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Best One-Day Tours from Edinburgh: Have a Magical Day with Rabbie’s

Rabbie
Posted on 25 Jun 2024

It’s just one day, right? Surely one day doesn’t count for that much. But we know that you can experience a lot in a day – if you’re open to an adventure. We’ve spent the last 30 plus years devoting ourselves to creating the best experiences possible. We know that travel can be quick, your holidays can be over in the blink of an eye, but you can still create many unforgettable memories. And with so much to do, it can be a little overwhelming trying to decide where to start. We know many are drawn to our shores to join the hunt for Nessie along the banks of Loch Ness, but you’d be surprised how many other incredible adventures await.

Whether you’re a traveller looking to make the best memories, or a local looking to try something different, something exciting, we have a range of one-day tours departing from Edinburgh that cater to every kind of adventurer. So, what will your day out look like?

Coming up in this blog:

I want to storm castles...

We understand. Castles are cool. Especially if you’ve grown up somewhere that doesn’t have castles casually situated by the side of the road, or overlooking the city, it can be a wonder seeing them perched regally on a rocky outcrop. Or tucked away in a quiet village. Hiding among the trees with a view of the river.

Visiting Edinburgh alone, you’ll be able to revel in the striking power of Edinburgh Castle which gazes down on the capital of this fair country. But if you’re a lover of castles, we understand that castles are a bit like chocolate – you can’t just have one tiny square, you came to devour the whole block in one sitting. And good on you.

So, if you’re looking to squeeze in as many castles as possible but only have one day, the tour you’re looking for is our 1-day Outlander Adventure tour from Edinburgh.

And, no, you don’t have to be an Outlander fan to enjoy this tour. You simply have to be a lover of castles. You’ll see all types on this day trip too.

In the show, Midhope Castle stands in for Jamie’s family home of Lallybroch, and in reality, this lovely little ruin dates back to the 15th century. It’s interior is derelict and unfortunately visitors are not allowed inside, but the exterior of the castle (and the view of it from the driveway) are pretty spectacular.

And then there’s Blackness Castle. A name to suit its demeanor. Dark, striking, imposing... 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.

She was constructed back in the 15th century for one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons, but has been called upon for other duties over the years. She’s served as a royal castle, a garrison fortress, a state prison, and even an ammunition depot in the late 19th century. She’s covered in scars and brimming with history. You may even recognise her from some of your favourite movies, from Mary Queen of Scots (2019) to Outlaw King (2018) and Hamlet (1990).

We know you love a palace as much as a castle – especially one with a dark streak to her. Linlithgow Palace dates back to the 12th century and has hosted many famous Scots over the years, including Mary Queen of Scots, James V, and Princess Elizabeth.

It was designed to be an elegant ‘pleasure palace’ where royals would stop off on their journey between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. Alas, in 1746, a terrible fire engulfed the palace and all that remains now are is her hollow skeleton.

Last but not least, Doune Castle. Doune is one for more than Outlander lovers – you may recognise her from Game of Thrones or Monty Python. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding the castle’s original structure. It’s suspected that what we see today is only half of its original layout, but we’ll likely never know for sure.

Bonus: Stirling Castle

Perched on a volcanic outcrop, Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most prominent locations and has been for some time. It was first mentioned around 1110, and over the years it was frequented by many Scottish kings and queens, including James IV, James V, and Mary, Queen of Scots.

If you visit, keep your ears alert for the Ghost Piper of Stirling. Legend goes that a piper was sent into the tunnels beneath the castle to determine just how far they went. He played his bagpipe as he went so those above could track his progress. But the music suddenly stopped, and he was never seen again. Did he lose his way? Did the faeries take him? Who knows. But on quiet nights, the sound of bagpipes can supposedly still be heard emanating from beneath the castle.

I want to frolic in nature...

We have the perfect playground for you – tucked up alongside the wide banks of the River Tay is the gorgeous cathedral town of Dunkeld. It’s the idyllic Scottish village you’ve been looking for, trust us. It’s the home to the ruinous, Gothic, and Norman structure of Dunkeld Cathedral, and was the site of a significant Jacobite battle back in 1689. Burdened with an abundance of trees and the shining river waters below, you’ll feel as if you’re living in nature.

