All destinations
From the historic Old Town and vibrant Leith to the wild Highlands and island adventures, discover every corner of Edinburgh and Scotland
Must-visit destinations
Edinburgh Castle
Scottish history and culture, Crown Jewels and Stone of Destiny
Holyrood and Arthur's Seat
Hiking to Arthur's Seat summit, Palace of Holyroodhouse and royal history
Loch Ness
Highland scenery and dramatic glens, The Glencoe valley (do not skip this)
Edinburgh New Town
Georgian architecture and UNESCO heritage, Independent whisky bars and coffee shops
Old Town Edinburgh
Medieval history and architecture, Ghost tours and underground vaults
The Royal Mile
Historic closes and medieval streetscapes, Walking the spine of Old Town Edinburgh
More to explore
Calton Hill
Panoramic views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth, Photography, sunrise and sunset
Dean Village
Photography and atmospheric walks, Water of Leith riverside path
Glasgow
Art galleries (Kelvingrove, Gallery of Modern Art), Charles Rennie Mackintosh architecture
Glencoe
The most dramatic Highland valley scenery in Scotland, The story of the 1692 Glencoe Massacre — Scotland's most notorious betrayal
Grassmarket
Dramatic views of Edinburgh Castle, Real-ale pubs and independent restaurants
Isle of Skye
Some of the most dramatic landscapes in Europe, Fairy Pools, Quiraing, Old Man of Storr
Leith
Royal Yacht Britannia and maritime history, Michelin-starred and independent restaurants
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Loch and Highland scenery without a long drive, Combining with Stirling Castle for a complete Central Scotland day
Rosslyn Chapel
Medieval stonework and symbolic carvings, The Da Vinci Code film location
St Andrews
Golf history and the Old Course, Medieval ruins and cathedral
Stirling
Scottish history — battles, royalty, and the Wars of Independence, Stirling Castle, easily Edinburgh Castle's equal
Stockbridge
Independent cafes, restaurants, and antique shops, Stockbridge Market on Sundays
Off the beaten path
Alnwick and Northumberland
Alnwick Castle — Harry Potter filming location, Holy Island (Lindisfarne) — early Christianity
Cairngorms National Park
Scotland's highest mountain plateau and sub-Arctic landscape, Wildlife: red squirrels, ospreys, red deer, mountain hares
Dunfermline
Scottish royal history and medieval abbey, The birthplace of Andrew Carnegie
East Neuk of Fife
Historic fishing harbours and vernacular architecture, Scotland's best fish and chips at Anstruther
Falkirk and the Kelpies
The Kelpies horse sculptures — genuinely impressive at any age, The Falkirk Wheel, a working rotating boat lift
Fort William
Ben Nevis — Britain's highest mountain, The Jacobite steam train to Mallaig over Glenfinnan Viaduct
Glenfinnan
The Glenfinnan Viaduct — the most famous railway structure in Scotland, Loch Shiel, one of the most atmospheric lochs in the Highlands
Inverness
Culloden Battlefield — the most significant battle site in Scottish history, Inverness city as the gateway to the far north of Scotland
Isle of Mull and Iona
Iona Abbey and early Scottish Christianity, Puffins and wildlife on Staffa
Linlithgow
Birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, Ruined Renaissance palace on a loch
North Berwick
Puffins and gannets at Bass Rock, Tantallon Castle sea-cliff ruins
Oban
Fresh west-coast seafood — some of the best shellfish in Scotland, The Oban whisky distillery in the town centre
Orkney
World-class Neolithic archaeology (Skara Brae, Ring of Brodgar), Scapa Flow wartime history
Portobello
Sandy beach and seaside walking, Wild swimming and open-air pool
Scottish Borders
Four magnificent ruined abbeys (Melrose, Jedburgh, Dryburgh, Kelso), Robert the Bruce's heart (buried at Melrose)
Southside and Marchmont
Local Edinburgh atmosphere away from tourists, The Meadows and outdoor space
Edinburgh West End
Johnnie Walker Princes Street whisky experience, Usher Hall concerts and live performance
Most-booked experiences in Edinburgh and Scotland
Whichever destination you choose, these are the activities travellers love most.
Edinburgh Castle: guided walking tour with entry ticket
Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Scottish Highlands tour
Edinburgh: the original underground tour
Edinburgh: Harry Potter magical guided walking tour
Edinburgh: the Scotch Whisky Experience tour and tasting
Edinburgh: City Sightseeing hop-on hop-off bus tour
Edinburgh: food tour with Scotch, haggis, secret dish & more
