Things to do in Edinburgh
Day Trips from Edinburgh12 optionsEdinburgh Underground City14 optionsEdinburgh Tour Highlands44 optionsEdinburgh Ghost Tour24 optionsStirling Castle Tours39 optionsWhiskey Tour Edinburgh13 optionsEdinburgh Walking Tour94 optionsEdinburgh Airport Taxi10 optionsEdinburgh City Tour7 optionsRosslyn Chapel Tours10 optionsBoat Tour Edinburgh6 optionsLoch Lomond Tours13 options
Sort
Edinburgh Food Tour: Old Town tastings with Scotch and haggisA shared food tour through Edinburgh's Old Town led by a local guide in English, stopping at Grassmarket and the Royal Mile to taste haggis with neeps and tatties, Scottish cakes, creamy cheese, a secret dish and Lowland whisky single malt. The tour runs three hours and covers the historic streets where locals actually eat, not just the sights tourists photograph. Minimum age 18 for the whisky tasting; comfortable walking shoes are essential, and the itinerary shifts based on what's available that day.Is it for me?Book the shared group tour if you want to meet other food travelers and move at a steady pace through Old Town without arranging logistics yourself. Choose the private option if your group prefers to taste at your own rhythm and have the guide's full attention for questions about the food and the streets you're walking.
Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond: Small-Group Tour from EdinburghYou ride in a 16-seat minivan from Edinburgh to three Scottish landmarks: the Kelpies steel monument, Stirling Castle (with entry included if you book that package), and Loch Lomond's shoreline. A driver-guide narrates the history and stories between stops. The small group size means no rush, and the half-day timing leaves your afternoon free. Book castle admission in advance to guarantee entry and skip the ticket line on arrival.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Edinburgh without a rental car who want to see Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond in one morning without arranging transport or buying tickets separately — the small minivan and reserved castle admission remove both logistics and the queue. Plan for a half-day commitment, which is what makes fitting three distinct stops possible without rushing.
3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh: Jacobite Steam TrainYou travel by coach through three of Scotland's most recognizable landscapes — Glencoe, the Jacobite Steam Train route, and the Isle of Skye — with two nights' accommodation in Portree included. The itinerary covers the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and Dundreggan Rewilding Centre, with a local guide handling all the driving and context. Plan to arrive at the Edinburgh departure point at least 15 minutes early, and note that the return to Edinburgh is around 8pm (April and October) or later depending on season and road conditions.Is it for me?A good fit if you want to see the Highlands and Isle of Skye without arranging your own transport, ferries, or navigation — the coach and guide handle all of that. Expect a full three days with early starts and late returns, and some days involve moderate walking on uneven terrain; that's what lets you cover this much ground and see this many landmarks in one trip.
Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh Hogwarts Express BridgeYou depart Edinburgh early, travel through Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, spend time in Glencoe learning its history, stop in Fort William for lunch, then reach the Glenfinnan Viaduct for photos and a walk to the viewpoint. The Glenfinnan Visitor Centre entry is included, as is the driver-guide's commentary throughout. You return via the Cairngorms with a refreshment stop in Pitlochry before arriving back in Edinburgh in the evening.Is it for me?Right for Harry Potter fans and anyone wanting to see Scotland's most famous landmarks in one day without arranging transport or timing multiple stops. Expect a long day on the coach—that's what makes covering Glencoe, Fort William, and Glenfinnan in a single trip possible.
Isle of Skye & Scottish Highlands: 3-Day Small Group from EdinburghYou travel west from Edinburgh through Stirling and Glencoe, overnight in Portree with a full flexible day on Skye to explore Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Quiraing depending on weather and your interests, then return via Loch Ness and Fort Augustus. The tour includes two nights' accommodation, two breakfasts, a driver-guide, and round-trip transport in a 16-seat minibus, which means no separate bookings and no navigating Scottish roads yourself.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want to see the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye without arranging your own transport, booking separate hotels, or planning the route—the fixed itinerary and small group size mean you focus on the landscape instead of logistics, and the flexible day on Skye lets you follow weather and interests rather than a rigid schedule.
Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Jacobite Steam Train & Highlands 3-DayYou spend three days traveling north from Edinburgh by coach, riding the Jacobite Steam Train for two hours across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, then two nights on the Isle of Skye visiting the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, and Dunvegan Castle. On the return, you stop at Eilean Donan Castle, Loch Ness, and the Commando Memorial before heading back to Edinburgh. The tour includes the steam train ticket, all transport, accommodation, a local guide, and entry to the Dundreggan Rewilding Centre—so you're not arranging trains, hotels, or timing yourself across the Highlands.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Highlands and Skye highlights in three days without arranging your own transport, train tickets, or accommodation—the fixed itinerary and included coach mean you show up and the logistics are handled. It's also the way to ride the Jacobite Steam Train without figuring out how to get to Fort William and back on your own.
Outlander Locations Tour: Doune & Blackness CastlesThis full-day Outlander locations tour from Edinburgh visits the Scottish castles and villages where the show was filmed, with admission to Doune Castle and Blackness Castle included in the price. You travel in a small group of no more than 16 passengers on a reserved mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide who narrates the route. The itinerary covers Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Fort William), Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch) and Culross (Cranesmuir), with time to explore each stop and lunch near Linlithgow Palace.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the castles included without buying tickets separately at each stop—Doune and Blackness are reserved for you, so you walk straight in. The small group size and fixed itinerary mean the day holds together without anyone building it, and the driver-guide handles the narration at each location.
Edinburgh to Isle of Skye & Highlands: 3-Day Coach TourYou travel by air-conditioned coach through the Scottish Highlands over three days, staying two nights on the Isle of Skye with accommodation included. The itinerary covers Ben Nevis, Glencoe, Loch Lomond, Eilean Donan Castle, and Skye's main attractions — the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing, and Kilt Rock — with a driver-guide providing live commentary. You arrive back in Edinburgh on day three without having arranged transport, bookings or timing yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Highlands and Skye highlights in three days without arranging your own transport, accommodation or timing — the fixed itinerary and included coach mean you show up and go, and the small group size keeps the pace manageable without feeling rushed.
Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Burke & Hare, Witch Trials & GraveyardsYou walk the Royal Mile and two historic graveyards while learning about Edinburgh's 17th-century plague victims, the 19th-century body trade run by Burke and Hare, witch burnings, and the doctors who tried to cure the incurable. The guide handles the research and the route; you just show up and listen to what happened in the streets you're standing in.Is it for me?Book this if you want Edinburgh's darker history explained by someone who knows the streets and the stories, without having to research the dates and locations yourself — the guide handles the route and the context, leaving you free to absorb what happened and why it still matters.
Edinburgh: Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Highlands Day TourYou depart Edinburgh early, travel through Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park, and stop at Glencoe to hear the story of its 17th-century massacre. The day peaks at Glenfinnan Viaduct, where you might see the Jacobite Steam Train cross (seasonal, not guaranteed), then moves through Ben Nevis and the Commando Memorial before ending in Pitlochry. Your guide provides live commentary throughout, comfort breaks are regular, and you're back in Edinburgh by evening with no transport logistics to arrange yourself.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Edinburgh without a car who want to see the main Highland landmarks in one day — the fixed itinerary and included transport mean you don't arrange stops, timing, or logistics yourself. Expect to spend most of the day on the bus; that's what makes covering Glencoe, Glenfinnan, and Pitlochry in a single departure possible.
West Highlands: Lochs, Castles & Doune Entry Day TripYou’ll ride through Scotland’s wild West Highlands in a small group, stopping at shimmering lochs and crumbling castles with a local guide who knows all the stories. Pause for lunch in Inveraray by Loch Fyne, walk through Doune Castle’s famous halls (entry included), and catch those moments of quiet that only happen on these winding roads.
Edinburgh: Castles, Highlands & Loch Lomond Day TripYou travel northwest from Edinburgh through the Highlands and Trossachs, stopping at Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle overlooking Loch Awe, the village of Inveraray for lunch, and the preserved village of Luss. A local guide handles the narration and driving, the coach is air-conditioned, and you're back in Edinburgh by evening. Departs 8am; book transport to the meeting point in advance and arrive 15 minutes early.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the West Highlands and lochs in a single day without arranging your own transport or navigating between stops — the fixed schedule and small-group format handle the logistics, leaving you to focus on the landscape and the castles.
