Scotland · DAY TRIPS IN EDINBURGH

Top 15 Day Trips in Edinburgh

25 tours  ·  from $69

This is the shortlist you would hand a friend: 15 day trips in Edinburgh worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh - Perthshire and the Highland cows
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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

1.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74Our pick

Leave central Edinburgh with a local driver-guide and cross Perthshire, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, and Glencoe in one long day. You can add a Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle visit for £30 in cash. Guides such as Chris, Alan, Terry, Ben, and Jamie are praised for lively stories, while short stops mean snacks are wise.

“Steven B was great! Several photo stops and great information. Loch ness boat tour was a bit underwhelming but the rest of the tour was very scenic.”

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Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh - Midhope Castle, Jamie’s Lallybroch
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Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

2.Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,776 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Spend about nine and a half hours visiting five major Outlander filming locations from Edinburgh. Your English-speaking guide drives you to Midhope Castle, Doune Castle, Culross, Falkland, and Blackness Castle, adding Scottish history, filming facts, and occasional soundtrack fun along the way. Castle entry is optional, and the day runs at a steady pace in a small group.

“If you're an Outlander fan, this is an absolute MUST DO on your Scotland itinerary. We saw so many incredible places that were featured in key moments of the show. Our guide, Alistair, was an Outlander fan with lots of fun knowledge and played an excellent playlist as we were driving around. He kept us entertained and on schedule.”

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1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh - Tyndrum and the long road toward Rannoch Moor
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1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

3.1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Edinburgh into the West Highlands with an English-speaking guide such as Steve, Cara, Charlie, or Dusty. Visit Doune Castle, photograph Kilchurn Castle, stop in Tyndrum and Inveraray, admire Rest and Be Thankful, and finish in Luss. Expect a long day, narrow roads, changing weather, and plenty of scenery.

“Cancelled the night before an 8am all day tour. We can’t cancel within 24 hours but they can apparently. Created a wasted day in Edinburgh, I’d avoid this company in the future. We found out when we turned up at the office for our tour because their email system didn’t contact us. They were apologetic and showed us the email other people received and we showed them we didn’t get any alerts through email or Viator app so fair play. However we were told there were no options for other tours for the day when we asked and were told they’re not a tourist information center but we could walk…”

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Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh - Balmaha and Loch Lomond: beautiful, but not a long hike
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Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

4.Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned coach to the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, and Stirling. You get live commentary, a short lochside walk, and about two and a half hours in Stirling. The castle visit costs £17.50 extra, but adding it gives the day its strongest historical stop. Guides such as Sophie, Connor, Cara, and Thomas have been praised for lively storytelling.

“A wee bit of everything. Colossal Kelpies sculpture park, a delicious honeysuckle vanilla malt shop, a stroll along Loch Lomond, Brave Heart offerings, a castle featuring a wedding, Scottish tunes, a hip bus driver/guide. Great value!”

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The Outlander 1 Day Experience - Walking through Culross and Cranesmuir
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The Outlander 1 Day Experience

5.The Outlander 1 Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $81

Spend about eight hours touring Outlander locations from Edinburgh with a driver-guide. See Falkland, Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace, and Midhope Castle, with time for photos, lunch, and optional castle entries. Guides such as Ian, Bob, Brendan, and Brandon mix show facts with Scottish history.

“I don't have many characters to explain how terrible this day was, so I will separate my review into biased and unbiased information. You may form your own opinions. Unbiased information: - The sights were beautiful but we were very rushed. - The price for the tour does not include entry to every sight so expect to pay out of pocket. - The tour guide spent over 1 hour (honestly maybe more) speaking to the family behind him, broadcasting their conversation about tires, trucks, and college to the rest of the bus who were not involved in the conversation. If those things matter to you, they are things you should…”

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Harry Potter's Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip - Alnwick Castle, Hogwarts, and hands-on fun
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Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

6.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Edinburgh to Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream in a small group of up to 16 people. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving and adds stories about border history, Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Northumberland. Castle admission costs extra, and weatherproof shoes and clothing are wise.

“Flying on the broomstick. All the stories and cultural info from our guide. Good amount of time to enjoy the Alnwick castle. A very beautiful day and the guide/driver did a good safe job of driving in the wind and rain. Thank you.”

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Scotland's Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh - Through Lochs, glens, and Trossachs scenery
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Scotland’s Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

7.Scotland’s Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $90

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park to the Kelpies, Glenturret Distillery, Hermitage forest, and Dunkeld. Your English-speaking guide, such as Dusty, Louise, Paul, or Duncan, provides history and local stories. Whisky tasting and the distillery tour cost extra, and lunch is not included.

“Very much enjoyed seeing the Kelpies, the Glenturret distillery and the hermitage. Our knowledgeable guide, Cliff, made it educational, enjoyable and fun! Would absolutely do it again (or any other tour Cliff was leading),”

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1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour - Deanston Distillery begins the day with whisky
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1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

8.1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · 12 hours 25 minutes (approx.) · from $68Best value

Travel from Edinburgh in an air-conditioned coach with an English-speaking Hairy Coo driver-guide. Taste Deanston whisky, hear the story of Glencoe, see Ben Nevis, walk beside the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus, and stop in Pitlochry. The optional distillery tour costs extra, and the full day includes long hours on the road.

