Top Scotland Day Trips

Experience rugged and mythical Scotland on this full-day trip from Glasgow. In a small group, explore the Scottish Highlands, Cairngorms National Park, and the famous Loch Ness with ease, as round-trip mini-coach transport is included. At Loch Ness—the fabled home of the elusive water monster, Nessie—you can benefit from the perk of having a Loch Ness cruise included.

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.

Venture beyond Edinburgh to wind your way through the Scottish Highlands—without tackling tricky rural roads yourself—and marvel at the majesty of Cairngorms National Park and the mysterious Loch Ness. Spot the famous Urquhart Castle en route and hear about legendary warfare like the battles of William Wallace and the massacre of Glen Coe in the 17th century.

Explore the landscape and legends of Loch Ness and the Highlands on a sightseeing tour from Inverness. Take a cruise across the legendary loch to see Urquhart Castle and embark on an easy-going walk from Invermoriston to see lush forests and waterfalls. This Highlands tour includes pickup and drop-off at a central location in Inverness, and is limited to 16 people for personal service.

Travel northwest from Edinburgh on this small-group tour for an unforgettable day of stunning mountains, lochs, and ancient Scottish castles. We will take you through historic Stirlingshire, once home to the ancient capital of Scotland, through the vast Trossachs National Park and ultimately, the West Highlands. Discover the picturesque villages of Inveraray and Luss, visit Kilchurn Castle on the glassy shores of Loch Awe, and enjoy gorgeous views of the Scottish Highlands throughout. *Winter itinerary update: Doune Castle will be a photo stop only until 31 March 2027, with an extended visit to Kilchurn Castle and an additional stop at The Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculpture. Inveraray Castle is closed for the winter season from 27 October 2026 until late March 2027. Entry to Inveraray Castle is not available during this period.

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.

*Outlander* locations are widely spread around Scotland but this guided tour allows you to visit many without the hassle of driving or puzzling over train and bus timetables. See castles and ancient villages made famous by the Outlander series and discover why the real locations are as exciting as the show itself. Note that some castles may be closed on certain dates and alternative attractions will be visited instead.

While there are lots of historic sights to explore in Edinburgh, there’s so much more to experience outside of the city. On this full-day tour, choose to explore a traditional whisky distillery to learn how one of Scotland’s most popular beverages gets made, or head to Blackness Castle to hear the role the stronghold played in local history.

Getting around the Scottish Highlands can be tricky on your own, but you can discover the highlights on this day tour from Inverness. Ideal for those with limited time to explore, this tour takes you to multiple attractions in just one day, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct (a must-see for Harry Potter™ fans) the fishing village of Mallaig, the impressive Falls of Foyer, and the world-famous Loch Ness.

Venture beyond Glasgow city limits—and explore some of the Highlands’ wildest and most beautiful scenery—on this full-day excursion. In the morning, set off from central Glasgow in a comfortable mini-coach. Spy Loch Lomond before stopping at the village of Glencoe, ringed by dramatic, mountainous scenery. Next, see the Silver Sands of Morar, explore the town of Mallaig, visit the Glenfinnan Viaduct (made famous by the Harry Potter movies), and more.

Discover more about Scottish history on this guided walking tour of Edinburgh Castle. Walk up the Royal Mile with your guide while learning about the castle's 3,000-year history and its role in Scottish heritage. Explore the castle grounds with detailed insights into key features like the one o'clock gun and Argyle Battery, gaining a deeper understanding than a casual visitor.

Swap the crowded tour bus for a more intimate experience of the magnificent Isle of Skye. This private day tour from Portree takes you to the island's most magical landscapes and landmarks, including the Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, and Dunvegan Castle and Gardens. Bring your walking shoes as there are lots of opportunities to wander.

Discover Scotland’s dramatic landscapes and history on this full-day tour from Glasgow. In a small group, travel to Stirling Castle, former home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and learn about the legendary battles that took place there. Then explore Loch Lomond and enjoy a 1-hour cruise on its scenic waters.

If you only have one day to journey into the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh, don't waste time or effort navigating public transport or renting a car. This guided tour takes you from the capital to the "bonnie banks" of Loch Lomond, the village of Luss and some of the country's finest castles and glens.

Even if you have only a short time to explore Scotland, you can discover the best of the Scottish Highlands on this day trip from Edinburgh. Head north for the haunting valley of Glencoe. See the enigmatic Glenfinnan Viaduct, known from the Harry Potter movies, explore Fort William, and spend time in the charming village of Pitlochry.

Explore Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle (admission tickets own expense)—and delve into the world of William Wallace, Robert the Bruce, and Rob Roy—on this multi-part tour from Edinburgh that checks off many top sights and experiences. Additionally, head through the Trossachs National Park to the Highland village of Balloch, upgrade for a lake cruise, see the famous Kelpies statues, and more.

Get out of the city and see several of Scotland's top attractions in just one day on this tour from Glasgow. Skip the hassle of renting a car or navigating public transit and admire the largest equine sculptures in the world, the Kelpies; see "Outlander" filming locations in Culross and Falkland; and explore the home of golf, St. Andrews.

Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Scottish Highlights, without the stress of driving country roads. This small-group tour from Edinburgh takes you to Trossachs National Park, Glencoe, and Loch Ness. Soak up the scenery as you journey through dramatic landscapes, make plenty of photo stops, and enjoy the freedom to explore Fort Augustus, set on the banks of Loch Ness, at your own pace.

Walk in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire on this guided tour of "Outlander" filming locations around Scotland, departing from Glasgow. See where scenes from the TV show were shot as you visit the castles of Blackness, Midhope, and Doune (stand ins for Fort William, Lallybroch, and Castle Leoch, respectively) and the historic town of Falkland, setting for one of the show's most memorable moments.

Explore the Highlands as you travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe to the Glenfinnan Viaduct. The spectacular scenery features filming locations from Skyfall, Highlander and Harry Potter. Explore Glenfinnan and enjoy the panoramic views. Take your time to capture great photos and even view the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the viaduct (April - October only).

Discover the village Glencoe, Loch Ness, and more of Scotland’s Highlands with a guide to take you on a day of sightseeing. See Loch Lomond, Ben Nevis, Fort Augustus, and more, with your eventful itinerary already sorted thanks to your local guide. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and soak up the Scottish scenery.

Discover Scotland's majestic Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh without the hassle of renting a car or navigating public transit. History buffs can see the sites of historic events such as the Jacobite Uprisings, while pop culture fans can check off Harry Potter filming locations, including the Glenfinnan Viaduct and Glencoe. Along the way, soak up views of mountains and lochs and round out your day by meeting Scotland's native Highland cows.

See the best of Scotland in one action-packed day on this tour from Edinburgh. Rather than focusing on the road and missing out on the scenery the Highlands' is so famous for, you can admire Stirling Castle, Rannoch Moor, and the soaring peaks of Glen Coe while someone else drives. Head along the banks of Loch Linnhe to Fort William and enjoy free time to explore Loch Ness.

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.