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6 Best (and Easiest) Day Trips from Edinburgh

Rabbie
Posted on 30 Jul 2024

So, you’re in Edinburgh. A simple sentence for not such a simple thing. Edinburgh is the kind of city that makes people believe in magic again. Whether it’s wandering a quiet cobbled Edinburgh street on a misty winter morning, basking in the gentle sunlight as you picnic in Princes Street Gardens, catching notes of a far-off piper playing on the Royal Mile, or stealing away into the dark labyrinths hidden below the city, Edinburgh is a memory worth treasuring.

And in summer, Edinburgh comes alive like a garden blooming in the sunlight. People buzz along its streets, excitedly exploring this storybook city, many on their way to a show, because right now – in August – it’s the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest performance arts festival.

More than that, several other festivals coincide with the Fringe, such as the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Art Festival, bringing the city to life and forging it into a haven for lovers of the arts.

It’s no surprise that Edinburgh’s tourist population skyrockets during summer, particularly the month of August. But it’s not just what’s going on within the city that is worth experiencing – it's what’s on Edinburgh’s doorstep. Many who travel here take advantage of the proximity to the Highlands and all the other amazing places Scotland has to offer.

And, sometimes, Edinburgh can get a little overwhelming with all the hubbub of the festivals, so getting out of the city limits for a few hours could be very refreshing. We understand the draw to go to places like the Isle of Skye. But you can’t do it in a day from Edinburgh, you’d need at least two nights to really experience Skye. Why not look a little closer to home? There are plenty of incredible things to do and see nearby.

Whether you’re a traveller coming to experience Scotland, or a local who’s looking to mix up their weekend, here are some of our favourite day trips from Edinburgh that also happen to be fairly easy days out.

Coming up in this blog:

North Berwick (and Yellowcraig Beach)

If you’re in desperate need of a swim this summer, or you’re looking to potentially see some puffins, or you have a desire to walk along a sandy beach savouring a fresh gelato, then you need to visit North Berwick and nearby Yellowcraig Beach.

North Berwick (pronounced ‘Bear-ick’) is nestled on the eastern coastline of Scotland, about an hour’s drive north-east of Edinburgh. It’s a popular wee place, brimming with plenty of gorgeous seaside scenery, delicious restaurants and cafes, and fantastic boutiquey shops. If you’re a dog lover, or have a dog of your own, get ready to be stopping to pet the fluffy creatures every few paces, especially on the beach.

If you’ve always wanted to see the clowns of the sea (also known as a puffin) then you might want to book yourself a boat trip out to see the wee islands near the harbour, because you may just get lucky. Of course, these tours are incredibly popular and often need to be booked in advance, so make sure you plan ahead.

And bird fans can do more than the boat trip, they can pop into the 5-star Scottish Seabird Centre and enjoy their interactive Discovery Experience. The Scottish Seabird Centre also run a variety of boat trips - including out to the island of Craigleith, where one might be able to see puffins depending on the time of year. Craigleith was once home to about 10,000 pairs of breeding puffins back in the 1990s. The puffin numbers have been declining sadly due to an invasive non-native plant but the Centre are working hard to tackle this problem.

You might even be up for a hike up North Berwick Law, as the views from this hill are truly spectacular and you'll be able to spot Bass Rock, Edinburgh, and even the Pentlands. Or there's the nearby Tantallon Castle, a 14th century ruined fortress just outside of North Berwick with some incredible views and interesting history.

Just when you thought there wasn’t enough to do, you might also consider swinging by the nearby Yellowcraig Beach. This truly is the definition of an idyllic beach, with its quaint little lighthouse on a craggy island swarming with birds and the refreshing, Caribbean-like waters perfect for a paddleboard or swim.

How to Get to North Berwick:

It’s an easy hour’s drive from Edinburgh if you have a car. You can also get the 124 or X5 bus from Edinburgh’s city centre (taking between 1 hour and 10 minutes and 1 hour and 30 minutes), or you can get the train from Edinburgh Waverley which takes just over 30 minutes.

How to Get to Yellowcraig Beach:

If you have a car, it’s a quick 10-minute drive from North Berwick to the car park. If you came via public transport, you could either hail a taxi or walk – which takes about an hour, but it’s a beautiful walk along the connected beach fronts, parts of which are included in the John Muir Way, a 215-kilometre walk along southern Scotland, running from Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute in the west to Dunbar, East Lothian in the east.

north berwick (left) and yellowcraig beach (right)

Rosslyn Chapel

Any Dan Brown fans in the house? If you ever saw the movie adaptation of The Da Vinci Code, think back to the end of the movie when the suspense builds as Langdon explores a haunting and ancient landmark... that was Rosslyn Chapel.

