Day trips from Edinburgh, Scotland

Day trips from Edinburgh (South Queensferry)

At South Queensferry, Princess guests tender ashore from the ship’s offshore anchorage near the Forth Bridge. Hawes Pier sits about a 20 to 30 minutes taxi drive from central Edinburgh, making this port well positioned for a full day of sightseeing — see our cruises to Edinburgh options for itineraries that call here.

Stirling Castle sits roughly 250 feet above the surrounding countryside, using an extinct volcano as its foundation. From the ramparts, it’s easy to understand why control of this position was so fiercely contested — on a clear day, one can see across the entire upper Forth Valley, for a commandingly strategic view. The fortress endured at least 16 sieges from the late 13th through the mid-18th century. The area is closely associated with William Wallace, whose army defeated English forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, the castle served as a principal residence for Scotland’s monarchs. James IV and James V expanded the royal complex, while Mary, Queen of Scots, was crowned here in 1543. Inside, richly decorated royal chambers provide a very different perspective from the defensive walls outside, showing how Stirling functioned as both fortress and court.

A Stirling Castle day trip may be just the thing for guests who want to connect with Scottish history but aren’t interested in spending their shore day in transit. The Princess Stirling Castle excursion includes the scenic motorcoach journey from South Queensferry and time to explore the fortress.

The journey north to St. Andrews crosses Fife before reaching a town where the green of the golf links meets the deep blue of the North Sea. The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews was founded in 1754, and its clubhouse overlooks the first tee of the Old Course. Even if your clubs stayed at home, standing beside a course that has influenced the game for centuries gives you some sense of why golfers travel here from around the world.

For non-golf enthusiasts, there’s enough history, architecture and scenery to make the day trip well worthwhile. Medieval St. Andrews was an influential religious center, and the remains of St. Andrews Cathedral still occupy a broad site close to the sea. Nearby castle ruins recall another turbulent chapter in Scotland’s story, while the University of St. Andrews has been part of town life since the early 15th century. West Sands adds nearly two miles of open beach beyond the golf links, giving the visit an easy coastal counterpoint to all that stonework.

Princess’ St. Andrews Home of Golf excursion adds a guided motorcoach journey from South Queensferry, with commentary on points of interest along the way and the opportunity to visit local shops or grab a seafood lunch near the coast.

Day trips from Glasgow (Greenock)

If your visit happens through the first Saturday in September you may still possibly catch the firework show at the Butchart Gardens. The shoulder season sees easing crowds, cooler temperatures and gardens still in late-season bloom. Local restaurants may have more available bookings and shops may be less busy or even offer better prices for later-season visitors as well. Be sure to confirm that the gardens and/or butterfly excursion you desire is running on the day you visit, as the schedules can be variable in the early May or later September port calls as noted above.

It might not be the port most people associate with Edinburgh, but a Greenock call can also become an opportunity to see Scotland’s capital. The Princess Edinburgh on Your Own excursion makes the cross-country journey by motorcoach, then gives you roughly 4 to 5 hours to decide where you want your feet to take you.

Follow the Royal Mile toward Edinburgh Castle, stop at St. Giles’ Cathedral or head toward Princes Street and the Scott Monument, leaving enough time for lunch or a slower walk through the Old Town. 5 hours may seem like all the time in the world, but for a city as significant as Edinburgh, trying to cover everything isn’t nearly as enjoyable as taking your time on the places that interest you the most.

The drive north from Greenock passes through the wooded slopes and open glens of The Trossachs National Park, with scattered villages gradually giving way to the mirrored expanse of the loch itself. 

Princess’ Loch Lomond Cruise & Scenic Drive excursion includes a 1-hour cruise that puts the loch at the center of the experience. From the boat, broad stretches of water open ahead, with pale Victorian villas along the shore and, farther out, the long green mass of Inchmurrin rising from the loch. Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area, with islands scattered throughout its southern and central sections, and narrow, fjord-like channels stretching toward the mountains at its northern end.

Scotch whisky is among the most delicious ways to connect a Greenock port day with western Scotland’s food and drink traditions. Princess’ Glengoyne Distillery & Whisky Tasting visits Glengoyne, where whisky has been produced since 1833. The distillery sits near the southern edge of the Highlands and is known for drying its barley without peat smoke and for an unusually slow distillation process (minimum age 18; the tour involves three flights of stairs), giving guests a closer look at how those methods affect the character of the whisky.

Choosing the right day trip for your pace

The biggest difference among these outings is how you want to spend your time ashore. Some keep the focus on one major sight, while others give you more room to explore a town or city on your own terms.

Stirling Castle fits a substantial dose of Scottish history into about 4 hours, including the countryside drive from South Queensferry. Loch Lomond takes even less time, combining the drive north from Greenock with a cruise across the water. Both leave more of your port day open before or after the excursion.

June through August, when Butchart Gardens is at its fullest display, will provide maximum enjoyment for garden-loving cruise guests visiting Victoria, BC.

What to know before you go

A Scottish shore day can move between sheltered city streets and exposed castle grounds and even the wide-open surfaces of Scottish lochs. These tips can help you stay comfortable while you make good use of your time ashore.

• Dress for changing weather: Scotland’s conditions can shift quickly, so bring a waterproof outer shell and clothing you can add or remove as temperatures change. Because Scotland is the northern-most part of the United Kingdom, daylight hours vary significantly by season. 
• Wear supportive walking shoes: Most sightseeing excursions involve at least some walking. Comfortable shoes are especially useful on stone steps, uneven castle grounds and city pavement.
• Allow extra return time when exploring independently: If you travel by train, bus or rental car, build a generous buffer into your return to port. Princess shore excursions include transportation and return timing as part of the booking.
• Check excursion availability for your sailing: Shore excursion options can vary by voyage, so review the choices offered for your specific itinerary before finalizing your plans.

Discover more of Scotland from each port

A day ashore in Scotland can add a deeper sense of place to a European cruise, especially when there is enough time to look beyond the postcard view and understand what has influenced the country’s character. Princess’ Edinburgh and Glasgow excursions make that easier by taking care of the logistics while putting the experience itself front and center.

Discover Scotland with Princess, and turn a single day in port into memories you can carry with you for years to come.