Scotland · TOURS

The 15 Best Tours & Day Trips in Scotland

218 tours  ·  from $20 a head

Everything with a guide, a minibus or a boat attached, in one list. The 15 below are the ones worth a whole day, priced and timed, with the rest of the catalogue underneath.

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour - Greyfriars Kirkyard and its famous dog
Ghost and Underground Vault Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

1.The World Famous Underground Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,272 reviews · 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $26Our pick

Walk Edinburgh’s Old Town after dark, visit Greyfriars Kirkyard, and descend into South Bridge vaults on a 75-minute tour. Guides such as David, Maggie Dickinson, Fred Knox, and the Fairy Wife use history, humor, and ghost stories to bring the city’s darker past to life. The 6:45pm departure is the best fit for families.

“great storyteller. Lafayette enjoys his work made the tour into a game too. I think a few more stops should be added to it.”

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Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town - Why Edinburgh built the vaults beneath South Bridge
Ghost and Underground Vault Tours, Royal Mile and Old Town Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

2.Underground Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh Old Town

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8,506 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Join an English-speaking guide in Edinburgh’s Old Town for a one-hour walk beneath South Bridge. You’ll hear why the vaults were built, how criminals and homeless residents used them, and stories of hauntings and witchcraft. Guides such as Joshua, Louisa, James, Kieran, and Aimee are praised for bringing the dark tales to life.

“The tour of the vaults was very interesting. Our tour guide Joshua was very knowledgeable and engaging. He kept the attention of everyone and was very nice.”

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Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour - Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and Highland stories
Highlands and Glencoe Day Trips, Highlands Day Trips in Edinburgh, Loch Ness Tours, Loch Ness Tours in Edinburgh, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

3.Loch Ness, Scottish Highlands, Glencoe and Pitlochry Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6,854 reviews · 12 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67Top rated

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, the Cairngorms, and Pitlochry on a 12.5-hour coach tour. Choose a Loch Ness cruise, Urquhart Castle visit, or Deanston whisky stop. Guides such as John, David, Rod, William, and Ryan bring Scottish stories to the long scenic drive.

“We had a great time with Allen! Would definitely request him again for any other Scottish tours that I did. He was very accommodating to my family who gets car sick easily and made sure we could sit at the front. He was also so kind to pull over every chance he got so we could see lots of different sites.”

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Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise - Glencoe: Scotland at its most dramatic
Cruises & Boat Tours, Highlands and Glencoe Day Trips, Highlands Day Trips in Edinburgh, Loch Ness Tours, Loch Ness Tours in Edinburgh, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

4.Loch Ness & Highlands Small-Group Tour from Edinburgh with Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 6,022 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $84

Ride in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach from Edinburgh through Glencoe and the Highlands to Fort Augustus, where a 50-minute Loch Ness cruise is included. Guides such as Jim, Kenny, Shea, and Andrew are known for lively stories, local music, and practical tips. Expect a full 12-hour day with regular breaks, dramatic views, and lunch at your own cost.

“Great tour, lots of smaller stops leading up to the cruise. Great explanation on the drive up and back. Well organized. David was the best!”

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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket - Meeting near St Giles Cathedral and walking uphill
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Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

5.Edinburgh Castle: Guided Walking Tour with Entry Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,540 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $51

Meet near St Giles Cathedral for a guided walk to Edinburgh Castle, then spend about 70 minutes hearing stories of Mary Queen of Scots, the Great Hall, and Scotland’s fortress past. The tour stays outdoors, but your ticket lets you enter the palace, museums, prisons, and other buildings afterward.

“It was our first time visiting Edinburgh castle and thanks to our tour guide Joe, we had a wonderful day! We got all the facts in and even had time for a joke. Would definitely recommend to friends that are coming to visit.”

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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English - A guided approach to Edinburgh Castle
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Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

6.Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,214 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $52

Meet Little Fish Tours near Adam Smith’s statue on the Royal Mile, then walk to Edinburgh Castle with a guide such as Koffe, Steph, Greg, or Graeme. Expect about 90 minutes of stories, castle history, dungeons, Crown Jewels, and views. Your guide cannot enter the castle buildings with you, but you can explore them at your own pace afterward.

“Great stories from Scottish History. Wonderful guide. Even explained the expansive views Would do this again. Really enjoyed it”

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The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh - Making your own bar at Cranston Street
Dessert Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

7.The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,322 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $44

Spend 90 minutes at The Chocolatarium in Edinburgh’s Old Town learning how cocoa becomes chocolate, tasting more than 30 varieties, and making a bar to take home. Guides such as Coco, Kelly, Bogi, and Hannah lead the session in English. The experience suits adults, families, and chocolate fans aged 6 and up.

“You may think you know a lot about Chocolare ate but Meg will teach you more ! And the samples are great. A grand experience for all ages!”

