Private Day Tours from Edinburgh

Experience fantastic day trips from Edinburgh, this iconic capital city that’s cultural, historical, and enchanting. “Auld Reekie,” as Edinburgh is nicknamed, is a stone’s throw away from great adventures awaiting you. If you’re looking to escape the city life for the day, we have wonderful destinations, attractions, and trips to choose from – all as private, owner-guided tours with traditional bagpipe performances and complimentary whisky tastings included.

The Kingdom of Fife & Coastal Villages

Starting your tour in the morning, just a hop, skip, and jump away from the city, you can cross the Queensferry Crossing and enter the Kingdom of Fife. This region is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth. The ancient Kingdom has been the ancestral home to the Picts and Scottish monarchs for many centuries.

The historic town of Dunfermline was once the former capital of Scotland. Robert the Bruce, King of Scots 1306-1329, is buried in Dunfermline Abbey. You can visit the abbey on one of our day tours from Edinburgh and pay your respects to this great Scottish legend.

A short journey west, you can visit the former Royal Burgh of Culross. This small, quaint village is a hidden gem in Fife. Strolling the cobbled streets, you are transported back in time. It is one of the best-preserved examples of an 18th-century village in Scotland. It is little surprise that Starz has utilised this beautifully preserved village as a central filming location for their hit TV series, Outlander.

St Andrews – Home of Golf

Scotland is considered worldwide “the home of golf.” We offer fantastic day trips from Edinburgh to St Andrews, where you can have your photograph taken standing on the Swilken Bridge on the famous Old Course. This most ancient town in Scotland has a host of historical places of interest to offer visitors. St Andrews University, the oldest university in the country, was attended by Prince William, where he met his now wife, Kate Middleton. The town also offers charming boutiques, shops, a castle, and a historic abbey. Enjoy an afternoon tea before leaving this picturesque, charming old town.

Travelling south on the Fife coastal route, it’s worth visiting some of the old, quaint fishing villages. En route, we can offer wonderful stopping places for photo opportunities, one being the prehistoric standing stones at Lundin Links Golf Course, between Crail and Dysart.

Rosslyn Chapel & The Scottish Borders

Some of the best day trips from Edinburgh are less than 45 minutes out of the city. A top tourist attraction is Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian. Built in 1446, this historic church featured in the film The Da Vinci Code. Can you solve the mystery of the Holy Grail as you meander around this magical chapel? There are many other historic places you can reach on a one-day trip from Edinburgh, only a short drive from here.

Take an outing less than 40 miles south of the city to Melrose Abbey in the Scottish Borders, believed to be the final resting place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, an idyllic and much-loved place associated with The Bruce. Admire the grand architecture of the abbey with the backdrop of the Eildon Hills and spend some of the day in this charming Borders town.

Outlander Filming Locations & Royal Palaces

Choose day tours from Edinburgh to Linlithgow Palace (birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542). Visit Blackness Castle on the Firth of Forth, or Midhope Castle just a short journey away – both featured prominently in the Outlander series. There are so many historic, interesting places to visit outside Edinburgh.

Highland Perthshire Day Trips

We have a selection of day trips from Edinburgh to the Highlands. Pitlochry, steeped in scenic surroundings, is located in the heart of Highland Perthshire. Absorb the stunning views on the journey north. Travel on to other towns in this area, such as Dunkeld or Aberfeldy. The historic Killiecrankie is another must-see location, where the Jacobites achieved a momentous victory in the first rebellion. A few miles from here, you can enjoy the spectacular Queen’s View on the road towards Kinloch Rannoch.

Explore Scotland’s Highlands & Islands

While these day tours showcase wonderful destinations near Edinburgh, Scotland’s most dramatic landscapes – the Isle of Skye, Glencoe, Loch Ness, and the remote Highlands – are best experienced with 2+ days. Multi-day tours in Scotland allow you to explore without exhausting travel times and include overnight stays in Highland accommodations where you can truly immerse yourself in Scottish culture.