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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Edinburgh: Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off 24 & 48 Hour ToursYou board at Waterloo Place and choose your route: the City Tour hits Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace and the National Museum; the 48-hour option adds the Britannia Tour to the Royal Yacht. Hop off whenever you want, listen to audio commentary in nine languages, and ride the open-top deck for views of the castle and Georgian streets. The whole thing is wheelchair accessible, dogs travel free, and you're back on the next bus whenever you're ready.Is it for me?Best for travelers who want to see Edinburgh's main sights without committing to a guided group or fixed schedule — you hop off when something catches your eye and catch the next bus when you're ready to move on.
Seal Island Cruise Fort William: Spot seals from the waterYou’ll feel the chill breeze as you set off from Fort William, spot curious seals lounging on Black Rock, catch glimpses of sea eagles overhead, and hear local tales from your skipper. With panoramic views of Ben Nevis and a relaxed pace on Loch Linnhe, this cruise gives you time to soak up Highland nature—and maybe leave with salt in your hair.
90min Underground Whisky Tasting in Edinburgh's Old TownA 90-minute whisky tasting class in Edinburgh's Old Town introduces you to Scotland's whisky regions and history through four tastings in an exclusive underground space recently uncovered beneath the city. A live guide leads the session in English, and you choose between introductory whiskies on weekdays or weekends, or step up to intermediate or high-end selections if you want rarer, more complex drams.Is it for me?Choose the weekday Introduction Whisky if you want a gentle introduction to Scottish regions and flavors; pick the weekend Introduction if that timing suits you better. If you've tasted whisky before and want to explore rarer, more complex selections, the Intermediate or High End levels let you go deeper without leaving the group behind.
Edinburgh: Sky to Sea Bike Tour, Arthur’s Seat & PortobelloYou’ll pedal from Arthur’s Seat down to Portobello Beach with a local guide who actually knows Edinburgh’s quirks—expect city views, salty air, and stories you won’t find in guidebooks. Includes hotel pickup, bottled water, all gear (even gloves if it rains), plus your choice of regular or e-bike for those climbs that sneak up on you.
Edinburgh: Highland Lochs, Castles & Loch Lomond Small GroupYou visit three castles (Doune with interior access, plus Kilchurn and Stirling from outside), stop at two lochs with mountain views, explore a 15th-century village, and have a two-hour lunch break in Inveraray. Your driver-guide manages the route and vehicle, so you focus on the scenery instead of logistics or directions.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Highland castles and lochs in one day without arranging your own transport or navigating between stops — the small group size and fixed itinerary mean you spend the day looking at mountains instead of reading a map.
Edinburgh: Harry Potter Tour & Castle Entry with GuideYou walk two hours through Edinburgh's Old Town following the real places that inspired Harry Potter — Greyfriars Kirkyard, Victoria Street (Diagon Alley), Waverley Station, and Edinburgh University — with a local guide who knows the connections. Then you get timed entry to Edinburgh Castle to explore the Crown Jewels and views at your own pace, with no extra ticket to buy.Is it for me?Right for Potter fans and Edinburgh first-timers who want the real locations without spending hours researching them, since the guide connects the dots and castle entry is already sorted. The walk is two hours on cobbles and slight hills, which is what lets you cover the Old Town and still have time to spend in the castle afterward.
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glen Coe & Inverness Highlands Day TripYou leave Edinburgh early and spend the day moving through three valleys and two lochs with a Spanish-speaking guide, stopping long enough at Loch Ness to eat and walk, and returning to Edinburgh in the evening. Transport, guide, and all the main Highlands landmarks are included; you just show up at pickup.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Edinburgh who want the main Highlands in one day without renting a car or planning stops themselves—the fixed route and Spanish guide are what make fitting Loch Ness, Glen Coe, and Inverness into a single outing possible. Expect a full day in the bus with breaks to walk; that's what covers the distance.
Edinburgh: Underground Vaults & Torture Exhibition After DarkYou descend into Edinburgh's most haunted underground vaults on a 75-minute evening tour with a professional guide, visit a torture exhibition showing instruments from the Burning Times, and hear firsthand accounts of paranormal activity reported by visitors and investigators. The tour is strictly for adults 18 and over, includes vault entry and exhibition access, and runs when paranormal activity peaks—late evening approaching midnight.Is it for me?Book this if you're 18 or older and want to explore Edinburgh's paranormal history on your own terms without arranging a private group—the fixed evening time is when the vaults show the most activity, and the guide handles all the history and logistics so you just show up and descend.
Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh: Mary Queen of Scots ApartmentsYou walk through the official Scottish residence of His Majesty The King and spend time in Mary, Queen of Scots' apartments, where her secretary was murdered and her bedchamber still stands as the most famous room in Scotland. A multimedia guide is included, and you can move through at your own pace. Last admission is 4:30pm most days, earlier in winter.Is it for me?Right for anyone wanting to understand Mary, Queen of Scots and Scottish royal history without a guided tour — the multimedia guide lets you move at your own pace through 900 years of drama. Plan for two to three hours; the Palace is not vast, but the story pulls you through each room.