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Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour - What the guides add to the experience
Guided, Harry Potter and Film Location Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

8.Original Harry Potter Locations Tour in Edinburgh : Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4,236 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $19Best value

Start at the William Chambers Monument and walk about 1.5 miles through Edinburgh with a guide such as Robbie, Jenny, Orla, or Xander. Expect Harry Potter trivia, a house quiz, Rowling-inspired streets, the Tom Riddle grave, a Diagon Alley facade, Edinburgh history, and castle views. The easy two-hour walk ends near the Royal Mile.

“We had 4 adults and 2 young boys. Robbie our tour guide was amazing. Knowledgeable and very friendly. He was very kind and engaging to the boys.”

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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends - Calton Hill brings views and witch-trial stories
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Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

9.Edinburgh Darkside Walking Tour: Mysteries, Murder and Legends

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,862 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Follow a local guide from the Royal Mile through shadowed lanes, North Bridge, Calton Hill, and an Edinburgh cemetery. Hear true stories of murder, witch trials, Burke and Hare, David Hume, and hauntings. Guides such as Niamh, G, Brian, James, and Charlie bring different styles, so expect lively storytelling rather than staged scares.

“G was great! He had all kinds of stories of Edinburgh. They ranged from Scary, horror and funny depending on your sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour!”

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Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour - The Home Dressing Room and Celtic FC Boardroom
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Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour

10.Guided Celtic Park Stadium Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,136 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $25

At Celtic Park, a local guide leads you through the home dressing room, boardroom, tunnel, dugout, and pitchside areas. Guides such as Brian, John, Fiona, Robert, Eric, and Desmond are known for lively club stories and patient answers. Allow about an hour, or possibly closer to 90 minutes, and arrive 10 minutes early.

“We had enjoyed it view Celtic tour and Wes brilliant time view and abt history etc next time would come back again”

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Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh - The Royal Mile and Old Town stories
Ghost and Underground Vault Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

11.Ghost Bus Tour of Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,761 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Ride a vintage Routemaster through Edinburgh after dark with an entertaining guide such as Tommy Terror or Sinead O'Horror. Hear grim tales of Burke and Hare, witch hunts, executions, and Maggie Dickson while passing Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Greyfriars, Grassmarket, and Holyroodhouse. Expect theatrical fun, English commentary, and a one-hour route.

“We had a lot of fun. The performance was fantastic and Tommy Terror was the best storyteller. The smoke, the videos, and the interaction with all of the passengers made this ride extra spooky fun!”

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City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free - Nicolson Square, Chambers Street, and George IV Bridge
City Tours, City Tours in Edinburgh, Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

12.City Sightseeing Edinburgh Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour + Kids Go Free

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,683 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $24

Use a 24-hour City Sightseeing pass to circle Edinburgh on an open-top double-decker bus, with 15 stops, commentary in nine languages, and a children’s track. Ride the full 70-minute route first, then hop off near Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Holyrood, Dynamic Earth, and the Royal Mile. Up to three children travel free with each paying adult until March 31, 2026.

“A fab thing to do especially with our children, helped explore the city and rest their legs in hilly edinburgh, the commentary was informative and everyone learnt something new! Fab offer of kids go free made it excellent value for money.”

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The Potter Trail Private Tour - Potterrow and the early writing story
Private, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

The Potter Trail Private Tour

13.The Potter Trail Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,353 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $104

Follow a private guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town to connect J.K. Rowling’s characters with real gravestones, schools, streets, and writing places. Meet at Greyfriars Bobby, visit Potterrow, the National Museum area, the Elephant House, and Victoria Street. Guides such as Caroline, Charlie, Becky, and Roisin bring Potter trivia, local history, humor, and wand-friendly spell practice.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and fun. We learned a lot. Fantastic experience. Highly recommend this tour.”

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Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh - Callander and the first taste of the Highlands
Guided, Highlands and Glencoe Day Trips, Highlands Day Trips in Edinburgh, Loch Ness Tours, Loch Ness Tours in Edinburgh, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh

Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

14.Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands Guided Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,233 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Leave Edinburgh at 8 a.m. for a full day through Callander, Glencoe, Fort William, Loch Ness, and Pitlochry. A driver-guide such as Mark, Holly, Nick, or Shafiq provides live stories and local context while you watch the Highlands roll past. Add a Loch Ness cruise or whisky tasting for an extra fee.

“Highly recomended to everyone who enjoyes nature and want to see the real beauty of Scotland . Great guide”

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Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh - The torture exhibition and Edinburgh’s darker past
Ghost and Underground Vault Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Edinburgh, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Edinburgh

Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

15.Haunted Vaults Walking Tour in Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,183 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $33

Meet your guide on the Royal Mile for a short history walk before heading below street level into Edinburgh’s vaults. You’ll see a torture display, hear about the vaults’ changing uses, and listen to unsettling stories of death and paranormal activity. Guides including James, Louisa, Dom, Aimee, and Brendan are praised for lively storytelling. Expect stairs, tight spaces, and mature subject matter.

“Really enjoyed the tour Dom was amazing and we really enjoyed it! We took our 10 year old daughter and he kept checking in she was ok thanks Dom”

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