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Days out

with the kids
Days out

Days out from St Andrews.

St Andrews is a wonderful base for days out in Fife. Beyond its cathedral ruins, castle and famous golf links, the East Neuk's fishing villages are a short drive along the coast, with their harbours, crow-stepped houses and fish and chips by the sea. There are long sandy beaches, clifftop stretches of the Fife Coastal Path, and Dundee and the Tay just to the north.

Every day is worked out stop by stop, with the drive between each place, where to eat, and what to book before you go. Some keep to a single village and a long lunch; others string a few together along the coast. Choose your day, take your time, and enjoy the sea air.

Starting from
AnywhereEdinburghGlasgowAberdeenDundeeInvernessStirlingPerthObanFort WilliamPortreeAviemoreSt AndrewsAyrDumfriesElginLerwickKirkwallPitlochry
Your best match · In St AndrewsThe Wardlaw Museum and afternoon tea at the Old Course HotelOn foot, about four hours.See the day

In St Andrews

In St AndrewsSt Andrews Castle and fish and chips at CromarsOn foot, about two and a half hoursIn St AndrewsA Day in St AndrewsA day by car, about 30 milesMembersIn St AndrewsThe R&A World Golf Museum and lunch at Forgan'sOn foot, about three hoursIn St AndrewsAn evening along The Scores and a pint at the Jigger InnOn foot, about two and a half hoursIn St AndrewsSt Andrews on footA day on foot, about 2 milesIn St AndrewsThe West Sands with the dog and a sandwich at DookOn foot, about two hoursIn St AndrewsThe West Sands and Craigtoun with the children and the dogBy car, about five and a half hoursAbout 5 miles awayTentsmuir Forest with the dog and a crêpe at Salt and PineBy car, about three hoursAbout 5 miles awayThe seals at Tentsmuir PointBy car, about three hours

