The 11 Multi-Day Tours in Edinburgh a Short Trip Can Fit

1.Scotland in 5 Days Including Jacobite Steam Train from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 341 reviews · from $1,330Our pick

Spend five full days touring the Highlands and Isle of Skye from Edinburgh by midi-coach, ferry, boat, and the Jacobite Steam Train. You’ll visit Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, Culloden, the Old Man of Storr, Loch Ness, and more, with four nights of lodging, breakfasts, and a Scottish guide included. Guides vary, with past tours led by Ross, Louise, Caitlin, and others.

“Wow! This 5 day tour is awe inspiring. What a fantastic way to explore The Highlands. Ask for Ross as your tour guide/driver. This trip wouldn't have been the same without him. It was hard to say goodbye (for now) to Ross and all of our travel companions.”

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2.2-Day Jacobite Experience including the Hogwarts Express from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 335 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $492

Spend two busy days traveling from Edinburgh through Pitlochry, Culloden, Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Mallaig, and Glencoe. You ride the Jacobite Steam Train, known as the Hogwarts Express, stay overnight with breakfast, and travel by small-group minivan with a guide such as Paul, Steven, Ian, or Jamie. Expect long driving days and several extra fees.

“Ian our tour guide was fantastic! He had all of the details handled and we were truly able to just enjoy. It was a great way to see the sights outside of Edinburgh. Ian was knowledgeable and super friendly. We had an issue with the bus, but the tour company took care of it.”

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3.5-Day Best of Scotland Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 263 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,240

Travel from Edinburgh through the Highlands and Isle of Skye with an expert driver-guide, visiting Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Glenfinnan, Portree, Eilean Donan, Loch Ness, Culloden, and Clava Cairns. Expect scenic drives, four nights of accommodation, breakfast, and a busy route in a small group.

“My daughter and I went on this tour and we really enjoyed the tour. Jamie our driver was outstanding. He told us history, music, and lots of folk tails. Loved this tour”

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4.4 Day Islay Whisky Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 148 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,520

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a small group of up to 16, with three nights in Bowmore, ferry crossings, and tastings at Bunnahabhain, Kilchoman, Bruichladdich, Bowmore, Lagavulin, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig. Guides such as Moray, Jamie, Stefan, and Murray are praised for their humor, local insight, and careful timing.

“This was well worth the cost to have all the details taken care of in advance. Moray was a great guide, and the quantity/variety/pace of the experiences at the various distilleries (and the Whisky Vault) was pretty perfect. (But when they tell you you need dinner reservations in Bowmore, you really do - even for 1.)”

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5.5-Day Orkney & Northern Coast Tour from Edinburgh Incl Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,454

Travel from Edinburgh to Orkney in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with a driver-guide such as Mac, Karen, Martin, or Jodie. Cross the Pentland Firth, visit Skara Brae, Maeshowe, the Italian Chapel, Culloden, and Clava Cairns, and stay four nights in Inverness, Kirkwall, and Ullapool. Expect full days, scenic drives, and free evenings.

“This tour was Amazing! From the moment we left Edinburgh we were informed and entertained to learn history and see wonderful sights of the Country. There were many stops along the way to allow us to take a wee stroll, and stretch our legs, as well as seeing some great sites. Our guides- Christopher and Craig did an excellent job of bringing the history of their country to life. Even if you don't have much interest in the history of the area, some sights couldn't help but move you- such as the slaughter of the McDonald's at Glencoe! Orkney was spectacular! We stopped at many sites, and enjoyed learning about…”

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6.4-Day Islay & Whisky Tour Including Admissions from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,351

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, crossing by ferry and visiting up to six distilleries, including Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, and Laphroaig. You stay three nights in shared en-suite cottages at Bowmore Distillery, with a driver-guide, selected tours, tastings, ferry crossings, and scenic stops included.

“The tour is well balanced between distilleries and other activities. There's not too much driving. Accommodations were pleasant.”

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7.4-Day Outlander Trail Tour from Edinburgh Including Admissions

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 81 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,087

Follow Outlander from Edinburgh to Doune, Glencoe, Inverness, Culloden, Falkland, Culross, and more in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach. Your driver-guide connects filming sites with Scottish history, while three nights of B&B or three-star lodging, breakfast, and selected admissions are included. Expect long days, short walks, changing weather, and a close-knit small group.

“Fantastic Outlander tour..Graham was great..knew his history, was entertaining and totally professional! Bed and Breakfast in Inverness, The Pine was excellent, loved hostess Angie! Hotel Ben Nevis was ok..bed was two twin beds pushed together and not comfortable..when getting wine from bar, first two glasses were dirty but food was excellent. I (Gail) am a huge fan of Outlander and was thrilled with all of the Outlander locations …the other locations were awesome as well…Graham is an excellent driver, also…”

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8.2-Day Outlander Experience Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 2 days (approx.) · from $345Best value

Join a small group of up to 16 people for a two-day Outlander journey from Edinburgh. Visit Lallybroch, Castle Leoch, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Falkland, and more, with transport in an air-conditioned Mercedes minibus, one night in Inverness, breakfast, and commentary from a driver-guide such as John, Graham, Steven, or Chris.

“Jamie, nuestro guía, fue un guía estupendo, simpático y amable, nos brindó un viaje inolvidable. Mi único inconveniente fue con el hotel en el que nos quedamos, ya que fuimos a cenar apenas llegamos y cuando volví al hotel y entré a la habitación la estufa estaba apagada y la ventana entreabierta, por lo que pasé muchísimo frío a la hora de ir a dormir, y no pude comunicarme ningún empleado del hotel para solicitar ayuda. Fuera de eso la excursión fue increíble, hermosa, emocionante e inolvidable. Gracias a nuestro guía Jamie por su amabilidad.”

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9.Islay and The Whisky Coast 4-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 55 reviews · 4 days · from $1,205

Travel from Edinburgh to Islay with a Rabbie’s driver-guide, crossing Loch Lomond, Kilmartin Glen, and the sea by ferry. Stay three nights in Bowmore, visit major distilleries including Bowmore, Kilchoman, Ardbeg, Laphroaig, and Lagavulin, and enjoy beaches, ruins, seafood, and whisky tastings in a group of up to 16.

“this was on my bucket list and the experience was everything I was hoping for and more!! our guide Al, was great, very friendly, funny and really took care of us. His knowledge of Scottish history was impeccable, never ending stories all through the trip. Our accommodations in Bowmore was outstanding. I highly recommend this tour!!! Thanks again Al, Tim from Ontario Canada.”

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10.4-Day Outlander Trail From Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 36 reviews · 4 days · from $969

Follow Outlander from Edinburgh through Doune, Glencoe, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Falkland, Culross, Blackness Castle, and Lallybroch. You travel in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide, sleep in small B&Bs, and learn Scottish history along the way. Guides such as Martin, Lizzie, Alistair, and Mac bring extra stories to the road.

“I enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend it. Our tour guide Kevin was great to talk to. It was like a 4 day history lesson of Scotland and good mix of castles, mountains, lochs and towns.”

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11.4 Day Mull, Iona and Staffa Puffin Experience from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $1,177

Travel from Edinburgh through Loch Lomond, Glencoe, Mull, Iona, Staffa, and the Treshnish Isles in a group of up to 16. You’ll get three hotel nights, breakfasts, ferries, a wildlife cruise, and a whisky distillery tour, with guides such as Dusty, Tim, Louise, or Laurie leading the way.

“It's a great and wonderful experience. Our tour guide Dusty was fantastic, shared with us the history of the places throughout, suggestions of the food around and take good care of everyone.”

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