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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Loch Ness & Jacobite Steam Train: Full Day from InvernessYou depart Inverness by coach, stop at Loch Ness and the Commando Memorial, then board the Jacobite Steam Train for a two-hour journey from Fort William to Mallaig with views of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. After lunch in Mallaig and a viewpoint stop in Glenfinnan, you visit Fort Augustus on Loch Ness and finish at Dores Beach. The tour includes your steam train ticket, local guide, and all transport in a climate-controlled coach.Is it for me?Book this if you want to ride the Jacobite Steam Train and see Loch Ness in one day without arranging separate transport, train tickets, or timing — the guide and coach handle all the logistics, leaving you to focus on the views and the journey itself.
Edinburgh: Isle of Skye & Jacobite Steam Train 4-Day TourYou spend four days moving through the Scottish Highlands by coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide, riding the Jacobite Steam Train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, exploring the Isle of Skye's waterfalls and rock formations, and visiting Eilean Donan Castle and Culloden Battlefield. Accommodation in Oban and Portree is included, optional whisky tastings happen at two distilleries, and the whole thing runs in all weather—bring layers. Book accommodation through the tour operator or within 2km of town centers if you arrange your own.Is it for me?Choose this tour if you want the Jacobite Steam Train, Isle of Skye's main landmarks, and Highland castles in one four-day loop without arranging transport, accommodation coordination, or timing between stops—the fixed itinerary handles all three, and the driver knows where the light hits best.
Edinburgh: Rosslyn Chapel & Melrose Abbey Private Day TripYou visit three medieval abbeys and a chapel across the Scottish Borders in one day, with a private driver and guide handling all the logistics. The route includes Rosslyn Chapel's intricate carvings, Melrose Abbey where Robert the Bruce's heart rests, Scott's View overlooking the River Tweed, and Dryburgh Abbey where Sir Walter Scott is buried. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with live commentary, bottled water, and transport in a luxury Mercedes minivan.Is it for me?This works well if you want to see the main medieval sites south of Edinburgh without arranging your own transport or managing multiple entry points—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, timing, and stories, which is what makes a full day across the Borders feel unhurried rather than rushed.
Stirling Castle & Whisky Tour: Kelpies & Doune CastleYou visit Stirling Castle and Doune Castle on foot, taste whisky at Deanston Distillery with time to ask questions, and finish at the Kelpies sculptures. Private transport and bottled water are included, and the whole day moves at your own rhythm instead of a group schedule.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Stirling's main castles and the distillery in one day without renting a car or piecing together public transport — the private driver handles the route and timing, leaving you free to focus on the stops themselves.
Alnwick & Bamburgh Castles: Harry Potter & Last Kingdom TourYou spend the day in a vehicle with a driver-guide, stopping to feed seals in Eyemouth, exploring Alnwick Castle (the Hogwarts filming location with extensive gardens), eating lunch in a coastal town, and walking through Bamburgh Castle with its exclusive Last Kingdom costume display. Water and snacks are included, and you return to Edinburgh in the evening without arranging transport or tickets yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see both the Harry Potter and Last Kingdom filming locations without arranging your own transport or buying tickets separately — the fixed itinerary and included entries mean you show up and the day unfolds on schedule.
Aberdeen Union Street Audio Tour: Self-Guided with GPSThis self-guided audio walking tour of Aberdeen's Union Street uses GPS-triggered narration on your smartphone to reveal the city's history and landmarks as you move through them. Starting at Holburn Junction and ending at Marischal College, the route covers roughly two kilometers and takes about an hour of walking time, though you pause whenever you want. The VoiceMap app works offline, so you don't need data or a signal once you've downloaded it.Is it for me?Start at Holburn Junction without needing a car or a guide to meet you—the app triggers narration automatically as you walk, so you move at your own speed and stop whenever something catches your eye. This works for anyone staying in Aberdeen without transport, or anyone who prefers to explore alone rather than in a group.
Edinburgh: Private City Tour with Castle & Royal MileYou get eight hours in a private vehicle with a guide who knows Edinburgh's medieval and Georgian sides, moving between the Old Town's cramped closes and the New Town's planned elegance. Stops include the Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Grassmarket, Calton Hill with its panoramic views, and optional time at Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, and the group stays under eight people so the pace stays flexible.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main landmarks without arranging their own transport or timing between stops—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, and the small group size means you're not locked into a fixed pace if something catches your attention.
