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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John O'Groats tour from Inverness: Dunrobin Castle & Far NorthThis full-day guided tour from Inverness travels north to John O'Groats, the most northerly point on the British mainland, with stops at Loch Fleet, Dunrobin Castle, Helmsdale, Wick and coastal viewpoints. The driver-guide provides live commentary throughout the journey in an air-conditioned coach, and you spend time exploring the castle grounds and gardens, walking the cliff path at John O'Groats and watching for seals, puffins and other wildlife along the way. Children from age 4 are welcome; food, drinks and attraction tickets are not included.Is it for me?Choose this if you prefer to sit and absorb the landscape rather than walk between stops, and need to reach both John O'Groats and Dunrobin Castle in one day from Inverness.
Glasgow: Loch Lomond, Trossachs & Stirling Castle Day TripYou leave Glasgow in a coach with a knowledgeable driver-guide and spend the day moving between three major stops: an optional boat cruise on Loch Lomond, a lunch break in Aberfoyle, a drive through the Trossachs National Park, and time at Stirling Castle. Entry fees to the cruise and castle are separate, so you choose what you want to do at each stop. The coach handles all the driving and timing, which means you don't navigate or worry about getting lost.Is it for me?This tour works well if you want to see the Trossachs, Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle in one day without renting a car or planning the route yourself — the coach handles the driving and the stops are timed so you move through all three in a single afternoon.
Aberfeldy Distillery Tour: Dewar's whisky tasting includedThe Aberfeldy Distillery tour in Highland Perthshire includes a self-guided heritage centre, a professional-led distillery and warehouse tour, and a comparative tasting of Dewar's Blended Scotch and Aberfeldy Single Malt in the whisky lounge. The distillery sits on the banks of the River Tay, 90 minutes from Edinburgh, with free parking; allow 1.5 hours for the full visit. Over 18s receive a dram in the lounge; drivers can request a take-away pack to make a cocktail at home. Tours run throughout the day, and the visitor centre is fully accessible, though the historical distillery building has stairs and uneven surfaces.Is it for me?Book this tour if you want to understand how whisky is made and taste it in the place where it's aged — the professional guide and working distillery setting make the difference between reading about the process and seeing it happen. The 1.5-hour visit fits between other Highland activities without eating a full day.
Outlander tour from Glasgow: Doune and Blackness CastlesThis nine-hour tour from Glasgow visits five Outlander filming locations, including Doune Castle and Blackness Castle with entry included. A guide leads a small group (max 16 people) by air-conditioned coach through the actual sites that inspired the series—from the 600-year-old fortress walls to the unchanged 16th-century village streets where scenes were filmed. Children from age 5 are welcome; arrive 15 minutes before departure.Is it for me?If you've watched Outlander and want to see the real castles and villages instead of just the screen versions, this tour brings them all together in one day with a guide who explains the history behind each location. The reserved castle entries mean you skip the ticket lines and spend your time inside the actual rooms where scenes were filmed.
Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Glasgow: Watch Steam Train CrossYou travel from Glasgow to four major Scottish locations in one day: Loch Lomond, Glencoe (with a visit to the Visitor Centre), Fort William and Glenfinnan Viaduct. The tour times the Glenfinnan stop so you can watch the Jacobite Steam Train cross the viaduct (April to October). Your driver-guide handles the route and history, and you return to Glasgow in the evening.Is it for me?Right for travelers based in Glasgow who want to see multiple Highlands locations and film sites in one day without renting a car or planning the route themselves. Expect a full day out—around ten hours—which is what lets you visit Glencoe twice and catch the steam train at Glenfinnan.
