Author: Barry Pickard
The city of Edinburgh is Scotland’s top visitor destination, and quite understandably so. Whether it is its history, cultural hotspots or beautiful locations, the capital has so much to offer. However, Edinburgh is also within a short distance of many more attention-grabbing attractions that deserve a visit.
In this post, we are going to concentrate on five of the best day trips from Edinburgh that are easily accessible via a short car journey and/or by public transport. Equally suited for either a visitor to the capital or to locals looking to do something a little different.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these attractions appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating these Edinburgh day trips, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland.
Fording the Forth
This trip is a great chance to explore what lives below the ocean’s surface and the magnificent feats of engineering above it. Start your day at the family friendly Deep Sea World, then take a fifteen-minute walk up and onto the old Forth Road Bridge. It will take you a further 30-minutes or so to walk from the north part of the bridge to the south, crossing the Firth of Forth as you go. You will get spectacular views of Forth Rail Bridge and the newly opened Queensferry Crossing. If you are feeling particularly fit, why not drop down into South Queensferry and explore this quaint small town, full of historic buildings.
Deep Sea World
Deep Sea World is the national aquarium of Scotland and has one of Europe's largest collections of sharks, housed in one of the world's longest underwater tunnels. You can also see piranhas and seals and even hold creatures from the rock pools!
Forth Road Bridge and its views
The Forth Road Bridge, with a main span of 1006 metres between the two towers, was the fourth longest in the world and the longest outside the United States when it opened. In total, the structure is over 2.5 km long. A staggering 39,000 tonnes of steel and 125,000 cubic metres of concrete was used in its construction. "Guid Passage" was the fitting motto given to the bridge when it opened on 4 September 1964. Since the opening of the Queensferry Crossing as a motorway, the Forth Road Bridge is now a Public Transport Corridor, which continues to be the route for walking and cycling across the Firth of Forth. With general traffic removed from the Forth Road Bridge, the experience for pedestrians and cyclists is greatly improved.
Forth Bridge
You will get some unique views of the Forth Bridge, a Scottish icon since 1890, that is recognised the world over as the most famous of cantilever designs. The world's first major steel structure, the Forth Bridge represents a key milestone in the history of modern railway civil engineering and still holds the record as the world’s longest cantilever bridge. In July 2015, UNESCO inscribed the Forth Bridge as the sixth World Heritage site in Scotland. The overall length of the Forth Bridge is 2,467 metres, with the main structure (portal to portal) measuring 1,630 metres. 53,000 tonnes of steel and 6.5 million rivets were used to construct the Forth Bridge. At the height of its construction, more than 4,000 men were employed, however, 57 lives were lost during the construction of the Forth Bridge.
Queensferry Crossing
The Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic on 30 August 2017. The 1.7 miles (2.7km) structure is the longest three-tower, cable-stayed bridge in the world, with 23,000 miles of cabling being used in its construction. Laying out all the wire used to support the bridge deck would very nearly stretch around the entire planet Earth.
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South Queensferry
South Queensferry derived its name from the ferry service established by Queen Margaret in the 11th century. A number of historic buildings can be found along the High Street and Hopetoun Road, with the Tolbooth, being especially eye-catching. This building dates from the 17th century, with the clock-tower being built in 1720.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
If you are driving to Deep Sea World, there is ample parking at the aquarium to allow you to leave your car and start your walk over the bridge. It takes just over half an hour to drive from the centre of Edinburgh to North Queensferry. Taking the train to North Queensferry is also an option. Regular trains depart from Waverley and Haymarket stations, taking around 15-minutes to cross over the Forth. It then takes around a quarter of an hour to walk from the station to the aquarium. If you wish to take the public bus, there is a frequent service, with buses usually leaving every five to ten minutes from Edinburgh City Centre, running to Ferrytoll. From there, you can change to a local bus, which would take you to just outside the aquarium.
Castles & Stately Homes
When you think of castles and stately homes in Scotland’s capital, you immediately think of Edinburgh Castle and perhaps the Palace of Holyroodhouse. But the area surrounding Edinburgh is bursting with grand houses and imposing defences all waiting eagerly to welcome visitors from the city and beyond.
Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House has been home to the Hope Family since the late 1600’s and the present Lord Hopetoun and his family still live in Hopetoun House. Hopetoun House, a remarkable and beautiful stately home, is filled with stunning collections and sits in majestic grounds with nature trails and scenic walks. Hopetoun House is often referred to as Scotland’s Finest Stately Home. Designed by William Bruce and then altered and extended by William Adam, Hopetoun House is one of the finest examples of 18th century architecture in Britain. The magnificent interiors which have remained virtually unchanged for three centuries reflect the elegance of the Georgian era and are decorated with the best period furniture, paintings, tapestries and clocks, with beautifully crafted finishes of carving, gilding and plaster work.