Out from St Andrews

About 6 miles awayKingsbarns beach and Cambo woods walkBy car, about two hours, or most of a day with Fife NessAbout 8 miles awayThe Crail Heritage Walk, from the museum to the harbourBy car, one to two hoursAbout 9 miles awayCrail to Anstruther on the coastal path and fish and chipsBy bus and on foot, about five hoursAbout 9 miles awayThe Anstruther Town Trail walkBy car, at least an hourAbout 9 miles awayCellardyke's tidal pool and fish and chips in AnstrutherOn foot, about three hoursAbout 9 miles awayBroughty Ferry harbour and a pint at the Fisherman's TavernBy bus and on foot, about three hoursAbout 9 miles awayBroughty Ferry to Monifieth shore walkOn foot, about three and a half hours with lunchAbout 9 miles awayThe Scottish Fisheries Museum with the childrenBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 9 miles awayA boat to the Isle of May and fish and chips in AnstrutherOn foot, about six hoursAbout 9 miles awayCastle Green play park and an ice cream at Visocchi'sOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 9 miles awayThe Cocoa Tree and St Fillan's Cave in PittenweemOn foot, about an hour and a halfAbout 9 miles awayBroughty Ferry and Tentsmuir by bike: the castle, the Tay Road Bridge, Tayport and the PointA day by bike, about 28 milesAbout 9 miles awayBowhouse market weekend and lunch in the courtyardOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 10 miles awayLargo Law and lunch at the Crusoe in Lower LargoBy car, about three hoursAbout 10 miles awayLower Largo to Elie coast walk by Kincraig PointOn foot, about five hours with lunch and the bus backAbout 10 miles awayV&A Dundee and afternoon tea at TathaOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 10 miles awayA Packed Day Around DundeeA day on foot, about 7 milesAbout 10 miles awayA walk along the Dundee Maritime TrailBy car, about an hour with stopsAbout 10 miles awayRRS Discovery and lunch at Discovery PointOn foot, about three hoursAbout 10 miles awayA day in Dundee: the waterfront, the V&A, Discovery and the UnicornA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 11 miles awayRuby Bay rock pools and lunch at the Ship Inn in ElieOn foot, about three hoursAbout 11 miles awayElie to St Monans coast walkOn foot, about five hours with lunchAbout 11 miles awayDundee Science Centre on a wet dayBy car, about three hoursAbout 11 miles awayDundee Science Centre and V&A DundeeOn foot, about five and a half hoursAbout 11 miles awayA seaside sauna on Elie harbour and lunch at the Ship InnOn foot, about three hoursAbout 11 miles awayA Day Around the East Neuk of FifeA day by car, about 17 milesMembersAbout 11 miles awayDundee's West End and the Law: the DCA, the Perth Road, Magdalen Green and the sunset from the topA day on foot, about 4 milesAbout 11 miles awayA fudge doughnut at Fisher & Donaldson and Desperate DanOn foot, about an hourAbout 11 miles awayJute, jam and journalism in Dundee: Verdant Works, the McManus, the Keiller story, the Beano and Oor WullieA day on footAbout 11 miles awaySunset at the Lady's Tower and supper at the Ship Inn in ElieOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 11 miles awayThe McManus and lunch in DundeeOn foot, about four hoursAbout 11 miles awaySunset on Magdalen Green and supper at PiccoloOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 11 miles awayVerdant Works and lunch in the old jute millOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 11 miles awayThe Scottish Deer Centre's animalsBy car, about four hoursAbout 12 miles awayAn evening at Mills Observatory in Balgay ParkBy car, about two hoursAbout 12 miles awayA lochside sauna at Forbes of KingennieBy car, about three hoursAbout 12 miles awayLeven to Lower Largo coast walk by Silverburn ParkBy car, about two hours with the bus backAbout 14 miles awayCamperdown, Templeton Woods and Clatto walkBy car, about three and a half hoursAbout 14 miles awayThe animals at Camperdown Wildlife CentreBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 15 miles awayCrombie and Monikie Country Parks with the children and dogBy car, about five hoursAbout 15 miles awayA walk to the big beech in Backmuir WoodBy car, about half an hourAbout 16 miles awayThe Wemyss Coastal Trail walk past the cavesBy car, about two hours one wayAbout 16 miles awayArbroath by trainA day by train and on foot, about 3 milesAbout 16 miles awayA tour at Lindores Abbey Distillery and a sharing platterBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 16 miles awayLindores Abbey Distillery and lunch in AbernethyBy car, about four hoursAbout 17 miles awayThe Arbroath Heritage Trail walkBy car, an hour and a halfAbout 17 miles awayCairn O'Mohr winery tour and lunch at the Pickled PeacockBy car, about three hoursAbout 17 miles awayA walk up East Lomond above FalklandBy car, about three and a half hours with lunchAbout 17 miles awayMaspie Den waterfall and lunch at Pillars of HerculesOn foot, about three hoursAbout 17 miles awayArbroath and Auchmithie: abbey, harbour and cliff pathA day on foot, about 6 milesAbout 18 miles awayKayaking the Arbroath cliffs and pizza at the Copper OvenBy car, about four and a half hoursAbout 18 miles awayThe Arbroath cliffs walk to the Deil's HeidBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 19 miles awayThe Dirleton and Yellowcraig walkBy car, about two hoursAbout 19 miles awayYellowcraig's play park and beachBy car, about two hoursAbout 19 miles awayThe Scottish Seabird Centre in winterBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 19 miles awayNorth Berwick harbour at dusk and a pint at the Ship InnOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 19 miles awayThe Bass Rock by boat and lunch at the RocketeerOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 20 miles awayDysart harbour to Ravenscraig Castle walkBy car, one to three hoursAbout 20 miles awayExploring Fife’s Hidden CornersA day by car, about 54 milesAbout 20 miles awayCoffee at Steampunk and the Coastal Communities MuseumBy train and on foot, about two hoursAbout 20 miles awayNorth Berwick and Tantallon by trainA day by train and bus and on foot, about 3 milesAbout 20 miles awayThe Abernethy Village WalkBy car, ten stops round a small villageAbout 20 miles awayAbernethy's Witches' Path with the dog and lunch at the NookBy car, about three hoursAbout 20 miles awayNorth Berwick Law and lunch at the HerringboneOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 20 miles awayTantallon Castle and lunch at DriftBy car, about three hoursAbout 21 miles awayA walk to the Bunnet Stane below West LomondBy car, about an hourAbout 21 miles awayGlamis Castle and lunch in the Castle KitchenBy car, about three hoursAbout 21 miles awayGlamis and Clova: a Saturday of castle, town and glenA day by car, about 70 milesAbout 21 miles awayGullane Bents and Gullane Point walkBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 21 miles awayA walk round Forfar LochBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 22 miles awayPictish Angus: a Wednesday of stones, April to SeptemberA day by car, about 71 milesAbout 23 miles awayThe pink-footed geese at Aberlady BayBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 23 miles awayA walk up Moncreiffe Hill near PerthBy car, about three hoursAbout 23 miles awayPaddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the TayBy car, about three hoursAbout 23 miles awayTyninghame beach walk to St Baldred's CradleBy car, about an hourAbout 24 miles awayConcorde at the National Museum of FlightBy car, about four hoursAbout 24 miles awayThe geese and red squirrels at RSPB Loch LevenBy car, about three hoursAbout 24 miles awayThe Tay at sunset and supper at the North PortOn foot, about three hoursAbout 24 miles awayA walk on the sands of Lunan BayBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 24 miles awayLunan Bay and an Arbroath smokie at the Old BrewhouseBy car, about three hoursAbout 24 miles awayPerth on footA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 24 miles awayA Historic Tour of PerthA few hours by car, about 5 milesAbout 24 miles awayPerth Museum and lunch at Café TabouOn foot, about five hoursAbout 25 miles awayA walk to the hides at the Loch of KinnordyBy car, half an hour to an hour, or about two hours with the path to Kirriemuir and backAbout 25 miles awayA walk round Perth's North Inch and the Tay bridgesBy car, about an hour and a quarterAbout 25 miles awayThe Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie'sOn foot, about four hoursAbout 25 miles awayAn alpaca trek to the beach at John Muir AlpacasBy car, about two hoursAbout 25 miles awayScone Palace gardens and lunch in the Old Servants' HallBy car, about three hoursAbout 25 miles awayCoasteering on the Dunbar coastBy car, about four and a half hoursAbout 25 miles awayFoxFall at Foxlake, a ropes course and zip line over waterBy car, about two hoursAbout 