Things to do in Scotland
Day Trips from Edinburgh12 optionsEdinburgh Underground City14 optionsEdinburgh Tour Highlands44 optionsJacobite Steam Train Tours30 optionsEdinburgh Ghost Tour24 optionsStirling Castle Tours39 optionsWhiskey Tour Edinburgh13 optionsLoch Ness Tours60 optionsEdinburgh Walking Tour94 optionsBoat Tour Loch Ness9 optionsEdinburgh Airport Taxi10 optionsIsle of Skye Tours29 options
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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.
Glasgow: Private Walking Tour of Must-See Sights & StoriesYou’ll walk through Glasgow’s heart with a local guide, hear odd stories in George Square, touch centuries-old stones at Provand’s Lordship, and stand beneath cathedral arches that echo with history. Expect laughter, city sounds, and maybe even an Irn-Bru break—this isn’t just sightseeing; it feels like being let in on secrets only Glaswegians tell each other.
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.
Loch Ness, Culloden & Cawdor Castle Day Trip from InvernessYou’ll travel from Inverness with a local guide through misty Loch Ness views and castle ruins at Urquhart, taste whisky at Glen Ord Distillery, feel history at Culloden Battlefield, and wander ancient stones at Clava Cairns before exploring Cawdor Castle’s gardens. Expect stories, laughter, quiet moments—and maybe something you didn’t expect will stay with you after.
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: 2-Hour Group Surf Lesson & EquipmentYou arrive at Dunnet Beach, get fitted into a quality wetsuit, and spend two hours learning to surf from experienced local instructors. The lesson includes on-sand instruction, personalized coaching in the water, and all equipment. Small group size means you get real attention, and the fixed 2-hour window keeps the session focused without dragging into the afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want to actually learn to surf in one session without renting equipment separately or worrying about the cold — the provided wetsuits and small group instruction mean you can focus on the waves instead of logistics.
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.
Glasgow Bike Tour: West End, Kelvingrove & RiversYou cycle on a refurbished Royal Mail bike through Glasgow's parks, both rivers, and the West End, stopping at Kelvingrove Museum, Glasgow University's cloisters, and the Botanical Gardens. The route is safe and flat enough for most riders, with a helmet and snack included, and takes around three hours from start to finish.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see Glasgow's main neighborhoods and landmarks without navigating the city yourself — the small group size and local guide mean you get the story behind each stop, and the refurbished bikes and safe routes take the logistics off your hands.
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.
Glasgow: Glenfinnan, Glencoe & Fort William Day TripYou travel north from Glasgow through Glencoe, stop for lunch in Fort William with views of Ben Nevis, then spend an hour at Glenfinnan Viaduct and its Jacobite Monument before returning via Loch Lomond. The coach is air-conditioned, your driver provides live commentary, and lunch is included. You don't board the Jacobite Steam Train, but you may see it cross the viaduct if it's running that day.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Highlands landmarks—Glencoe, Glenfinnan Viaduct, Ben Nevis, Loch Lomond—in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the stops yourself; the fixed itinerary and included lunch mean you show up and the day unfolds.
Loch Ness & Highlands Day Trip from Aberdeen with CruiseYou’ll cruise across Loch Ness with a small group from Aberdeen, stand in the haunting silence of Culloden Battlefield, and wander ancient stone circles at Clava Cairns. With a local guide sharing stories (and jokes), plus transport and your boat trip included, this is Scotland’s wild beauty up close—and maybe you’ll spot something mysterious on the loch.
Inverness tour: Cawdor Castle, Cairngorms and Highland cattleThis small-group tour from Inverness visits Clava Cairns (a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site), Cawdor Castle and its gardens, a walk through native Scots Pine Forest, lunch in Aviemore, and Loch Morlich in Cairngorms National Park, all in a single day with a local guide and air-conditioned minibus. You choose at checkout whether to add entry to Cawdor Castle or explore the grounds from outside. Children from age 5 are welcome; the tour runs approximately 8 hours and includes audio guides in multiple languages.Is it for me?Book the tour without castle entry if you want to move through the day at a steady pace and keep the focus on the landscape and the Bronze Age sites; add the castle ticket if you're drawn to the rooms and the Macbeth story and don't mind spending more time inside one stop. Either way, the small-group format and local guide mean you're not on a big coach, and the route holds five distinct places in a single day without feeling rushed.
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.
Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky Tasting near GlasgowA 90-minute guided tour of Glengoyne Distillery, 14 miles from Glasgow, where you walk through each stage of single malt whisky production at a traditional working Highland Distillery, then taste three award-winning whiskies paired with handmade chocolate truffles in the Distillery Manager's House. The tour is led by a Distillery Ambassador and is for adults 18 and over only.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand what sets Glengoyne apart—the three-minute still run and the wood aging—rather than just tasting the end result. The tour builds the story before the tasting, so the flavors make sense.
St Andrews Town Tour: Golf History and Cathedral GravesA guided walking tour of St Andrews covers the University, Cathedral, Castle and Old Course in under two hours with a professional English-speaking local guide. You'll visit the graves of Old and Young Tom Morris and Allan Robertson at the Cathedral, walk the 1st/18th fairway of the Old Course at your own risk during live play, and finish with a photo on the Swilkan Bridge. Children from age 5 are welcome; the tour is not suitable for travelers with walking difficulties, hip or knee problems, or poor cardiovascular health.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want the story of how golf began told by someone who knows St Andrews—the guide is local and fluent, and the graves of Tom Morris and Allan Robertson are part of the walk itself, not a separate museum visit.