Midhope Castle
First mentioned in 1458 Midhope Castle is located on the Hopetoun Estate near Hopetoun House. Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th Century and although the exterior is relatively intact the castle is derelict inside. The exterior of the castle may be viewed and can be visited by purchasing a vehicle pass to from Hopetoun Farm Shop or at Hopetoun House. The castle may be familiar to many, since it is the location for fictional Lallybroch, the family home of character Jamie Fraser in the popular TV series Outlander.
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House of the Binns
The House of the Binns is set in beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth. This house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyells for 400 years. The present house was built in 1612 by Thomas Dalyell, an Edinburgh merchant who made his fortune at the court of King James VI and I in London. Thomas’s son, General Tam Dalyell, formed the legendary regiment of Royal Scots Greys. There are many mementos of him in the house, as well as colourful legends about his dealings with the Devil to discover.
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle's mighty fortifications make this 15th-century castle look like a ‘ship that never sailed’. Blackness was built as a Royal castle in 1453. By 1537, James V began to convert the castle into a state prison and artillery fortification. His ambitious project was driven by the looming threat from Henry VIII’s Protestant England. Work completed in 1542, just before the Wars of the Rough Wooing. In 1650 Oliver Cromwell’s heavy guns devastated the defences, forcing the garrison to surrender. The scars remain today.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
To visit the four properties in one day requires the use of a car, and the sites are not easily accessible by public transport. It takes a 40-minute drive from central Edinburgh to get to Hopetoun House. It is then a further 20-minute drive to Midhope Castle, then 10-minutes to the House of the Binns, and then a further 10-minutes to Blackness Castle. This trip would be a full day out, so could easily be split into two more leisurely separate trips.
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Templar Mysteries
Dan Brown’s novel, The Da Vinci Code, was an international best seller in 2003 and captured the imagination of the public. This fast-paced adventure was full of ancient conspiracies and intrigue, and spawned a highly successful film starring Tom Hanks. Rosslyn Chapel was a central focus of the story and was also used as a filming location, and it is only just outside of Edinburgh. Not only that, the chapel is located by a scenic country park that can explored, complete with old castle.
Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held here weekly. The Chapel has also been a popular destination for visitors for generations. By the late 18th-century, it was starting to appear on itineraries and this was in no small part due to its enigmatic carvings and speculative links to the Knights Templar and Freemasonry. Dan Brown said of the Chapel, ‘When I decided to write The Da Vinci Code, I knew that its finale would have to take place at the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth — Rosslyn.’
Rosslyn Castle
Rosslyn Castle is a partially ruined castle near the chapel. There has been a castle on the site since the early 14th century, when the Sinclair family fortified the site. The oldest part of the Castle is the remains of the ‘lantern’ or ‘lamp tower’ by the bridge and this was probably built around 1304, after the Battle of Roslin. Following destruction during the War of the Rough Wooing of 1544, the castle was rebuilt. This structure, built into the cliffs of Roslin Glen, has remained at least partially habitable ever since. The castle is accessed via a high bridge, which replaced an earlier drawbridge. It was renovated in the 1980s and now serves as holiday accommodation.
Roslin Glen Country Park
Roslin Glen Nature Reserve is a semi-natural ancient woodland of oak, ash, hazel, cherry and hawthorn growing along the steep-sided banks of the River North Esk. The natural beauty of Roslin Glen has attracted the interest of many writers and artists and was a particular favourite in the 18th and early 19th centuries. One of the most famous artists to have drawn inspiration from Roslin Glen was JMW Turner. Dorothy Wordsworth, along with her brother William, stayed in the village in 1803 and Dorothy wrote that she ‘had never passed through a more delicious dell than the glen at Roslin’.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
The village of Roslin can be easily driven to within half an hour from the centre of Edinburgh. There is also a regular bus service from the city, which takes around 45-minutes. The chapel, castle and park are then just a 5-minute walk from the village.
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Flights of Fantasy
The historic region of East Lothian has many attractions which are within a short drive from Edinburgh. Our day trip suggestion centres on visiting the National Museum of Flight Scotland and the Preson Mill & Phantassie Doocot, but these excellent tourist spots could easily be interchanged with a trip to the Newhailes Estate, Myreton Motor Museum, Tantallon Castle, Athelstaneford’s Flag Heritage Centre, or many others.
