Best Edinburgh Day Trips
If you enjoy exploring castles, wandering through ruins in the mist, or trying to solve a historical mystery, you need to take a day trip from Edinburgh. Immediately, if at all possible! While many associate the country with Loch Ness, Inverness, and the Highlands, there’s so much to see in the southern portion of Scotland near Edinburgh. Don’t overlook these gems, all of which are located within an hour and a half or so of Scotland’s capital city.
Below, I’m sharing all of my favorite Edinburgh day trips with information on what to see, do, and eat in each place, as well as ways to expand your time there if you want to linger.
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Map of Day Trips from Edinburgh
See all of the day trips below at a glance in this comprehensive map that I created. Each of the blue location markers corresponds with one of the suggested trips in the list below. This map gives you a better idea of where each of the locations is so that you can choose the right one for your Scotland vacation. Note that some of the locations are close enough together that you could string together a loop over 2-3 days if you’re looking for a longer escape from Edinburgh. For example, you could easily do Linlithgow-Falkirk-Stirling over a long weekend, or combine Roslin and Melrose in one very long day or two more manageable ones.
Best Edinburgh Day Trips
These day trips are in no particular order, and all of them are excellent. There’s something for everyone here, regardless of your interests, and you’ll find historic sites, church ruins, outdoorsy retreats, and scenic drives below. The suggestions below assume that you have a rental car at your disposal, as some of these aren’t the easiest to get to by public transportation, especially when you’re pressed for time on a day trip.
Book your rental car for the day here. All of these are no more than 1 hour and 40 minutes from Edinburgh, and some are as close as 45 minutes. This variety allows you to choose which day trip works best for your overall trip schedule and sightseeing interests.
Day Trip Option #1: Stirling, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh by car: 1 hour 2 minutes
What to See and Do in Stirling
Me in front of Stirling Castle
The William Wallace Monument
Inside Dunblane Cathedral
One of the major tourist attractions in Stirling, Stirling Castle has ties to both James VI of Scotland, the king who united England and Scotland, and Robert the Bruce, a major figure in the quest for Scottish independence. Unlike Doune Castle (below), Stirling Castle has been furnished with period replicas, so you can see how the other half lived during the 1400 and 1500s. There’s even a dress up section for little kids in which I may or may not have participated.
The other must-see attraction in Stirling is the William Wallace Monument. It was constructed during the Victorian period because the Scottish people felt as if their national heroes had been completely overlooked. William Wallace, who rebelled against English leadership and was ultimately captured and killed by the English, had risen to demigod status by the early 1800s (you know why if you’ve seen Braveheart, which isn’t totally historically accurate but does speak to the general enthusiasm surrounding the man). This gigantic tower was the result of their efforts, and in it, you can see Wallace’s gigantic sword, learn about other Scottish leaders, authors, and political figures, and discover why Wallace remains such an important hero to this place.
It’s a long trip, but you need to climb all the way to the top—the views are amazing!
How to Extend Your Time Here
If you want to linger in Stirling, there’s plenty to do here other than the day trip suggestions above. A second day in Stirling would allow time for a walking tour of Old Town Stirling, where you’ll learn more about Stirling Castle, several historic sites and churches in town, and the fascinating history of this place. For those visitors who’d like to lean into Stirling’s military history, you’ll want to learn more about the Battle of Bannockburn, which took place south of the city. The Battle of Bannockburn Visitors Center is just south of Stirling and tells about Robert the Bruce’s most spectacular victory over the English.
Day Trip Option #2: Doune, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 6 minutes
What to See and Do in Doune
Did you pack your coconut shells? Let’s hope so because Doune is home to Doune Castle, where the entire filming of Monty Python and the Holy Grail took place, even the bits that are supposed to be in France! They just went around back of the castle to film that part. More recently, it served as the location of Castle Leoch in the first season of Outlander.
Movie history aside, Doune Castle is worth visiting on its relevance to Scottish royalty alone. Before James I (AKA James VI in Scottish history) took the English throne and united Scotland and England, Scotland had a violent past when it came to its rulers. Doune was home to some of these earlier warrior kings, but, as you can imagine, it was won and lost many times over during its heyday.
Read my complete guide to visiting Doune Castle here.
The castle is the real attraction here, but Moray Park is a great spot for a picnic if you have some extra time after touring the castle. Deanston Distillery is in the tiny town of Deanston just across the River Teith from Doune, which could be another fun addition to your day in this part of Scotland.
