10 Unforgettable Edinburgh Day Trip Ideas From a Former Local

Last updated on the 6th of August, 2025

If you are staying in Edinburgh for longer and seeking a day off from the hustle and bustle of the city and its enchanting cobbled streets, I’ve got great news.

In less than 30 minutes, you can head to a coastal town for fresh sea air or visit a cultural monument to hear interesting stories about the nation’s past.

There’s Portobello, a wonderful suburb with a jolly seaside resort feel, Linlithgow with the dazzling ruins of a royal castle and Queensferry with the striking Forth Rail Bridge, to name just a few.

If your desire is to head out further, why not visit the Highlands to experience moody skies and windswept landscapes?

You can rent a car or travel by public transport and let yourself be enchanted by the true Scottish nature a few steps from Edinburgh.

10 Incredible Day Trips From Edinburgh You Shouldn’t Miss

Edinburgh is one of my favourite cities. Between hilltop castles, winding streets and little villages, I could spend a lifetime exploring the city.

But there are many amazing places nearby that are well worth exploring, too.

Over the years, I’ve travelled to all these destinations and loved every single one of them as they each have something interesting to offer. From seaside villages to historic cities, there’s a day trip to fit every mood.

If you’re on a quest to see sights beyond Edinburgh, these are just the places you could head out to explore.

North Berwick Day Trip For A Seaside Escape

North Berwick is a small seaside town on the Firth of Forth 25 miles from Edinburgh, with beaches stretching east and west from its harbour.

The winding streets are full of shops selling everything from antiques to home goods, and you can easily spend the morning ducking your head into lots of little places on the high street.

North Berwick is famous for Bass Rock – a small island formed from a plug of volcanic rock in the Firth of Forth, which now is a nesting place for colonies of seabirds, notably solan geese.

A great attraction for nature lovers and birdwatching enthusiasts is the Scottish Seabird Centre, where visitors can learn about the plethora of seabirds that call Scotland their home.

Top tip: Don’t miss a boat trip out to Bass Rock to see the impressive Gannet colony.

Getting there | Travelling to North Berwick by train from Waverly station takes just half an hour, so it’s an easy day trip from Edinburgh.

The mighty Bass Rock in North Berwick, Scotland

Stirling Day Trip For A Journey Through Scottish History

Located an hour’s train ride from Edinburgh, Stirling is a relatively small city within easy reach and, thus, perfect for a historic trip.

It also sits at the gateway to the Highlands and is a stone’s throw away from one of Scotland’s most scenic Parks, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

Once in Stirling, you can head to the city’s most significant landmark, the striking Stirling Castle, which successfully withstood several attacks, before exploring historic monuments and artefacts that date back to the days of William Wallace and Scottish independence.

But it’s not only the castle that’s worth seeing in Stirling. The Old Town is inviting with its cobbled streets and rustic buildings. Further afield is the National Wallace Monument, which stands tall at 220 feet and commemorates the Scottish hero, Sir William Wallace.

Glasgow Day Trip For Cultural Experiences

Given how close it is to the capital, it’s easy to hop on a train for a memorable day trip from Edinburgh.

Located on River Clyde, Glasgow is a vibrant cultural hub famous for its historical heritage, culture and architecture and a perfect place for a wee urban adventure.

Now, before you go – Glasgow is a big city with a big-city feel to it, where you’ll be brushing shoulders with locals rather than tourists, as you would in Edinburgh.

Some of the best experiences in Scotland’s largest city include visiting the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, home to “The Christ of Saint John of the Cross” painting by Salvador Dalí, and the Riverside Museum, which houses over 3,000 objects.

You can also visit Glasgow Cathedral to see the building’s world-famous stained glass windows or visit the Glasgow Botanic Gardens to see over 9000 plants.

Getting there – the fastest trains from Edinburgh to Glasgow take approximately 42 minutes

Glasgow – the most populous city in Scotland

Rosslyn Chapel Day Trip for a Journey Through Myths and Legends

No place in Scotland is more riddled with mysteries than the enigmatic Rosslyn Chapel.

Da Vinci Code fans will remember Rosslyn Chapel from Dan Brown’s best-selling novel. But the chapel isn’t just part of a fictional narrative; it’s a landmark in its own right with connections to the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail.

The chapel is nestled among woodland and rolling fields just outside the Roslin Village, and those who visit get a chance to feast their eyes on the gorgeous Tweed Valley and visit Melrose Abbey, the alleged burial site of Robert the Bruce’s heart.

*Important notice – you have to pre-book your tickets for visiting Rosslyn Chapel

Getting there | The easiest way to reach Rosslyn Chapel is by car. You can also get to the Chapel by bus- Lothian service 37.

Opening times | Monday to Saturday: 9 am -5pm

The fascinating and historical Rosslyn Chapel, Scotland

Loch Ness Day Trip For A Highland Adventure

It takes less time than you’d think to travel to the Highlands, so a day trip to Loch Ness to see the mystical sea creature whose sightings began in 595 and have continued ever since is completely doable.

Many tours departing Edinburgh pass by Stirling Castle and drive through the Trossachs National Park, Rob Roy country. while others go via Glencoe.

Over the years, I’ve been on a good few tours and find it to be a fantastic way to learn about Scottish history while soaking in all the classic scenery for which Scotland is famed: Glen Coe, the Great Glen, Highland Perthshire and maybe even catching a glimpse of the mighty Ben Nevis along the way!

*Good to know – Given the distance to the Highlands, the trip will take a full day to travel up and down – up to 12 hours – so it’s not for the fainthearted.