National Museum of Flight Scotland
National Museum of Flight Scotland is a world-class collection of aircraft. Learn about the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day and immerse yourself in interactive galleries, supersonic experiences and historic hangars and airfield. Get on board Scotland's Concorde to discover what transatlantic flight was like for its passengers and crew and learn more about its supersonic legacy. Have a go on more than 25 hands-on interactives in the family-friendly Fantastic Flight gallery then learn about the history of East Fortune Airfield and hear the personal stories of the people who worked there in the Fortunes of War gallery.
Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot
Preston Mill, with its curious Dutch-style conical roof, is an architectural oddity that beguiles visitors. The mill was used commercially until 1959 and was the region’s last working watermill. Guided tours reveal the gruelling nature of the miller’s work, from heavy lifting to dealing with floods, mice and dust. Just across the River Tyne lies the unusual structure of Phantassie Doocot, built in the 16th century to house 500 pigeons. Nestled within an idyllic location, the grounds surrounding Preston Mill offer access to several tranquil walks.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
This is another trip which is more suited to a car journey rather than using public transport. The drive to the museum will take about 40-minutes, and it is a further 10-minutes to the mill.
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Enjoying the Pleasure Palace
Just twenty miles from Edinburgh, the historic town of Linlithgow boasts several attractions which makes this an ideal day out for a visitor. Linlithgow’s history stretches as far back as Roman times 2,000 years ago. After becoming a royal burgh during the medieval period, the settlement strengthened its ties with the royals with the building of Linlithgow Palace and the town became the welcome escape for the kings and queens of Scotland. Linlithgow is now the welcome escape for tourists a little tired of the hustle and bustle of its larger neighbour.
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace was once a majestic royal residence of the Stewarts, but today lies roofless and ruined. James I ordered work on a palace to begin in 1424, following a fire that severely damaged the earlier residence, with there being a royal residence here since at least the reign of David I (1124–53). The elegant, new ‘pleasure palace’ became a welcome rest stop for royals on the busy road between Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. The Stewart queens especially liked the peace and fresh air, and Linlithgow Palace served as the royal nursery for James V (born 1512), Mary Queen of Scots (born 1542) and Princess Elizabeth (born 1596). The palace, however, fell quickly into decline when James VI moved the royal court to London in 1603, following his coronation as James I of England. The end came in 1746, when a great fire swept through the palace.
St. Michael's Parish Church
St. Michael's Parish Church was first mentioned in a charter of 1138 in which King David I gifted it "with all its chapels, lands and other rights" to the Cathedral of St Andrews. St Michael is the patron saint of the town. Mary Queen of Scots, who was born in Linlithgow Palace on December 8th 1542, was baptised in St Michael’s church. The font which carried the holy water used to baptise the royal baby did not survive for many years longer. In 1559 the Protestant Lords of the Congregation arrive to obliterate all traces of the Roman Catholic religion from the Church. They smashed the holy water stoop along with the statues and altars.
Linlithgow Burgh Halls
The building was designed by John Smith in the neoclassical style and built in ashlar stone, being completed in late 1670. The former headquarters of Linlithgow Burgh Council also now hosts an art gallery, presenting a changing programme of high-quality solo shows, touring exhibitions and contemporary work.
St. Peter's Scottish Episcopal Church
The church is Byzantine in style, in the form of a Greek cross, surmounted by a semi-glazed dome which lets in light to the whole church. The local paper commented at the church's opening in 1928 on the strangeness of the eastern design and remarked on how odd it was to see a building without any visible side window. Due to the constraints of the rig, the length of the church lies north and south rather than the traditional arrangement with the altar at the east end of the nave.
Tailor-Made Top Tip:
Linlithgow can easily be reached from central Edinburgh, whether is via a 45-minute car journey, an hour on the bus or a nippy 20-minutes by train (from Edinburgh Waverley).
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Conclusion
The area around Scotland’s capital is brimming full of history, culture, landmarks and scenery. We hope that we have given you a little inspiration and encouraged you to check out Edinburgh’s ‘backyard’. You are bound to find that it is as equally rewarding as a tour around the city.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out what there is to see in and around Edinburgh, Scotland, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Let us know in the comment section below what your favourite days out from Edinburgh are.
Don’t forget that at Tailor-Made Itineraries we delight in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these attractions appeals to you, reach out to us by email. We would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating these Edinburgh day trips, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
