The 15 Best 1-Day Tours in Scotland

1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Edinburgh, Day Trips in the Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh Tours, Glencoe Tours, Loch Ness Tours, Scottish Highlands Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of the Edinburgh Highlands, Loch Ness and Glencoe day trip, with practical advice on stops, costs, timing, guides, and value.

“This is a MUST DO! It was an amazing trip into the Highlands. This shouldn’t be missed! Our guides gave us so much history, showed us breathtaking views of Scotland, and took amazing care to make the day phenomenal. Shout out to Brody and Jaclyn for a day well spent!”

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1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Tours, Outlander Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Visit Outlander filming sites from Edinburgh, including Lallybroch, Castle Leoch, Cranesmuir, Falkland, and Blackness Castle.

“Lord Torva (apparently he is indeed a Lord) was an amazing guide, catering to the Outlander fans and history buffs. Excellent stories and knowledge of the books/show. Highly recommend!”

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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

Explore Doune Castle, Loch Lomond, Inveraray, Kilchurn Castle, and the West Highlands on a full-day tour from Edinburgh.

“Capturing a taste of the highlands in a day from Edinburgh is no easy task, but this trip did it very well with castles, lochs, villages, and engaging history and culture talks throughout the drive. Cara was a fantastic driver and historian of the areas we visited and has an awesome play list when not speaking! :) Doune castle (Monty Python's Holy Grail) and Inveraray on Loch Fyne were two of many highlights!”

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1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Tours, Loch Lomond Tours, National Parks, Stirling Castle Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours

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.)

Review of the Loch Lomond, Kelpies, Trossachs, and Stirling Castle day trip from Edinburgh, with practical tips on timing, value, and walks.

“I love misty views, seeing mountain peaks covered in mist with brown cut Scottish cows grazing in mountain skirts and then seeing a number of lochs was very exciting. Thanks”

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1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Tours, Outlander Tours, Tour Reviews

The Outlander 1 Day Experience

5.The Outlander 1 Day Experience

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

Review of Gray Line Scotland’s Outlander day tour from Edinburgh, with castle stops, filming sites, costs, walking tips, and honest advice.

“I took the Outlander tour on my birthday, and it was truly one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. From start to finish, everything was well-organized, informative, and so much fun. Our driver and guide, Ian, was absolutely fantastic. Not only was he incredibly knowledgeable about all things Outlander and Scottish history, but he also had a great sense of humor and made the whole day feel personal and special. He went above and beyond to make sure everyone was comfortable and engaged, and he brought each location to life with fascinating stories and insights. As a fan of the series, it was amazing to see the filming locations…”

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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

Explore Bamburgh and Alnwick castles from Edinburgh, with Harry Potter filming sites, coastal views, guide stories, and Scottish Borders scenery.

“Fantastic day trip with Heidi! She was a lovely tour guide with a wealth of knowledge, dad jokes, and local tunes to put us in our Scotland tours mood. The itinerary is just enough time to see the highlights, spend an ample amount of time at Alnwick castle, and be back for dinner in Edinburgh.”

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1-Day Tours, Day Trips in Inverness, Inverness Tours, Isle of Skye Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of the Isle of Skye day trip from Inverness, with Loch Ness, Eilean Donan, Portree, Kilt Rock, costs, timing, and practical advice.

“The Isles of Skye are really worth seeing. Driver very competent and solution oriented. Unfortunately, the bus stalled a number of times. The passengers and bus driver remained calm under this. Plenty of stops to look around. I would make the stop in Portree 1h30 instead 1h. I had a pleasant time. Thank you.”

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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.)

Explore the Moray Coast from Inverness with beaches, seabirds, villages, Speyside whisky, and a small-group Scottish Highlands tour.

“The landscape of the countryside on this tour was simply stunning. This was our second tour with Iain (he was our tour guide the day before to Isle of Skye). He interspersed his stories and historical context with some Scottish music. He has a true talent for storytelling – often mixing facts with fantasy, but always being clear what was real and what was a colorful embellishment that helped enhance the overall experience. The Strathisla distillery tour (home of Chivas) was just right; we didn’t want a tour of the full facility, but visitors were pretty much free to roam parts of the interior and the beautiful grounds – and,…”

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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

Review of Edinburgh’s whisky and waterfalls day trip, with Highland views, Glenturret, the Hermitage, Dunkeld, costs, and practical tips.

“From the start of our tour, as Louise maneuvered the bus through the streets of Edinburgh, providing commentary as she drove, I knew we were in good hands. Not only was she an excellent driver and fantastic font of knowledge of many things Scotland, but she was able Read more”

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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

Review of The Hairy Coo’s Edinburgh tour to Loch Ness, Glencoe, Deanston, Pitlochry and the Highlands, with practical tips and value advice.

“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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1-Day Tours, Glasgow Tours, Shore Excursions, Shore Excursions in Glasgow, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Review of BusyBus’s Greenock shore excursion to Loch Lomond, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Luss, and the Scottish Highlands.

“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

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

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

Review of the 12-hour Glenfinnan, Glencoe and Loch Shiel tour from Edinburgh, with train tips, costs, stops, guides and practical advice.

“Kyle was an absolutely amazing guide!!!! He had such great, insightful information. And was able to take us to so many stops along the way to see the amazing views!”

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Orkney Day Trip

13.Orkney Day Trip

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

Explore Orkney’s ancient stones, Skara Brae, Yesnaby Cliffs, Scapa Flow, and Kirkwall on a friendly small-group day tour.

“Skara Brea and the Stone circles were incredible. There are so many complex layers of history! We loved seeing a small corner of this beautiful part of the world”

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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

See Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, and Highland cattle on a 12-hour small-group tour from Glasgow.

“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

15.Oban and the West Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh

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

Review of the Oban and West Highlands day trip from Edinburgh, with Loch Lomond, Kilchurn Castle, seafood, Inveraray, timing, and value.

“Jamie, our driver, was outstanding in every way courteous and patient with other vehicles, drove safely and cautiously, answered every question thoroughly, highly intelligent and organized, very knowledgeable in a plethora of topics, and created an environment of fun while learning.”

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