Edinburgh Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop: Craft Your SatchelThis 90-minute handbag-making workshop in Edinburgh lets you craft a custom Islander mini satchel from start to finish. You choose the body color, select a Harris Tweed® or Lochcarron® cloth lid, pick your straps and accessories, then construct the bag using provided tools under the guidance of a live instructor. The finished handbag is yours to keep; minimum age is 12 years old.Is it for me?Book this workshop if you're spending an afternoon in Edinburgh and want to leave with something you made yourself rather than something you bought. The small group setting and hands-on format mean you'll spend the full 90 minutes actually building, not watching—which is what makes the finished bag feel like yours.
Bruar Falls: Canyoning Adventure with Jumps & Waterfall RappelsYou’ll scramble through pine forests to leap into Bruar’s wild pools with local guides who know every ledge by heart. Expect jumps up to ten meters high, natural slides carved by centuries of water, and waterfall abseils that leave your pulse racing. Small groups mean more laughs (and more courage). You’ll walk away soaked but oddly proud — maybe even craving another go.
Private Scottish Highlands tour from Edinburgh: Castles and lochsA private guided tour departing from Edinburgh City Centre explores the Scottish Highlands over nine hours, visiting Inveraray Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Loch Lomond, Glencoe and the Three Sisters viewpoint, ending at the Kelpies—two 100-foot horse statues. Pickup is at 10am or a time you request; the guide speaks your choice of language; water, snacks and air-conditioned transport are included. Inveraray Castle admission costs extra if you choose to enter; lunch is your own arrangement.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to see three castles and two lochs without arranging your own transport or timing—the private vehicle and guide handle the route, the stops and the nine-hour day, leaving you free to photograph and absorb the landscape.
Edinburgh: Stirling Castle, Kelpies & Loch Lomond Day TripYou travel from Edinburgh through three distinct Scottish moments: colossal modern sculptures celebrating folklore, a fortress where queens and warriors lived, and a village on one of Scotland's most famous lochs. Transport, a driver who knows the route, and time at each stop are all arranged, so you just show up at pickup and move through the day without planning logistics.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main sights north of Edinburgh without renting a car or planning three separate journeys—the fixed route and driver handle the navigation, leaving you free to look at the landscape.
Edinburgh Castle Tour: Tickets, Map & Guided HighlightsYou’ll follow an expert guide through Edinburgh Castle’s winding paths, hear stories of royalty and rebellion, stand inside St Margaret’s Chapel, and see the Scottish Crown Jewels up close. With your entry ticket and map included, you’ll have time after the tour to explore hidden corners or just soak up those city views.
Stirling, Highlands & Distillery: Spanish Tour with CastlesYou’ll wander ancient forests near The Hermitage, feel history at Stirling Castle and Wallace Monument, stroll riverside lanes in Dunkeld, and taste whisky at Blair Athol Distillery—all with a Spanish-speaking guide. Expect laughter, local stories, and moments where Scotland just gets under your skin.
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky Small Group TourYou’ll join a tiny group for a day trip from Edinburgh to Stirling Castle, Glengoyne Distillery for whisky tasting, and nature walks by Loch Lomond’s shores. Expect stories from your local guide, time to explore castles, and plenty of Scottish weather—plus that first sip of whisky you might remember longer than you think.
Edinburgh: Silent Disco Walking Tour & Flash Mob DanceYou put on wireless headsets and dance through Edinburgh's Royal Mile, Princes Street Gardens, and past the Scott Monument while only you hear the music — turning yourself into a flash mob in front of tourists and locals. The tour includes an adventure host and runs in August only, starting and ending near The Meadows. Wear comfortable shoes and come ready to move.Is it for me?Book this if you want a walking tour that breaks the ice fast and turns you into part of the entertainment — the silent headsets are what make strangers feel brave enough to dance in public, and the small-group format keeps the energy tight and the chaos fun rather than overwhelming.
Loch Ness tour from Inverness: Urquhart Castle & Fort AugustusThis eight-hour Loch Ness tour from Inverness follows the Caledonian Canal to the loch's edge, stopping at the 13th-century Urquhart Castle, the village of Fort Augustus for lunch and an optional boat cruise, the Falls of Foyers, and Dores Beach on the east shore. The tour departs at 08:45 with a live guide, air-conditioned coach and digital translations available; castle entry and the Loch Ness cruise are optional add-ons booked in advance. Children from age 4 are welcome, and the tour operates in all weather.Is it for me?The tour starts early (08:45 departure) and involves several short walks—down to Urquhart Castle's ruins, around the Falls of Foyers, and along Dores Beach's pebble shore—so you'll want comfortable walking shoes and a reasonable level of mobility. If you prefer a slower pace or have difficulty with uneven ground, ask about the specific terrain at each stop when you book.
Cawdor Castle, Culloden & Loch Ness tour from InvergordonA full-day guided bus tour from Invergordon port takes you through the Scottish Highlands to Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Loch Ness, with castle entry included and a return timed an hour before your ship departs. The itinerary packs four stops into six to eight hours, and the operator has been running this route for seven years, serving cruise passengers every summer.Is it for me?Book this if you're docking at Invergordon and want to cover four major Scottish sites in one afternoon—the itinerary is timed to get you back before the ship's buses, so you won't miss departure.
Scottish Highlands Day Trip: Loch Ness, Glencoe & Whisky TastingYou’ll taste real Highland whisky at Deanston Distillery, walk through Glencoe’s haunting silence, and maybe catch a glimpse of Loch Ness (monster or not). With a local guide sharing stories and regular stops for fresh air or snacks, this Scottish Highlands day trip from Edinburgh feels both lively and quietly moving—especially as dusk settles on your return.
