The 11 Castle Day Trips in Edinburgh That Earn Their Price

1.Edinburgh: Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,198 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63Our pick

This 9.5-hour Timberbush tour links the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Stirling Castle, and South Queensferry by air-conditioned coach. Guides such as Ash, John, Adam, Morag, and Graham add Scottish history, music, humor, and local stories. The cruise and castle entry cost extra.

“Overall it was a good experience for our family, covered main attractions as mentioned in the itinerary on time. Our guide Alastair was good.”

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2.West Highlands, Lochs and Castles Day Tour Including Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,122 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide. Visit Doune Castle, pause at Loch Lomond, Luss, Kilchurn Castle, Rest and Be Thankful, and Inveraray. You’ll get scenery, Scottish stories, and free time for lunch.

“It was a great experience! We love it! Our driver Hannah was amazing. Our only complaint is that we did not have enough time in Inveraray. Either you visit the castle or walk around the town and eat. An additional hour in Inveraray would have been perfect. I would preferred to skip Loch Lomond and spend the extra time in Inveraray.”

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3.Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 649 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $77

Travel from Edinburgh with a driver-guide to Dunfermline Abbey, Stirling Castle, and Rosslyn Chapel. You’ll get Scottish history, royal drama, fine views, and plenty of time at each stop. Entrance to Stirling Castle and Rosslyn Chapel costs extra, so plan for those fees before you go.

“Alex was a wonderful guide and kept the tour group attentive. Stirling Castle was amazing and Rosslyn Chapel was a highlight as well.”

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

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

Travel from Edinburgh in a small air-conditioned coach with a local guide to the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, and Stirling. You get live commentary, a short lochside walk, and free time in Stirling. Add the £17.50 Stirling Castle admission for the fullest experience.

“The tour is great and you see amazing places. Some areas are difficult to walk in and it should be stated in the description so people wear the right footwear and those with any physical limitations can make decisions if this is the right tour for them.”

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5.From Edinburgh: West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 623 reviews · 10 hours · from $85

Travel from Edinburgh into the West Highlands on a 10-hour Timberbush bus tour with live English commentary. See Doune, Inveraray, and Kilchurn castles, Loch Lomond, Loch Awe, Loch Lubnaig, Luss, and Rest and Be Thankful. Castle entry, meals, and drinks cost extra.

“The Tour was simply amazing. We had so much fun with our Guide Gillian, she told us a lot about the scenery and History of the places we visited. I highly recommend doing such a tour, to see the beautiful Highlands with all its lochs, Bens and Glens.”

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

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

Spend about nine and a half hours with an English-speaking guide from Edinburgh, visiting Bamburgh Castle, Alnwick Castle, and Coldstream. Expect scenic border roads, Harry Potter filming connections, optional castle admission, and a small group of up to 16, though a larger bus may sometimes operate.

“Alnwick castle is stunning. Absolutely do not miss the gardens. They are a must see! If you are a Harry Potter fan this is a must.”

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7.From Edinburgh: Day Trip to Bamburgh and Alnwick Castle

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 212 reviews · 8.5 hours · from $68

Travel from Edinburgh into Northumberland with an English-speaking guide such as Cliff, Tim, or Dave. See Bamburgh’s castle and beach, spend 2.5 hours at Alnwick Castle, try broomstick lessons, and return by early evening. Castle admission costs extra.

“The guide (Cliff) was amazing! Great guy with loads of stories and great History knowledge! If your trip is with him, you're in good company!!!”

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8.From Edinburgh: Viking Coast & Alnwick Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 190 reviews · 9 hours · from $93

Travel from Edinburgh in a small Mercedes mini-coach to Holy Island and Alnwick Castle. An English-speaking driver-guide such as Graham, Keith, or Callum shares local stories, while you explore Lindisfarne, Harry Potter film sites, castle rooms, and gardens.

“Humorous and very knowledgeable guide/driver made this a very enjoyable day. Coach comfortable and both destinations really worth visiting”

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9.From London: Day Trip to Edinburgh by Rail with Castle Entry

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 73 reviews · 15 hours · from $322

Meet at King’s Cross at 6:30am for a 7:00am train to Edinburgh. Your package includes reserved rail seats, an open-top bus tour, a timed Edinburgh Castle visit, and free time. It is self-guided, so print every ticket and plan your walking carefully.

“The trip was fantastic however we never saw the guide. Were advised to meet the guide at a time and place and we were the only ones there. We later got a map with a pin to meet the guide, followed the pin and it was some sketchy bus stop outside of the terminal and once again nobody was there. The trip was fantastic, but we never one time saw a guide it was frustrating because we could’ve just got to the train station and boarded with our tickets instead of having us run all over and be there so much earlier than necessary”

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10.From Edinburgh: West Highlands, Castles & Lochs Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · 10 hours · from $78

Travel from Edinburgh through Stirlingshire and Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park with an English-speaking HAGGiS guide. You’ll see Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Rest and Be Thankful, and Luss, with multilingual audio available and free time for lunch and sightseeing.

“The trip was great!! We had a change to the trip, we were unable to visit one of the sites (not the fault of the tour company). Additional stops were added to make up for this change, and it probably made for a better experience!! The vehicle was comfortable, the sites were amazing and the tour guide and driver, Ry was fantastic. Ry was friendly, knowledgeable and open to all questions!! He even stopped at a couple of unexpected locations, making the trip very enjoyable!!!! I would definitely recommend this tour!!”

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11.Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 10 hours · from $79

Travel from Edinburgh into the Scottish Borders and Northumberland with an English-speaking guide such as Pete, Bruce, Colin, or David. Visit Holy Island if tides allow, see Bamburgh Castle and beach, then choose optional Alnwick Castle entry and broomstick training.

“Nice selection of locations we visited and our guide Pete was a blast!”

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