Planning your trip to Scotland and wondering what could be the best day trips from Edinburgh for you?
Below is my selection of the top 10 best destinations to see within a day.
Plus, I share the options to join organized tours or complete the day trip by car depending on if you want to drive or not. Time to plan!
Before my tips + photos, here are my favorites for Scotland:
My favorite platform to rent a car in Scotland: DiscoverCars
The unmissable boat tour: Seal spotting on Loch Linnhe from Fort William
My favorite excursion from Edinburgh: Glenfinnan and Glencoe
My favorite places to stay:
- Edinburgh: see best rated hotels – e.g. Balmoral Hotel
- Glencoe: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Glencoe House Hotel
- Portree: see best rated hotels – e.g. The Cuillin Hills Hotel
- Inverness: see best rated hotels – e.g. Kingsmills Hotel
Exploring Scotland with the best day trips from Edinburgh
For those who do not want to go on a road trip and change base every night, staying in Edinburgh is a great option.
There is much to see in the city and a wide variety of options for one day tours from Edinburgh with scenery, architecture, history and tasty whisky.
You can find ideas for your accommodation in Edinburgh at the end of this article or see here the best rated accommodations.
Best day trips from Edinburgh Scotland – Short answer
If you don’t want to read the whole article, I think the best tours from Edinburgh you could enjoy are:
- Glencoe and the Highlands – the scenery is breathtaking!
See small group tour option - The Scottish Borders – a long history to admire in the ruins of these magnificent abbeys
See small group tour option - The West Highlands with one of my favorite Scottish Castles: Inveraray
See small group tour option - Stirling Castle and the Trossachs (with lochs and mountains)
See small group tour option - Queen’s View over Loch Tummel and Whisky tasting
See small group tour option - Exploring Glasgow – historical buildings, modern architecture and street art
Easy to reach by train + hop-on hop-off bus - St Andrews, for a classic
See small group tour option - The castles of the Lothians – not far and impressive
Easy drive from Edinburgh - Whisky Distilleries – don’t drive!
See small group tour option - Day trip to England with TV and Movie locations
See group tour option
Find out photos and tips later in the article.
Map – where to go on a day trip from Edinburgh by car or by tour
And to get you oriented, below is a map with the 8 best areas:
Need to rent a car in Scotland?
My tips:
- Compare prices on my favorite platform: Discovercars.com – one of the best rated comparison sites!
- Prefer a compact car for the single-lane roads
- Consider their full coverage option – it for peace of mind!
- Book early to have a large choice of vehicles!
Answers to FAQs
How is driving? About doing road trips – day trips from Edinburgh by car
Below you will see the 10 options with information to complete the day trips by car with
- time on the road
- best stops
If you are worried about driving in Scotland, check out my article with videos and practical info.
Can you visit the Isle of Skye on a day trip from Edinburgh?
No. Sadly, the Isle of Skye is not one of them because it is too far away for only one day (4h30 drive to the Skye Bridge).
But, if you have several days, head to my article about choosing your Isle of Skye tour.
Organized Tour Options
If you do not want to drive and (have to find parking in the city every evening), organized excursions from Edinburgh are a great option.
When I book tours, I mostly use GetYourGuide (or Viator if I don’t find what I want) because I get many firsthand reviews from people who have really done the tour (no fake reviews like on TripAdvisor).
Day trips from Edinburgh by train
If you don’t want to drive or join a group, your other option is the train.
There are some famous train rides in Scotland, especially the Jacobite steam train. However, most of them would require more than a day of travel.
If you have just a day, you can go to nearby towns by train. It is much harder to see nature highlights by train.
- Glasgow
- Stirling, to see its castle
- Saint Andrews (train to Luechers + bus)
#1 – Glencoe & Highlands – day trip from Edinburgh to the Highlands
Type: Nature
Highlights
- Drive by Stirling Castle and in the Trossachs National Park
- Small and larger lochs of all shapes and atmosphere
- Stunning valley of Glen Coe – With the famous mountain of Buachaille Etive Mor, the Three Sisters Ridge, the Meeting of the 3 waters falls and so much more…
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 6h
- On route, you will drive past the Stirling Castle on M9 and the Trossachs National Park on A85
- Once you enter the Glencoe protected area, you can stop along A82 for some amazing views – check my article about the best stops along the road
- At Glencoe, turn right onto B863 to tour the magnificent Loch Leven surrounded by high peaks, one of the most beautiful lochs in Scotland
- You can return via the same road with different perspective driving the other way around, or you can drive a little longer and return via A82 along Loch Lomond.
Want to stay overnight?
You can stay in the Glencoe town or further in the mountain in Kinlochleven. This way you can enjoy some hikes in the area.
Check out the accommodations in the area.
Organized Tour Option
There are many day trips from Edinburgh to the Highlands. Many drive through Glencoe. However, they don’t tour Loch Leven but continue on to other Highlands destinations. You will spend a lot of time on the road, but you will see a lot of the beautiful Scottish Highland landscapes.
I picked a tour clockwise for you because I think the views are better.
