The 15 Day Trips in Edinburgh to Put In the Diary First

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

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $75Our pick

Review of the Edinburgh Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe day trip, with itinerary details, costs, tips, strengths and drawbacks.

“The tour guide Terry was really fantastic. She gave commentary of the Highlands that was informative, encouraging and entertaining. The driver Alan was not only friendly and helpful, but he is also a great driver. The whole journey was very safe. This tour is definitely for scenic lovers.. it was really amazing to see the Highlands up close and every Pitstop was breath taking. Its definitely one of the best tours I have been on. Thank you Terry and Alan!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

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

Review of the Outlander film locations day trip from Edinburgh, with Midhope, Doune, Culross, Falkland, Blackness, tips, timing, and value.

“If your an outlander fan this tour satisfies all your location needs , the locations are all in beautiful settings , you get a wonderful commentary about history integrated with the outlander series , Connor was very entertaining and informative, obviously passionate about Scottish history”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip

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

Review of the Edinburgh Highlands day trip to Loch Ness, Glencoe, Fort William and Pitlochry, with practical advice on value, timing and stops.

“The day trip was absolutely amazing! Although we couldn’t reach Loch Ness due to a road closure, our fantastic driver Brian quickly found a great alternative and took us to Glenfinnan, where we saw the famous Harry Potter bridge and even caught the iconic train passing by. Brian truly made the trip unforgettable with his funny stories and the best Scottish songs. It turned out to be the highlight of my time in Edinburgh — an experience I’ll always remember! I will definitely come back another time to finally visit Loch Ness!Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Review of a 10.5-hour Scotland tour from Edinburgh with Doune and Kilchurn castles, Loch Lomond, Inveraray, and West Highland views.

“Terrific fun! The guide did a fantastic job telling us about information on each stop…. And more. It was just the right amount of info and was very helpful in answering all questions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Explore Loch Lomond, the Kelpies, and Stirling Castle on a 9-hour small-group day trip from Edinburgh with live commentary.

“Unfortunately it was the most boring tour I've ever attended. Sounds better than the reality It was very uncomfortable that the guide is a driver at the same time. While driving the car, the driver cannot concentrate on landscapes and tell a story. The guide should be in love with the places to which he brings tourists. So that the tourists want to return again and again. It' s my subjective opinion. But for the sake of fairness, it must be said that the views were amazing. We enjoyed Sterling Castle and Loch Lomond.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 623 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Review of Timberbush’s 10-hour West Highlands tour from Edinburgh, with castles, lochs, Inveraray, mountain views, and practical tips.

“This tour was incredible. Linda was the best tour guide. She was informative and witty. She made the entire trip a pleasure.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.The Outlander 1 Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $82

Review of Edinburgh’s Outlander day tour, with Falkland, Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow, Lallybroch, costs, tips, and honest advice.

“I was impressed how much we saw in one day! Lallybroch was definitely the cherry on top! I also like all the real history he added in addition to the outlander info.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $89

Review of the Alnwick Castle day trip from Edinburgh, with Bamburgh Castle, Coldstream, Harry Potter sites, costs, timing, and practical tips.

“We enjoyed Alnwick castle. Great grounds to walk around and the living quarters were very interesting to learn about. Lots to do with kids. We enjoyed Baumberg but were unaware the castle was not included. Also, the borders are not included if you were hoping to get a picture by the rock. Conner was a great tour guide filled with many interesting facts.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $91

Explore the Kelpies, Highland scenery, Glenturret whisky, Black Linn Falls, and Dunkeld on a scenic nine-hour trip from Edinburgh.

“Beautiful landscapes so enjoy the ride and history lesson from Alistair! The Highland Coos were awesome! Tranquil sceanery and waterfall on the journey. The Kelpes we magnificent! Great places to eat on the journey as well. Highly recommend this Tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle

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

Explore Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle from Edinburgh, with coastal views, Harry Potter sites, history, and practical day-trip advice.

“It was really nice, our tour guide Emily was amazing!”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · 12 hours 25 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Review of the 12-hour Hairy Coo tour from Edinburgh to Loch Ness, Glencoe, Deanston Distillery, Pitlochry, and the Highlands.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $94

Review of the 12-hour Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Loch Shiel tour from Edinburgh, with Highland views, practical tips, costs and honest advice.

“It was very relaxing and the group was small which made it less stressful, especially as someone who was by themselves”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Review of a 4-day Scotland tour from Edinburgh to Skye, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and the Jacobite Steam Train.

“John was awesome. We saw so many beautiful sites. He is very knowledgeable about the history of Scotland that made or trip even more spectacular!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $82

Review of the Oban and West Highlands day trip from Edinburgh, with Loch Lomond, Kilchurn Castle, seafood, timing, value, and practical tips.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews · from $297

Review of Edinburgh’s Highland day trip and Military Tattoo, with whisky, woodland walks, castle views, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“Emily is G8 and I must say her bus driving is very good. She made the tour very enjoyable and informative, going out of her way to include everyone in the experience.”

Check availability →Read our full review