7 BEST Scotland Day Tours for Amazing Views in 2025

Looking for the best Scotland day tours? These are my personal favourites, all tried and tested by me to help you choose.

From the rugged Highlands to the stunning Isle of Skye, Scotland is a dream destination packed with history, adventure and dramatic scenery.

If it’s your first time here, planning can feel overwhelming with so much to see in so little time. That’s where day tours come in. They’re one of the easiest ways to explore Scotland’s highlights and hidden gems, especially if you’re travelling without a car or working with a tight schedule.

The affordable tours featured below are run by experienced local operators and are highly rated by travellers. Most are small group tours for a more personal, relaxed experience, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy some of the best day trips in Scotland. 

Short On Time? Best Scotland Day Tours 

7 Best day tours in Scotland for Adventure & Nature

I’ve picked out the best day tours in Scotland, chosen for their reviews, ratings, itinerary, affordability and my own experience. Most tours are family-friendly (for kids aged 5 and above) and small groups, with no more than 16 people.

1. Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles Tour

This is easily one of the best Scotland day tours I’ve done. It covers a mix of highlights, including Glencoe, and it’s a top pick if you love castles, with three of the most iconic on the west coast.

The Glencoe, Oban and Highlands tour departs from Glasgow with a coffee stop on the shores of Loch Lomond, then continues to the Rest and Be Thankful Viewpoint. The stunning mountain pass was named by soldiers who built the old military road to Glen Croe in 1753.

Back in the coach, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of Loch Fyne before arriving at Inveraray Castle. Unlike Scotland’s fortress-style castles, it’s more decorative with a mix of Gothic, baroque and Palladian-inspired architecture.

You have to pay to go in, but since time was limited, I just took a photo from the outside. The best view is from the back as you walk up to it. You can see the garden and the castle through the iron fence.

If you have time, I also recommend popping into the former Inveraray Jail. It has a 19th-century courtroom and a torture exhibition, which I found pretty creepy!

Heading northwest, there’s a quick stop overlooking Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe.

💡PRO TIP: It’s a famous viewpoint, but it was too far away to get a good photo. If photography is important to you, bring a good camera with a zoom lens.

Lunch is in Oban, Scotland’s seafood capital and a gem on the west coast. I had a crab sandwich from The Seafood Shack on the harbour. Bring cash if you go. There’s a cash machine nearby.

In the afternoon, there’s a brief photo stop at Castle Stalker, and a zoom lens is needed again! Then it’s time to head to Glencoe. You’ll stop at the visitor centre and see a replica of a 17th-century turf hut. 

Then, expect stunning views as you wind through Scotland’s most famous valley — truly one of the best day trips from Glasgow.

2. Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond

The Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond tour takes you to some of the top landmarks in Scotland’s Central Belt. One of the best day tours from Edinburgh, it’s packed with castles, kelpies, and beautiful scenery around Loch Lomond. 

The bus will whisk you to Falkirk, home of Scotland’s famous Kelpies. These are two 30-foot steel horse head statues in Helix Park. It’s free to get close to these equine giants. 

Your driver guide will take you to Balloch, the southern gateway to Loch Lomond. You’ll have the opportunity to do a one-hour cruise of the loch at an extra cost. It’s worth it to see the loch’s myriad of islands. 

💡PRO TIP: Lunch is in Aberfoyle in the Trossachs National Park. There aren’t many places to get food, so it might be worth bringing a packed lunch. 

Before you reach Stirling Castle, you’ll have a surprise stop in Callander to meet some friendly Highland Cows and have the opportunity to feed them!

At Stirling Castle, you can go inside (at an extra cost) and learn about its history, including its time as the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots. I decided to find a good viewpoint of the outside instead. 

Returning to Edinburgh, the day isn’t over as you’ll have a brief stop at South Queensferry, where you’ll see the Forth Bridge. This UNESCO-listed railway bridge was built in 1890 and is still in use today. 

3. Outlander Adventure Tour with Tickets

An Outlander fan? If so, this Outlander Adventure Tour is a must-do! Follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie on this full-day tour of all the major filming locations of this television series. 

