4 Excellent Day Trips and Tours from Edinburgh

While Scotland’s capital is a spectacular place to holiday and enjoy some of the best establishments the country has to offer, there’s more to Scotland than one of its most famous cities. If you’re holiday-making in Edinburgh this year, there’s plenty to do and see within a few hours of the city worth considering.

Today we’re taking a look at some of the best day trips from Edinburgh that you can take while you’re here.

Stirling Castle

This should be at the top of every traveller’s to-do list when they come to Scotland. While Edinburgh Castle is impressive, you can see that from our doorstep anytime! Stirling Castle is just as impressive and most certainly worth a drive out to see it (at the very least).

It is one of the most iconic and important landmarks in Scotland and is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the history of our great nation. Stirling Castle is renowned for being a vital stronghold in Scotland throughout its history, including the Wars of Independence, with famous Scots such as William Wallace and Robert the Bruce intertwined with its history. That isn’t even mentioning that it was favoured by the Stuart Kings and Queens long after their time!

Between the Great Hall, Royal Palace and the panoramic views of Stirlingshire from its battlements - this is a one day trip you’ll regret missing out on.

For those who intend to explore the castle, rather than see it from afar for photographs, it is advised that you book your tickets in advance from their website. Queues can be quite common during popular tourist months. It may even be worth booking a tour if you are into the history of the castle!

There’s also several ways to get there, depending on how you like to travel:

• If you are travelling to the castle via car, there are various car parks around and near the castle.
• If you don’t mind public transport, the train runs from Edinburgh Waverley to Stirling. The castle isn’t too far a walk from the train station.

 

St Andrews

St Andrews is another popular tourist hotspot and for good reason. If you are into golf in a huge way, then you won’t need us to tell you about its world renowned golf courses. Tackle the Old Course, or perhaps some of the other courses in the seaside town:

• The New Course; for a classic links layout that features some spectacular views.
• Jubilee Course; a shorter course that’s ideal for a spot of Golf that isn’t too demanding but still enjoyable.
• Strathyrum Course; a course that consists of parkland with water hazard features and mature trees to content with.
• Balgove Course; for the beginner golfers that want to golf in St Andrews, but want a more relaxed experience.

But aside from golf, St Andrews has a lot to offer to holiday-makers wanting to experience Scotland. For the history buffs, there’s plenty to see and do such as:

• Visiting the St Andrews Cathedral ruins where you can climb St Rule’s Tower for an unparalleled view across the town.
• St Andrews has its own castle, where you can learn all about the history of the town.
• Explore the various museums the town has to offer, such as the St Andrews Museum and the Wardlaw Museum.

For those who want to walk a bit more on the spooky side, there are a number of ghost tours that’ll show you a darker side to the coastal town.

Or maybe you just want to relax? With various beaches nearby with soft sands and clear water, a sunny day at St Andrews is a day to remember.

 

Callander

For those who don’t mind going a bit further afield, Callander is a fantastic contender for a day trip. This is an entry in the list that’s more for those that’ll be driving on their holiday, as there’s no easy way to get there via public transport.

Aside from the scenic drive through the picturesque vistas of Scotland’s countryside on the way there, the town itself is postcard perfect. If you’ve come to Scotland and want to experience that small-town village atmosphere, Callander is the perfect place to do so.

Sitting nestled on the edge of the Trossachs National Park and amidst Queen Elizabeth Forest Park - you’ll never see natural beauty blend with a village quite like you will in Callander. Take a walk down Main Street and indulge in:

• The Main Street Bakery; for a selection of hand-made, traditional pies; both hot and cold.
• The Old Fudge Shop; to try some traditional Scottish fudge and other sweet treats.
• Callander Drinks Company; to take some premium alcoholic beverages back home with you.

 

And if you are into nature, there’s a variety of different nature trails in and around the Callander area to allow you to go for a gander, such as:

• Bracklinn Falls Bridge trail. Set your eyes on the Bracklinn Falls from a magnificent timber bridge tucked away at the end of the trail.
• Falls of Lenny; another spectacular sight to see in the area.
• The Meadows; for those who want a calmer walk closer to Callander that showcases the true beauty of the town.

 

Lomond Hills Regional Park

For the more adventurous spirits among you, the Lomond Hills Regional Park awaits on the other side of the Firth of Forth. The stunning beauty of the Lomond Hills in Perth and Kinross are not to be missed for the avid fans of nature and the Scottish countryside. 

The hills are known for having a comprehensive variety of nature trails, hiking trails, and mountain bike trails, such as:

• East Lomond trail. This is by far the most popular hike amongst outdoor enthusiasts and will provide you with a breath-taking view of the surrounding countryside from East Lomond’s summit.
• West Lomond trail. This hike is better for more casual hikers, with West Lomond being a bit lower than its Eastern counterpart. This makes its slopes easier to hike with a more gentle climb.
• The Glen Vale trails. A fantastic grouping of trails in and around the Glen Vale Waterfalls.
• The Maspie Den Walk. Another fantastic trail that will take you past a unique waterfall in the northern areas of the park.

Do be sure to pack a good set of boots!

 

Explore Scotland with The Witchery

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