Check out the following tour companies for a memorable day trip: Highland Explorer Tours, Rabbies Tours and Highland Experience Tours

Urquhart *Castle* on the shores of Loch Ness, Scotland

Noth Quensferry Day Trip for Amazing Photo Opportunities

North Queensferry is a little gem of a village in a unique location.

A short train ride from Edinburgh Waverley Station can take you to one of the most quaint neighbours that sit in the shadow of the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge – North Queensferry.

Upon arrival at the North Queensferry Victorian Railway Station, which has stood the test of time, you’ll be greeted by a large mural commemorating the station’s hundred years of use.

There isn’t much to see and do per se, but given the ability to see three iconic bridges – the UNESCO World Heritage Forth Bridge, its younger neighbour the Forth Road Bridge, and the newest addition, the Queensferry Crossing – it makes for a great day trip.

Getting there | Scotrail runs a regular service from Edinburgh Waverly to Dalmeny, which takes approximately 20 minutes. It is then a 15-minute walk into the town centre.

St. Andrews Day Trip For Coastal Town Vibes

St. Andrews is the key town on the Fife Peninsula, an area of land extending from the broad Forth Estuary in the south to the Firth of Tay in the north.

In addition to golf, the little town also has Scotland’s oldest university, excellent beaches, the Ruins of the Cathedral of St. Andrew and charming old stone buildings.

Given that the University of St. Andrews is among the oldest in the English-speaking world, you should stop by to admire the historic buildings and the scenic campus before you explore other attractions.

Two beaches in the vicinity of the town are East Sands and West Sands Beach, famous for the opening scenes of the film Chariots of Fire.

With so much to see and do, it would be very easy to fill your day or even longer if you wish to spend a night.

Top tip: St. Andrews is a compact town, and you can easily get anywhere you’d like on foot.

Getting there | You can take the train from Edinburgh to Leuchars, which takes around 1 hour, and then get a bus from Leuchars to St Andrews, which takes about 12 mins.

Fishing Villages of Fife Day Trip For Seafood and Sea Views

Along the rugged Fife coast is a cluster of five villages offering a wonderful coastal charm.

The eastern corner of the ‘Kingdom of Fife’ is one of Scotland’s hidden gems, stretching from Elie to St Monans and onto Crail.

Arriving in bustling Edinburgh, you’ll be greeted by boats landing lobster and crab and heaps of fishing history. There’s also an abundance of cute cafes and quaint streets and plenty of pretty harbours.

Some of the villages worth checking out:

Crail | Easily accessible via the scenic Fife Coastal Route, Crail offers wonderful views and a village ambience. It is home to an exceptionally beautiful Crail Harbor, which was originally constructed with help from the Dutch.

Anstruther | a wonderful fishing village with a fishing museum, a vibrant harbour and award-winning fish and chips.

St. Monans | a quaint old harbour town where you can find St Monans Church – one of the oldest in Scotland, dating back to the 14th century.

Getting there: A car provides more flexibility and convenience, therefore, I do recommend you rent one to explore the Kingdom of Fife.

Hadrian’s Wall & The Borders to See the Roman forts

For an incredible opportunity to visit millennia-old Roman ruins such as Steel Rigg, and Hadrian’s Wall and soak up the beauty of the Irthing Valley, Northumberland National Park, and the Southern Uplands, embark on a day trip to the Borders.

Stretching for 73 miles from east coast to west, Hadrian’s Wall isn’t just any wall. It’s an astounding achievement, a bustling settlement and a land border.

Construction on Hadrian’s Wall began in AD 122 in the reign of the emperor Hadrian who clearly knew a thing or two about building things.

As a significant portion of the wall still stands today, along with many of the currets and forts, it makes for a great day out.

Getting there | there is a wonderful selection of day tours from Edinburgh – some take the inland route, others return by the coast.

Hadrian Wall is a must-visit attractions

Tips For A Successful Day Trips

One of the main things you need to know to plan amazing day trips is that planning ahead is key.

A detailed itinerary can help you avoid waiting in lines, trying to figure out what to do on the spot or even wasting time zig-zagging all over town.

Some of the things you can do before you embark on a day trip:

Be prepared for a long day ahead.

Wear comfortable shoes – you will, without a doubt, be doing lots of walking.

It is always best to do some research about the area you’re choosing to visit. Cities and towns often have visitor information online that offers a wealth of useful information.

Before you go, figure out what you want to do and what sites you’d like to see

Make a note of open days and times – there’s nothing worse than planning a day trip around a specific attraction only to get there and realize they’re closed that day.

Look into where to eat and grab a drink so you don’t waste time looking for a restaurant or cafe

Final Thoughts On The Best Day Trips From Edinburgh

As you can see, it doesn’t matter whether you head north, south, east or west, there are plenty of amazing places to see, castles to explore, epic views to enjoy and Scottish culture all easily reachable from the capital.

And with so many different day trips from Edinburgh, there is a day experience to suit every interest!

The best thing is that no matter which day trip you choose, you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience and learn something new.

I hope that you have enjoyed this list of 10 places to visit for day trips from Edinburgh. We’d LOVE to hear your thoughts if there’s anything else that should be included!

White Horse Close, located at the foot of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …

Now, over to you!

Have you been to Edinburgh? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are plotting a visit to Edinburgh and have travel-related questions!

Subscribe For The Latest In Travel Inspiration

Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter to stay up to date with all our outdoor adventures

Enter your email below to receive updates

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
				1	2	3
4	5	6	7	8	9	10
11	12	13	14	15	16	17
18	19	20	21	22	23	24
25	26	27	28	29	30	31

10 Unforgettable Edinburgh Day Trip Ideas From a Former Local – OUR CROSSINGS