Last Updated on June 23, 2025 by George Pavlopoulos
Glasgow, Scotland’s biggest city, is an underrated travel destination. Most international travelers tend to visit Edinburgh, often skipping Glasgow altogether. However, apart from the various things to do in Glasgow, the city’s strategic location makes it an ideal base for further exploring Scotland. That said, if you decide to spend more than one night in the city, you can take some fantastic day trips from Glasgow to various locations in the Scottish Highlands.
So, in this article, you’ll find the best day trips you can take right now from Glasgow. Specifically, you’ll read each tour’s exact itinerary and get info about their prices and duration. Moreover, at the bottom of this post, you’ll find travel tips for your Glasgow day trips and answers to some frequently asked questions.
Let’s start.
*Some of the links are affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
The best day trips from Glasgow, Scotland
Scotland is famous worldwide for its dramatic landscapes and top-quality whisky. Therefore, no trip to Scotland is complete without seeing at least some locations in the Highlands and a visit to a local distillery. In the following lines, you will discover various day trips from Glasgow, exclusively focusing on sightseeing, while others are about whisky tours. Of course, some combine sightseeing and Scottish whisky tastings, making them ideal options for those willing to have a more comprehensive experience.
Loch Ness, Glencoe & Highlands Tour
This is the most action-packed day trip you can currently book from Glasgow. You will leave behind the Lowlands, where Glasgow belongs, and travel to the Highlands for an exciting adventure and intense sightseeing. The tour takes you through Breadalbane before passing Rannoch Moor and finally reaching Glencoe. Located on the southern bank of the River Coe, Glencoe is where the Massacre of 1692 occurred.
Afterward, you will see the glacial valley of Great Glen before heading to Loch Ness. If you are lucky, you might spot Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster, but you will surely enjoy tremendous views. After having lunch, you’ll have the opportunity to visit Urquhart Castle -and if you want, you can also take a boat cruise on the lake (fees apply). Then, it’s time to visit Inverness, the capital of the Highlands. Finally, you’ll spend time at Pitlochry, the famous Highlands resort town.
This day trip from Glasgow is hands down the best way to see the Highlands in one day. It starts from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station, and as you can easily imagine, it sells out fast.
Duration: 12 hours.
Price: 114 euros per person.
How to book: Book the action-packed Highlands tour.
Loch Lomond, Trossachs, and Stirling Castle tour
This guided tour combines sightseeing and history. Starting outside the Royal Scottish National Orchestra in downtown Glasgow, this tour will first take you to Loch Lomond, probably the most beautiful loch in Scotland. However, it’s not just about the views: you’ll take a cruise and enjoy the stunning landscape of islands and surrounding mountains. If the cruise is nothing for you, you can stroll around Luss instead, a picturesque village.
Afterward, it’s lunchtime at Aberfoyle, which is located in Trossachs National Park. Trossachs is often called “Highlands in miniature” due to the plethora of forests, lochs, and mountains, and it’s equally famous for Rob Roy MacGregor, a Scottish outlaw who later became a folk hero. Finally, you’ll stop at Stirling Castle and learn about iconic figures like the national hero William Wallace and Mary, the Queen of Scots.
Duration: 8,5 hours.
Price: 56 euros per person.
How to book: Book the Loch Lomond, Trossachs, and Stirling Castle here.
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Whisky tour
If the previous tour was something for you, how about adding a touch of whisky? This day trip from Glasgow will take you to Stirling (fun fact: it was the northernmost location of the Roman Empire), and you’ll see the castle and the National Wallace Monument; the latter is apparently dedicated to William Wallace, Scotland’s national hero. His story was the theme of the movie “Braveheart,” starring Mel Gibson.
Afterward, you’ll drive from the Highlands toward Trossachs National Park, the spot where the Highlands and the Lowlands meet. Finally, you’ll visit Loch Lomond, and after sightseeing, it’s time for whisky: you’ll stop at the Distillery of Glengoyne, where one of the most famous Scottish malt whiskies is produced.
