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Planning a trip to Scotland? I've been dreaming about some of the easiest day trips that are manageable from incredible Edinburgh, on your first trip to Scotland. So join me, as we discuss the 6 best day trips from Edinburgh, Scotland.  Disclosure: some of the links below are affiliate links. If you purchase a linked item, I will make a commission, at no extra charge to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Looking for easy day trips from Edinburgh? Don't want to rent a car in Scotland? Edinburgh, Scotland (SPC) Ah, Scotland. Stunning natural scenery, historic buildings, rich history, and all the whisky. What more is there to want? With so much to see, even starting to plan can be overwhelming. And I'm glad you're here! I have tons of resources on European travel planning, including lots on England and Scotland. As you're here, I'll assume you're going to have your home base home base in Edinburgh (good choice), or that you'll be there for a significant period of time. There are few cities on earth I adore more than the Scottish capital. And never fear - there's plenty to see and do in Edinburgh, from taking in stunning vista of the charming Royal Mile from historic Edinburgh Castle, to exploring the Scottish culinary scene, visiting The Royal Yacht (yes, the one The Queen fought so hard to keep in The Crown), shopping for tartan 'tat' (there's luxury shopping as well), and following in J.K. Rowling's footsteps on a (free) Harry Potter tour. If you're staying in Edinburgh for a while (we were based there for 10 days), it is a good idea to plan a few day trips to see the other parts of Scotland. And you're in luck, there are a number of lovely Scottish towns and cities that are easily accessible from Edinburgh and don't require an overnight stay. For these day trips, you can easily use the incredibly efficient Scottish train service, departing from charming, slightly subterranean Edinburgh Waverley train station, to see large portions of Scotland, relying solely on public transport. So I've rounded up the best places to visit on day trips from Edinburgh on direct trains. And while you're here, I sincerely hope you'll check out some of the many resources I have on planning a trip to Scotland, including:
Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ: Should I stay in Edinburgh or Glasgow?Edinburgh. Edinburgh is stunning, enchanting, historic, and almost unbelievably, all-consumingly well-preserved at its medieval heart. Glasgow is a lovely, modern, bustling European city. Glasgow is worth a visit (we'll discuss it below), but Edinburgh should be your home base. Staying in Edinburgh does not make it more difficult to access the Scottish day trips we will discuss below. FAQ: Do I need to hire a day tour guide for the best day trips in Scotland?No. While some people may prefer to hire private tour guides or take a bus-based tour for trips around Scotland, there are many easy day trips from Edinburgh that you can manage using significantly more affordable public transit on your own schedule. FAQ: Can you see Scotland without renting a car?Yes. Scotland has reliable, clean, safe public transportation. There is no need to rent a car to see any of the places described in the list below, and you can see plenty of great places, and many a popular attraction, as long as you're open to a short walk. The Brits drive on the other side of the road, so you are not the only American hoping to avoid a 'care hire.' FAQ: Can I take trains in Scotland easily?Yes. ScotRail is safe, efficient, and pleasant. You can buy your tickets in advance (the wise choice), or on board. There are restrooms, and usually food (and drinks - did I mention the UK is my favorite place in the world?) on board. FAQ: Can you do the Highlands on a day trip from Edinburgh?If you're keen to see Loch Ness (and, obviously, the Loch Ness Monster), you're probably wondering the easiest way to see the Scottish Highlands from Edinburgh. Given the train travel time (2.5+ hours), while it is 'possible' to see the Highlands on a day trip, you might want to consider spending a night or two. Unlike York, Stirling, Glasgow, and St Andrews, much of what you'd want to see in the Scottish Highlands is spread out. There isn't a major city center (outside of Inverness, which is small). It's unlikely that you could arrive in the Highlands, hop off the train, run around, and get back to Edinburgh before bed time. That said, it is perfectly easy to see some of the Scottish Highlands without renting a car, as we did, even on just a one-night trip from Edinburgh. Check out the full post, Exploring the Scottish Highlands Without Renting a Car. 5+ Enchanting Day Trips from Edinburgh Without a Car {2024} Craigmillar Castle Craigmillar Castle (SPC) Admittedly, my first 'day trip from Edinburgh,' also one of the most charming