How to Extend Your Time Here
The Blair Drummond Safari Park is another fun thing to do near Doune. It’s only about 3 miles south of the village of Doune. You’ll drive along a dedicated path through the park and you’ll be able to see giraffes, rhinos, camels, and more from your car. Who needs to travel all the way to Africa when you have this just an hour from Edinburgh?
Day Trip Option #3: Roslin, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 32 minutes
Tens of thousands of people flock to the little town of Roslin to see what is, at first glance, a small chapel that doesn’t particularly stick out among the hundreds of old churches in Scotland. But, if you’ve seen or read The Da Vinci Code, you know that this chapel, called Rosslyn Chapel, has quite a storied past.
The St. Clair family, who still owns the chapel and the nearby Rosslyn Castle, had ties to the Knights Templar in the medieval period, a group that, rumor has it, was sent to the Holy Land to find the Grail. While there’s no definitive proof that the Grail made it back to Scotland, the chapel is a remarkable work of architecture and sculpture. Many pagan symbols, like the Green Man, show up in the carvings, which is another way that this chapel defies typical expectation. Near the altar, there are hanging, carved protrusions that some scholars think represent the notes to a song.
Fun fact: what we see as the Rosslyn Chapel was only supposed to be the altar section. The original design was about four times the size of what is currently there; after the mastermind (and St. Clair patriarch) died, his son didn’t finish the chapel. There’s speculation that it was due to finances or lack of interest, but we don’t know for sure.
Read my complete guide to visiting Rosslyn Chapel here.
If you’d prefer to go with a group, I suggest this guided day trip tour from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel that includes admission.
How to Extend Your Time Here
If you’re enjoying historic sites with a slightly ruined flair, there are two other things to check out in this area: the old Rosslyn Castle Railroad Station and the Roslin Gunpowder Factory. There isn’t an actual station building left at the Old Rosslyn Castle Railroad Station, but you can still see where the railroad tracks once ran. The large sign marking the station is still there, as is a beautiful brick bridge running perpendicular to the old track site. Despite the name, this site isn’t super close to the castle (it’s about 1.5 miles on foot), so you’ll have to take your rental car to get here unless you have plenty of extra time for a walk.
The Roslin Gunpower Factory is the site most in ruins of everything you could see in this area, but it is still very picturesque. It was built purposefully on this site to make use of the water power provided by the nearby river, and operated for 150 years. Finish your day up with a guided walking tour of the village of Roslin to learn more about the history and important figures here.
Day Trip Option #4: Melrose, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 3 minutes
Constructed by the Cistercian order about nine hundred years ago, Melrose Abbey is tucked away in the Scottish borderlands in the tiny town of Melrose. It’s not really on the way to anywhere, but these mysterious ruins are worth the drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh.
Originally, the abbey was home to a community of monks who made their living by raising sheep; it evolved into a powerhouse that defined the town of Melrose until English armies badly destroyed the building. It was home to St. Cuthbert, who also made his mark on another of my suggested day trips, Lindisfarne (below).
When visiting, make sure to climb the spiral staircase to the roof. It’s a jaunt, but the view of the ruins and the surrounding countryside is worth it.
Read my guide to Melrose Abbey which includes points of interest, places to stay and eat nearby, and a bit of history.
How to Extend Your Time Here
If you are able to extend your time in this part of Scotland, you’ll have plenty of things to add to your itinerary. Abbotsford House, the home of poet and writer Sir Walter Scott, is 2 miles west of Melrose. Dryburgh Abbey is another ruined abbey, but the property is, on the whole, in much more of a complete state than Melrose Abbey. It’s also the burial place of Sir Walter Scott if you’re interested in following his entire life story!
There’s a gorgeous hotel on the abbey grounds that’s well worth a night or two if you want to feel like royalty on your vacation. Head way back into Scotland’s history with a trip to the Trimontium museum in Melrose. It’s less than a block from the abbey’s entrance gates, and includes a fascinating look at the culture, accomplishments, battles, and clothing of the Roman soldiers who lived here between roughly 100 and 300 CE.
Day Trip Option #5: St. Andrews, Scotland
West Sands Beach
St. Andrews Castle Ruins
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 32 minutes
This quaint seaside town has a couple claims to fame, including being the birthplace of golf and, if you’re into British royal gossip, it’s where William and Kate first met. There’s much more here than golf and royalty, as the town is dominated by its famous university.