Edinburgh: Castle, Royal Yacht & Hop-On Bus 48hrsYou get 48 hours of unlimited travel across three different bus routes, entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, plus the freedom to hop off and explore at your own pace. Live and recorded commentary in multiple languages keeps you oriented without forcing you to follow a group. The ticket takes the logistics off your hands so you can spend your time actually looking at the city instead of figuring out how to get between sights.Is it for me?Pick this if you've just landed and want to cover Edinburgh's main royal sights without booking separate tickets or figuring out which bus goes where—the 48-hour window and three overlapping routes mean you can explore at your own pace without feeling rushed or locked into a schedule.
Edinburgh: Double Dead Tour South Bridge Vaults & GreyfriarsYou’ll step beneath Edinburgh into its infamous South Bridge Vaults before heading by lantern light into Greyfriars Graveyard’s locked Covenanter’s Prison — home to the Mackenzie Poltergeist. With a local guide leading stories (and scares), you’ll hear real legends where they happened. If you’re anything like me, you’ll leave half-laughing, half-looking over your shoulder.
Edinburgh: Scotch Whisky Tasting & Scottish Folklore StoriesYou'll taste four single malt Scotch whiskies from different Scottish regions in a private lounge while a guide shares whisky history and folklore. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available on request. The experience is designed for learning, not pub crawling, and takes place in a quiet tasting room rather than a distillery. You leave understanding what you've tasted.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Scottish whisky culture in one sitting without arranging a distillery trip or pub crawl—the private lounge and expert guide mean you actually learn what you're tasting instead of just moving through stops.
Isle of Skye & Highlands Tour: Castles, Loch Ness, Inverness StayYou’ll ride from Edinburgh into the wild Highlands with a local guide who brings history alive, stay two nights in Inverness B&Bs, wander castle ruins on Skye, try black pudding at breakfast (if you dare), and maybe spot Nessie on Loch Ness — all wrapped up in unpredictable Scottish weather and real human moments.
Edinburgh: Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Inverness 5 DaysYou travel by coach and local train through five days of Scottish Highlands scenery, staying in small towns rather than Edinburgh each night. The tour includes the Glenfinnan Viaduct crossing, two days on Isle of Skye, whisky tasting, Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, and an optional Loch Ness cruise. Four nights' accommodation and a guide are included; book your transport to the departure point in advance and arrive 15 minutes early for check-in.Is it for me?This tour works well if you want to see the Highlands without driving yourself and prefer staying in different towns each night rather than day-tripping from one base. The fixed schedule and included accommodation remove the planning; the five-day length is what makes the slower pace possible.
Edinburgh Dark History: Royal Mile Murder & Plague Walking TourYou walk the Royal Mile with a guide who knows Edinburgh's execution sites, plague history, and the real stories behind the ghost tales. You'll see St Giles' Cathedral, John Knox House, the Canongate graves, and the spot where the Old Tollbooth once stood. The tour is wheelchair accessible and takes around 2–3 hours, with no separate transport needed.Is it for me?Book this if you want the darker side of Edinburgh's history without the theatrics — real stories of executions and plague told on the actual streets where they happened, with a guide who knows the details most visitors miss.
Edinburgh: Full Day Walking Tour & Castle Entry Small GroupYou’ll meet locals who bring Edinburgh’s history to life as you walk from Georgian squares to medieval closes. Pause for Scottish art at the National Gallery, taste traditional food along the Royal Mile, then stand where kings ruled inside Edinburgh Castle. Expect laughter, odd details you’ll remember later, and views that linger long after you leave.
Loch Ness & Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh: Glen Coe & Ben NevisYou travel 12 hours through Glen Coe, past Ben Nevis, and alongside Loch Ness with a local guide in a small air-conditioned minibus. The tour includes a coffee stop in Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park, lunch in Fort Augustus, and an optional boat cruise on Loch Ness (at your own cost). You're back in Edinburgh by early evening, having covered the major Highland landmarks without arranging transport or timing yourself.Is it for me?This works well if you have one day in Edinburgh and want to see the real Highlands without renting a car, navigating roads, or booking separate stops — the fixed itinerary and small group size mean you cover Glen Coe, Loch Ness, and Ben Nevis in a single push, with a guide handling the route and the commentary.
