Edinburgh

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Day trips from Edinburgh: 16 epic adventures

Some day trips repay the early train. Plenty don't. These 16 day trips from Edinburgh are the ones that earn the hours, and each comes with an honest note on what you're really getting.

Book a TripGlenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & the Highlands★ 4.7 · From €58The Harry Potter and Skyfall fan’s dream day out. Directions
Book a Trip3-Day Isle of Skye & the Highlands★ 4.8 · From €209Scotland’s greatest hits without renting a car. Directions
AberdeenThe granite city on the northeast coast: a fine cathedral, a strong art gallery, a long beach and dolphin-spotting from the harbour wall. Directions
CarlisleJust over the border: Carlisle Castle and a stretch of Hadrian’s Wall make a great half-day of Roman and Border history. Directions
DumbartonDumbarton Castle perched on a volcanic rock above the River Clyde: ancient, atmospheric and well off most visitors’ radar. Directions
DurhamHome to a breathtaking Norman cathedral above a wooded river bend, plus a castle and pretty riverside walks: one of England’s loveliest small cities. Directions
GlasgowScotland’s biggest city is an easy hop by train: come for world-class museums (the Kelvingrove and the Riverside), a brilliant live-music scene, Mackintosh architecture and the best shopping in Scotland. Directions
Book a TripLoch Ness & the HighlandsThe classic Scottish bucket-list day: dramatic glens, Highland scenery and the legendary loch with Urquhart Castle on its shore. Directions
ManchesterA longer but rewarding run south: music heritage, football and iconic industrial history in one of England’s most energetic cities. Directions
NewcastleA lively northern city: Newcastle Castle, the Great North Museum, the buzzing Quayside and famously good nightlife. Directions
PitlochryA charming Highland town of whisky distilleries, a famous salmon ladder and blazing autumn colour, ringed by hills and lochs: the easy taste of the Highlands by train. Directions
Rosslyn ChapelThe astonishingly carved 15th-century chapel made famous by The Da Vinci Code, just south of the city: every surface dense with mysterious stone carving. Directions
St AndrewsThe home of golf and a pretty university-and-cathedral town on the coast: ruined cathedral, castle, West Sands beach and royal-romance history. Directions
Stirling Castle & The KelpiesScotland’s other great castle, perched dramatically above the site of Bannockburn, paired with the Kelpies: two giant 30m steel horse-head sculptures. Directions
Stonehaven & Dunnottar CastleA pretty harbour town crowned by Dunnottar Castle: dramatic clifftop ruins perched above the North Sea, and one of Scotland’s most spectacular castle settings. Directions
YorkCross into England for one of Britain’s most beautiful old cities: the soaring York Minster, the medieval Shambles, and Roman and Viking history at the Jorvik Centre, all inside the ancient city walls. Directions