25 miles awayAn e-foil taster on the Forth at BurntislandOn foot, about three hoursAbout 25 miles awayDunbar harbour, the Battery and lunch at the CreelOn foot, about three hoursAbout 25 miles awayKinross to Burleigh Sands walk by Loch LevenBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 26 miles awayAn Eastern Daytrip to DunbarA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 26 miles awayThe Burntisland Heritage Trail walkBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 26 miles awayExploring Historic DunbarA few hours by carMembersAbout 26 miles awayHailes Castle and lunch at Bostock in East LintonBy car, about two hoursAbout 27 miles awayHuntingtower Castle and lunch at the Pitcairngreen InnBy car, about three hoursAbout 27 miles awayThe Knockie and Cargill's Leap walk at BlairgowrieBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 27 miles awayBamff beaver walk near AlythBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 27 miles awayThe geese at Montrose BasinBy car, about three hoursAbout 28 miles awayAberdour Castle and lunch at the Aberdour HotelOn foot, about three hoursAbout 28 miles awayAberdour to Burntisland coast walk by Silver SandsBy car, about two and a half hours with the bus backAbout 28 miles awayA tour at Glencadam Distillery and Brechin's round towerOn foot, about four hoursAbout 28 miles awayA walk to the Reekie Linn and lunch at Peel FarmBy car, about two hoursAbout 28 miles awayA walk in Pressmennan Wood by the lakeBy car, allow two hoursAbout 29 miles awayA walk up to the Airlie Monument in Glen ProsenBy car, about two hoursAbout 29 miles awayA Day Between Angus & PerthshireA day by car, about 33 milesAbout 29 miles awayThe Shore at Leith and a dram at Teuchters LandingBy tram and on foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 29 miles awayLeith and Newhaven: the Shore, Britannia and the harbourA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 29 miles awayA walk along Portobello promenade from the bottle kilnsBy bus and on foot, allow an hour and a halfAbout 29 miles awayPortobello Beach and a hot chocolate at the Beach HouseBy car, about two hoursAbout 29 miles awayMontrose Air Station Museum and lunch at Roo's LeapBy car, about four hoursAbout 30 miles awayArthur's Seat and lunch at Clarinda's TearoomOn foot, about three hoursAbout 30 miles awayHolyrood Park: Arthur's Seat, Duddingston and Craigmillar CastleA day on foot, about 3 milesAbout 30 miles awayDunning and a drink at the Kirkstyle InnBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 30 miles awayThe Royal Botanic Garden and lunch at the Terrace CaféBy bus and on foot, about four hoursAbout 30 miles awayEdinburgh's gardensA day by bus and on foot, about 5 milesAbout 30 miles awayA walk up Calton Hill by the Old Calton Burial GroundOn foot, allow an hourAbout 30 miles awayCalton Hill at sunset and supper at Howies WaterlooOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 30 miles awayFree EdinburghA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 31 miles awayLiterary Edinburgh, the first City of LiteratureA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 31 miles awayThe New Town: the gardens, the galleries and Calton Hill at duskA day on foot, about 3 milesAbout 31 miles awayEdinburgh Gin's distillery tour and lunch at HowiesOn foot, about three hoursAbout 31 miles awayA Perfect Rainy Day in Edinburgh: A Trail of Books, Whisky & WarmthA day on foot, about 3 milesAbout 31 miles awayEdinburgh's hills and views in their best lightA day by bus and on foot, about 5 milesAbout 31 miles awayA walk up the White and Brown CaterthunsBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 31 miles awayBrunch at the Pantry and Circus LaneOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayEdinburgh's galleries on footA day on footAbout 31 miles awayA walk down the Royal Mile by its closesOn foot, allow an hour and a halfAbout 31 miles awayThe Writers' Museum and afternoon tea at the Signet LibraryOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awaySurgeons' Hall Museums and soup at Union of GeniusOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayA walk through Princes Street Gardens, east to westOn foot, allow an hourAbout 31 miles awayCoffee, Cakes and Closes – A Walking Tour Ending with Ice Cream and Edinburgh’s Best ViewA day on foot, about 3 milesMembersAbout 31 miles awayThe Grassmarket, Greyfriars and the National MuseumA day on footAbout 31 miles awayCamera Obscura and lunch at the Scottish CafeOn foot, about three and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayEdinburgh whisky and ginA day by tram and on foot, about 2 milesAbout 31 miles awayOld Town Walking TourA day on foot, about 3 milesMembersAbout 31 miles awayStep-free EdinburghA day by car, about 4 milesAbout 31 miles awayThe Royal Mile: the Castle down to HolyroodhouseA day on foot, about 2 milesAbout 31 miles awayA Day Around Edinburgh’s Old TownA day on footMembersAbout 31 miles awayGlenkinchie and Johnnie Walker Princes StreetA day by bus and on footAbout 31 miles awayDean Village, the Water of Leith and lunch at the PantryOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayStockbridge, Dean Village and the Botanics, on a SundayA day on foot, about 4 milesAbout 31 miles awayThis 6‑Stop Literary Trail Ends with a Drink at Rebus’s Favourite PubA day on foot, about 3 milesAbout 31 miles awayAn evening at the King's TheatreOn foot, about four and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayLauriston Castle's gardens above the ForthBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 31 miles awayCramond shore and River Almond walk to Cramond BrigBy car, about two hoursAbout 31 miles awayCraigmillar Castle and lunch at the Sheep HeidBy car, about three and a half hoursAbout 31 miles awayExploring Edinburgh’s Quieter EdgesA day by car, about 21 milesMembersAbout 32 miles awayThe Dunfermline Culture and Heritage Trail walkBy car, about two hoursAbout 32 miles awayA walk round Pittencrieff Park and its glen in DunfermlineOn foot, about two hours with coffeeAbout 32 miles awayHovercrafting at Craigluscar and Dunfermline AbbeyBy car, about three hoursAbout 32 miles awaySt Cyrus beach and cliffs walkBy car, two to three hoursAbout 32 miles awayDeep Sea World at North QueensferryOn foot, about three hoursAbout 32 miles awayA walk on Corstorphine Hill to its towerBy car, about an hour, or half an hour for the tower aloneAbout 32 miles awayNorth Queensferry to Carlingnose Point and Port Laing walkBy car, an hour or so, or two hours for the longer roundAbout 33 miles awayCove Harbour and Pease Dean walkBy car, about two hoursAbout 33 miles awayEdzell Castle's walled garden and lunch at Sinclair's LarderBy car, about three and a half hoursAbout 33 miles awayA day at Edinburgh ZooBy car, about five hoursAbout 33 miles awayThe Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill walkBy car, about an hour and a halfAbout 33 miles awayRed squirrels at Loch of the Lowes and lunch at the TaybankBy car, about three hoursAbout 33 miles awayThe Maid of the Forth to Inchcolm and lunch at the RailbridgeBy train and boat and on foot, about five and a half hoursAbout 33 miles awayThe Birnam Riverside Path walk past the Birnam OakBy car, about an hour and three-quartersAbout 33 miles awaySouth Queensferry and lunch at the Hawes InnOn foot, about two and a half hoursAbout 33 miles awayBeatrix Potter at Birnam Arts and lunch in its caféBy car, about two hoursAbout 33 miles awayA walk up Birnam Hill to the King's SeatBy car, about three and a half hoursAbout 33 miles awayBreakfast at ARAN and the Birnam OakOn foot, about two hoursAbout 34 miles awayThe Blue Door walk to the Rocks of Solitude at EdzellBy car, about two hoursAbout 34 miles awayThe Japanese Garden at Cowden and lunch in its tearoomBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 34 miles awayA walk to Polney Loch under Craig a' BarnsBy car, about an hourAbout 34 miles awayThe Hermitage falls and lunch at Birnam ArtsBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 34 miles awayA walk to Pine Cone Point in Craigvinean ForestBy car, about two hoursAbout 35 miles awayColinton Tunnel and the Dells with the dogBy bus and on foot, about three hoursAbout 35 miles awayThe Alpine Coaster and tubing at HillendBy car, about three hoursAbout 36 miles awayThe Outlander ItineraryA day by car, about 51 milesMembersAbout 36 miles awayBlackness Castle and lunch at the Lobster PotBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 36 miles awayRosslyn Chapel and Roslin GlenA day by bus and on footAbout 36 miles awayA walk round Blackness Castle by the foreshoreBy car, about 45 minutesAbout 37 miles awayThe Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near EdinburghBy car, about two and a half hoursAbout 37 miles awayA surf lesson at Lost Shore, RathoBy car, about three hours
Today’s day out

