Top Edinburgh Outdoor Activities - page 3

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.

Make exploring beyond Edinburgh city limits easy—and see the best of the Scottish Highlands, all in one day—on this comprehensive day tour. Begin with a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness; upgrade to cruise the lake and look out for Nessie. Then, continue to other highlights including Glen Coe and Fort Augustus, admiring additional attractions from Stirling Castle to Ben Nevis along the route.

Delve into Scotland’s rich history and heritage on this tour from Edinburgh. Head from the Royal Mile over the UNESCO–listed Forth Bridge to Dunfermline with a guide, and explore the Abbey Kirk — burial place of Robert the Bruce. See where the Battle of Bannockburn raged and learn of Scotland’s struggle for independence. Take in top local attractions including Stirling Castle. Then, visit Rosslyn Chapel before returning to Edinburgh.

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.

Check off Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Have a photo stop at one of the largest equine sculptures in the world—The Kelpies, then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. Finally, enjoy the perk of having admission to Stirling Castle included so you can go on an interior tour.

Skip the hassle of planning logistics independently and enhance your experience of Scotland’s spectacular Highlands on a 3-day guided trip to the Isle of Skye from Edinburgh. Immerse yourself in the windswept landscapes and local legends of the Scottish Highlands as you visit the county of Dunkeld, famed for its association with Shakespeare’s "Macbeth," and Loch Ness, home to the mythical Loch Ness monster, then discover the dramatic beauty of the Isle of Skye.

Discover many of Scotland’s top attractions in one day—and enjoy a flexible, budget-friendly way to travel—on this full-day, small-group tour from Edinburgh. Set off via coach and head to the Kelpies: the largest equine sculpture in the world. Next, see scenic Loch Lomond with the chance to enjoy a cruise on its waters before a stop at Trossachs National Park. Finish the day with a visit to Stirling Castle. Note: all entrance tickets, boat ride, and lunch are at your own expense.

Soak up Scotland’s majestic countryside on a small-group day tour of the Highlands from Edinburgh. Cover several of the region's highlights on one tour without the need to plan an itinerary. See Loch Lomond, Trossachs National Park, and Stirling Castle, the coronation place of Mary, Queen of Scots. You have the flexibility to explore the grounds or purchase an optional tour of the castle’s interiors.

Listen to Edinburgh’s grisliest tales on a haunted evening or night-time walking tour. Experience the ghastly histories of monsters, madness, and murder that cast a dark shadow on Scotland’s capital. See where witch trials, pagan rituals, and executions took place, then visit the chilling Old Calton Burial Ground or Canongate Kirkyard cemetery to learn about body-snatching and some of the infamous individuals interred here.

Swap the rush of standard group tours for the chance to explore Edinburgh's history-packed Royal Mile at your own pace. Open this audioguide on your smartphone and let it lead you to the most-important landmarks while filling you in on the stories behind each. With your personal guide in hand, see the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Giles' Cathedral, and Edinburgh Castle, and explore narrow medieval lanes and a unique double-level street.

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.

This 'Harry Potter' walking tour gets fans closer to spots in Edinburgh that inspired J.K Rowling’s famous books. Walk past key sites that inspired places such as Diagon Alley, and even see the cafes and hotels where the writer wrote her book series. Your guide knows the quickest ways to get around the city on foot to fit more into your time, as well as fun facts about Harry Potter.

Experience the legend and mystery of Rosslyn Chapel and its links to the “Da Vinci Code” and the Holy Grail on this tour from Edinburgh. In a small group, travel to the charming town of Melrose and through the Scottish borderlands. Explore Melrose Abbey and Rosslyn Chapel, and hear intriguing tales of Cistercian monks, the Knights Templar, and Robert the Bruce.

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.

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.

Uncover the mysteries of Loch Ness on a day trip from Edinburgh that saves you the hassle of car hire. Set out north along Scotland's West Coast to experience one of the country's most iconic lochs. En route, pass some incredible sights as someone else takes the wheel, including the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, Ben Nevis, and dramatic Highlands landscapes. Your guide regales you with stories about the area that you won't find in the guidebook.

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.

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.

Discover one of Scotland’s most important landmarks—and take the guesswork out of sightseeing—on this tour of Edinburgh Castle, with entry tickets conveniently included. Start on the Royal Mile, follow a path used by royalty, and enter the castle grounds. Discover highlights including the medieval Mons Meg cannon, learn about the fortress and its connection to Mary, Queen of Scots, and explore hidden corners you’d otherwise overlook.

Treat yourself to a day of whisky appreciation on a full-day tasting trip from Edinburgh. Wind through the Scottish Lowlands to a historic whisky-producing region, and visit Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery for informative tasting sessions and tours. Discover the centuries-old tradition of Scottish whisky production, view warehouses stocked with aged casks and marvel at the quiet beauty of Loch Lomond.

Explore the highlands in style and comfort on this private day tour. See important landmarks that range from the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge, Loch Tulla, Glencoe Valley, and the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct, as seen in the Harry Potter films. Your tour also makes a stop at a whisky distillery to gain insight into this important part of Scottish culture. This is a private tour with flexible stops and timings, ideal if you would like to experience the wilderness of Scotland but have time constraints.

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, home to Britain's highest mountain, 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.

Swap the city streets of Edinburgh for Scotland’s stunning natural landscapes on a bike tour of the Highlands. Depending on your fitness level, choose between a manual or electric mountain bike, and follow a route past Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park along a disused railway line. Plus, hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

Explore Scotland's rugged countryside and sample the nation's favorite beverage on this guided Highlands and whisky tour from Edinburgh. Make photo stops in quaint villages and at natural attractions including dense forests, sparkling rivers, and tall waterfalls as you head north toward Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery for a tour and taste.