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
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Loch Ness & Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh: Whisky & CruiseYou travel north from Edinburgh through five national parks and two lochs in a single day, stopping to walk Highland waterfalls, taste whisky at a working distillery, and eat fish and chips at a traditional shop. The group stays under 16 people, which means the pace stays manageable and the guide can actually answer questions. A Loch Ness cruise is optional (£18 cash, arranged on the morning) and lunch is on you at the loch, but transport, entry to the main stops, and the waterfalls walk are all included.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the Highlands, Loch Ness, and Glencoe in a single day without arranging your own transport or timing — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you move at a pace that lets you actually absorb each stop instead of rushing between them.
Edinburgh: Inverness & Highlands 2-Day Small Group TourYou get two full days of Highlands scenery and history without arranging transport, accommodation, or timing yourself—the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you see Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Culloden, and Cairngorms National Park in sequence, with a night in Inverness included. Lunch on day two is covered; day one lunch is at your own expense in Glen Coe.Is it for me?Right for travelers leaving Edinburgh with two days to spare and no car—the fixed route and small group size mean you see the main Highlands in sequence without arranging transport, accommodation, or timing yourself, and the overnight in Inverness lets you cover ground that would take three rushed days on your own.
Edinburgh: Highlands & Loch Ness Private Tour with Ben NevisYou spend a full day in a private vehicle with a driver-guide, moving through Stirling Castle, Doune Castle, the Trossachs, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, as are snacks and chilled water. You choose where to stop for photographs and whether to take the optional Loch Ness cruise. The vehicle is yours alone, not shared with other groups.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the main Highlands landmarks in one day without renting a car or arranging your own transport and timing — the private vehicle and flexible stops mean you move at your own pace and don't follow a group schedule.
Edinburgh to Highlands: Jacobite Steam Train & Glenfinnan ViaductYou’ll ride Scotland’s famous Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William, cross the Glenfinnan Viaduct like in those movie scenes, wander Mallaig’s harbor for lunch, and pause for photos at Glenfinnan Visitor Centre. With stories from your local guide and ever-changing Highland weather, it’s a day trip from Edinburgh that feels both cinematic and real.
Edinburgh Airport Transfer: Private Car & Flight TrackingYou get a named driver waiting at arrivals with flight tracking built in, so delays don't leave you scrambling for a backup plan. Luggage handling and an air-conditioned vehicle are included. The driver drops you at your Edinburgh hotel or apartment, or picks you up from your hotel for departure—whichever you booked. One-way transfer, fixed price, no surprises at the end.Is it for me?Book this if you're arriving at Edinburgh airport without a rental car and want to skip the taxi queue, the uncertainty of public transport timing, or the hassle of arranging a ride once you land—the driver's flight tracking and fixed price mean you can walk out and go straight to the car.
Edinburgh: Open-Top Bus Tour & Royal Yacht Britannia 48hrsYou board at Waterloo Place with a 48-hour ticket that covers two separate open-top bus routes through Edinburgh. Hop off at Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, the Royal Botanic Garden, or the Royal Yacht Britannia whenever you want; the multilingual audio commentary plays through free headphones. Cancel up to 24 hours before for a full refund, and activate your mobile ticket whenever you board.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to cover Edinburgh's main sights without booking a guide or planning a fixed itinerary — the 48-hour window and two separate routes let you move at your own pace and come back to things you want to spend more time on.
Make Your Own Gin in Edinburgh: Distill & BottleA hands-on gin-making class in Edinburgh where you design a bespoke recipe, distill 500ml on an individual mini copper still, and bottle your own gin to take home. The three-hour workshop includes a welcome gin and tonic, three spirit tastings, a cocktail while your gin distills, and guidance from a live English-speaking instructor. Minimum age 18.Is it for me?You'll distill and bottle your own gin in an afternoon—walk out with a 500ml bottle that's entirely yours, made from start to finish by your hands.
Edinburgh: Premium Food Tour with Top Restaurants & Local StoriesYou’ll walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a local guide who knows chefs by name, tasting high-quality Scottish dishes at handpicked restaurants along the Royal Mile and beyond. Expect laughter over seafood, stories about hidden corners, and enough food for a very large lunch — plus coffee or tea so good you’ll want seconds.
Rosslyn Chapel, Melrose & Glenkinchie Distillery TourThis full-day guided tour from Edinburgh visits three landmarks of Scottish history and culture: Rosslyn Chapel, known for its intricate stone carvings and Knights Templar legends; Melrose Abbey, founded in 660 and said to hold the heart of Robert the Bruce; and Glenkinchie Distillery, the Lowland home of Johnnie Walker whisky. The tour includes an air-conditioned vehicle, live commentary from a knowledgeable driver-guide, and lunch time in Melrose. Children from age 4 are welcome; those under 8 cannot enter the distillery. The tour departs from NCP Castle Terrace.Is it for me?Eight hours is enough to move through three separate sites without rushing the stops themselves—Rosslyn Chapel's carvings hold detail that rewards time spent looking, Melrose gives you free time to walk the town and abbey grounds at your own pace, and the distillery tour and optional tasting close the day without feeling compressed. This length rules out a return to Edinburgh before early evening, so plan accordingly if you have dinner reservations or evening plans.
Edinburgh Private Tour Mercedes: Old Town, Castle, Royal MileA private 4-hour guided tour of Edinburgh in a comfortable 6-seater Mercedes, covering the Old Town and New Town with stops at Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat, Calton Hill and other major sites. You travel with a driver-guide who provides live commentary, stop to walk and photograph at each location, and can ask for tips on where to eat and shop on your own time. A maximum of 6 people travel together, and a small amount of walking is involved but can be excluded if needed.Is it for me?The live guide speaks English, so you'll follow the commentary comfortably and ask questions as you go. This works well if you want to understand the history and layout of Edinburgh in a single morning or afternoon, rather than piecing it together from multiple walking tours or navigating on your own.
Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle & Kelpies Day Trip from EdinburghYou’ll hear stories of William Wallace at Stirling Castle, stroll through peaceful Luss by Loch Lomond’s shore, and stand beneath The Kelpies’ gleaming steel giants. With local guides sharing history (and jokes), free time for lunch or a loch cruise, and easy transport from Edinburgh, you’ll feel Scotland’s character beyond postcards.
Edinburgh: Holy Island & Alnwick Castle Small Group TourYou travel south from Edinburgh in a small group of twelve with a local guide, spend roughly ninety minutes on Holy Island exploring Viking history and castle views, then get two and a half hours at Alnwick Castle to see the Harry Potter filming locations, the Downton Abbey exhibition, or the Alnwick Garden. The return route cuts through the Borders with a refreshment stop built in. Transport, commentary, and the guide are all included; castle entry and any garden visits are at your own cost.Is it for me?This tour suits travelers based in Edinburgh who want to see the Northumberland coast and Alnwick Castle without arranging their own transport or timing—the small group size and fixed schedule mean you get genuine time at each stop instead of the rushed feel of larger coach tours.
Scottish Highlands & Isle of Skye: 5-Day Small Group TourYou’ll feel Scotland’s wild spirit on this 5-day tour from Edinburgh through the Highlands and Isle of Skye. Walk ruined castles, taste smoky soup in Ullapool pubs, hear ancient legends from your guide, and watch mist roll over mountain passes before cozy nights in Portree or Ullapool. It’s not just scenery — it gets under your skin.
Edinburgh to Glenfinnan: Highlands Day Trip & Hairy CoosYou’ll ride from Edinburgh into wild Highland scenery, walk beneath Glencoe’s brooding peaks, watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross Glenfinnan Viaduct (if it runs), and meet Scotland’s famous Hairy Coos up close—with stories and laughs from your local guide along the way.
Edinburgh: Victoria Street Pastry Tour with 3 StopsYou walk from Edinburgh Castle through the Grassmarket and up Victoria Street to the Royal Mile, stopping at three bakeries to sample donuts, Scottish pastries, and specialty coffee. A local guide shares stories about the city's history and points out restaurants and hidden spots worth visiting later. The pace is leisurely, the route is manageable for most fitness levels, and you finish with a map of recommendations and a clear sense of where to spend the rest of your day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to taste Edinburgh's bakery scene without planning three separate stops yourself—the guide's route and timing let you sample the best spots in one morning and still have the afternoon free to explore on your own.
Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh: Distilleries, Tastings & FerryYou’ll feel Islay’s wild spirit as you cross by ferry from Edinburgh, taste whisky straight from casks at legendary distilleries like Lagavulin and Laphroaig, share laughs with locals over smoky drams, and sleep in cozy B&Bs near Bowmore. Expect salty winds on your face, peaty aromas in your glass—and memories that linger long after you leave.
3 Day Isle of Skye Tour from Edinburgh: Fairy Pools & QuiraingYou travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe and the Glenfinnan Viaduct to the Isle of Skye, spending a full day exploring Skye's landmarks — Fairy Pools, Quiraing, Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock — before returning via Eilean Donan Castle and Loch Ness. Your driver-guide provides live commentary throughout, and the route adapts to weather conditions. Transport, guide, and small-group format are all included; you arrange your own meals except where noted.Is it for me?Right for travelers starting in Edinburgh who want to see Skye's main landmarks and the Highlands in one trip without arranging transport or navigating between sites themselves. Expect a full three days of driving and walking — the coach time is what makes visiting Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Skye, Eilean Donan, and Loch Ness in one tour possible.
Private Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highlands tour from EdinburghA private 12-hour guided tour from Edinburgh takes you through the Scottish Highlands to Glencoe, Loch Ness and Inverness, with hotel pickup and drop-off included. You travel in either a Mercedes V-Class (up to 7 passengers) or a small coach (up to 16), with a live English-speaking guide and an optional 1-hour Loch Ness cruise available at Fort Augustus. The tour passes through Rannoch Moor, stops at Laggan Dam Viewpoint, and includes time in Pitlochry on the return to Edinburgh.Is it for me?Book the V-Class if your group is seven or fewer and you want the intimacy of a smaller vehicle; choose the small coach if you're traveling with a larger party or prefer more space. Either way, the fixed itinerary and included pickup mean you show up at your hotel and the day unfolds without you planning the route or managing the drive.
Edinburgh: Whisky Tasting in Underground Vaults, 5 DramsYou'll descend into Edinburgh's Lost Close, an underground vault beneath the Old Town, and taste five rare whiskies from Scotland's major distillery regions while a local guide explains the craft, the history, and the characters behind each one. The 90-minute tasting includes all five drams and exclusive access to a newly uncovered space most visitors never see.Is it for me?Pick this if you want to try whiskies you'd never buy yourself and don't want to spend the afternoon in a regular bar or shop — the underground venue and the rare selections are what make it worth the time.
Loch Ness & Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh in ItalianYou’ll travel from Edinburgh into Scotland’s wild Highlands with an Italian-speaking guide, passing castles and misty valleys before reaching Loch Ness for lunch or an optional boat cruise. Enjoy a coffee stop among Highland cows and end your day wandering Pitlochry’s charming streets—leaving with more memories than you planned.