The shore walk from John o' Groats to Duncansby Head

Clear across Scotland today, so a day outside. A few hours by car.

See the day
Short and sweet

One place, and somewhere for lunch.

Not every day out needs to be a big one. A castle and a café, a walk and lunch, a museum when it rains: one place, somewhere good to eat close by, and the time between worked out.

Argyll and Bute

Islay Woollen Mill and lunch at the Bridgend Hotel

By car, about two and a half hours.

Sutherland

Hot chocolate at Cocoa Mountain and Dornoch Cathedral

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Scottish Borders

Floors Castle and afternoon tea in the Terrace Café

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Edinburgh

Coffee at Steampunk and the Coastal Communities Museum

By train and on foot, about two hours.

Caithness

An evening by the River Thurso and a dram at the Ulbster Arms

By car, about two and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

An evening round Portpatrick harbour and supper by the sea

On foot, about two hours.

Wester Ross

Lunch at the Badachro Inn and Redpoint beach

By car, about three and a half hours.

Ayrshire

Sunset on Ayr's Esplanade and supper at the Fox & Willow

By car, about two and a half hours.

Inverness-shire

A walk to Plodda Falls by Tomich

By car, about three hours.

Morayshire

An evening by Findhorn Bay and a pint at the Kimberley Inn

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

The Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory

On foot, about two hours.

Scottish Borders

Kailzie Gardens near Peebles

By car, about two and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

A kayak taster on Loch Ken and lunch in Castle Douglas

By car, about four and a half hours.

Isle of Arran

Eas Mòr and lunch at the Forest of the Falls

By car, about two and a half hours.

Wester Ross

A walk up the Beinn Eighe Mountain Trail

By car, about five hours.

Glasgow

The Kelvin Walkway and lunch at Inn Deep with the dog

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Aberdeen

A seaside sauna on Aberdeen beach at Footdee

On foot, about three hours.

Sutherland

A walk to the Wailing Widow Falls and lunch at Kylesku

By car, about two and a half hours.

Glasgow

A Play, A Pie and A Pint at Òran Mór and the Kibble Palace

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic by the Cambus o' May bridge

By car, about two hours.

Sutherland

Coldbackie Beach and lunch at the Brass Tap in Tongue

By car, about two and a half hours.

Glasgow

The Tennent's brewery tour and lunch at Drygate

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Ross and Cromarty

The community sauna in Cromarty

On foot, about three hours.

Sutherland

Strathnaver Museum and lunch at the Store in Bettyhill

By car, about two and a half hours.

Dundee

V&A Dundee and afternoon tea at Tatha

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Easter Ross

Ardmair Beach and fish and chips at Deli-Ca-Sea

By car, about two and a half hours.

Dundee

Broughty Ferry harbour and a pint at the Fisherman's Tavern

By bus and on foot, about three hours.