and memorable for me, is technically in Edinburgh. But to get there (bus) and truly enjoy the castle and grab a pint, I'll call it a half day trip. Craigmillar Castle is a remarkable castle ruin, run by Historic Scotland, and accessible without a car in Edinburgh. Craigmillar actually encourages guests to visit by 'train, bike, bus, or foot,' so be sure to check out any discounts you can get for going green. Craigmillar Castle was begun in the late 1300s, and today sits incongruously among modern suburban homes. When its 18th century owners moved to a 'modern' country house, the castle where Mary, Queen of Scots had been when the "Craigmillar Bond" (the agreement to kill her husband Lord Darnley) was made. For having been abandoned, Craigmillar Castle is incredibly well-preserved. You're welcome to stroll around at your own pace, and crawl around and poke your head in all the castle's nooks and crannies. Pretending you're in the first episode of Outlander is an added bonus. And after you're done exploring Craigmillar Castle, stroll on over (it's a bit of a hike), taxi, or bus to The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston Village, one of the oldest in Edinburgh, a charming country pub, a world away from it all. The Sheep Heid feels more like a set of Midsomer Murders than a hop, skip, and a jump away from the Palace of Holyrood House. The Sheep Heid Inn is the oldest surviving pub in Scotland, founded in 1360. Check out the full post: Craigmillar Castle and the Sheep Heid Inn. St Andrews St Andrews, Scotland (SPC) Let's continue our journey through the list of days trips from Edinburgh with the easiest and most popular day trip, from Edinburgh to St Andrews, the home of golf. St Andrews is a great day trip to the historic kingdom of Fife, just to the north of Edinburgh. There is a quick, direct train from Edinburgh to Leuchars, a station just outside of St Andrews, with the train ride lasting just over an hour. Leuchars, the station where you'll arrive, is slightly remote, but don't be concerned. You haven't gotten off at the wrong spot. You'll take either a cab or a bus into St Andrews proper from the station. We took a bus into St Andrews and a cab back to the station in the afternoon for our return. Stroll down St Andrews' charming high street, visit the University of St Andrews, where Prince William and Kate Middleton first met, explore the ruins of St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle, and, of course, visit The Old Course, the home of golf, including The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews (founded in 1754) and its stunning club house. St Andrews is an easy, fun day trip with plenty to keep you occupied during business hours, even if you aren't a golfer. St Andrews is home to several different golf courses, if you're interested in actually playing. There's probably not enough to do to to keep you occupied overnight, if you aren't. To learn everything you need to know about a trip to St Andrews from Edinburgh, check out the full blog post: Top 6+ Historic Things to Do in St Andrews on a Day Trip. Stirling Stirling Castle (SPC) Another easy, historic day trip from Edinburgh is to the Scottish stronghold of Stirling, built into a hill of volcanic rock, known as the "gateway to the Scottish Highlands." Just a 30 minute train ride from Edinburgh, Stirling is more than worth the quick train ride. Stirling was the site of the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297, depicted in Braveheart, and William Wallace fans can visit the National Wallace Monument (advance tickets recommended), just outside of town (you can also see it from the castle). About 20 years later, Robert the Bruce defeated Edward II at Bannockburn. The Bruce also unfortunately destroyed the castle to prevent the English getting it back, which they did in any case a few years later. Stirling Castle, a stunning royal palace, which was the hub of the Scottish Royal Family before the unification of the crowns in the early 17th century, is sure to enchant any and all history buffs. The Castle is mostly known as the childhood home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots. Stroll the luxurious, royal palace portion, where she grew up, visit the largest medieval banquet hall in Scotland, take in the stunning views of the surrounding hills. Guided tours of the castle are frequent and included in your ticket price. And if you need a drink after all of that history, pop into The Portcullis, a charming inn and tavern nestled under the shadow of Stirling Castle. If you are interested in visiting the National Wallace Monument without renting a car, check out all of the information provided by the Monument here. For everything else you need to know about Stirling, check out the full post: A Day Trip to Stirling from Edinburgh. Glasgow |
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