Spend a bit of your time strolling through the tiny streets and wynds of St. Andrews, as the town itself is an excellent reason to come out here from Edinburgh. You’ll wind in and around the University of St. Andrews, which is integrated into the northern section of the city. Taking a tour of St. Andrews is key to understanding this area of Scotland. I recommend doing a guided walking tour of the city or a biking tour if you’d like to cover a bit more ground.
Check out the ruins of the St. Andrews Castle or the haunting ruins of the St. Andrews Cathedral in the sprawling graveyard. St. Andrews Castle once housed the archbishop for this area, but it was nearly destroyed in the mid-1500s and then half-heartedly repaired. Less than 50 years later, the structure was completely abandoned after its last resident, the Archbishop John Hamilton was hanged. Part of it collapsed in the 1800s when the cliff on which the castle sits fell into the sea, and it was only after major structural work on the sea wall that the castle was deemed sound enough for visitors.
If you love to wander around ruins, you’ll also want to visit nearby St. Andrews Cathedral, which has one of the most spectacular graveyards that we’ve found in Europe.
Learn more about how to spend 1 day in St. Andrews, Scotland, here.<<
How to Extend Your Time Here
You won’t have time to really lean into the golf history here in just one day, so that’s what I’d suggest doing on a second day in St. Andrews. You can take a walking tour of the Old Course to learn more about the birthplace of modern golf or book a round to be a part of that history! If you choose to play through the Old Course, I’d recommend booking the photography experience as well to get incredible photos of your experience at one of the world’s most famous courses.
If you’d rather do something non-golf related on your extended time here, there are 2 excellent museums within walking distance of the main tourist sites: the Wardlaw Museum and the St. Andrews Museum. Both focus on aspects of this area’s history with plenty of archeological and historical finds to round out their exhibits. The Wardlaw Museum is smaller, so choose that one if you’re pressed for time.
If you don’t mind driving outside of St. Andrews, Scotland’s Secret Bunker is a great addition to your St. Andrews itinerary. You can walk into the hidden WWII bunker, which houses a small museum, to see how Scotland was involved in the Cold War. It’s about 8 miles southeast of the town of St. Andrews.
Day Trip Option #6: Falkirk
Distance from Edinburgh: 52 minutes
This central Scotland town is best known for its inventive Falkirk Wheel, which provides access between the upper and lower portions of the canal. Instead of traditional boat locks, where the water is raised or lowered to get boats from one end of a lock to the other, the Falkirk Wheel serves as a rotating boat elevator of sorts. It’s truly an engineering marvel, and it’s worth a day trip from Edinburgh if you’re not a boating or engineering expert.
Just outside of Falkirk are 30-foot-high metal statues called the Kelpies. You can wander the gardens that they’re in and enjoy a picnic before returning to the city.
How to Extend Your Time Here
With just another day or two in Falkirk, you can have some incredible, and diverse, experiences. The Muiravonside Country Park is 8 miles southeast of Falkirk, and offers up miles of woodland trails and a petting zoo. This is a great option for families or anyone who likes to balance their museum visits with time outdoors.
Southwest of the city is the National Shooting Centre of Scotland, where you can try your hand at clay pigeons and get personalized instruction. Closer into Falkirk is the Callendar House Museum, where visitors can learn about life here in the 1700s on a guided tour.
Day Trip Option #7: Balloch and Loch Lomond, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 40 minutes
Located at the foot of the Trossachs, which truly needs more than a day to explore, you can find Balloch and the southern end of Loch Lomond. This town, which is about 1 hour and 45 minutes from Edinburgh, is a good way to get a sample of what this part of Scotland is like, so that you can, hopefully, come back for a longer visit.
From Balloch, you can catch a day tour of the lake, which is a great way to see how expansive this iconic Scottish lake is, as well as get commentary on the many events that have happened on and around Loch Lomond. For families, the Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium is a great way to spend a few hours. You’ll find touch tanks, large aquariums, and much more to interest your little marine biologists.
The Birds of Prey Center on Balloch’s western edge is also worth your time if you’re interested in Scotland’s hawks, buzzards, kestrals, and falcons, among others. The rehabilitation and education center does a wonderful job at getting visitors interested in how to spot and care for these birds.
Learn more about visiting Loch Lomond and the Trossachs here.<<
How to Extend Your Time Here
With another day, you can more fully explore the Loch Lomond area and the Trossachs National Park. Spend a full day driving around Loch Lomond, stopping at the many scenic overlooks and historic sites. You can take the ferry over to Inchcailloch to explore this beautiful island, which houses a graveyard and walking trails.