All of them are Loch Ness Tours from Edinburgh – They combine Glencoe with the famous Loch Ness and driving through the Cairngorm National Park. The day will be long, but you will see so much beauty!!!! And will you see Nessie the monster?
Small group tour (less than 16 people) – Long Drives
#2 – The Scottish Borders
Type: Architecture/History
Highlights
- Old Abbeys that were powerful in this region close to the border with England
- Beautiful views of the Lowlands countryside with rolling hills
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 3h30
On a very different style, you can head South to discover the ruins of several magnificent Abbeys which used to be very powerful in running the Scottish Borders.
- Make your way South on A68
- Visit Melrose Abbey and climb to the top of the remaining tower to find the pig
- Head to the Walter Scott viewpoint over the beautiful region
- History lovers will particularly appreciate the ruins of the Dryburgh Abbey nearby
- Then head to the magnificent double arch Jedburgh Abbey (personally my favorite) and imagine how life was in this magnificent structure
- (And if you are not yet tired of Abbeys, you can head to a last one in Kelso.)
Organized Tours Option
Get Your Guide does not have a tour with Jedburgh Abbey. But you can hop on this small group day tour from Edinburgh to Melrose Abbey and the very beautiful Rosslyn Chapel (and you don’t have to be a Da Vinci Code of Holy Grail myth fan to enjoy the tour).A great combination of history and countryside
Small group tour (less than 16 people)
I don’t drink coffee 
But I also like other drinks and sweets!
Do you like the free content you find on my blog? All my tips and practical information, without intrusive advertising…
#3 – West Highlands & Inveraray – beautiful road trip from Edinburgh
Type: Nature/Architecture
Highlights
- Drive past Stirling
- Discover the Scenery of the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond
- Enjoy the view at ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ stop
- Explore the Fairy tale castle of Inveraray with its green wall, magical park (in the old trees area) and arms display.
- Admire the typical Highlands scenery of Loch Awe with the ruins of Kilchurn Castle
Self-drive Information
Time on Road:5h
This tour has a little bit of everything of Scotland – It could be Scotland in Miniature… Highlands, ruins, castles, lochs…
- Head North West on M9 towards Stirling – drive past the Stirling Castle – no time to visit if you want to see the rest
- Enter the Trossachs National Park on A85 and enjoy its beautiful scenery
- Continue on A85 towards Loch Awe to discover the ruins of Kilchurn castle in that typical Highland scenery: the ruins are in the middle of the loch surrounded with high summits
- Drive on A819 towards Inveraray. Explore the town and visit the Green Fairytale Castle of Inveraray
- Head back towards Edinburgh on A83 through Glen Croe and enjoy the view at the ‘Rest and Be Thankful’ viewpoint and then A82 along Loch Lomond
- Finish with a little bit of Motorway on M8
- Compare rental prices on Rentalcars.Com
Organized Tour Option
A similar program is offered on a small group excursion from Edinburgh to the West Highlands including a visit to the Inveraray Castle.
Small group tour (less than 16 people) – Long drives
#4 – Stirling Castle & The Trossachs
Type: Nature/Architecture
Highlights
- Visit of the impressive medieval fortress of Stirling
- Tour of the Trossachs National Park and Loch Lomond
- Loch Katrine and its historical steamboat (self-drive only)
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 4H30
On this Edinburgh Day Trip, you can enjoy one of the most impressive castles in Scotland and discover the weekend nature gateway of the Scottish people.
- Take M9 to Stirling and visit the Stirling Castle on top of the hill
- Head North on A84 towards the Trossachs National Park
- Stop at Loch Katrine and consider a cruise on the historical steamboat
- Continue in the Trossachs on A85 and then A82. Stop for a short walk to the enchanting Falls of Falloch
- Head South and enjoy the shores of Loch Lomond. If you did not cruise Loch Katrine, you can do so on Loch Lomond from the town of Tarbet.
Organized Tour Option
Most organized day tours from Edinburgh focus on Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle. Loch Katrine and the Falls of Falloch are not included. But they already cover a lot, and you will learn plenty about Scottish history thanks to your guide.
Small group tour (less than 16 people)
#5 – Queen’s View and Whisky
Type: Nature/Culture
Highlights
- Enjoy one of the best views in Scotland at the Queen’s view
- Taste famous Scottish whisky and learn the process of making it
Self-drive
Time on Road: 5h
On this day tour from Edinburgh, you will discover what is considered one of the best views in Scotland, admire beautiful scenery and learn more about whisky. But don’t drive and drink!
- Head North towards Perth and Pitlorchy on A9
- Head towards the beginning of Loch Tummel to enjoy the famous Queen’s view
- Head South towards the shores of Loch Tay and enjoy
- Stop at Killin to see the famous Falls of Dochart
- Join A85 and drive along Loch Earn. Enjoy the magnificent view from the East tip at St Fillans
- Stop at Crieff to discover the Famous Grouse Experience distillery. A bit touristy but the visit is quite enjoyable and accessible to whisky novices.
Organized Tours Option
This organized tour does covers the beautiful Queen’s View and more in the Perthshire including: the village of Pitlorchy, Loch Tay and the Dewar’s World of Whisky.