Aberdeen

Breakfast at Figment and Johnston Gardens

On foot, about two hours.

Outer Hebrides

The Calanais Stones at sunset and a pizza from Crust

By car, about an hour and a half.

Orkney

Kirkwall harbour and a drink at Helgi's

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Shetland Islands

Clickimin Broch and lunch at Fjarå

On foot, about three hours.

Glasgow

Voltaire & Rousseau bookshop and soup at Naked Soup

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

Dundee

A Tay boat trip from Broughty Ferry and lunch at Gracie's

On foot, about three hours.

Aberdeen

Aberdeen Art Gallery and afternoon tea at Cup

On foot, about three hours.

Edinburgh

Dean Village, the Water of Leith and lunch at the Pantry

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Orkney

Stenness at sunset and supper at the Standing Stones Hotel

By car, about three hours.

Glasgow

Kelvingrove Park at sunset and supper at Stravaigin

By Subway and on foot, about three hours.

Aberdeen

Footdee at the harbour mouth and supper at the Silver Darling

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Angus

Lunan Bay and an Arbroath smokie at the Old Brewhouse

By car, about three hours.

Orkney

St Magnus Cathedral and coffee at the Real Food Café

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Inverness-shire

Culloden Battlefield and afternoon tea at Culloden House

By car, about three and a half hours.

Stirlingshire

The Kelpies at dusk and supper at Indian Cottage

By car, about three hours.

Glasgow

The Hidden Gardens and lunch at Ranjit's Kitchen

By train and on foot, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

Rubha nan Gall lighthouse and a pint at the Mishnish

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Lothian

The Bass Rock by boat and lunch at the Rocketeer

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Shetland Islands

Burn of Valayre and fish and chips at Frankie's in Brae

By car, about two hours.

Cairngorms

Spey Bank Studio and afternoon tea at the Boat Country Inn

By car, about two and a half hours.

Ayrshire

Dunure Castle, the harbour and lunch at the Anchorage

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Inverness-shire

Clava Cairns at sunset and supper at the Cawdor Tavern

By car, about three hours.

Stirlingshire

Breakfast at Mhor Bread and a stroll by the Teith in Callander

On foot, about two hours.

Ross and Cromarty

A dolphin boat trip from Avoch and lunch at IV10

By car, about three hours.

Sutherland

The Big Burn walk at Golspie

By car, about two hours with lunch.

Scottish Borders

Eildon Hills and lunch at Burts in Melrose

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Edinburgh

The Writers' Museum and afternoon tea at the Signet Library

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Lothian

Hailes Castle and lunch at Bostock in East Linton

By car, about two hours.

Caithness

A wood-fired sauna at Castletown Beach, Dunnet Bay

On foot, about three hours.

Wester Ross

Supper by the fire at the Old Inn in Gairloch

By car, about two and a half hours.

Ayrshire

Rozelle House and afternoon tea at the Fox and Willow

By car, about three hours.

Glasgow

Kelvingrove and afternoon tea at the Hidden Lane Tearoom

By Subway and train and on foot, about five hours.

Dundee

Sunset on Magdalen Green and supper at Piccolo

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Ross and Cromarty

The Black Isle Brewery and lunch at the Black Isle Bar

By car, about three hours.

Edinburgh

Calton Hill at sunset and supper at Howies Waterloo

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Lothian

Tantallon Castle and lunch at Drift

By car, about three hours.

Wester Ross

A wildlife cruise from Gairloch harbour

By boat and on foot, about four hours.

Cairngorms

Breakfast at Nethy House and the bridge at Nethy Bridge

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Ayrshire

Burns Monument Gardens and afternoon tea at the Brig o' Doon

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Inverness-shire

Nairn beach, the harbour and lunch at Basil Harbour Café

On foot, about two hours.

Isle of Skye

Scorrybreac at dusk and supper at the Cuillin Hills Hotel

On foot, about three hours.

Glasgow

The Merchant City and a pint at Babbity Bowster

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Dundee

A fudge doughnut at Fisher & Donaldson and Desperate Dan

On foot, about an hour.

Ross and Cromarty

Coffee at Bakhoos and Fortrose Cathedral

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Lothian

Dunbar harbour, the Battery and lunch at the Creel

On foot, about three hours.

Inverness-shire

The River Ness and a pint at the Castle Tavern

On foot, about three hours.

Angus

Montrose Air Station Museum and lunch at Roo's Leap

By car, about four hours.

Scottish Borders

Breakfast at Twelve Triangles and Melrose Abbey

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh Gin's distillery tour and lunch at Howies

On foot, about three hours.

Lothian

South Queensferry and lunch at the Hawes Inn

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Fife

The Cocoa Tree and St Fillan's Cave in Pittenweem

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Ross and Cromarty

Black Rock Gorge and lunch at the Storehouse

By car, about two and a half hours.

Edinburgh

An evening at the King's Theatre

On foot, about four and a half hours.

Lothian

North Berwick harbour at dusk and a pint at the Ship Inn

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Fife

Crail to Anstruther on the coastal path and fish and chips

By bus and on foot, about five hours.

Scottish Borders

Scott's View at sunset and supper at the Buccleuch Arms

By car, about two and a half hours.

Lothian

North Berwick Law and lunch at the Herringbone

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Fife

A seaside sauna on Elie harbour and lunch at the Ship Inn

On foot, about three hours.

Outer Hebrides

A wood-fired sauna at Reef Beach, Uig

By car, about four and a half hours.