Duration: 9 hours.
Price: 115 euros per person.
How to book: Book the Stirling, Loch Lomond & Whisky here.
Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Glencoe Adventure
Δείτε αυτή τη δημοσίευση στο Instagram.
That’s a great day tour for Harry Potter fans. Apart from visiting several locations, you’ll also have the chance to see the Jacobite Steam Train, which most people know from Harry Potter as the Hogwarts Express.
The tour departs from Glasgow and first takes you to Glencoe, a place where, as you read earlier, the Massacre of the MacDonald clan took place in 1692. Then, it’s time to visit Fort William for a quick lunch before heading to Mallaig, a port on the west coast of the Highlands. Finally, continue to Glenfinnan to see the tour’s attraction: the Jacobite Steam Train crossing the bridge. Before returning to Glasgow, you’ll have a final stop for refreshments at Luss.
Duration: 12,5 hours.
Price: 114 euros per person.
How to book: Book the Glenfinnan, Mallaig, and Glencoe adventure.
The ultimate Scottish Whisky tour from Glasgow
Now, if you seriously love scotch whisky, there’s a fantastic whisky tour you can book right now. However, due to its high costs, it’s recommended for people traveling as a group because there’s currently no price per person.
The ultimate tour for whisky lovers is all about the famous Scottish alcoholic drink. Your tour guide -a Scottish whisky ambassador- will pick you up from your hotel and share everything you need to know while driving through the Highlands. The first place you’ll visit is the iconic Dalwhinnie Distillery, dating back to 1897. It’s Scotland’s highest distillery (1164 ft above sea level) and produces single malt whiskey.
After Dalwhinnie, you’ll visit the House of Braur for lunch and local souvenirs, and you’ll then head to Blair Athol, the oldest working distillery in Scotland, dating back to 1798. Finally, if the time permits, you might stop at one more distillery for a final whisky tasting on the way back to your hotel in Glasgow.
Duration: 9 hours.
Price: 1163 euros per group (for up to 7 people).
How to book: Book the ultimate whisky tour here.
More Scotch whisky tours
Scotland is all about whisky, and there are several whisky tours to choose from. If the above-mentioned tour is nothing for you, I’ve got you covered. You’ll find a couple more whisky-tasting experiences here. Some tour operators prefer adding more than 8-10 distilleries to their routes. However, you’ll have just half an hour in each of them, and I feel it’s not the right way to enjoy one of the world’s most famous drinks. Instead, I propose whisky tours with fewer distillery stops but more breathing space to enjoy.
These are:
Scottish Whisky Distillery tour. On this day trip from Glasgow, you’ll travel to three different distilleries. There’s a list of five distilleries to choose from (Glengoyne, Deanston, Clydeside, Auchentoshan, and Tullibardine), and you’ll have tours and whisky tastings in each. The tour lasts 8 hours and costs 194 euros per person. Book here the Scottish Whisky distillery tour.
Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting. On this tour, you’ll have to reach the distillery on your own. That’s a single-malt Scotch whisky distillery in the heart of Glasgow, and you’ll taste three Clydeside spirits. The cost is 23 euros per person, and the duration is one hour. Book the Clydeside distillery tour here.
Glengoyne Distillery tour. Similar to the previous whisky experience, this one offers you a tour of the Glengoyne distillery. You’ll taste 3 whiskies of the Glengoyne Collection, each of which is paired with chocolate from Iain Burnett, the famous Highland Chocolatier. The tour costs € 44 and lasts 1.5 hours. Book the Glengoyne tour here.
Outlander day trip from Glasgow
If you’re an Outlander fan -the famous TV series after Diana Gabaldon’s novels- that’s your best chance to see its filming locations. This day trip departs from Glasgow, and you’ll first stop at Stirling Castle and Doune Castle; the latter is called Castle Leoch and offers a rare insight into the life of a 14th-century earl. The castle was also a filming location for the “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” movie. Afterward, you’ll visit Falkland, a small town that appears in the initial scenes of Outlander as the Inverness of the 1940s.
