Top Edinburgh Outdoor Activities

Experience the beauty of rural Scotland on a full-day tour of the West Highlands—with its lochs, mountains, and castles—from Edinburgh. Visit Doune Castle (all admissions own expense), admire fine views over shimmering lakes and soaring peaks, and enjoy free time and a visit to the castle in Inveraray. Then, head onward to Kilchurn Castle—one of Scotland's prettiest castles.

Escape the bustle of Edinburgh for a full-day private tour of the central Highlands. See castles, waterfalls, and historic villages as your local guide takes care of the driving. Customize the itinerary according to your personal interests, including a possible stop at a whisky distillery. Get personalized advice on where to eat traditional food. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included.

Get a comprehensive look at Scotland without spending days bogged down by planning on a 5-day journey through its inspiring landscapes. Explore the Lowlands, Northern Highlands, West Coast, and the Isle of Skye without worrying about driving or hauling luggage on public transport. Glean more from landmarks than you would alone, with guide commentary rooted in local culture and history.

Delve into the city's storied past as you navigate its labyrinthine streets, guided by a fountain of historical knowledge. Along The Royal Mile, pass by landmarks like Mercat Cross and St Giles Cathedral, delving into the city's origins and the reverberations of the Reformation. Explore the Writers' Museum, housed within a venerable edifice, to unravel the tales of Scotland's literary luminaries. Behold the majestic Edinburgh Castle, steeped in centuries of history, and traverse the once macabre grounds of Grassmarket, now a testament to the Covenanters' fight for religious freedom. Journey to Greyfriars Kirkyard, where the gates of Covenanters Prison stand witness to the city's dark past of body snatching, before being uplifted by the heartwarming saga of Greyfriars Bobby. Conclude your odyssey at Calton Hill, basking in panoramic vistas that crown your immersion into the cultural tapestry of Old Town Edinburgh.

Escape the bustle of Edinburgh and discover the dramatic landscapes of northwest Scotland on a small-group, full-day trip through the West Highlands and Oban. Travel west with a local guide and enjoy stress-free sightseeing as you pass lochs, mountains, moorlands, and rugged coastline—without the pressure of self-driving on unfamiliar roads. Stop to explore charming villages such as Luss and Inveraray, and along the way, admire landmarks such as Kilchurn Castle. As you travel, hear captivating stories from Scottish history and gain local insight.

Planning a multi-day journey through the Scottish Highlands and the Isle of Skye can be challenging, especially when it involves long drives and accommodation logistics. However, this 3-day tour from Edinburgh takes care of everything for you—so you can focus on making the most of the sweeping Highland scenery. Along the way, gain insight into Scotland’s past at locations such as Culloden Battlefield, and choose to enhance your experience with an optional cruise on Loch Ness and entry to Urquhart Castle.

See a different side of Edinburgh—from the seat of a pushbike! Set off on a cycling tour of Edinburgh led by your local and knowledgeable guide, and see Craigmillar Castle and Arthur’s Seat as you whizz by. Pass through the Victorian railway tunnel into Holyrood Park and see where the Scottish Parliament is now held. Push on out of the city and you’ll be rewarded with views of the sea as you head towards the coast.

- Approx. 3-4 hour experience (full 18-hole round) - Play on a scenic course with stunning city views - Enjoy a relaxed round with a welcoming local golfer - Club & buggy hire included - just show up and play - Perfect for solo golfers or pairs (max. 2 players) - Option to enjoy a drink with your playing partner after the round Whether you're ticking off another course on your list or just want to enjoy a friendly round while on holiday, this is a must-do golf experience in Edinburgh. Book now and tee off in Scotland’s capital!

Explore further afield without having to worry about hiring a car or navigating unfamiliar roads on a tour that reveals attractions that lie outside of Edinburgh’s city center. This private tour comes with the flexibility to tweak your route and itinerary to include historic castles and chapel, scenic natural landscapes, or art galleries and antique stores.

Explore the best of Scotland on this small-group day tour from Edinburgh. Travel in an air-conditioned vehicle while getting a glimpse into Glasgow’s industrial past en route to beautiful Loch Lomond, and admire fine views over rugged Ben Lomond. Journey into Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park with a guide, then explore the ancient streets of Stirling and discover top attractions such as the mighty Stirling Castle (admission at additional cost).

Discover the rugged beauty and cultural splendor of the Scottish Borders on a day trip from Edinburgh. Aboard a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, visit the market town of Kelso and the magnificent Alnwick Castle, a featured film setting in Downton Abbey and the Harry Potter Series. Soak up the beauty of Northumberland as you make a final stop at the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Whether you want the challenge of a mountain bike or the ease of an e-bike, choose your weapon and set off on an action-packed tour of Edinburgh and its surrounding areas. In just a few hours, see more of Edinburgh than you could alone with your guide, who takes you through Cramond village and along the Firth of Forth. Cycle over the Forth Road Bridge, and pass by a castle on your way back.