Rosslyn Chapel & Pentlands tour: Da Vinci Code sites half-dayThis half-day guided tour of the Pentlands region takes you through three sites spanning Iron Age ramparts, 17th-century mansion gardens, and Rosslyn Chapel, the 15th-century chapel famous for its intricate carvings and connection to the Da Vinci Code. Door-to-door pickup in a luxury minivan, live guide commentary in English or German, bottled water and WiFi on board are included. The tour runs 4 hours and suits all fitness levels; wheelchair-accessible vehicles and specialized infant seats are available.Is it for me?Book this tour if you have a free afternoon and want to move through three distinct historical periods without arranging your own transport or timing—the minivan picks you up, the guide handles the narrative, and the sequence builds from ancient ramparts through 17th-century grandeur to the chapel that ties it all together. Choose the Premium option if you want additional amenities beyond the core experience.
Edinburgh Castle, Royal Mile & Holyrood Palace Shore Excursion: Walk Scotland's royal heartYou board a coach at the tendering point and spend the day with a licensed guide visiting four Edinburgh landmarks: the Royal Yacht Britannia (drive-by), Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile with St Giles Cathedral and Scottish Parliament, and Holyrood Palace. Entry to the castle and palace is optional and not included. The guide times your return to the ship, typically one hour before sailing, so you never miss the boat.Is it for me?Built for cruise passengers on a short stop: the return time is planned around your ship's departure, which is what makes a full Edinburgh highlights tour possible in port without the stress of arranging your own transport back.
Isle of Skye & Eilean Donan Castle day tour from InvernessA guided day tour from Inverness to the Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle covers Loch Ness, the Old Man of Storr rock formation, Kilt Rock waterfalls, Portree harbour town and a working distillery, with an air-conditioned vehicle, driver-guide in English and hotel pickup included. Eilean Donan Castle is a stop on some options; lunch is not included and you arrange it in Portree.Is it for me?The ten-to-eleven-hour commitment means an early start and a full day in the vehicle, which is what fits all four main landmarks—Loch Ness, the castle, the rock pinnacles and the distillery—into one route without backtracking. If you want to explore Skye at a slower pace or spend a night on the island, a shorter excursion or a multi-day trip would suit you better.
National Museum of Scotland Tour: Lewis Chessmen & Arthur's SeatA one-hour guided tour of the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, led by a certified Blue Badge Guide, covers Scottish history, science and world culture. You meet at the William Chambers Statue on Chambers Street, explore highlights including the Lewis chessmen and Arthur's Seat coffins with live commentary, then continue at your own pace using an audio tour app available in English, French and German. The museum itself is free to enter; this package includes the guide, the app, a donation to the museum and local discounts.Is it for me?Small groups work best here — the guide leads a manageable number through the highlights, so you hear the stories without fighting through crowds. It's ideal if you want the context and the key objects without spending half the day in the museum, or if you're visiting Edinburgh for the first time and want a local expert to anchor what you're seeing.
Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield from InvergordonThis eight-hour shore excursion from Invergordon covers the major historic sites of the Scottish Highlands with a private guide and air-conditioned transport. The tour includes Beauly Priory (founded in 1230 by French monks), Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness, Old Inverness, Cawdor Castle and Gardens, the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns, and Culloden Battlefield with its visitor centre. Admission to individual attractions is optional and charged separately; the guide can adjust the route if you have a specific interest in particular sites.Is it for me?Book this if you want a full-day Highland loop from your ship with a guide who flexes the route based on what captures your interest, and you can choose which paid attractions (castles, Culloden) to enter rather than commit to all of them.
Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Private Tour from InvernessA private guided tour from Inverness covers Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns in a single afternoon, with a guide in a kilt and your group traveling alone in an air-conditioned vehicle. The tour runs 4.5 hours and includes transportation; Urquhart Castle has a separate entrance fee paid on the day. Infants can travel in a pram, and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Choose the minivan if your group is larger and you want comfort for up to eight; pick the Landrover if you're traveling as a couple or small family and prefer a more intimate vehicle. Either way, having your own guide and vehicle means the day moves at your pace without waiting for a shared bus or coordinating with strangers.
