Scotland · 1-DAY TOURS

15 1-Day Tours in Scotland to Build a Day Around

42 tours  ·  from $68

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 1-day tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.

Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh - Leaving Edinburgh and crossing the Forth
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Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

1.Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,793 reviews · 13 hours (approx.) · from $74Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh into the Highlands with an English-speaking driver-guide, stopping in Perthshire, the Cairngorms, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and Glencoe. You can add a Loch Ness cruise and castle visit for £30 cash per adult. Expect a long, scenic day with short stops and limited meal time.

“Steven B was great! Several photo stops and great information. Loch ness boat tour was a bit underwhelming but the rest of the tour was very scenic.”

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Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh - Doune Castle, the real Castle Leoch
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Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

2.Outlander Film Locations Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,776 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Top rated

Spend about nine and a half hours with an English-speaking guide visiting Outlander locations by air-conditioned coach. See Midhope, Doune, Culross, Falkland, and Blackness Castle, with optional entry fees and lively Scottish history along the way.

“Great experience. Driver was knowledgeable and entertaining. Learned a lot about film sites as well as Scottish history and culture. A great way to spend the day.”

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1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh - Doune Castle, a strong opening stop
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1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

3.1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

See Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Loch Fyne, Rest and Be Thankful, and Luss on a 10-hour West Highlands trip from Edinburgh. Guides such as Steve, Cara, Charlie, and Dusty bring history and local tips to the drive. Entry fees and lunch are extra.

“Noah was our tour guide and he was great! We really liked the small group. We would have preferred to have more time to explore Inveraray Castle but we ran out of time because none of the places to eat opened until noon and later. We lost time waiting for that because we got there about 1130am. If you don’t pay to go inside Linlithgow Palace, there really isn’t any shops in the town while you wait for everyone else. You can go to the grocery store or Greggs for a quick bite. But, the palace grounds are gorgeous!”

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Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh - The Kelpies: Scotland’s giant horse heads
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Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

4.Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh to the Kelpies, Balmaha on Loch Lomond, and historic Stirling. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the route and adds local stories, while you choose whether to spend the afternoon inside Stirling Castle for £17.50 or explore Stirling independently.

“We absolutely loved this tour! We were informed of some of the great historic tales of Scotland as we drove around, and we'd definitely recommend opting in for the Stirling Castle visit.”

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The Outlander 1 Day Experience - Doune Castle: Castle Leoch with an optional admission fee
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The Outlander 1 Day Experience

5.The Outlander 1 Day Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 581 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $81

Spend about eight hours visiting five Outlander locations from Edinburgh with an English-speaking driver-guide. See Claire’s Inverness, Cranesmuir, Wentworth Prison, and Lallybroch. Guides such as Ian, Bob, Brandon, and Brendan are known for mixing show facts with Scottish history, though entry fees and walking are extra.

“Very fun. A lot of places jammed into a single day- but great! It brought the books to life to see in person.”

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Harry Potter's Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip - Alnwick Castle, Hogwarts, and two and a half hours to explore
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Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

6.Harry Potter’s Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 431 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Leave Edinburgh at 8:15 a.m. for Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream on a 9.5-hour trip in an air-conditioned vehicle. Guides such as Cara, Connor, Tom, and Emily have led past departures. Expect castle views, Harry Potter filming sites, coastal scenery, and commentary in English.

“Flying on the broomstick. All the stories and cultural info from our guide. Good amount of time to enjoy the Alnwick castle. A very beautiful day and the guide/driver did a good safe job of driving in the wind and rain. Thank you.”

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Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness - Crossing the Skye Bridge to Broadford and Kyleakin
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Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness

7.Isle of Skye Day Trip from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 385 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Best value

Take an 11.5-hour minivan trip from Inverness across the Highlands and Skye. You’ll see Loch Ness, Eilean Donan Castle, Portree, Kilt Rock, the Cuillin Hills, and Sligachan Old Bridge, with stories from guides such as David, Chris, Jamie, and Rory.

“The bus was very crowded. We were added on for 1 day of a three day tour out of Edinburg so were not really part of the group. Since it was very wet not so good for jumping in/out of the bus. It would have been nice to adjust tour to spend an additional hour Poetree. Expensive for a long wet ride.”

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1 Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness - Bow Fiddle Rock near Portknockie
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1 Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness

8.1 Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 306 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Spend about 11.5 hours with a Scottish English-speaking guide exploring Findhorn Beach, Bow Fiddle Rock, Cullen, Spey Bay or Troup Head, Strathisla Distillery, and Carrbridge. Expect a long but scenic day, free time for walks and photos, and an optional whisky tasting at extra cost.