Edinburgh: 2-Day Highlands & Jacobite Steam Train TourYou'll travel north from Edinburgh by coach with a professional guide, stop at Pitlochry and the Culloden battlefield, take a scenic cruise on Loch Ness to see Urquhart Castle ruins, spend a night in Fort Augustus, then board the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William to Mallaig before driving back through Glen Coe. The tour includes transport, breakfast both mornings, the one-way train journey, and overnight accommodation — so you're not arranging any of those pieces yourself.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the real Highlands — battlefields, lochs, mountains, and the famous steam train — without arranging your own transport, accommodation, or train tickets. The fixed itinerary and small group (max 32 people) mean you move at a pace that lets you actually absorb each place instead of rushing between them.
Glasgow: Loch Ness & Glencoe Highlands Small Group TourYou'll visit Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Ben Nevis and Loch Ness in one day with a small group and a knowledgeable driver-guide who brings the landscape and history to life. The tour includes air-conditioned transport, four main stops with time to explore each one, and an optional Loch Ness cruise. You return to Glasgow in the evening without arranging your own transport or timing between locations.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Highlands attractions in one day without arranging your own transport, timing between stops, or navigating the roads yourself — the small group size and knowledgeable guide mean you actually have time to absorb each place instead of rushing between them.
Scotland Highlands Day Trip: Kelpies, Whisky & Hermitage WalkYou’ll stand beneath towering Kelpies near Falkirk, taste single malt whisky at Glenturret Distillery with a local guide, stroll through Dunkeld village beside the River Tay, and wander deep into Hermitage forest to feel the spray of Black Linn Falls on your face. It’s a day for stories and small surprises—the kind that linger long after you’re home.
Oban, Glencoe & Castles Day Trip from GlasgowYou’ll trace winding Highland roads from Glasgow to Oban, pausing at castles perched on lochs and wandering through towns with centuries-old stories. Taste fresh seafood by Oban’s busy harbor, feel Glencoe’s history settle around you, and end your day with memories of misty mountains and unexpected quiet moments.
Edinburgh day tour: Highlands, lochs & whisky or castleA guided day tour from Edinburgh that takes you through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, past the 30-meter Kelpies sculptures and Stirling Castle, with a choice between Deanston Distillery (tour and whisky tasting included) or Blackness Castle (15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth). The driver-guide provides live commentary throughout, and you're back in the city by around 5 PM. Children from age 8 are welcome; the coach is air-conditioned with regular comfort stops.Is it for me?Book the castle option if you want to explore a dramatic 15th-century fortress and its historic role; choose the distillery option if you'd rather learn the whisky-making process and taste single malts. Either way, the fixed schedule and included guide mean the Highlands, lochs and Kelpies fit into one afternoon without arranging transport or timing yourself.
Loch Ness Boat Tours: 8-Hour Small-Group Cruise & Urquhart CastleYou spend eight hours on and around Loch Ness with a driver-guide, starting from Inverness and moving through Dores, the Falls of Foyers, and Urquhart Castle, with a one-hour boat cruise included. The small-group format (16 people max) and fixed itinerary mean you're not organizing transport or timing yourself — you're just showing up at the cathedral and letting the day unfold. Luggage is limited to one carry-on bag, and the pace suits all fitness levels.Is it for me?Right for travelers staying in Inverness without a car who want the main Loch Ness sights — castle, water, history, and the loch itself — without arranging transport or timing. The eight-hour day and small-group format are what make all four stops fit into one outing; plan to be out from morning into early afternoon.
Stirling Castle, Kelpies & Loch Lomond from EdinburghYou travel by air-conditioned coach from Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands, stopping at the iconic Kelpies sculptures, Loch Lomond (with an optional boat cruise), the Duke's Pass, and Stirling Castle. The driver provides live commentary and story-telling throughout the day, with regular breaks for food and comfort. You return to Edinburgh city centre around 6:30 PM, leaving time to arrange onward travel.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see the main Highlands landmarks — Kelpies, Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, and the Forth bridges — in one day without arranging your own transport or timing the stops yourself. The fixed schedule and local guide handle the logistics, leaving you to decide which optional activities suit your pace.