But before the movie, Rosslyn Chapel was already world-famous. Founded back in 1446, it took over 40 years to build and it’s no wonder once you see inside. The chapel’s unique and mysterious carvings have drawn people ever since, ornate stonework and intriguing symbols make the chapel a source of many mysteries and legends.

Thanks to the ornate and rather spooky geometric patterns, there’s one theory that suggests Rosslyn Chapel is a stargate (a portal to another world) for extraterrestrials. You may have heard of other ‘stargates’ such as the Pyramids of Giza or Stonehenge... or so some say.

How to Get to Rosslyn Chapel

It’s a 35-minute drive by car from Edinburgh, or you could get the 37 bus which takes about an hour. Alternatively, you could join us there on a pleasant day tour from Edinburgh.

Dunkeld and the Hermitage

Dunkeld is as idyllic as they come, the true definition of a charming Scottish village. So, if that’s on your travel bucket list (or you’re just looking for a pleasantly peaceful day out), add Dunkeld to your plans.

With colourful houses lining the streets, a magnificent cathedral, and the lovely River Tay trundling past, you’ll think you’ve stepped into the past. Grab a pastry or coffee and simply wander, that’s what wee villages are all about.

And make sure you pop into the ruins of the Gothic and Norman Dunkeld Cathedral to see the tomb of the Wolf of Badenoch. This notorious Scottish figure is known for his pillaging and robbing throughout the 14th century, and for burning Elgin Cathedral to the ground.

And then there’s the Hermitage. *Insert happy sigh here*

Back in the 18th century, the Dukes of Atholl designed this stunning forest walk as a ‘pleasure ground’. Grand Douglas Firs dominate the skyline above you, sheltering you, towering overhead, as you meander your way past strange fairy offerings (keep an eye out for the coins...) to the roaring waters of Black Linn Falls.

How to Get to Dunkeld and the Hermitage

The village of Dunkeld is about 1 hour and 15 minutes by car from Edinburgh. You can also get the train from Edinburgh Waverley (or Haymarket) to ‘Dunkeld & Birnam’ which takes between 1 hour and 30 minutes to just over 2 hours.

To get to the Hermitage from Dunkeld, you can either walk, which takes about 40 minutes (but be careful of the road) or you can get the 34A bus.

Alternatively, you could join us on a one-day tour to Dunkeld and the Hermitage from Edinburgh.

Outlander Locations

While they are commonly known now as Outlander filming locations, what we love about these places is that they can be thoroughly enjoyed by anyone who has a love of history and grand, stunning locations – Outlander fan or not.

Culross

Let’s get this out of the way. It’s pronouced ‘coo-russ’ - and in the most Scottish accent you can muster. It's the kind of village that makes you think you’ve stepped into an Austen novel.

Culross has always been in the spotlight and it’s blatantly obvious why as you wander the quiet, cobbled streets. The whitewashed, red-tiled buildings wrap around you like a make-believe village, as if it’s a model village that you’ve been shrunk down into. The rust-coloured Culross Palace draws your eye, and makes you a touch jealous you didn’t grow up in such a place. And the expanse of the River Forth glistens alongside it, as wide and wonderful as any ocean.

But it’s become even more beloved since it featured in the famous TV show Outlander as the fictional town of Cranesmuir, and fans thrive on scouring the village to find the locations from prominent moments in the show.

Learn more about the Outlander filming locations here.

How to Get to Culross

It’s a short 50-minute drive from Edinburgh if you have your own car. If not, you can get there via the bus (taking both the X55 and 8A), taking around 2 hours.

Blackness Castle

A royal castle. A garrison fortress. A state prison. An ammunition depot. A tourist destination. Blackness Castle has worn many faces over the years, with a rich history spanning from the 15th century... but that history continues today with visitors coming far and wide to experience the dark halls of Blackness Castle.

Scars are still etched into her façade from all the battles and sieges she's seen in her time. Today, she is admired for her resilience and striking beauty. She’s known as ‘the ship that never sailed’ due to her seaward-facing position. With her three towers looking somewhat like stone masts, Blackness gives the impression of a run-aground ship.

But many visit her steely interior thank to featuring in Outlander as Fort William, the prison where Jamie was held (and flogged) by Randall. You may even recognise her from the 1990 film Hamlet or the 2018 film Mary Queen of Scots.

How to Get to Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle is an easy 40-minute drive from Edinburgh’s city centre, or you can go green and get the bus (909 and F49) which takes about 1.5 hours.