Drive north from Balloch on the A82, stopping along the way. The Falls of Falloch just north of the tip of Loch Lomond makes for a good day trip destination before you turn around and head back to Balloch. As an alternative way to see Loch Lomond, you can hike part of the West Highland Way, which runs along the eastern shore.
Day Trip Option #8: Linlithgow, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 45 minutes
Linlithgow’s main attractions are the Linlithgow Palace and Linlithgow Loch right next to it. The palace is largely in ruins, but history buffs will still find this place, which is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, worth the trip out of Edinburgh.
If you want some space to roam, head out of Edinburgh to the Beecraigs Country Park, where you’ll find hiking trails, plenty of wildlife, a visitors center, and a fishing area. It’s located 2.5 miles south of Linlithgow, making it an easy addition to your day here.
How to Extend Your Time Here
Linlithgow is very close to Falkirk, so you could do both of these great locations if you strung together two days outside of Edinburgh. If you’d rather keep those as distinct trips, there are 2 other castles to explore on the eastern side of Linlithgow as an alternative second day itinerary here. Blackness Castle dates from the 1400s and is on the shores of the Firth of Forth, and Midhope Castle will be instantly recognizable from fans of Outlander as Jamie Fraser’s home, Lallybroch. Both castles have daily tours.
Day Trip Option #9: Glasgow, Scotland
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 8 minutes
Visit Scotland’s other big city with this exciting day trip. Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, tends to get all of the focus when people visit this area of the UK, but Glasgow is well worth your time. For years, Glasgow had a reputation as being Edinburgh’s grittier, industrial, and less interesting alternative, but that has changed in a major way in recent years.
Today, there are museums and tours for whatever interests you, so you’ll have to be picky here with just a single day’s visit. Since you’re pressed for time in Glasgow, I’d recommend getting an overview of what the city has to offer and then plan to come back to dive in further when you have more time.
Hit the highlights with the Hop on Hop off City Sightseeing bus tour (I did one of these in Berlin, too, and it was equally excellent), which will allow you to tour the city quickly. These bus tours are great for covering a lot of ground, which is helpful when you’re traveling with kids. You’ll only have time for 1 or 2 museums in addition to the full bus tour loop, which I recommend doing in its entirety as you get on and off throughout the day.
Glasgow has many incredible museums, but the Tentament House and the People’s Palace do the best job at telling the long and storied history of this city.
How to Extend Your Time Here
With more time in Glasgow, you can explore other areas of history and culture, including the Gallery of Modern Art, the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Glasgow Cathedral, and the Glenlee Tall Ship Museum. If you liked exploring the city via the hop on, hop off bus, you can upgrade to a second day of sightseeing on that, or you can make your way around the city on your own.
Day Trip Option #10: Berwick-upon-Tweed, England
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 16 minutes
Come for the ocean views, stay for the incredible ramparts and castle ruins. Start your day by walking the pier out to the Berwick Lighthouse, which has been helping boats safely pass along this portion of the coast since 1826. You can’t go into the lighthouse, but it’s a gorgeous spot for photos. Then, head over to see the ruins of Berwick Castle, which was once at the heart of the medieval walled town.
Much like the medieval gates in Bacharach, Germany, Berwick has managed to retain much of its historic fortifications for the last 400+ years. Only here, the fortifications are incredibly impressive reinforced earthworks that served as defense points from the reign of Elizabeth I onward. On a nice day, make sure to walk the ramparts, which provide amazing long range views of the ocean and the town.
Another beautiful walk is along the cliffs of Berwick. These aren’t quite as impressive as the cliffs of Dover or those in the Aran Islands of Ireland, but they are worth a half hour of your time. For lunch, I recommend doing the food and walking tour of Berwick-upon-Tweed, which lets you try traditional food from across the city.
If you have time after lunch and want to see some more cliffs, head north of the town to see the Red Cliffs of Berwick. You can access the walking path just east of the intersection of Westfield Road and Magdalene Drive. Look for the small trailhead where the stone wall ends and the wooden fencing begins.
How to Extend Your Time Here
With a second day in Berwick-upon-Tweed, you could spend more time relaxing at Spittal Beach, which has a paved walking path running parallel to the beach if you want the views without all of the sand. Union Bridge, which is located 6.5 miles from Berwick-upon-Tweed, crosses the border between Scotland and England, and it makes for a fun photo op. There is a paved walking path along the bridge, so you’re not walking directly next to the cars.