“What an amazing and memorable day! The Whisky Tour was interesting and samples were great. So much to see and many chances to take photos. Colin regaled us with fascinating and humorous stories from Scotland's rich history and also showed many spots made famous in films. Was a nice smaller group and a relaxing day. Would recommend to anyone.”

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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour - Edinburgh - Glencoe brings the drama
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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour – Edinburgh

9.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour – Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $93

Leave Edinburgh at 8:00 a.m. for Callander, Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Loch Shiel, returning after about 12 hours. A driver-guide such as Kyle, Finn, Jamie or Ron shares Scottish history, folklore and local tips from a maximum-16-seat mini-coach. Expect long drives, short walks, photo stops and a chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train from April to October.

“If you go before April note that the train is not running yet in glenfinnan. Arrive as soon as possibble so your tour can start earlier like our did and you will have more time at stops.”

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Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh - Kilchurn Castle and the story of Argyll
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Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

10.Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $81

Travel from Edinburgh into the West Highlands with a guide such as Rob, Chloe, Joe, or Jamie. See Loch Lomond, Luss, Kilchurn Castle, Oban, and Inveraray in one long day. Expect an air-conditioned vehicle, live stories, free time for seafood and McCaig’s Tower, and a busy schedule with plenty of road time.

“Overall the trip was ok, only thing is that I just wished there was a little more time in Oban. An 1 1/2 is just not enough to do the Oban distillery and see other attractions in the town.”

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Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo - Two hours at Glenturret Distillery
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Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo

11.Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews · from $296

Spend 14 hours exploring Stirling, the Kelpies, Glenturret Distillery, the Hermitage, Dunkeld, and the Forth Bridges before taking your reserved seat at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Guides such as Graham, Caitlin, Duncan, and Yvonne are known for lively stories, music, and practical help. Expect a full day with plenty of coach time.

“Baby Jamie was a terrific guide and made our tour a fantastic experience. Great sights, just enough commentary and info and an all around fun person to spend the day with!”

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Canyoning Day Trip from Edinburgh - Final verdict: should you book it?
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Canyoning Day Trip from Edinburgh

12.Canyoning Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 75 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $216

You’ll leave Edinburgh for a seven-hour canyoning adventure with pickup, equipment, and instruction included. Expect cliff jumps, natural waterslides, and abseiling down waterfalls. The activity suits fit adults, friend groups, and stag or hen parties. Guides focus on safety and help you tackle the route with confidence.

“Our guides were very amazing and professional. You felt safe the whole time and had a blast doing it.”

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Scottish Highland Games Day Trip from Edinburgh - Choosing the right date and destination
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Scottish Highland Games Day Trip from Edinburgh

13.Scottish Highland Games Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 70 reviews · from $151

Ride from Edinburgh to a seasonal Highland Games gathering, with a local English-speaking guide, entry ticket, and scenic stops along the way. Events run from late May through September at places such as Blair Atholl, Pitlochry, Crieff, and Braemar. Expect an early start, roughly 9 to 9.5 hours on the road, and outdoor viewing in changeable weather.

“Chris P our driver made the trip !!!!! He was funny kind accommodating ...he took our feelings and desires into account ... He played superb Scottish music ... I have already purchased two CDs he played music from ... He sang along to some songs ... He was very personable ! A plus job !!!!!!!!!”

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1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders - Holy Island and the tide-shaped schedule
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1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

14.1 Day Alnwick Castle, Holy Island & Scottish Borders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $82

Spend about 10 hours with a Hairy Coo driver-guide touring Holy Island, Alnwick Castle, Bamburgh, and the Scottish Borders from Edinburgh. Expect lively stories, regular comfort stops, changing plans around the tide, and time for Harry Potter sites, castle views, gardens, or Alnwick’s bookshops.

“Long journey into England. The guide Steve was friendly and helpful. Could have spent a little more time at Lindisfarne, but seeing Bamburgh at the end was a bonus. Plenty of time in Alnwick. Great tour for castle lovers.”

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Private One Day Highlands Tour of Scotland - Meeting the Highland coos
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Private One Day Highlands Tour of Scotland

15.Private One Day Highlands Tour of Scotland

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 10 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands in a private Mercedes Vito with a local driver-guide such as Andy, Rowan, Stewart, Jeff, or Kenny. You’ll pass the Kelpies, visit Doune Castle, feed Highland cattle, see Balquhidder and Glencoe, and stop at the Three Sisters. The 240-mile route offers flexibility, but expect plenty of time on the road.

“Rowan was a fabulous guide - entertaining, charming and funny! The tour to the Three Sisters was a beautiful drive including castles, lochs, a bit of the Highlands and a wonderful spot for lunch. We could not have asked for a better tour.”

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New in Day Trips in Edinburgh

★ 4.5City Escape: Loch Ness Private Day TripFrom $893 reviews
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★ 5.0Stone & Story: Rosslyn Chapel & Melrose Abbey Private Day TripFrom $53011 reviews

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