Edinburgh: Old Town Food Tour & Victoria Street WalkYou’ll taste classic Scottish dishes from haggis with whisky ketchup to flaky fish & chips as you explore Edinburgh’s Old Town and colorful Victoria Street alongside a local guide. Expect laughter over sharp cheeses at a family-run shop, sweet treats in Grassmarket, and plenty of stories woven between bites. Come hungry—and maybe bring an umbrella.
Glasgow Shore Excursion: Stirling Castle & Loch LomondYou travel by air-conditioned coach from Greenock port through Stirlingshire to Stirling Castle, where you tour the medieval fortress and learn about Robert the Bruce and Mary, Queen of Scots; stop in the village of Aberfoyle in the Trossachs for lunch and a walk; and finish at Loch Lomond's conservation village of Luss with views across the water to the mountains. Port pickup and drop-off are included, and the whole day is timed so you're back before the ship departs.Is it for me?Book this if you're docked at Greenock and want to see Scotland's most important castle and its most famous loch without arranging your own transport or timing — the port pickup, fixed schedule, and return time built around ship departure are what make a full inland day possible in a single port stop.
Stirling Old Town Walking Tour: Hidden jails and gravestone secretsYou walk the cobbled streets of Stirling's Old Town with a local guide for 1.5 hours, passing two jails, a 300-year-old graveyard, the Church of the Holy Rude, and Stirling Castle from the outside. The guide tells you stories about executions, witches, battles and everyday life instead of just dates. You get the history without arranging transport or entry fees separately, and you're back in town in time for lunch.Is it for me?Book this if you want the main stories of Stirling's Old Town without arranging a private guide or spending time researching which sights matter — a local guide who knows the place does both for you in 90 minutes.
Edinburgh Gin Distillery Tasting & Tour: South Loch GinA gin distillery class at South Loch Gin in Edinburgh where you learn how the spirit is made from botanical to bottle, hosted by a member of the gin team. You arrive with a gin and tonic, taste three gins made on the distillery's stills paired with premium mixers, and finish with a gin cocktail topped with bubbly. The session runs 60 to 75 minutes and is open to ages 18 and over.Is it for me?The 60- to 75-minute session fits into a free afternoon without eating up your whole day, leaving time to explore Edinburgh before or after. If you want to understand how gin is actually made rather than just drink it, the working stills and the team's explanation make that possible in a single sitting.
Alnwick Castle & Borders Day Trip from EdinburghYou’ll wander Kelso’s lively market square, explore mossy abbey ruins, and step inside Alnwick Castle with your entry already sorted. Feel coastal winds in Berwick-upon-Tweed and hear stories from your guide as you cross landscapes and borders—all in a relaxed small group setting.
Edinburgh: Harry Potter Walking Tour & Castle ViewsYou walk the Royal Mile, stop at Greyfriars Kirkyard to see the real graves that inspired character names, pass Victoria Street (Diagon Alley's model), and end with views of Edinburgh Castle. A local guide handles the two hours and the connections; kids go free. No need to arrange your own route or miss the smaller details that make the walk worth taking.Is it for me?Pick this if you want the Harry Potter locations without planning the route yourself and want to understand why each place mattered to Rowling—the guide does that work. Kids going free makes it practical for families.
Edinburgh: Old Town Pub Walk & Scottish Beer TastingsYou’ll wander through Edinburgh’s Old Town with a small group and a local guide who knows every pub story worth telling. Sample six Scottish beers—including traditional cask ale—and hear quirky history along the way. Expect laughter, real conversation, and those little details that make you feel like you belong here—even if just for one night.
Firth of Forth sightseeing cruise: Under the bridgesA 90-minute sightseeing cruise on the Firth of Forth in Scotland, passing under the Forth Road Bridge and past Inchcolm Island with its ruined abbey. The boat carries an onboard bar and audio guide in English; wildlife sightings include seals and seabirds. An optional landing on Inchcolm Island is available for an additional fee.Is it for me?The audio guide in English means you follow the commentary at your own pace without needing a live guide—useful if you prefer to listen and observe without conversation, or if you're traveling with family and children at different attention spans.
