Day Trips & Excursions in Scotland

What could be more quintessentially Scottish than lochs and castles? Travel through the photo-worthy West Highlands, visit the haunting glen of Glencoe and stop at Loch Lomond on this day trip from Glasgow by minivan. Numbers are limited to 16 passengers to ensure a more personalized experience with an informative guide, who offers insightful commentary at Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray town, Castle Stalker and more.

This full-day Scottish Highlands tour takes you on a scenic drive from Edinburgh to the fabled Loch Ness. The 12-hour journey travels by coach across Rannoch Moor to Glen Coe and through the Great Glen to Fort Augustus, where you're treated to a locally made picnic lunch. Take an optional boat ride on the legendary loch in search of "˜Nessie' before the return trip over the Pass of Drumochter and through the forests and rivers of Highland Perthshire, with views of the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.

Combine the magic of Harry Potter with the history of the Scottish borders on this 9.5-hour trip from Edinburgh. Ideal for fans of the world's favorite wizard, this tour takes you to the coastal town of Bamburgh, home to the impressive Bamburgh Castle, and Alnwick Castle, a filming location featured in both Harry Potter and Downtown Abbey. Tour the historic structure's opulent rooms "” entrance fees at your own expense "” before you admire the pretty town of Coldstream, straddling the border of England and Scotland.

Enjoy the wonders of northwest Scotland on a full-day trip through the West Highlands and Oban from Glasgow. With a friendly guide, see some of the world's most stunning scenery from the rolling hills of coastal Oban to the moors and forests of Trossachs National Park. See landmarks like Kilchurn Castle, visit the villages of Luss and Inveraray, and hear tales of famous Scots such as Robert the Bruce.

See Stirling Castle, The Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Pass Linlithgow Palace on the way to The Kelpies, said to be the largest equine sculptures in the world. Then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where you can join your guide on a nature walk, before heading to Stirling Castle for an optional interior tour (own expense). This small-group tour by Mercedes minivan is limited to 16 passengers for a memorable experience.