Midhope Castle

The first reference to a ‘Medhope’ dates back to a document from 1458 concerning a boundary dispute between Henry Levingstone and John Martyne, laird of Medhope. Laird, an important Scottish word when it comes to knowing our history. Laird means Lord, and many of the locations you visit will surely have a tale or two about these lairds.

Midhope Castle may be humble, but she is striking and there’s a view of her as you come up the driveway, when she’s framed in the stone archway entrance, that is incredibly photo-worthy.

And it’s that shot that has come to mean a lot to Outlander fans, as Midhope stands in for Lallybroch, the family home of the beloved hero Jamie Fraser. The interior of Lallybroch in the show is not the actual site’s interior and the interior of Midhope Castle is inaccessible for safety reasons, so when visiting the site, you’ll only be able to see the exterior. But that’s the money shot, trust us, and you'll be able to sit on the stairs and wait for Jamie just like Claire.

How to Get to Midhope Castle

Jump in the car and it only takes about 40 minutes to drive to Midhope Castle. But if you decide to get the bus, you’ll need to get on the X38 and then 31, which takes about 2 hours.

Alternatively, you could visit all of these Outlander locations easily in a single day by jumping on our Outlander day tour from Edinburgh.

The Three Lochs Forest Drive

This one is for cars only, so if you’re planning to rent a car (or bring your own), this drive can make a stunning day out. We’re fans of getting off the beaten track, and this is exactly what you’ll get on the Three Lochs Forest Drive.

Luscious scenery, timid wildlife, a beautiful day out... this drive through the heart of the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park will touch the nature-lover in you. This 7-mile (11.5km) one-way route was opened around 40 years ago to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The drive is open to vehicles from Easter to October, but it’s possible to walk the route any time of the year.

Read more details about this route here.

If you’ve come to Scotland with the goal of seeing a loch or two, then take note of this drive because it will take you past three lochs: Reòidhte, Drunkie and Achray. And stretching out around you as you coast along will be picturesque Scotland in all her glory, from towering mountains to quiet forests.

How to Get to the Three Lochs Forest Drive:

For your GPS: the entrance is at grid reference NN 517 036 and the nearest postcode is FK8 3SY. Please note that the entrance barrier opens at 9am and is locked at 4pm, while the exit barrier is locked by 5pm. The cost per vehicle is £3 payable at a machine, which takes coins and cards.

Glasgow

Can’t get enough of the city life but looking for a different vibe? That’s easy. Jump on a train to Glasgow – Scotland's cultural hub. Glasgow is kind of like Scotland’s year-round Fringe Festival. No matter what time of year you’re visiting, you can find a show, performance, festival, gallery, or intrigue of some kind in Glasgow.

Beyond that, it’s a striking city with its own fascinating history and must-see quirks. Take the Glasgow City Chambers, for instance, which are made up of more marble than there is in the whole of the Vatican. Take that, Italy! And the dramatic Glasgow University has more than a hint of grandeur to it, parts reminiscent of everyone's favourite wizarding school Hogwarts. And you may recongise it's striking cloisters from films such as Outlaw King and shows like Outlander.

From admiring the Glasgow Cathedral to the shopping and pubs of Ashton Lane, there’s plenty to occupy you for a day (and more). Our favourite little quirk of Glasgow is the Duke of Wellington Statue located outside the Gallery of Modern Art. Somewhere back in the 1980s, someone thought it would be funny to put an orange traffic cone atop the Duke’s head... and while it sometimes goes missing, the cone always finds its way back to what has to be a great city view.

How to Get to Glasgow:

From Edinburgh, Glasgow is an easy train ride from Edinburgh Waverley or Haymarket. There are regular trains in both directions from early morning until late evening, and the express train only takes about 50 minutes to reach Glasgow Queen Street station.

We also run several day tours from our Glasgow departure point.

We could go on and on in this blog about the places you should see in a day from Edinburgh. There’s hiking in the Pentlands, exploring the shores of Loch Lomond, marveling at the variety of things to see and do in St Andrews, escaping to ‘Scotland in Miniature’ aka the Isle of Arran... but the choice of where to go is up to you. That’s part of the fun of travelling. And no matter what brings you to Edinburgh, we hope you take this opportunity to explore the nooks and crannies of Scotland. Because it’s in the ‘tween places where history is tucked away, where fairies and myths and memories hide, and where the Highland coos wait to be admired.

*All travel information was correct at the time of writing. Please note public transport delays can be quite common in Scotland and you should always be prepared to make alternate plans.