Amazing scenery and a rich and ancient history make Scotland a great country to visit. But how are you supposed to see it all in one trip? Try renting a car to fit more into your visit. Many places are a short drive from the airport and hiring a car leaves you free to explore different parts of the surrounding landscape. Depending on which airport you fly into, we’ve created four popular day trips, each exploring a different aspect of the country.
From Scottish lochs to spooky chapels and famous whiskey tours, our list is here to help you get the most out of your Scottish vacation. Let's get into it!
1. Loch Lomond
Distance from Glasgow: 30 mins depending on traffic (24.3 miles from Glasgow Airport to Balloch) Great for: Nature lovers
Loch Lomand is a massive lake that is part of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Entry is free and there are many activities for a day trip, including different types of water sports, nature walks, and exploring the quaint Scottish villages lining the shores.
The village Balloch is at the southern tip of the Loch, and you can reach it in 30 minutes from Glasgow Airport. There is the beautiful Balloch Country Park to explore and Balloch Castle which has public toilets should you need them. For those travelling with children, there is the Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium .
Top tip: From Balloch head to Luss, a small, idyllic village just 14-minutes drive north. Luss has many medieval monuments and is the access point to viewing a colony of Scottish wallabies. These wallabies were brought to the island Inchconnachan in the 1940s from Australia. To reach Inchconnachan, hire a speedboat or kayak. You can also take the Luss Circular, a 90-minute trip that will take you right past Inchconnachan along with a few other islands in the Loch.
2. Rosslyn Chapel
Distance from Edinburgh: just over 20 minutes (12.5 miles from Edinburgh Airport to Roslin) Great for: architecture and history aficionados, nature lovers.
Rosslyn Chapel is a 15th-century chapel situated in the village of Roslin. Its recent claim to fame was being featured in author Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown went so far as to call it “the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth.” Legend has it that the treasure of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail is hidden deep below a secret stone crypt in the chapel.
Head to Roslin Glen Country Park for its riverside hiking trails. Also check out the ruins of Rosslyn Castle, only a few hundred metres from Rosslyn Chapel.
3. Speyside Whisky Tour
Distance from Aberdeen: one hour’s drive (47.6 miles from Aberdeen Airport to Glenfiddich) Great for: Those interested in gastronomy, culture, or history.
Scottish Whisky, or the “water of life” as it translates from the Gaelic uisge beatha, has a long and rich history in Scotland. By far the largest number of distilleries in Scotland lies in Speyside which is a short day trip from Aberdeen. Speyside whisky is characterized as smooth and complex, balancing fruitiness and smokiness. The taste is influenced by the River Spey.
With 50 distilleries in Speyside, the choice might seem overwhelming. Dufftown, as the “malt whiskey capital of the world”, is a good starting point. Start at Glenfiddich (the most popular distillery in Speyside) then head to Glen Garnt and finish at Strathisla (the oldest operating distillery in the highlands!) Even though drivers cannot participate in the tastings, there is nevertheless much to learn and enjoy on a whisky tour in Scotland.
Top tip: If you have had your fill of whisky and still have energy to spare, the Moray Coast is just to the north. Small coastal villages such as Kingston on Spey or Bucky Rathven are a mere 20 minutes' drive from Strathisla.
4. Munlochy Clootie Well
Distance from Inverness: 30 mins (16 miles from Inverness Airport) Great for: Something different, nature lovers, history
Clootie Wells are an old Celtic tradition and are part of an ancient healing ritual. Make a wish by leaving a “cloot” hanging on a tree by the well. “Cloot” is the Scottish term for a piece of cloth/leather/rag. Just make sure it is small and biodegradable. The cloot is dipped in the well and tied to a tree in the hope that it will combat a complaint or ailment.
When arriving at the well, park in the designated parking areas only. Make sure not to block the entrance to the well. If you are using SatNav the closest postcode is IV8 8PB. Look for the brightly coloured rags hanging at the entry.
Top tip: If you fancy a walk, there is the Woodland Trail in the surrounding forest. You can access information on the trail here. There are more forests nearby all with walking trails if you wish to explore the area. You can find information on nearby attractions Monadh Mor, Ord Hill, and Culbokie, complete with directions, on the government website.