The tour starts with a drive from Glasgow to Doune Castle, which you might recognise as Castle Leoch and Winterfell from Game of Thrones (quite the film star!). You’ll be able to take a self-guided audio tour inside it. 

💡PRO TIP: Your tour includes tickets to Doune Castle and Blackness Castle, included in the price. I paid around £7 to visit Midhope Castle. 

You’ll journey to Falkland, the filming location for 1940s Inverness, before arriving at Midhope Castle (Lallybroch). It’s derelict inside, but you can pay a small fee to get up close to it. 

The next stop is Culross in the Kingdom of Fife. The Royal Burgh was the filming location for Cranesmuir, where Geillis Duncan lived. You can’t miss the striking yellow Culross Palace and herb garden behind it. 

Our guide also took us to the West Kirk Churchyard in Culross as a little bonus location, where the boy eats something poisonous in season one. There are some intriguing 17th-century gravestones here, and the remains of an old kirk with swords engraved in the stone. 

The last stop is the imposing Blackness Castle, used in some of the scenes for Fort William and Wentworth. Positioned on the Firth of Forth, it looks like a ship from some angles. 

This tour is one of the best Scotland day trips for Outlander buffs, but those who are keen to discover Scottish history and culture will love it too. Enjoy dramatic countryside views and a knowledgeable local guide giving you all the insider info on Outlander. 

4. Loch Ness Guided Day Trip

You can’t miss out Loch Ness from your Scotland itinerary! It’s the famous home of the legend of the Loch Ness Monster (‘Nessie’), but there’s so much more to see. 

This Loch Ness guided day trip is one of my favourite Scotland sightseeing tours. It takes you to the best scenic places around the loch in a comfortable 16-seater minibus. 

Departing from Inverness, your first stop is Loch Ness Beach in Dores. The small pebble beach is where the resident Loch Ness Monster Hunter, Steve Feltham, lives in a caravan. He’s been searching for her since 1991! 

Following the road that skims along the edge of the loch, the tour stops at the Falls of Foyers. This 140ft waterfall is hidden halfway along a path snaking through the forest to the water’s edge. It’s a little steep, but the views are worth it. 

The waterfall is at its best after heavy rainfall, which is good news as it rains a lot in Scotland! It was on the smaller side during my visit, but still pretty impressive. 

On my tour, we stopped for lunch at Fort Augustus, but it now stops at Drumnadrochit, which works out better as it’s right by the visitor centre and Urquhart Castle. I only got to see the castle from my cruise on the loch, but you’ll now get to go inside it. 

Another quick stop is Invermoriston. This little hidden gem has a 19th-century stone bridge over the River Moriston. Look out for the stone summerhouse, which looks like the setting of a fairytale. 

The final activity on your tour is a cruise on Loch Ness. It’s optional, but I highly recommend you do it, as you’ll learn some interesting facts about it that aren’t just ‘Nessie’ related. 

5. John O’Groats and the Far North Day Tour

Experience the nature and culture of the Far North in this day trip to John O’Groats. Departing from Inverness, you’ll start the day with a brief stop at Loch Fleet. Look out for grey seals hanging out on the rocks. 

Enjoy coffee by the North Sea with views of Ben Bhraggie at Golspie, before arriving at Dunrobin Castle. This glamorous castle is the stuff of fairytales and is modelled after a French chateau. 

You’ll have to pay extra to go inside it, but it’s worth it. The manicured gardens are spectacular, and there are occasionally free falconry shows. 

After lunch at Wick, you’ll make for John O’Groats, the most northerly point of the UK mainland. Bring a pair of binoculars, as the cliff walks along here are popular for spotting dolphins. If you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of puffins, seals and some very elusive orcas! 

💡PRO TIP: Bring a pair of binoculars, as you could see seals, dolphins, puffins and other seabirds!

The easy coastal walk will take you past Duncansby Head Lighthouse. Look out for the needle-sharp Duncansby Sea Stacks jutting out of the water just offshore. 

The final stops on this tour include a quick break at Dunbeath Harbour. It’s a pretty coastal village on the North Coast 500 road trip and has a 17th-century castle. After a quick photo stop in Brora, it’s back to Inverness. 

6. Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip

The Isle of Skye is on many a Scotland bucket list and for good reason. It has otherworldly scenery around every corner, like the knife-edge Storr and the ripped-apart landslide of the Quiraing. 

Skye never fails to take my breath away, and this tour by Timberbush takes you to all the highlights on this Highlands day trip. It’s a popular tour with over 3000 reviews, so I recommend booking it in advance as it’s likely to sell out. 

Departing Inverness, you’ll have a quick coffee stop at Invermoriston on Loch Ness. Then it’s a truly breathtaking drive ahead as you take the ‘road to the Isles’ through the Five Sisters of Kintail (my nose was practically glued to the window in awe!). 

You’ll soon reach Eilean Donan Castle, said to be the MOST photographed castle in Scotland (you would think it would be Edinburgh Castle!). You’ll have some time to go inside it at an extra cost. 

Over the sea to Skye you’ll go via the Skye Bridge, which joins the island to the mainland. You’ll have lunch in Portree. Remember to go and seek out the colourful harbour. 

💡PRO TIP: I had a tasty wood-fired pizza from Pizzaway. The casual restaurant is an affordable spot for lunch, but bring midge repellent if you sit outside!

The views just get better from here. You’ll stop at Sligachan Old Bridge, where local legend says washing your face in the river grants eternal youth. Next up is the Old Man of Storr on the Trotternish Peninsula. 

You’ll have an opportunity to spot the pleated geological formation of Kilt Rock and see the waterfall plunging over the cliff to the sea below. If you take the tour between April and October, your final stop will be the panoramic Strome Viewpoint over Loch Carron before you head back to Inverness. 

You’ll also have a surprise stop to feed some friendly Highland Cows! 

7. Moray Coast, Wildlife and Speyside Whisky Tour

Whisky and wildlife are just what your Scotland itinerary needs. Among the best small group tours of Scotland, this day trip from Inverness shows you the highlights and hidden gems of the Moray Coast. 

This Moray Coast, Wildlife and Speyside Whisky Tour starts with a visit to Findhorn, where you’ll get to enjoy some (albeit blustery) beach time. Passing Burghead, once a Pictish stronghold, you’ll follow the coast to Portknockie. This is where you’ll be able to see the famous Bow Fiddle Rock just offshore. 

Your next stop is Cullen, home of the famous fish soup, Cullen Skink. It’s worth having a bowl for lunch, and the version served by Lilly’s Kitchen is award-winning. 

💡PRO TIP: Not a fan of fish? Rockpool Cafe has a good range of vegetarian and vegan options, but it does get busy. Takeaway options are available. 

After lunch, you’ll take a walk at  RSPB Troup Head Nature Reserve and spot puffins, gannets and other seabirds on the cliffs. Keep an eye out for the occasional seal or dolphin. They may make an appearance, if you’re lucky. 

Turn inland and travel on the Malt Whisky Trail, where you’ll have a chance to taste a wee dram at a Speyside whisky distillery at an extra cost. 

Your final stop is Carrbridge on the northern edge of the Cairngorms National Park. It has the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, though it’s no longer in use. 

Final Thoughts on the Best Scotland Day Tours 

Day tours are such an easy way to see the best highlights of Scotland. They’re handy if you’re short on time, going car-free or don’t fancy working out all the transport logistics. 

I always book day tours when I travel around Scotland. I can just relax and enjoy the journey while my guide handles all the complicated bits. 

My preferred guided tours in Scotland are in small groups with a max of 16 people. It’s a much more personalised experience than the huge 30-seater buses!

Whether you’re exploring the fairytale landscape of Skye, sipping a wee dram on the Malt Whisky Trail or spotting dolphins at John O’Groats, you’re sure to have an amazing time on these day tours in Scotland. 

Still deciding? I’d start with the Isle of Skye tour — it’s my top pick for dramatic views in a day.

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Looking for more Scotland travel tips? These Posts can help!

• 13 Awesome Day Trips From Edinburgh By Train Or Bus
• 13 Best Day Trips from Glasgow by Public Transport
• Visiting Scotland Without a Car in 2025: The Ultimate Guide

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