Orkney

The Orkney Brewery tour at Quoyloo

By car, about two hours.

Scottish Borders

The Borders Distillery and lunch at the Heart of Hawick

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Orkney

An evening at the Phoenix Cinema in Kirkwall

By car, about four hours.

Morayshire

Coffee and cake at Logie Steading near Forres

On foot, about two hours.

Sutherland

A dolphin boat from Cromarty and lunch at Sutor Creek

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Caithness

Reiss Sands with the dog and lunch at Puldagon Farm

By car, about two and a half hours.

Shetland Islands

A wood-fired sauna on Lerwick's waterfront

On foot, about three hours.

Perthshire

A walk up to Moulin and a pint at the Moulin Inn

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Ayrshire

Troon's South Beach and fish and chips at the Wee Hurrie

By train and on foot, about three hours.

Scottish Borders

Hume Castle and afternoon tea at Ednam House

By car, about two and a half hours.

Edinburgh

The Shore at Leith and a dram at Teuchters Landing

By tram and on foot, about two and a half hours.

Outer Hebrides

An evening at An Lanntair in Stornoway

On foot, about four hours.

Shetland Islands

An evening at Mareel in Lerwick

By car, about four hours.

Perthshire

The Falls of Acharn and a floating sauna on Loch Tay

By car, about four and a half hours.

Cairngorms

The Cairngorm Brewery and lunch at the Cairngorm Hotel

On foot, about three hours.

Ayrshire

Coffee and sourdough at Narture and the Auld Brig in Ayr

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Ross and Cromarty

A community sauna on the shore at Applecross

On foot, about three hours.

Edinburgh

Brunch at the Pantry and Circus Lane

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Perthshire

Dewar's, the Watermill and the Scottish Crannog Centre

By car, about five and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Breakfast at Streetlights and Carlingwark Loch

On foot, about two hours.

Sutherland

A Kylesku boat trip and lunch at the Kylesku Hotel

On foot, about three hours.

Fife

Bowhouse market weekend and lunch in the courtyard

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Perthshire

An e-bike ride to Blair Atholl and lunch at the Watermill

By bike, about three and a half hours.

Morayshire

Elgin Cathedral and afternoon tea at Johnstons of Elgin

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Dundee

A lochside sauna at Forbes of Kingennie

By car, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

A wood-fired sauna on Ganavan Sands, Oban

By car, about two and a half hours.

Fife

Sunset at the Lady's Tower and supper at the Ship Inn in Elie

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Southerness Lighthouse and lunch at the Steamboat Inn

By car, about three hours.

Ayrshire

Gogo Glen and the Greeto Falls walk above Largs

By car, about three hours with Nardini's.

Lochaber

A film at the Highland Cinema and a pizza in its restaurant

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Perthshire

Paddleboarding at Willowgate and lunch by the Tay

By car, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

A spa day and a seaweed bath at Portavadie

By car, about three and a half hours.

Sutherland

An evening at the Ceilidh Place in Ullapool

By car, about three hours.

Fife

Maspie Den waterfall and lunch at Pillars of Hercules

On foot, about three hours.

Stirlingshire

Rob Roy's grave and the riverside sauna at Monachyle Mhor

By car, about three and a half hours.

Lochaber

The Nevis Range gondola and lunch at the Larder Café

By car, about three and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

The Dee Walk at dusk and supper at the Selkirk Arms

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Perthshire

The Black Watch Museum and afternoon tea at Effie's

On foot, about four hours.

Lochaber

Glencoe Visitor Centre and tea at the Isles of Glencoe

By car, about three hours.

Glasgow

An Aufguss sauna at SWG3, then Kelvingrove

On foot, about four hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Cairn Holy and lunch at the Ship Inn

By car, about two and a half hours.

Shetland Islands

A tour of Lerwick Brewery

By car, about two hours.

Lochaber

The Commando Memorial at sunset and supper at Crannog

By car, about three hours.

Fife

The Wardlaw Museum and afternoon tea at the Old Course Hotel

On foot, about four hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Carrick shore and a seafood lunch at Swally n' Scran

By car, about two and a half hours.

Lochaber

A tour at Ben Nevis Distillery and lunch at the Larder Café

By car, about three and a half hours.

Glasgow

Paddleboarding at Pinkston and lunch at Ocho on Speirs Wharf

By Subway and on foot, about four hours.

Aberdeenshire

A sauna at dusk at Stravaig, facing Lochnagar

By car, about three and a half hours.

Sutherland

Breakfast at Cult Cafe and the Ceilidh Place bookshop

On foot, about two hours.

Fife

An evening along The Scores and a pint at the Jigger Inn

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Robert Burns House and afternoon tea at the Cairndale

On foot, about three hours.

Perthshire

St Mary's Church and hot chocolate in Grandtully

By car, about an hour and a half.

Dumfries and Galloway

The Nith at dusk and supper at the Cavens Arms

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Lochaber

The Old Fort, the Town Pier and a pint at the Ben Nevis Bar

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Isle of Skye

The Rha waterfall in Uig and lunch at the Galley

By car, about two hours.

Sutherland

Stac Pollaidh and lunch at the Seaforth in Ullapool

By car, about five hours.

Lochaber

Breakfast at the Wildcat and the end of the West Highland Way

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Glasgow

Breakfast from Deanston Bakery and the view from Queen's Park

By train and on foot, about two and a half hours.