“Wonderful day with an amazing guide Sofia. Learned a lot about Scotland. Did you know the National animal is a unicorn, and what is Haggis anyway? Beautiful landscapes. Long drive with many stops to see wildlife and views.”

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Scotland's Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh - The road into Loch Lomond and Trossachs country
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Scotland’s Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

9.Scotland’s Glens, Highlands & Whisky Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $90

Leave Edinburgh at 8:15 am for the Kelpies, Highland scenery, Glenturret whisky, the Hermitage waterfall, and Dunkeld Cathedral. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving and stories, while you pay separately for lunch, the distillery tour, and whisky tasting.

“Distillery tour was impressive, esp the "how to" of tasting. Impressive views, our guide Callum was very nice, comical and thank you for letting us see the highland cows!!”

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1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour - Deanston Distillery: whisky in a former cotton mill
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1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

10.1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky, Glencoe & Scottish Highlands Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 169 reviews · 12 hours 25 minutes (approx.) · from $68

Spend about 12 hours touring the Highlands from Edinburgh with a Hairy Coo driver-guide, stopping at Deanston Distillery, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, the Commando Monument and Pitlochry. Whisky tastings, Loch Ness views and optional boat or distillery activities cost extra.

“What an amazing and memorable day! The Whisky Tour was interesting and samples were great. So much to see and many chances to take photos. Colin regaled us with fascinating and humorous stories from Scotland's rich history and also showed many spots made famous in films. Was a nice smaller group and a relaxing day. Would recommend to anyone.”

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GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour - An Ceann Mor gives you your first Loch Lomond view
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GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour

11.GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $109

Spend about eight hours touring the Highlands from Greenock in an air-conditioned minibus or coach. You’ll see Loch Lomond, two castles, Highland villages, and scenic roads, with live narration, Scottish music, and a cruise-safe return at least one hour before departure.

“Enjoyed the villages and the first castle stop. The castle we wanted to see the most was closed. Disappointed”

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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour - Edinburgh - Fort William and the Search for Ben Nevis
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Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour – Edinburgh

12.Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe and Loch Shiel 1 Day Tour – Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 153 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $93

Travel from Edinburgh to Callander, Glencoe, Glenfinnan and Loch Shiel in a small mini-coach. Expect Scottish history, photo stops, Highland coos, Ben Nevis views and a chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train from April to October.

“Jaime was an amazing guide. Imparted so much history and knowledge. Great sense of humor. The tour was a lovely day with terrific sites.”

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Orkney Day Trip - Yesnaby Cliffs: a quick taste of Orkney’s coast
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Orkney Day Trip

13.Orkney Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 142 reviews · 5 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $165

Join Orkney Travel at Stromness for a five-and-a-half-hour small-group tour, limited to eight people. Guides such as Rachel, Iain, Dougie, and Garry lead you to Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, Stenness, Yesnaby, and Kirkwall, with local stories along the way.

“Great tour, very interesting and informative. Our tour guide Iain was very knowledgeable and made the tour interesting.”

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1-day Small Group Loch Ness Discovery Tour from Glasgow - Luss: a gentle start beside Loch Lomond
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1-day Small Group Loch Ness Discovery Tour from Glasgow

14.1-day Small Group Loch Ness Discovery Tour from Glasgow

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 126 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Glasgow in an air-conditioned mini-coach with up to 16 people, stopping at Luss, Glencoe, Fort Augustus, and Taste Perthshire. You get Highland scenery, time beside Loch Ness, an optional cruise, lunch time, and a chance to meet Highland Coos, with free cancellation up to 24 hours ahead.

“There is one two hour drive portion with no stops which might be pretty challenging for some. Otherwise the stops were adequate enough. The only really bothering issue was the extremely loud music in the van during the whole trip and the driver/guide trying to shout on top of the music. To be clear, it was entirely the choice of the driver and also in his control. Very hard to understand why it was so loud the whole time (I heard the same approach was used with another driver from another company also), especially when understanding the Scottish accent is difficult enough even when spoken slowly and without distractions. I…”

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Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh - Through the Trossachs by road
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Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

15.Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 93 reviews · 11 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $81

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide to Loch Lomond, Luss, Kilchurn Castle, Oban, and Inveraray. Expect long scenic drives, lively Scottish stories, seafood in Oban, and optional Inveraray Castle visits. Guides such as Rob, Chloe, Joe, and Jamie are praised for their humor and care.

“This trip was okay. It’s a long drive to go have some sea food but worth it I suppose. In Oban I recommend Eeusk - their sea food was top quality and the prices weren’t ridiculous. We didn’t have a lot of time at Iveraray castle but it’s okay. The rest and be thankful stop was cool - stunning view!”

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