If you want to add more history to your visit, Paxton House is only 5.5 miles from town, and has a really cute tearoom with huge scones and amazing pastries. It’s worth the trip on its own, or you can take the guided house tour of this Georgian-era mansion. If you’re visiting with your kids, there is an excellent play area in the gardens and a little room inside the house where kids can color and dress up if they need a break.
Day Trip Option #11: Bamburgh, England
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 36 minutes
Tying for the furthest of all of the options on this list along with Lindisfarne, below, Bamburgh is worth getting up a bit earlier than normal and driving along the coast. For fans of The Last Kingdom television series, you’ll recognize Bamburgh Castle as the long fought for home place of main character Uhtrid (son of Uhtrid). After you’ve walked in Uhtrid’s footsteps at Bamburgh Castle, there’s still plenty to see in this part of Northumberland.
Take in the sights and the snacks of the historic city center with a walking food and history tour, which will build on what you’ve learned at the castle. The Bamburgh Lighthouse is north of the castle, and makes for an easy add-on if you’ve have some extra time before heading back to Edinburgh.
How to Extend Your Time Here
If you had an extra day in this area, I would recommend spending it at nearby Alnwick Castle, which is known for its recent appearance in the first Harry Potter movie. You can clearly see the castle’s exterior in the scene where Harry first rides a broomstick and, subsequently, gets recruited by Professor McGonagall for the Gryffindor Quidditch team. Alnwick Castle is 17 miles south of Bamburgh.
If you want something to see other than another castle, I highly recommend taking a guided boat tour of the Farne Islands, which are off the coast of Bamburgh and include the fascinating history of Longstone Lighthouse. Book the Farne Island Lighthouses Tour here.
Day Trip Option #12: Lindisfarne, England
Distance from Edinburgh: 1 hour 36 minutes
For a relatively small town off the beaten path, there is SO much to do in and near Lindisfarne that you’ll struggle to pack it into one day. If you are planning to do Lindisfarne as a day trip from Edinburgh, I’d recommend leaving as early as possible to make sure you have plenty of time to hit the highlights. You’ll also want to check the tide schedules before you go as the Holy Island can only accessed during the low tide. (If you get stuck, there is a tiny emergency hut, but that’s a last ditch effort if the water comes in faster than you think!)
There are few places in the entire UK that feel as mystical as Lindisfarne, thanks to the limited access, incredible history, and gorgeous ruins. The Lindisfarne Priory should be your first stop. There is an excellent English Heritage Site visitors center here to help you understand why this place is so important, and it’s also really kid-friendly if you’re visiting with your family.
This priory is closely tied to the medieval monk, St. Cuthbert, who grew up at Melrose (another of my suggested day trips from Edinburgh, above!). He was originally buried at Lindisfarne, but was moved to Durham Cathedral. Before that could happen however, he was considered to be an “incorruptable,” a highly valued status in death where the person does not decay in a normal manner. In the middle ages, it was seen as an indicator that this person was very holy, and it was considered in that person’s application for sainthood.
As a side note, I’ve always found the incorruptibles to be fascinating, and I definitely perked up whenever they were mentioned in all of the religion classes I had to take at Catholic school! We also had the chance to see another incorruptible, Saint Muntitia, while visiting Munich, Germany. People essentially started a cult of St. Cuthbert after he died, and droves of pilgrims began walking to Lindisfarne to see his burial place.
If you have plenty of time, consider walking along the Holy Causeway footpath, which will put you in the footsteps of those pilgrims from 1300 years ago. Also on the Holy Island is a World War I memorial, which is worth a few minutes of your time, and Osbourne’s Fort, which is mostly in ruins.
Lindisfarne Castle is the other major draw on the island, and it shouldn’t be missed. It’s on the eastern side of the Holy Island. It’s only 0.6 miles from the Priory, which is an easy walk if you’re exploring the island on foot.
How to Extend Your Time Here
If you can make the timing work with the tides, walk over from the Holy Island to St. Cuthbert’s Island. Like Holy Island, you can only access it at low tide. If you wanted to visit St. Cuthbert’s Island, Holy Island, and the footpath, I highly recommend staying overnight to do the Priory and Castle one day and St. Cuthbert’s the next. That way you’ll have the maximum amount of time to explore each during low tide.
Also on the island is the Lindisfarne Center, which is worthwhile addition to your time here if you want to learn more about the island’s history, ties to the Catholic Church, and the illustrated Lindisfarne Gospels. The nearby Lindisfarne National Nature Reserve is also worth a visit, but you’ll want at least half a day to devote to the walking trails here.
