The 15 1-Day Tours in Edinburgh That Earn Their Price

1.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh into the Cairngorms, stop at Loch Ness, optionally cruise to Urquhart Castle, and hear the story of Glencoe. An English-speaking driver-guide such as Chris, Ben, Terry, or Graham handles the long drive, with photo stops and free time along the way.

“The experience was good but our bus got missed and we went for a trip to st Andrews’s from the same company and the trip was really good especially the our guide Aaron he was so good and friendly”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,776 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Spend about nine and a half hours with a small group visiting Midhope, Doune, Culross, Falkland, and Blackness. Your English-speaking guide connects Outlander scenes with Scottish history, while optional castle admission lets you choose how much exploring to do.

“Sophie was a terrific driver and even made sure we avoided a “Dukes of Hazard” experience. ;-) She was very informative about what we were going to see, when and for how long, and most importantly, how it was significant to Outlander series and to Scottish history. I thoroughly enjoyed being in a smaller group (16) versus a big bus. It enabled us to get up close parking and not having to have longer stops just because of sheer size of group.”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Loch Ness, Glencoe & The Highlands Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 990 reviews · from $61Best value

Travel from Edinburgh through Glencoe and the Great Glen to Fort Augustus on Loch Ness, with stops at Fort William, the Commando Memorial, Pitlochry, and more. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Keith, Brian, Anthony, or Neil, adds Scottish stories, music, and humor along the way.

“We appreciated Stewart Tours’ professional tour guide/driver, Keith. He was informative, enthusiastic, and drives well. Because of him the trip didn’t seem like it was 12.5hrs. The itinerary allows us to see all of the major sights of the Highland. I would recommend them and will book them again in the future.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Spend 10.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Loch Fyne, Rest and Be Thankful, and Luss. Small groups of up to 16 use an air-conditioned vehicle, with castle entry, meals, and hotel transfers extra.

“Terrific fun! The guide did a fantastic job telling us about information on each stop…. And more. It was just the right amount of info and was very helpful in answering all questions.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned coach to the Kelpies, Loch Lomond at Balmaha, and historic Stirling. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Sophie, Connor, Cara, or Ry, provides live commentary. Stirling Castle entry is optional and costs £17.50.

“Unfortunately it was the most boring tour I've ever attended. Sounds better than the reality It was very uncomfortable that the guide is a driver at the same time. While driving the car, the driver cannot concentrate on landscapes and tell a story. The guide should be in love with the places to which he brings tourists. So that the tourists want to return again and again. It' s my subjective opinion. But for the sake of fairness, it must be said that the views were amazing. We enjoyed Sterling Castle and Loch Lomond.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 623 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Travel from Edinburgh into the West Highlands with a driver-guide such as Linda, Jamie, or Natalie. Visit Doune and Inveraray, pause at Luss and Kilchurn Castle, and cross the Rest and Be Thankful Pass. The 10-hour route offers castles, lochs, music, stories, and plenty of photo stops.

“It was an incredible trip, the transportation is excellent when it comes to safety and cleanliness. Friendly tour guide and driver namely John and Ash. We were on a samll bus in a small group. I availed this tour with Timberbush for the second time for its affordable price. 💙”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.The Outlander 1 Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $81

Spend about eight hours visiting Outlander locations from Edinburgh with a driver-guide such as Ian, Bob, Brendan, or Brandon. See Falkland, Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace, and Midhope Castle, with free time for photos, lunch, and optional castle entry.

“It was cancelled due to rain and I wasn’t notified in any way so I stood at the meeting spot in the cold/rain.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned vehicle with an English-speaking guide to Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream. You’ll see Harry Potter filming locations, hear lively border history, and have time for castle grounds, gardens, and coastal views. Guides may include Connor, Cara, Heidi, or Tom.

“Our guide and driver Connor gave fascinating stories along the way. Alnswick castle is a good place for family to spend a day to visit the artisans, dragon exhibit and broom flying lesson.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Scotland’s Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $90

Leave Edinburgh at 8:15 a.m. for the Kelpies, Loch Lomond and Trossachs scenery, Glenturret Distillery, the Hermitage woodland, and Dunkeld. A local guide such as Dusty, Louise, or Duncan leads the day. Expect about nine hours, optional whisky costs, and a small group when vehicle size allows.

“The tour of the Famous Grouse distillery was great. The sampling room was my favorite! The Black Linn Falls, Dunkeld, Hermitage, Sterling Castle and the William Wallace monument. ALL great visits.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 212 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh into Northumberland with a live English-speaking guide such as Cliff, Tim, or Dave. See Bamburgh’s castle and beach, spend 2.5 hours at Alnwick Castle, try broomstick lessons, and return by early evening. Castle admission costs extra.

“Rich was an AMAZING guide! He is kind, respectful, and extremely helpful. I recommend him!!!!”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · 12 hours 25 minutes (approx.) · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh through the Highlands with a Hairy Coo driver-guide, stopping at Deanston Distillery, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, the Commando Monument, and Pitlochry. Expect a long day, striking scenery, live storytelling, comfort breaks, and an optional whisky tour for an extra £15.50.

“The Highlands are beautiful. This was a perfect day and we were lucky to have beautiful weather! Or guide was beyond knowledgeable of Scotland and the Highlands.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour – Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $93

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands by air-conditioned mini-coach, stopping at Callander, Glencoe, Glenfinnan and Perthshire. Guides such as Kyle, Finn, Jamie and Ron add Scottish stories, photo stops and humor. Expect about 7 to 8 hours on the road, with the Glenfinnan Viaduct as the highlight.

“Finn was an amazing guide. He was so knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. We got an eventful day and was worth the money!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Isle of Skye and Hogwarts Express 4-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 142 reviews · 83 hours · from $1,071

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glen Coe, Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, and the Isle of Skye in a small group of up to 16. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the roads, stories, ferries, and one-way Jacobite Steam Train ride, with three nights of breakfast accommodation.

“Our guide John did a wonderful job of helping us experience all the beauty and history of Scotland. I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $81

This 11.5-hour coach tour takes you from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs to Oban, Kilchurn Castle, and Inveraray. Guides such as Rob, Chloe, Joe, and Jamie bring the route alive with Scottish stories. You get transport and guiding, while lunch and castle entry cost extra.

“This trip was cancelled & I was offered an alternative. I booked the Rosslyn chapel tour. It was informative, but a tiny bit dull. We paid for all the entrance fees so I felt that the trip was a bit pricy to include only the bus & the guide tbh. But The guide & driver Keith were a delight.”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Scottish Highlands Day Trip and Edinburgh Military Tattoo

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 84 reviews · from $296

Spend 14 hours and 15 minutes touring the Kelpies, Glenturret Distillery, Hermitage, Dunkeld, and the Forth Bridges before taking your reserved seat at Edinburgh Castle’s Military Tattoo. Guides such as Graham, Caitlin, Duncan, and Yvonne bring history, music, and folklore to the drive.

“This tour was the highlight of our Scotland trip. While we drove through the beautiful countryside, our driver/tour guide, Ben, played wonderful modern and traditional Scottish tunes in between giving us the lowdown on Scottish history. The dRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review