#6 – Glasgow – best day trip from Edinburgh by train
Type: City/Culture
Time: 2h train return
Head to Glasgow with a short train ride: 51 min every 15 minutes
Once in this vibrant town you can discover the many sights:
- The Glasgow Cathedral and its lower church
- The beautiful Garden of the People’s Palace
- And the very impressive Glasgow University
- Check out my article about spending one day in Glasgow
Once in Glasgow the easiest way to hit all the major sights in to take a hop-on hop-off bus.
Save on your Hop-on Hop-off ticket
#7 – St Andrews – short day trip from Edinburgh
Type: Golf/History
Highlights
- Forth Road Bridge – Famous suspension bridge for trains – 1.5 miles in length
- Historical town of Saint Andrews with the ruins of the cathedral and the oldest university in Scotland
- History of Golf
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 3h
If you enjoy golf and history then this is the perfect day trip from Edinburgh for you.
- Head North and cross the water on the Forth Road Bridge – stop around to admire the iconic suspension railway bridge called Forth Bridge
- Head East to the historical town of St Andrews – Absorb the atmosphere, enjoy the bay and visit the ruins of the once huge cathedral
Organized Tour Option
Sit down and relax on this one-day trip from Edinburgh – Let them guide you to St Andrews and learn more about golf history and the oldest university of Scotland.
And discover small fishing villages which have been settlements for hundreds of years.
#8 – Lothians – Dirleton and Tantallon Castles – easy drive from Edinburgh
Type: History/Architecture
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 2h
If you are looking for a quieter day with less driving, head East to visit 2 castles of the Lothians and discover their history.
- Take the A1 out of Edinburgh towards the East Coast
- First stop at Dirleton Castle. Part of its structure is still standing from the 13th century. It has many rooms to explore so kids really enjoy it
- Next head to the coast and discover the very impressive Tantallon Castle. Take the time to explore every staircase. Enjoy the views of the cliffs and towards the island of Bass Rock
#9 – Whisky Distilleries
Type: Culture
For those who enjoy whisky, the best region is Speyside. However, Aberlour is a 3h30 drive away from Edinburgh, so not really manageable in the day tour.
Self-drive
Don’t drink and drive!
Organized Tours Option
However, you can still discover the distillery world with this organized day tour from Edinburgh that takes you to 2 distilleries with a side of beautiful Loch Lomond.
#10 – England excursion (+TV/Movie locations)
Type: Nature/ Architecture
Self-drive Information
Time on Road: 4h
If you are fan of Downtown Abbey or Harry Potter or simply enjoy a beautiful castle, you can head South, cross the Scottish Border and visit the Castle of Anlwick.
- Drive South on A1, cross the in-country border between Scotland and England
- Stop at the beautiful Holy Island, only accessible at low tide
- Head to the ‘Windsor of the North’, the Anlwick Castle which has been featured in Downtown Abbey and Harry Potter
Organized Tour Option
This exact program is offered as an organized tour from Edinburgh city center:
Accommodations for your Edinburgh base
Before you discover all the amazing one-day Trips from Edinburgh I have picked for you, you first need to find a great base in the city.
Best locations to be able to discover the city on foot are situated in the Old Town or around Princes Street. This way you are close to everything.
Below is my selection of fantastic accommodations in Edinburgh:
- First price – Best rated hostel is the High Street Hostel located in the old town – Check out photos and availability
- MID-RANGE – The Inn Place will offer you good comfort with a great location in the old town – Check out photos and availability
- APART HOTEL – The Princes Street Suites are close to everything but more modern than the old town. A great combination – Check out photos and availability
- LUXURY and HISTORY – Since 1902, the Balmoral Hotel welcomes guests in Edinburgh – Check photos and availability
- LUXURY and BEST VIEWS – The Waldorf Astoria The Caledonian offers rooms with an unobstructed view of the Castle and the old town. Amazing to wake up to see it – Check photos and availability
Want to choose yourself? Here you go:
- Check out the best rated hotels in Edinburgh
- or Check out the best rated apartments in Edinburgh
However, if you want to see more of Scotland, I really recommend a road trip.Check out my travel guides to help you plan your itinerary:
Plan your dream trip to Scotland with my guides!
- 15 easy-to-plan maps
- 170+ pre-selected locations
- GPS coordinates
- Useful planning tips
- 170+ large photos
- 8 easy-to-plan maps
- 60+ pre-selected locations
- Useful planning tips
- 115+ large photos
- GPS coordinates
And keep track of your own trip!
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Hii Claire,
We are planning to visit UK this September with a stop in Edinburgh (its a must isnt it), im travelling with my wife, 1 y.o infant and my mom..
We would love to do beautiful but relaxing day tours to the nearby places.. is it possible to do that?
Thanks heaps.
Reza Soebagio
Hi Reza,
I am not sure what is relaxing for you…
For less intense program over a day, then organized group tours are not your best options. You should rent a car or use public transportation and just pick one place.
For example, you can just go to the charming town of Stirling for the day and enjoy the views from the Castle.
or You can just drive to the lowlands and visit Melrose and Jedburgh Abbeys.
The Highlands will automatically mean more driving, so not so relaxing.
I wish you a wonderful trip
Claire