Then, your next stop will be Culross, which in Outlander is the village of Cranesmuir and the hometown of Arthur and Geillis Duncan. Several locations were part of the series, and there you’ll see, of course, the Culross Palace. Midhope Castle and Linlithgow Palace are among the next stops, and there’s also a secret location that will be revealed shortly before heading back to Glasgow.
Duration: 9 hours.
Price: 94 euros per person.
How to book: Book the Outlander tour here.
Culzean Castle, Robert Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast
Finally, here’s one of the best Glasgow day trips for poetry lovers. This day tour from Glasgow will let you explore at a slow pace the Ayrshire Coast, the birthplace of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet.
The tour will drive you to Culzean Country Park, dating back to the 18th century. Apart from the impressive landscape, you’ll visit the Culzean Castle and Gardens, designed by Robert Adam. After having a short lunch break, you’ll follow the coastline to Dunure, a picturesque fishing village, till you finally reach Ayr.
That’s the place immortalized in Robert Burns’ poetry, and you’ll see various locations mentioned in his work. In addition, you can learn about the famous poet in the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway and enjoy riverside walks while exploring the haunted ruins of a church.
Duration: 9 hours.
Price: 111 euros per person.
How to book: Book the Robert Burns country tour here.
The best day trips from Glasgow: FAQ
In this section, you’ll find answers to the most frequently asked questions about day trips from Glasgow, Scotland.
Can I take these day trips from Glasgow independently?
Yes, you can visit each of the places mentioned above independently. However, you will need a car for that. It’ll be nearly impossible to visit these places by public transport.
Don’t get me wrong: Scotland’s public transportation is very reliable. However, combining places on a day trip from Glasgow will be very hard. However, if you have plenty of days in Scotland, you can take short day trips to each location.
But, if you want to see as much as possible in one day, the best -and probably the only- way to do it is by joining a guided tour or renting a car.
If I can only take one of these tours, what should it be?
If you can only take one of these tours, I highly recommend the first on the list. The Loch Ness, Glencoe, and Highlands tour will give you an excellent impression of what Scotland is all about. You’ll see most of the country’s famous locations and enjoy a full day out of town.
Where can I rent a car in Scotland?
You can easily rent a car in Scotland if you feel comfortable driving abroad. Your best option is via Rental Cars. Powered by Booking.com, Rental Cars is the best aggregator, combining loads of local and international companies.
Remember: driving in Scotland is on the left side of the road.
Are the day trips from Glasgow safe?
The Glasgow day trips are safe, and you’ll always have a professional tour guide next to you. The cars and buses are in mint condition, and there’s nothing to worry about safety.
Can I go on a day trip from Glasgow to Edinburgh?
Yes. The best way to travel between Glasgow and Edinburgh is by train. There are several daily itineraries, and the journey takes approximately one hour. You can book your train tickets here.
Is Glasgow a good city break?
Glasgow is a fantastic city break destination. It boasts a vibrant nightlife and several top-class museums, many of which are free. Glasgow’s architecture is fascinating, and its music scene is equally impressive.
The best day trips from Glasgow: Final thoughts
Basing yourself in Glasgow also means you are less than an hour away from the Highlands. That’s the most beautiful area in Scotland and the place that travelers daydream about visiting. Even if you only have three days in Glasgow, be sure to save one of them for a day trip. Scotland’s landscape is stunning, and the experiences mentioned in this article will give you an excellent overview of the beautiful country.
Based on your interests and budget, choose one (or more) day trips from Glasgow and embark on tours that will be the highlights of your vacation.
More about Glasgow: Glasgow travel guide, Glasgow street photography, My Glasgow travelogue
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share this article about the best day trips from Glasgow with your friends.