Glasgow to Stirling & Falkirk: Private Castle, Distillery & Kelpies TourYou're driven from Glasgow through four major Scottish landmarks in a private, air-conditioned vehicle over 10 hours, with flexible morning departure and stops at Stirling Castle (90 minutes), Wallace Monument (40 minutes), Falkirk Wheel with lunch (90 minutes), and the Kelpies sculptures (45 minutes), finishing at Rosebank Distillery; entry fees to attractions are separate, but pickup, water and parking are included.Is it for me?Choose this if you want to see Stirling's main castles, monuments and distilleries without arranging separate transport, tickets or timing — the private vehicle and flexible start mean you're not syncing to a group schedule, and the driver handles the route while you decide which attractions to enter.
Edinburgh & Rosslyn Chapel: Private Shore Excursion 9 HoursYou see Edinburgh Castle, walk the Royal Mile, pass the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament, drive around Arthur's Seat, and visit Rosslyn Chapel—all in one 9-hour block with a driver-guide who knows the city and timing that works around your ship. Port pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't arrange transport or worry about getting back on time.Is it for me?Right for cruise passengers who want to see both medieval and modern Edinburgh plus the famous 15th-century chapel in one block—the fixed 9-hour window and port timing take the logistics off your hands so you can focus on the sights.
Glasgow City Bike Tour and Craft Beer Tasting: Beer at a local micro-breweryA four-hour guided bike tour of Glasgow that passes Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, the Clydeside Distillery and the Squinty Bridge, finishing with a craft beer tasting flight at a local microbrewery. The tour includes a bike, helmet, guide in English and a famous Glasgow treat. Minimum age is 18; e-bikes are available on request.Is it for me?You ride the whole route yourself on a shared tour with other travelers, led by a local guide who stops to explain what you're passing. Choose this if you want to see Glasgow from a bike seat rather than a bus window, and you're comfortable cycling four hours on established paths — the guide handles the navigation and the stories, you handle the pedaling.
Isle of Skye 3-Day Tour from Edinburgh & Train RideYou travel three days from Edinburgh through Glencoe and onto the Isle of Skye with a local guide, sleeping two nights in a hostel in Portree. You ride the West Highland Line train across the Glenfinnan Viaduct, walk to the Old Man of Storr and Kilt Rock, see Eilean Donan Castle and Dunvegan, and learn the myths and rewilding work that define the region. The tour handles transport, accommodation and entry to the main sites, so you show up and move through the landscape without arranging logistics yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main Highlands and Skye landmarks in three days without arranging your own transport, accommodation or entry fees — the fixed itinerary and included hostel mean you pack and show up, and the guide handles the rest.
Edinburgh: Bamburgh Castle & Lindisfarne Holy Island Day TripYou spend the day on the Northumberland coast with a small group (max 16 people) in a luxury minibus, crossing a tidal causeway to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, exploring Bamburgh Castle's interiors and beach, and stopping at St Abbs Head's dramatic cliffs. The itinerary adapts to tide conditions to keep you safe and ensure a full day of exploration. All transport, the guide, and the vehicle are included; castle entry is paid on site. Pickup is arranged via What3Words coordinates — check the operator's website for exact meeting details and advance booking.Is it for me?Book this if you want the Northumberland coast's two major castles and a sacred island in one day without arranging your own transport or timing — the small group size and flexible itinerary mean you see everything the tides allow, and the driver handles the route.
Glasgow & Isle of Skye: Jacobite Steam Train & Whisky 4-DayYou travel by luxury air-conditioned coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide who navigates four days across Scotland's west coast. You ride the Jacobite Steam Train across the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, explore the Isle of Skye's cliffs and pools, taste whisky at working distilleries, and stand in front of Eilean Donan Castle and Culloden Battlefield. Luggage is limited to one medium suitcase per person, and the tour operates in all weather — bring layers.Is it for me?This tour suits travelers who want to see the Scottish Highlands and Isle of Skye without renting a car, booking separate transport, or timing their own stops — the fixed four-day schedule and included coach handle all of that, leaving you free to walk, look, and photograph.
Glasgow City Centre to Airport: Private Transfer up to 8You get picked up from your Glasgow city centre hotel or address by a named driver in a Premium car or minivan, travel directly to Glasgow Airport with all taxes and tolls included, and arrive with time to spare before check-in. The fixed price means no surprises, and the fifteen-minute courtesy window gives you a small cushion if you're running late.Is it for me?Book this if you're leaving Glasgow and want the airport run handled without arranging a taxi, comparing prices, or worrying about surge charges—the driver, the car, and the cost are all confirmed before you arrive at your hotel.
