of Skye, including a steam train ride on The Jacobite of the West Highland Railway Line — aka the ‘Hogwarts Express’ of Harry Potter fame. This 3-day guided trip from Edinburgh takes you through Cairngorms National Park to regional highlights such as the Old Man of Storr and the Cuillin Mountains. Visit Eilean Donan Castle, ride the ferry to Mallaig and stop at the legendary Loch Ness. Enjoy daily breakfasts during your hotel or B&B stay in Portree.

Explore Stirling Castle, the Trossachs National Park, and Loch Lomond on this adventurous day tour from Edinburgh. Take a glimpse into Glasgow’s industrial past on route to beautiful Loch Lomond, and admire fine views over rugged Ben Lomond. Travel into the Trossachs National Park with a guide then, explore the ancient streets of Stirling and discover top attractions such as the mighty Stirling Castle—widely considered among Scotland’s most important fortresses.

Even if you’ve only got limited time in Edinburgh, its still possible to see the breadth of the city’s natural landscapes. Cover more sights in less time during a 3-hour bike ride which takes you from Arthur’s Seat to the beaches of Portobello and the Port of Leith. Plus, you’ll be able to choose between an electric or manual bike depending on your fitness level.

This walking tour of Edinburgh is a great choice for first-time visitors who want to get their bearings of the city and learn more about its history. By exploring the city with a guide, you’ll be able to stop looking at a map and focus on enjoying the sites around you. Your guide will teach you about secret places locals love, as well as the Old Town’s most famous sites. Highlights include St. Giles’ Cathedral, the Mercat Cross, Edinburgh Castle, and much more. 

The Isle of Skye is the largest of Scotland’s Hebrides Islands and this multi-day tour from Edinburgh ensures you take in all the highlights. Admire natural wonders such as Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis; visit Lealt Falls, Dunvegan Castle, and Kilt Rock on the Isle of Skye; and see Eilean Donan Castle, where 'Highlander' was filmed.

Travel from Edinburgh to St. Andrews and Fife on this day trip from Edinburgh. Cross the Forth Road Bridge into the Kingdom of Fife and pass by the coastal villages of East Neuk. Then pay homage to the town of St. Andrews, home to Scotland's oldest university and the Old Course where golf is routinely played. Driving in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, see Falkland and the Lomond Hills. Enjoy a small-group tour, limited to 16 people, for a memorable and personalized experience.

See the best of medieval yet modern Edinburgh on this walking tour with optional skip-the-line access to Edinburgh Castle. As you walk, listen as your guide shares the history of this formidable city with ancient Roman roots and UNESCO-listed pockets. Explore atmospheric cobbled walkways along the Royal Mile, breeze into Edinburgh Castle to witness royal opulence (if option selected), and pass iconic locations like St. Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square, and John Knox House.

Immerse yourself in the rugged peninsular landscapes of the Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands on this 3-day trip from Edinburgh. During your visit to Scotland's wild northwest coast, you’re driven through the Highlands, including stops at Glencoe and Loch Ness. Stay overnight with daily breakfasts in the harbor town of Portree, where you find local pubs and have plenty of time to explore the Isle of Skye with your guide. Numbers are limited to 16 people on this small-group tour, ensuring a personalized experience.

Journey to the frontier of ancient Rome on this full-day tour of Hadrian’s Wall and the Scottish borders from Edinburgh. First up is a tour of the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel, famously featured in ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and renowned for its mysterious stone carvings and unique architecture. After lunch (not included), stop at Melrose Abbey, the burial site of King Robert the Bruce’s heart, and look out over the English border from Cheviot Hills, before walking along the UNESCO-listed Hadrian’s Wall.

Discover the Scottish Highlands on a leisurely 2-day trip from Edinburgh that includes overnight accommodation at a hotel or bed & breakfast. Visit two of Scotland’s most popular spots—Loch Ness and Inverness—during scenic drives among pine forests, dramatic castles and charming villages, with an optional boat ride on Loch Ness. Travel in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a small group limited to 16 passengers for a personalized experience with your informative guide.

On our Highland Lochs, Glens & Castles tour from Edinburgh we will take you to some of the best scenery Scotland has to offer. Majestic mountains tumble down to shimmering lochs and castles, while glens tell tragic tales of centuries gone by. You will have the opportunity to visit a castle or two and we’ll also have the chance to get some photos of castle ruins. We visit the picturesque highland village of Luss which sits on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond with views to Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro.