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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Isle of Skye, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan: 3-Day Small Group TourYou’ll travel from Edinburgh through Scotland’s Highlands into Skye’s wild landscapes, following local stories from Glencoe’s moors to waterfalls above Kilt Rock and castle ruins by the sea. With small group comfort, daily breakfast, guided walks—including Glenfinnan Viaduct—and a Loch Ness cruise, you’ll feel both far away and strangely at home.
Edinburgh Party Pub Crawl: 7 Bars, Free Shots & VIP Club EntryAn Edinburgh pub crawl visiting 7 bars with a live English-speaking guide, free shots at every venue, drinking games, exclusive drink discounts, and VIP entry to a top nightclub. The crawl runs 5 to 6 hours and is designed for solo travelers and groups, with group sizes that vary from smaller midweek crowds to bigger weekend parties. Minimum age is 18.Is it for me?The crawl starts in central Edinburgh and a live guide leads the whole group, so you don't need a car or advance knowledge of where the bars are—you just show up and follow along. This works whether you're staying in the city center or elsewhere, since the route is planned and the guide handles the navigation.
Coastal Villages of Aberdeenshire Tour: Fishing Heritage & CliffsAn eight-hour guided tour of Aberdeenshire's northeast coast explores five fishing villages and heritage sites, from Gardenstown's 300-year-old harbour to the collapsed sea cave at Bullers of Buchan. A live English-speaking guide leads the route through working harbours, abandoned castles, seabird colonies and the dramatic cliffs where these communities cling to the shore, with stories of Local Heroes and the region's maritime past woven through each stop.Is it for me?The guide speaks English throughout, so you follow the stories and history without translation. A moderate level of physical fitness helps, as the day involves walking coastal paths and headlands between stops, but the pace is set by the group and there's time to linger in each village.
Inverness Private Tour: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness & CullodenA private guided tour from Inverness covering Urquhart Castle perched on Loch Ness, the 13th-century Beauly Priory, Culloden Battlefield where the 1746 battle took place, Clava Cairns Bronze Age cemetery, and Cawdor Castle with its gardens and Macbeth connections. The tour includes port pickup, transportation, a guide in English, lunch at Cawdor Castle, water and snacks, and runs 7 to 8 hours. Groups range from 4 to 8 people depending on the option you choose at checkout.Is it for me?The private format and fixed itinerary mean you don't coordinate timing across multiple stops or worry about missing the port departure—the guide handles the route and pacing so the full day holds together. Choose the group of 4 if you want the most intimate experience, or the larger groups if you're traveling with family or friends and want to share the cost.
Shetland Pony Express: Circular tour with pony visitThe Shetland Pony Express is a guided circular tour of Shetland's Central Mainland that takes one to two hours and includes transport, a stop at Scalloway (the former capital), and a visit to Carol's Ponies stud farm where you learn the history of the breed from the owner herself. The tour loops back through Tingwall Valley and returns to Lerwick. Fuel surcharge and parking are included; lunch and museum entry are separate.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided loop around central Shetland with stops at Scalloway and the Shetland Ponies—you'll follow the set itinerary rather than choose your own route.
Edinburgh Whisky Tour: Royal Mile & Underground TastingA small-group whisky tour in Edinburgh starts at the Mercat Cross, moves through the Old Town's whisky history on the Royal Mile, then descends into Mercat's underground vaults for a guided tasting of four Scottish single malts from Speyside, Highland, Islay and Lowland distilleries. Minimum age 18; the tour runs year-round and lasts two hours.Is it for me?The small-group format and fixed two-hour schedule suit anyone who wants to learn whisky history and taste four regional styles without spending a full afternoon or arranging their own transport between stops. The underground vaults and audio layer make it different from a standard tasting room, so it works well if you want the sensory depth beyond the four drams alone.
Orkney tour: Neolithic sites, Viking history, wartime heritageA private five-hour guided tour of Orkney led by a born-and-bred local, covering Neolithic sites including Skara Brae and the Ring of Brodgar, Viking heritage, and wartime history without the pace of a group bus. The itinerary is not fixed—your guide adapts the route around what you want to linger on or explore differently. Pickup is included; site tickets to the final stops are arranged separately.Is it for me?The guide speaks English and sets the pace around your questions and interests rather than a fixed schedule, which works well if you want depth at a few sites instead of a quick tick-box of highlights.
Eden Mill Whisky Tour Scotland: Distillery & 3 DramsThe Eden Mill Classic Whisky Experience is a guided distillery visit and tasting in Scotland where you walk through the Whisky Room, tour the state-of-the-art production floor, and taste three drams including a guest single malt. The visit runs about an hour and includes a discount voucher for the retail space afterward. Children are welcome from age 12, and the distillery is wheelchair accessible.Is it for me?An hour is short enough to fit between other plans in your day, but long enough to understand how the whisky is made and taste three different spirits—if you want a deeper dive into production or a longer tasting, this is the entry point, not the full masterclass.
Edinburgh: Canyoning Day Trip with Cliff Jumping & AbseilingYou get picked up in Edinburgh, driven to the canyon, and spend the day jumping, sliding and abseiling through Scottish waterfalls with a guide who knows the water. Wetsuit, harness and helmet are provided; the vehicle is air-conditioned for the drive back. The whole day is built around small groups and high physical commitment.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full-day physical challenge that gets you into actual Scottish terrain — not a scenic walk, but jumping and abseiling in water and stone. The small group size and included gear mean you show up and move, without arranging anything yourself.
Loch Ness tour from Invergordon: Castles and Jacobite cruiseA full-day guided tour from Invergordon through the Scottish Highlands, visiting Urquhart Castle on Loch Ness, cruising the loch aboard the Jacobite, walking Culloden Battlefield with your guide, and exploring Cawdor Castle and its gardens. All entrance fees are included and paid in advance, so you skip the queues at each stop. The tour runs eight hours with hotel pickup, a Scottish Highland guide, bottled water and snacks, plus a Gaelic singing and whisky toast at Culloden.Is it for me?Book this if you want to visit Urquhart Castle before the crowds arrive and experience a guided walk across Culloden Battlefield—the early-morning start and included Loch Ness cruise fit multiple highlands highlights into one day.
Invergordon Cruise: Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch & Loch FleetThis six to seven hour guided tour from Invergordon Cruise port takes small groups through Easter Ross and Sutherland to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and Loch Fleet. The itinerary includes entry to Dunrobin Castle and its falconry display, stops at Millionaires Viewpoint (named for Andrew Carnegie's visits), the thirteenth-century Dornoch Cathedral and the Witch's Stone marking Janet Horne's 1727 execution, and a wildlife reserve where seals often rest on the sand. A local guide, bottled water and air-conditioned transport are included; the tour departs from the cruise port itself.Is it for me?Small groups suit this tour better than large coach excursions—you'll have room to move and a guide who can answer questions without shouting over fifty other people. The fixed six to seven hour window is built around cruise port schedules, so the day holds together without you watching the clock or negotiating an early return with the driver.
Edinburgh: Private Black Cab City Tour & Rosslyn Chapel OptionYou’ll ride through Edinburgh in a classic black cab with your own guide—exploring everything from the Royal Mile’s bustle to quiet corners like Greyfriars Kirkyard or Calton Hill’s windy summit. Stops are flexible: maybe you’ll squeeze in Rosslyn Chapel or linger over city views instead. Expect local stories, hotel pickup, and time for photos along the way—you’ll leave with more than just snapshots.
Glasgow's Music Mile Walking Tour: Venues & StoriesGlasgow's Music Mile Walking Tour is a two-hour guided walk through the city centre that connects the Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow's Conservatoire, and King Tut's Wah Wah Hut — a little over a mile of music venues past and present. Your guide is a musician, writer or performer steeped in Glasgow's cultural life, and the route covers everything from traditional jazz and dancehall to punk and today's guitar heroes. The tour suits both dedicated music fans and casual visitors who want a different way to see the city.Is it for me?Book this if you want a guided walk rather than self-directed exploration—a local music enthusiast leads you through venues and landmarks across the city centre in two hours, covering the route and stories in a set sequence.
Private Greyfriars Kirkyard tour: Scottish history storiesA private walking tour of Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh with a local guide, where you learn the history of the people buried in the ground beneath you—Covenanters, grave robbers, a famous terrier and others whose lives shaped Scottish history. The tour stays entirely within the burial ground and runs 90 minutes; you choose the group size (1 to 10 people) at checkout.Is it for me?Book this if you want to move at your own pace through the kirkyard and hear the stories of the people buried there without a large group around you. The private format means the guide can adjust the route and the depth of each story to what interests your group, and you control when to linger at a grave or move on.
Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour: Castle, Royal Mile & StoriesYou’ll walk Edinburgh’s Old Town with a guide who brings history to life—stories behind St Giles’ Cathedral, secrets along the Royal Mile, and legends at Grassmarket. Expect laughter, unexpected details (and maybe a chill or two), plus plenty of chances to pause or ask questions as you go.
Invergordon: Loch Ness & Outlander Sites Cruise ExcursionYou visit four major Highlands landmarks — ancient stones, a battlefield, a castle, and a loch — in a single port day with a local guide and a group of no more than seven. Stops include a gin tasting at a craft distillery and guided walks at each site. The itinerary is leisurely, which means you're not racing between photo ops; you're actually standing in the places where the story happened.Is it for me?Book this if you're docking at Invergordon and want to see the main Highlands sites in one day without arranging your own transport or worrying about getting back to the ship on time — the small group size and local guide mean you're not just passing through, and the leisurely pace means you actually have time to look around.
Edinburgh: Loch Lomond Bike Tour & Stirling Castle with E-BikesYou cycle 18 miles through Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on quiet roads and cycle paths, with views of Doune Castle, Stirling Castle, and an optional 30-minute walk to Balquhidder Braes. E-bikes are available for a gentler pace. Hotel pickup from Edinburgh and lunch at a local cafe are included; the tour runs at a relaxed speed with a small group and an experienced guide.Is it for me?Best for cyclists who want to see the Highlands without arranging their own transport or route—the guide handles the navigation and pacing, the van covers the drive out, and e-bikes are there if you want to coast through the harder sections.
Private Tour: Loch Lomond, Stirling & the Kelpies from GlasgowA private guided tour from Glasgow takes you through four Scottish landmarks in a single day: Highland Cows at Pollok Park, the 100-foot Kelpies sculptures near Falkirk, Stirling's historic centre and shops, and a one-hour cruise on Loch Lomond. The tour runs about seven hours with roughly four and a half hours spent at the attractions themselves, and the guide speaks your choice of language — English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French or several others. Your own vehicle means no shared stops, no waiting for other groups, and the flexibility to linger where you want.Is it for me?Book this if you want a private vehicle for your group rather than joining a shared coach, and a guide who narrates the history at each stop instead of exploring independently.
Glasgow West End Food Tour: 7 Tastings & ScotchThis 3.5-hour food tour of Glasgow's West End includes seven tastings — haggis, Cullen Skink soup, Chicken Tikka Masala, Scottish cheese, Cranachan dessert, two single malts and a secret final dish — led by a live English-speaking guide who connects each stop to Glasgow's culinary history and culture. The itinerary may shift based on restaurant availability and weather, and dietary requirements need advance notice.Is it for me?At 3.5 hours, this tour leaves room for other plans in your day — a morning departure means lunch and the afternoon are still yours, or an afternoon start lets you explore the city before you taste. The walking pace and tasting stops mean you're not rushing between venues, so the day unfolds without feeling crammed.
Edinburgh E-Bike Tour: Arthur's Seat & Old Town with Local GuideYou cycle Edinburgh's main sights—Scottish Parliament, Arthur's Seat, Palace of Holyroodhouse, Dean Village, and Leith waterfront—in one afternoon without arranging your own transport or getting exhausted on climbs. The e-bike motor handles the hills, a local guide handles the history, and small groups (max 10) mean you're not herded. All gear—jacket, gloves, helmet, bike—is included; the tour takes 3–4 hours.Is it for me?Right for anyone who wants to cover Edinburgh's main sights in one afternoon without renting a car or walking uphill for hours—the e-bike motor and small-group pacing mean you see more ground and stay comfortable doing it.