Aberdeenshire

An art tour and afternoon tea at the Fife Arms

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Sutherland

Knockan Crag and lunch at the Elphin Tearooms

By car, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

A wildlife boat to the Gulf of Corryvreckan

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Dumfries and Galloway

Gracefield Arts Centre and lunch in its Studio Café

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Shetland Islands

Busta House garden and supper by Busta Voe

By car, about two hours.

Perthshire

Kenmore beach on Loch Tay and lunch at the Courtyard

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

The Big Strand and afternoon tea at the Machrie

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Aberdeenshire

The River Dee path and a pint at the Flying Stag

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Perthshire

Dunning and a drink at the Kirkstyle Inn

By car, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

Isle of Mull Cheese farm and lunch in the Glass Barn

By car, about three and a half hours.

Perthshire

Cairn O'Mohr winery tour and lunch at the Pickled Peacock

By car, about three hours.

Isle of Skye

Talisker Distillery and lunch at Carbost

On foot, about four hours.

Argyll and Bute

Tobermory Distillery tour and lunch at MacGochans

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Perthshire

Breakfast at ARAN and the Birnam Oak

On foot, about two hours.

Lochaber

The Old Boat of Caol and lunch at An Cafaidh Mara

By car, about two hours.

Isle of Skye

St Columba's Isle and afternoon tea at Skeabost House

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

A wander round Ballater and afternoon tea at Darroch Learg

On foot, about three hours.

Isle of Skye

A stroll by Loch Harport and a pint at the Old Inn

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

Loch Kinord and pizza at Kite in Dinnet

By car, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

Historic Kilbride and lunch at the Barn at Cologin

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

Cambus o' May bridge and an ice cream at Shorty's

By car, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

St Conan's Kirk and afternoon tea at the Oban Bay Hotel

By car, about three hours.

Morayshire

Knock Hill and an ice cream in Portsoy

By car, about two and a half hours.

Isle of Skye

A sea eagle boat trip from Portree and fish and chips

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Aberdeenshire

A boat trip from Stonehaven and lunch at the Tolbooth

By car, about four hours.

Argyll and Bute

Clachan Bridge and a pint at Tigh an Truish

By car, about two hours.

Fife

Cellardyke's tidal pool and fish and chips in Anstruther

On foot, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

The Falls of Lora and lunch at the Oyster Inn

By car, about two hours.

Isle of Skye

Brunch at Birch and the Donnie Munro mural in Portree

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Perthshire

Pitlochry Dam at dusk and supper at Port-na-Craig

On foot, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

Port Charlotte's shore and a dram at the Port Charlotte Hotel

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Perthshire

The Tay at sunset and supper at the North Port

On foot, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

Bowmore Pier at sunset and supper at Peatzeria

On foot, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

A boat trip from Oban's North Pier and lunch at Ee-Usk

On foot, about four hours.

Argyll and Bute

Sunset at McCaig's Tower and supper at the Waterfront Fishouse

On foot, about three hours.

Edinburgh

The Spear Sauna at Lost Shore, near Edinburgh

By car, about two and a half hours.

Argyll and Bute

Oban's Railway Pier and breakfast at Food from Argyll

On foot, about an hour and a half.

Lochaber

A Saturday night at the Chlachain Inn in Mallaig

By car, about four hours.

Argyll and Bute

A Seal Island cruise and lunch at the Highland Cinema

On foot, about three and a half hours.

Perthshire

A walk to the Reekie Linn and lunch at Peel Farm

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic in Dunnottar Woods at Stonehaven

By car, about an hour and a half.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic at Haughton Country Park in Alford

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic in Scolty Forest at Banchory

By car, about an hour and a half.

Dumfries and Galloway

Chocolate at the Cocoabean and the Dark Space Planetarium

By car, about six hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic at Aden Country Park

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic at Balmedie Country Park

By car, about two hours.

Aberdeenshire

A picnic watching the gliders at Aboyne

By car, about an hour and a half.

Aberdeenshire

Stonehaven's open-air pool and fish and chips from The Bay

On foot, about three hours.

Perthshire

The Atholl Palace Museum and afternoon tea

On foot, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

Round the Appin Rocks to Clach Thoull at Port Appin

On foot, about three hours, with lunch.

Aberdeenshire

The Falls of Feugh and an ice cream in Banchory

By car, about an hour and a half.

Aberdeenshire

Aboyne Green and a pint at the Boat Inn

On foot, about two hours.

Argyll and Bute

The farm walk on Ulva and lunch at the Boathouse

On foot, about three hours.

Aberdeenshire

Little Oaks at Drum Castle and lunch at the Mains of Drum

By car, about three hours.

Argyll and Bute

A hilltop sauna at Woodlands Glencoe and Glencoe Lochan

By car, about four hours.

Starting from

Where are you starting from?

Days out within an hour of where you are staying, nearest first.

Edinburgh→
Glasgow→
Aberdeen→
Dundee→
Inverness→
Stirling→
Perth→
Oban→
Fort William→
Portree, Skye→
Aviemore→
St Andrews→
Ayr→
Dumfries→
Elgin→
Lerwick, Shetland→
Kirkwall, Orkney→
Pitlochry→
Our writers

Days by the people who live there.

Our writers’ own days out, from the places they know best.

By Laurie Goodlad

A day in Fetlar: discover the island’s archaeology and built history

A day by car, about 26 miles.

By Graeme Johncock

Exploring Northwestern Corners from Shieldaig to Ullapool

A day by car, about 110 miles.

By Beth Reid

Exploring Historic Dunbar

A few hours by car.