Swap the tour bus for two wheels and get a closer look at Edinburgh. This small-group cycling tour takes you around the Scottish capital to places most tourists miss. Pedal your way from Craigmillar Castle to the charming Dean Village, the cosmopolitan Leith district, and seaside Portobello to experience Edinburgh off the tourist trail. E-bike rental is available for £25.

Take a break from the typical Edinburgh tourist trail and step into Edinburgh's dark past with an outdoor escape room experience that plunges you into the sinister legacy of the city’s most notorious murderers, Burke and Hare. Follow an historical map that takes you through Old Town's cobbled streets to real locations from the case. Uncover clues and secrets hidden in plain sight and solve physical escape room puzzles as you race against time to prevent another murder.

This hike takes you out and immerses you in nature but still within close distance of the city. You get a taste of what it's like to hike in the Highlands without having to travel so far. You'll learn a bit about plants, animals, and geology, as well as some history and culture of the area. We might even see the local Highland cows! As well as learning new things, you'll get a great workout, some fresh air, and a break from the crowds in the city. I'm a fully qualified professional hiking guide and a landscape photographer leading tours and outings across Scotland. I'm outdoor first aid certified and ensure that everyone is able to do the hike safely and comfortably. I have a background in environment and sustainability, so I can also tell you about conservation and wildlife initiatives in Scotland as well as biodiversity and land management issues. I always try to reduce our impact and we follow Leave No Trace principles.

We are awarded 'VisitScotland’s 2026 Best Outdoor Experience' — and we’re proud to be the only cycle tour company in Scotland to have received this award. Our cycle tours avoid busy roads, with small groups of no more than 10. Enjoy a relaxed, low-impact, low-carbon way to explore Edinburgh, with passionate, qualified guides who love sharing Scotland’s history, culture and stories. Our e-bikes suit riders of different heights and make cycling around Arthur’s Seat easier, so you can enjoy the scenery without worrying about the hills. UK regulations require riders to be 14 or older to ride an e-bike. Rain or shine! Scottish weather is all part of the experience. Please bring a waterproof jacket and embrace the Scottish weather. All riders must be able to ride a bike safely and confidently. For safety reasons, you may refuse participation if a rider is unable to do so. No refund will be available in these circumstances. Come and have fun with Scotland’s 2026 Best Outdoor Experience!

If you can't leave Scotland without playing a round of golf, allow this private tour to take care of all the logistics. From Edinburgh, your personal driver takes you to Stirling Golf Club, one of Scotland's oldest and most picturesque clubs, where you can play 18 holes with a stunning backdrop of the hills of the Highlands and Stirling Castle.

Discover the beauty of the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye all year round over five days with this tour from Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in the region's natural beauty, history, and legends passed down through centuries. Venture through mighty Glen Coe, cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct aboard the Jacobite Steam Train (April to October), explore ancient castles, and discover the Isle of Skye at its most peaceful and enchanting time of year.

Swap the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh's busy streets for the fresh air and sights of the Scottish countryside. This canyoning adventure will have you jumping off cliffs, zooming down natural waterslides, and abseiling down waterfalls. An adrenaline fueled outdoor experience, ideal for thrill-seekers and groups celebrating special occasions, such as bachelor or bachelorette parties.

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.

Lace up your running shoes and explore Edinburgh on foot. This private running tour takes you are the Scottish capital at your own pace and ensures that you see all of the most important city landmarks before tackling the challenging climb up Arthur's Seat for a panoramic view of the city skyline.

Cover plenty of ground and see the best of the Scottish Highlands—including the Isle of Skye—on this comprehensive 4-day, 3-night guided tour from Edinburgh. Skip the hassle of having to plan an itinerary yourself, and journey through the West Highlands to learn about Scotland's fascinating people, places, and history. See the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct, spend time aboard the Jacobite Steam Train, visit Loch Ness—keep an eye out for its mythical monster—enjoy unbeatable photo ops in Glencoe, and so much more.

Skip the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads and see much more of the Scottish Highlands than you could alone on a private day tour from Edinburgh. Led by your local guide in a luxury minivan, learn about the history and mythology of the Highlands as you pass by mountains and glens. See Stirling Castle on your journey—and hear about the Scottish royals who once lived there—and the sites of famous battles nearby.

Embark on an outdoor adventure without venturing far from Edinburgh. This day tour from the capital takes you into the Ochil Hills and to Dollar Canyon for a vertical adventure that includes jumps, waterslides, and abseils. One of Scotland's best canyons, Dollar is perfect for first-timers and experienced canyoners alike.