5 of the very best day journeys from Edinburgh

July 21, 2022

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Lucy Dodsworth is sharing 5 of the very best day journeys from Edinburgh for these trying to get extra out of their Scottish metropolis break!

There’s a lot to do in Edinburgh which you could simply spend your complete journey inside the town however when you’ve bought a bit of extra time or wish to discover a bit of additional, you may see much more with a day journey Edinburgh. Inside a day journey’s distance you may get a style of what else Scotland has to supply, from wildlife-spotting to seashore escapes, historic castles to avenue artwork excursions – and also you don’t want a automotive with one in all these nice day journeys. Listed here are 5 nice day journey concepts from Edinburgh to get you began, all accessible by public transport.

1. Glasgow

Subsequent-door neighbours and longtime rivals, Glasgow and Edinburgh couldn’t be extra totally different. The place Edinburgh is the traditional magnificence, Glasgow is the youthful, hipper, extra inventive little sister.

Glasgow’s solely 50 minutes by practice so it’s straightforward to do a day journey from Edinburgh. There’s a lot to do in Glasgow although that you would fill a complete journey, so select a couple of of the highlights to get you began.

Museum lovers head to Kelvingrove for artwork and historical past displays in a stupendous crimson stone constructing, or the strikingly fashionable Riverside Museum for every thing transport associated. Artwork lovers observe the Mural Path for the town’s finest avenue artwork, or go to Charles Rennie Waterproof coat’s previous haunts with a tour of the Glasgow College of Artwork and tea and cake on the Willow Tea Rooms. Photographers shouldn’t miss the atmospheric hilltop Necropolis and the view of the Clyde bridges at sundown. And foods and drinks lovers are spoilt for selection in Finnieston and Service provider Metropolis.

Learn extra: Take a look at Monica’s 48 hour information to Glasgow for extra concepts and strategies.

2. Inchcolm Island

Edinburgh’s in all probability not someplace you’d consider for wildlife-spotting, however you might be out with the seals and porpoises in lower than an hour from the town centre with this straightforward day journey from Edinburhg. Inchcolm Island is one in all Edinburgh’s hidden gems – a tiny island in the midst of the Firth of Forth. To get there you’re taking a three-hour boat journey from South Queensferry, crusing beneath the long-lasting Forth Bridges alongside the best way.

The island’s filled with fascinating tales – it was a quarantine island in the course of the plague and a First World Struggle garrison. Now it’s a peaceable place to discover, with hoards of seabirds, an historical abbey and nice views again to Edinburgh on a sunny day. Whilst you’re in South Queensferry, go to the grand Hopetoun nation home and check out some tasty Scottish mussels on the Boat Home restaurant too.

Journey Hack tip: Boat journeys depart from Hawes Pier in South Queensferry – take the practice from Edinburgh to Dalmeny Station in about 15 minutes or it’s 35 minutes on the no 43 bus from St Andrew Sq..

3. Roslin

If you happen to love myths and legends – or Hollywood movie areas – then don’t miss Roslin, a bit of village eight miles south of Edinburgh (a 50-minute journey on the no 37 bus). Roslin is house to the 15^th century Rosslyn Chapel, a stone church stuffed with intricate carvings. However is it the key house of the Holy Grail? Dan Brown thought so when he was writing The Da Vinci Code. The chapel seems within the e book, and Tom Hanks and Audrey Tatou got here to Rosslyn to movie within the chapel crypt or the movie model.

Maintain an eye fixed out for William, the chapel’s resident cat, who’s often discovered snoozing on a sunny bench. Then head out into Roslin Glen, a inexperienced oasis only a few minutes stroll from the chapel. It’s an historical woodland in a gorge alongside the North Esk river with a ruined citadel tucked among the many bushes. Pack a picnic on a sunny day or head to the cosy Unique Rosslyn Inn for lunch.

4. St Andrews

St Andrews is a small metropolis on the coast of Fife that’s stuffed with historical past. It’s bought medieval church buildings, a ruined citadel and the oldest college in Scotland (aka the place the place Prince William met Kate). You possibly can climb up the previous citadel tower to look out over the town, wander across the college buildings or take a stroll alongside one of many three seashores. The massive pupil inhabitants means there are many cafés and pubs to hang around in too, and St Andrews can also be the house of the fab Eden Mill gin distillery the place you are able to do a tour and tasting.

St Andrews is known as the house of golf, and when you’ve bought a good-enough handicap you may tee off on the Previous Course within the footsteps of Open winners. However even when you don’t know your 9 iron out of your putter, you may nonetheless have your picture taken on the well-known Swilcan Bridge and name in for a drink within the Jigger Inn – the course’s unofficial 19^th gap.

Journey Hack tip: There’s no practice station in St Andrews, however you may catch the practice to close by Leuchars (simply over an hour from Edinburgh), then it’s 10 minutes by bus or taxi into St Andrews.

5. North Berwick

Fancy a day on the seashore? North Berwick is simply half an hour by practice exterior Edinburgh, and when the solar’s shining onto its golden sand and blue sea it’s straightforward to neglect you’re in Scotland. This beautiful seaside city is stuffed with cafés (the hipster Steampunk Espresso is a favorite), artwork galleries and quirky reward retailers to discover. Go to the harbour for a freshly caught lunch from the Lobster Shack, the place their speciality is a half-lobster and chips.

North Berwick can also be one other seabird hotspot. You possibly can watch them on cameras on the Sea Chicken Centre or rise up shut on a ship journey out to Bass Rock. The Rock is an extinct volcano that’s now a haven for gannets, razorbills and guillemots (there are such a lot of that their droppings have turned the rock from gray to white, so that you won’t wish to breathe in too deeply!). And in your personal chook’s eye view, climb as much as the highest of North Berwick Legislation for a shocking view alongside the coast.

The place’s your favorite place for a day journey from Edinburgh? Tell us within the feedback beneath!

Lucy is a journey blogger On the Luce, exploring the UK, Europe and past from her house base within the Cotswolds. Her weblog combines inspirational tales and exquisite images with all of the helpful particulars you should make the journey a actuality – from weekend break concepts to rail adventures, evaluations of quirky lodging to uncommon angles in your favorite locations. Lucy’s by no means removed from her digital camera, loves a very good glass of Prosecco, devours a e book per week and is at all times on the hunt for luxurious on funds.