By Jack Cairney

The Moray Pictish Trail – 50 Miles of Stones, Forts, and Forgotten Symbols

A day by car, about 58 miles.

By David C. Weinczok

Old Town Walking Tour

A day on foot, about 3 miles.

Locals’ recommendations

Where the locals go.

The people we have met along the way, the makers, owners and writers, on the places they love most, in their own words.

The Birks of Aberfeldy, Perthshire
“…stroll up to The Birks of Aberfeldy from The Memorial Arch, soaking up the woods and waterfalls that once inspired Rabbie Burns.”

Zanna Wilson, artist and gallerist who runs The Watermill Gallery in Aberfeldy, Perthshire

Hinba, Oban, Argyll and Bute
“My absolute favourite café with the best coffee in town.”

Lorna Freytag, artist and illustrator based in Oban, with a studio overlooking Oban Bay

Calgary Bay Co, Argyll and Bute
“The best veggie and vegan breakfast around. Epic cakes and great coffee.”

Shelley Richmond, freelance photographer and creative based in Dervaig, Isle of Mull, who publishes The Isle of Mull Journal

Cottonrake Cafe, Glasgow
“The breakfasts here are incredible.”

Karen Harvey, owner of Hoos and InHoos, two homeware shops on Great Western Road in Glasgow's West End

Fife Coastal Path, Fife
“We particularly love doing sections of the Fife Coastal Path, especially through the East Neuk villages of Crail, Anstruther, Pittenweem, St Monans and Elie.”

Joy and Nick, own Airdit, a woodland treehouse stay above St Andrews, Fife

Falls of Foyers, Inverness
“A visit to the Falls of Foyers is a must.”

Anna Low, co-owns and runs Foyers Lodge, a small boutique hotel overlooking Loch Ness

Isle of Raasay Distillery, Isle of Skye
“I’m a big fan of the Isle of Raasay Distillery.”

Katy Fennema, whisky Ambassador at the Fife Arms Hotel in Braemar, and runs Braemar Highland Experience with her husband Julian

Temptation Hill, Isle of Skye
“…amazing panoramas all the way up to the Old Man of Storr.”

Calum Gillies and Leonie, artist Calum Gillies and his wife Leonie run The Exchange, a gallery and coffee spot in the old telephone exchange at Clachan, Isle of Raasay

Nethy House, Cairngorms
“The Nethy House Café is a regular spot for lunch or coffee.”

Sarah and Phil, run The Lazy Duck, an off-grid eco-holiday site with cabins, a bunkhouse and a campsite in Nethybridge, Cairngorms National Park

Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh
“I would definitely recommend Arthur’s seat in Holyrood Park.”

Kirsty Campbell, knitwear designer from Banchory, Deeside, behind RYVOAN, who knits in her Edinburgh studio

The Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye
“…the Old Man of Storr, Quiraing and Fairy Pools etc are all incredible natural wonders to see.”

Jennifer Pearson, jewellery designer and founder of ÒR, two creative retail stores in Portree, Isle of Skye

Oldshoremore Beach, Sutherland
“Exploring the incredible beaches of Oldshoremore, Polin, Achmelvich, Sandwood Bay all within 30-40 minutes drive, all with their unique character.”

Catherine Sinclair, textile designer behind Cove*, who also runs Kylesku Lodges on the north-west coast

Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire
“Both are incredible ruined castles on the coastal cliffs and have such interesting history alongside spectacular views.”

Laura (Fernweh), designer and maker of waxed-canvas bags and accessories at Fernweh UK, with a studio at Deemouth Artist Studios in Aberdeen

Leith Hall, Aberdeenshire
“Leith hall, Drum Castle and Crathes Castle gardens are all personal favourites.”

Hollie Berries, sustainable florist running Hollie Berries Flower Studio and Cutting Garden in Aberdeenshire

Blackford Hill, Edinburgh
“Blackford Hill is my very favourite spot in Edinburgh.”

Emily Hogarth, papercut artist and illustrator who lives in East Lothian and works for Edinburgh clients, including Hidden Scotland's folklore illustrations

The Lobster Shack, Lothian
“…head down to the Harbour for Lobster & chips at either ‘The Rocketeer’ or ‘The Lobster Shack’.”

Stephanie Lothian, co-owns The Barn at Williamstone Farm Steadings, a holiday cottage in North Berwick

Itineraries

Longer trips.

Two days and more: the days joined up, with somewhere to sleep between.

Caithness

Whisky up the Highland east coast in three days

Loch Lomond

The West Highland Way

Inverness-shire

The Loch Ness 360

Stirlingshire

Wallace and Bruce: Stirling, Dunfermline and Melrose

Cairngorms

A winter weekend in the Cairngorms

Glasgow

Three days in Glasgow and Loch Lomond

Morayshire

Speyside whisky in three days

Lochaber

The Great Glen Way

Edinburgh

A Book Lover’s Guide to Edinburgh

Edinburgh

A Two-Day Festive Itinerary to Edinburgh

Edinburgh

A Week in Edinburgh

Isle of Skye

Whisky and gin on Skye and Raasay: two days, one driver

Your own trip

Make a day your own.

Every day out has a Customise button: give it your own name and date, say where you are staying, move or drop a stop, and keep it in your account to share with whoever is coming.

Start a trip
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Islay Woollen Mill and lunch at the Bridgend Hotel

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The Hebridean Whale Centre in Tobermory

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Iona Abbey and the Nunnery by the ferry from Fionnphort