There’s plenty of things to do in Edinburgh: from wandering atmospheric medieval wynds and exploring the ancient castle to checking out the art scene and embracing the city’s top-flight nightlife. But one of the beauties of the Scottish capital is that some of Scotland’s top destinations are short drives from Edinburgh. Here are eight convenient road trip options that will give you a richer experience of Scotland’s scenery, history, and culture.
Made infamous by Dan Brown’s book The Da Vinci Code, the 15th-century Rosslyn Chapel is easily visited on just a half-day trip, as it’s less than 30 minutes from Edinburgh. Get insights into the rich symbolism hidden in the Gothic chapel’s elaborate stone carvings by booking a tour from Edinburgh. Or, make a longer trip of it on a combination tour that takes you to Hadrian's Wall, Melrose Abbey, and more top locations in the Scottish Borders.
A sandy stretch of beach draws regular train- and car-loads of Edinburghers east to the seaside town of North Berwick. Wildlife lovers will be interested in North Berwick’s Scottish Seabird Centre and, just offshore, the Bass Rock, home to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets. The imposing cliff-edge ruin of Tantallon Castle is also less than 15 minutes away from the town and included on many day tours from the capital.
The jagged mountains, deep valleys, and mist-shrouded lochs (lakes) of Loch Lomond in the Scottish Highlands are a magnet for outdoor adventurers who can explore by foot, kayak, or bicycle. Even if you only have a limited time to make the most of the sprawling park, you can still soak up the highlights on a day tour from Edinburgh—some tours also include stops at such notable sites as Stirling Castle and a whisky distillery.
The genteel north-east coastal town of St. Andrews is famed as the home of Scotland's oldest university and the Old Course, the oldest and most celebrated golf course in the world. But you don’t need to be a student or golfer to enjoy the town’s medieval ruins and white-sand beach. If you rent a car and embark on a day trip from Edinburgh, you can see all of St. Andrews’ highlights, as well as some of the quaint fishing villages and small towns of the East Neuk.
Deep, dark, and long, Scotland’s Scotland’s infamous (and perhaps monster-inhabited?) loch brims with history and majestic scenery, and it’s within reach from Edinburgh if you have two days to spare. Guided tours from the capital take you on a scenic drive through the Scottish Highlands—making stops along the way at Loch Lubnaig and Glencoe—and offer the option of taking a boat ride across the loch upon arrival or just wandering along its atmospheric shores.
Off Scotland’s southwest coast, kidney-bean shaped Arran is one of the country’s most accessible islands and is famed for offering a “Scotland in miniature” experience. The Highland-Lowland dividing line passes straight through the island, creating a rugged landscape of mountains and glens in the north and a south coast that boasts some wonderful golden beaches. Book a 3-day tour from Edinburgh to enjoy a long weekend on Arran without the hassle of arranging transportation and accommodation.
Whisky lovers need little introduction to the charms of the Speyside region in the Scottish Highlands, home to such distilleries as Glenfarclas, Aberlour, and Glenlivet. If whisky-tasting is on the agenda for your Scottish vacation, you’d be best to avoid driving or tackling public transportation. Instead, book a tour from Edinburgh to enjoy a long weekend of sampling some of the best golden nectar produced in Speyside and let your guide take care of all the logistics.
Up in the northwest corner of the country and dotted with velvet moors, towering mountains, sparkling lochs, and steep sea cliffs, the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s most celebrated islands. Thanks to a bridge connecting it to the mainland, it’s quite accessible from Edinburgh—although you’ll need at least a couple of days to spare. A convenient 3-day tour from Edinburgh lets you soak up the island’s scenery and breaks up the trip with stops at such attractions as Loch Ness.