And just down the road is the incredible Hermitage. This peaceful forest walk was brought to life in the 18th century by the Dukes of Atholl and originally designed as a ‘pleasure ground’. Grand Douglas Firs tower overhead as you meander your way to the roaring waters of Black Linn Falls, and all around you are hints of the past and legends that surround this area. Or perhaps you’ll want to keep an eye out for the legendary hidden treasure that is supposedly buried somewhere within The Hermitage.

Whether you’re after a peaceful forest walk or a treasure hunt, you can join us at both Dunkeld and The Hermitage on our 1-day Highland Lochs, Glens & Whisky tour from Edinburgh.

I want to sample the life source of Scotland...

We have a famous saying here in Scotland - “Today’s rain is tomorrow’s whisky”. We embrace the rain here in Scotland, because without it, we wouldn’t have our uisge beatha, ‘water of life’.

Any true traveller will know that a trip is not complete without sampling the local delicacies and – in particular – the local tipple. And Scotch whisky is ingrained within Scottish culture. The ancient Scots used it to heal common ailments and keep warm throughout the winter. And now, Scottish whisky exports make up one quarter of the UK’s international food and drink trade.

You’ll find whisky readily available in many of Edinburgh’s eateries, pubs, restaurants, bars, shops... but if you’re looking for something a little more memorable, why not learn about the process of whisky and get it from the source? We’re talking distilleries, of course.

On our 1-day Discover Malt Whisky tour from Edinburgh, you visit both Glengoyne Distillery and Deanston Distillery – two of our most beloved brands here in Scotland.

Best part? We’ll drive you.

I want to be a part of history...

History-buffs, we see you. We adore you. Because history is why we’re here. The history of Scotland, of our monarchs and storytellers, the history of our landscapes and castles. Which is why one of our most beloved day tours from Edinburgh is the Hadrian's Wall, Roman Britain & the Scottish Borders tour.

The city falls away as we journey south towards the Borders of Scotland. Gentle valleys and rolling hills – all that good stuff. Cute market towns await along the way as we enter England and head for the incomparable UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hadrian’s Wall. After centuries of raiding, plundering, and fighting in the ancient north of Britannia, the Romans decided to build a wall.

Very little remains today but we take you to some of the best of the wall before we continue onto a site you may not have heard of: Vindolanda. Archaeological digging of this Roman auxiliary fort continues to this day, and they seem to keep finding more and more incredible artefacts... artefacts you can see for yourself in their extensive museum after you finish exploring the site itself.

Bonus: Rosslyn Chapel

Fan of Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code? If you’ve ever seen the movie, you’ll recognise Rosslyn Chapel from its dramatic ending. But this 15th century chapel was famous long before its feature film. Myths and legends abound here – including possible information on the whereabouts of the ‘Holy Grail’.

I want to take a wee dip...

Whether you want to swim or not, we understand that sometimes staring at undulating waves backed by a brilliant horizon is the cure for all your ailments. Scotland boasts plenty of brilliant coastlines, but we have to say, we have a soft spot for the St Andrews West Sands in the Kingdom of Fife.

On our 1-day St Andrews & the Fishing Villages of Fife tour from Edinburgh, we spend most of our time in the thriving seaside town of St Andrews. It’s completely up to you how you spend your time here – relishing the delicious food on offer, exploring the ruins of history that lie around you, enjoying a game on the famous golf course – you might even find yourself down on the beautiful sands of the beach.

Look a little familiar? It should. St Andrews West Sands Beach is famous for the opening scenes of the film Chariots of Fire. *Theme song starts playing in head*

Aside from that, the beach won a Keep Scotland Beautiful 2024 Scotland’s Beach Award and are celebrating 32 years of awards. Plus, it’s only a 15-minute walk from the centre of town – easy.

I want to fan-girl...

Fan-girling is easy to do on many of our tours – our aforementioned Outlander tour, for instance. Re-enacting your own Chariots of Fire run on the beaches of St Andrews. Or you could head to Alnwick Castle in England.

Why? Well, she’s famous. Most people today will recongise Alnwick Castle from its appearance in both Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) during Harry’s first flying lesson, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) when Ron and Harry crash-land in their flying car. The castle even offers broomstick training sessions for the super-fans.

Aside from that, the castle also featured in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Elizabeth (1998), and TV shows like Downton Abbey, The Hollow Crown, and Blackadder II.

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t waste even a single day on your holiday. Make one day count. Fill your adventure with stories to take home (stories make the best souvenirs, after all) and be inspired to start planning your next holiday before you’ve even arrived home.