The 12 Best Day Trips from Edinburgh

1.Glenfinnan, Glencoe, and Highlands Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,067 reviews · 12 hours · from $66Our pick

Spend 12 hours with Timberbush Tours visiting Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and parts of the Cairngorms from Edinburgh. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Adam, Morag, Mark, or Alistair, brings the roads to life with Scottish history, music, film facts, and local stories. Expect long drives, short walks, and excellent views.

“The daytrip was 100% worth the price. We did see so many beautiful places and learned a lot about the highlands. Our tourgide Holly was so friendly and funny, she did make the tour unforgettable.”

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2.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,337 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $62Top rated

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands by air-conditioned coach, stopping at Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Pitlochry. You’ll hear Scottish stories from guides such as Keith, Scott, Alastair, and Brian, with time for photos, food, and a chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train cross the viaduct in season.

“Fisher was amazing and his dad jokes were on point. We learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. He even made the weather not rain the entire time. Thanks for a great tour!”

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3.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,771 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $62

Spend a full day touring Scotland’s Highlands from Edinburgh with an English-speaking driver-guide. The route includes Callander, Glencoe, Loch Tulla, Fort William, Loch Ness, Pitlochry, and the Commando Monument. You can add a Loch Ness boat cruise, look for Highland cows, and hear local stories from guides such as Keith, Anthony, Brian, and Ross.

“Keith was perfect. Enjoyed the accent and true Scottish knowledge. The places we went were astonishing, so beautiful”

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4.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,366 reviews · 12 hours · from $60Best value

Travel from Edinburgh to Glencoe, Fort William, and Glenfinnan Viaduct with an English-speaking driver-guide. Expect dramatic scenery, film stories, frequent comfort stops, and a short walk to the viaduct viewpoint. Guides such as Ross, Neil, Brian, Keith, Chris, and Scott are known for lively history, music, and humor. The Jacobite Steam Train runs seasonally and is not guaranteed.

“My friend and I were visiting from the States and wanted to explore the Highlands conveniently. We stumbled upon this tour and were delighted with our choice. Neil, our tour guide, ensured we had an enjoyable day. He shared captivating stories and historical insights about the region, providing valuable guidance at each stop. Additionally, he entertained us with hilarious jokes, keeping our spirits high. I highly recommend this tour if you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh. I hope you get to meet Neil!”

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

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

Spend about 13 hours touring the Highlands from Edinburgh by air-conditioned coach, with a live English-speaking driver-guide. See Pitlochry, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, optional Urquhart Castle and cruise, Glencoe, and Stirling views. Guides such as Chris, Jamie, Terry, Alan, and Ben have been praised for lively storytelling.

“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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6.Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,233 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

This 12-hour Timberbush tour takes you from Edinburgh through Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry. A driver-guide such as Mark, Holly, Nick, or Shafiq provides live commentary while you watch the scenery from an air-conditioned coach. You can add a Loch Ness cruise or a £12 whisky experience.

“It was nice comfortable traveling in the touringcar. We have seen a lot. But I think you have to arrange the eating stop in another way. Westopped at small restaurants who couldn't managed a lot of buses full of tourist. The eating have to be organised better. I would have liked it to look around in the little villages and now we were just driving through.”

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7.Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

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

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group to five major Outlander locations with an English-speaking guide. See Midhope Castle as Lallybroch, Doune Castle as Castle Leoch, Culross as Cranesmuir, Falkland as Inverness, and Blackness Castle as Fort William. Expect Scottish history, filming stories, castle admission choices, and a full day on the road.

“Perfect for the Outlander fan and Scottish history buff. Loved the inside story our tour guide Connor offered.”

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8.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 990 reviews · from $61

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus, Loch Ness, the Commando Memorial, and Pitlochry, with photo stops for Highland scenery and coos. Guides such as Brian, Keith, Anthony, Neil, and Scott are praised for lively stories, music, and safe driving. An optional Loch Ness cruise is available.

“This was a highlight for our trip, our guide Ross from Stewart tour was really informative and helpful. would recommend this tour in case you want to visit and see the highlights of highlands”

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9.Outlander, Palaces, and Jacobites Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 937 reviews · 9 hours · from $83

Spend nine hours tracing Outlander locations with a Timberbush guide such as Paul Santa, Shafiq, Linda, or Jamie. Visit Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, and seasonal Midhope Castle. Expect a comfortable coach, lively Scottish history, optional entry fees, and time for photos, lunch, and old castle walls.

“Great experience! Shafiq gave us a lot of interesting information, not only about Outlander but also about Scotland. Definitely worth it!”

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10.Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 212 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh into Northumberland for Bamburgh’s sea views and Alnwick Castle’s medieval rooms and Harry Potter links. English-speaking guides such as Cliff, Tim, Dave, and Emily add history and humor on the road. Castle admission costs extra, and Bamburgh gets less time than Alnwick.

“There was only 3 of us on this trip, which made it kind of nice and more of a relaxed vibe. Almost like a private tour! Our driver guide Alastair was great at telling us about the history of places and pointing things out as we went along. He had a good song playlist too. This tour has 2 amazing castles packed in, with time to see a lot. A bit less at Bamburgh so you do have to plan what you want to see most, as it can take a while to go through the inside, though worth it I think. But if you want to go to the…”

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11.Isle of Skye and Hogwarts Express 4-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 142 reviews · 83 hours · from $1,071

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands with an English-speaking driver-guide and a group of up to 16. You’ll spend two nights on Skye, visit Glen Coe and Eilean Donan Castle, cross by ferry when available, and ride the Jacobite Steam Train over Glenfinnan Viaduct. Guides such as Rose, Brodie, Cameron, and John are known for strong storytelling.

“The tour was amazing. Iain was a wonderful guide who made the trip fun, shared great stories and jokes, took us to places we wouldn’t have known to go and shared a lot about Scotland. It was well worth the money and we would highly recommend this tour to anyone considering it. DO IT! You won’t regret it!”

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12.Day Trip to Edinburgh by Rail with Castle Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 73 reviews · 15 hours · from $322

Travel from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh by reserved train, then use an open-top bus tour, a city map, and timed entry to Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish capital on your own. You get station assistance, free time, and an optional first-class rail upgrade with food and drinks. This is independent sightseeing, not a guided tour.

“It is a long way up and back and there wasn’t much time to explore the town after visiting the castle. If there aren’t any two or three day returns, I’d definitely recommend that.”

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