Glasgow is a beautiful city; it’s full of friendly locals, interesting architecture and an array of top-notch stores and restaurants. There’s a fair amount of green space and parks within the city, but to experience the true beauty Scotland, you should venture into the Scottish Highlands.
Being centrally located, Glasgow is surrounded by a wealth of locations and attractions worth exploring, most of which can be travelled to and back, in just one day.
Whether you’re a local or a tourist, there’s plenty of amazing day trips from Glasgow. By planning your route efficiently, you can cram a lot of activities into your day.
It’s possible to see stunning Scottish scenery, ancient castles and enjoy a dram (or two) at a distillery before returning back to Glasgow in the evening.
We’ve created a handy list of the best tourist attractions you can visit from Glasgow in one day. This includes popular routes throughout Scotland and what you should expect to see on that day tour:
This route showcases some of the most iconic Scottish locations! To give yourself enough time at locations, this will take approximately 12 hours. In this day trip, the main locations you’ll visit are:
You can do this route by car, or go on an award-winning coach tour with Timberbush.
A popular destination for hillwalking and mountaineering, Glencoe is known for its deep valleys and towering mountains. The road through the glen is a popular destination for tourists and was a filming location for Skyfall and Harry Potter.
Fun Fact – The U-shaped glen was formed by a massive ice-age glacier!
Ben Nevis is the highest mountain of the British Isles and is a major attraction for all levels of hillwalkers. Ice climbers are attracted to the 600m high cliffs of the north face. Fort William sits at the base and is affectionately known as the ‘The Ben’ by the locals.
Fun Fact – The summit had an observatory, which was staffed until 1904!
Loch Ness is the largest loch in Scotland and is famous worldwide for the sightings of the mythological creature, the Loch Ness Monster. Its picturesque setting makes it an ideal spot for some amazing photo opportunities.
Fun Fact – Its deepest point is 270m!
Sitting on the edge of Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle is a great ruined castle, accessible by road, or even better - take the Jacobite Cruise. You’ll get beautiful views of the loch and surrounding hills from the boat and dropped-off at the castle.
Fun Fact – The castle was built on the site of another castle!
Regarded as the capital of the highlands, Inverness sits at the mouth of the River Ness and sits near Culloden, a well-known battlefield of the Jacobites. Inverness is a relatively compact city, with the cathedral and castle within walking distance.
Fun Fact – Inverness only became a city in 2000!
This route lets you journey through the land of William Wallace and Rob Roy! To give yourself enough time at locations, this will take approximately 9 hours. In this day trip, the main locations you’ll visit are:
You can do this route by car, or go on an award-winning coach tour with Timberbush.
Part of the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond is a lake in the south of Scotland. It crosses over the boundaries of the highlands and central Scotland. Take advantage of a Loch Lomond cruise to get spectacular views.
Fun Fact – the loch contains over 30 islands!
The park includes Loch Lomond as well as the hills and glens of the Trossachs. The wooded hills are a popular destination for walkers and cyclists and is a popular destination from Glasgow due to it proximity.
Fun Fact – the park has 25% of all known species of plants in the UK
A little village on the banks of the River Forth, Aberfoyle is in the heart of the Trossachs National Park. Aberfoyle describes itself as the gateway to the Trossachs, and has historical connections to Rob Roy and Mary Queen of Scots. Its population grew in the 1800s due to the local slate quarries, but since that has died out, its now known as pretty stop-off point for tourists.
Fun Fact – home of the longest zip-line in the UK!
Sitting atop a crag, Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s largest and most important castles. Often used as royal residency, several Scottish Kings and Queens were also crowned there, including Mary Queen of Scots.
Fun Fact – the earliest parts of the castle date back to the 12th Century.
This route shows you the natural beauty of the West Highlands! To give yourself enough time at locations, this will take approximately 10 hours. In this day trip, the main locations you’ll visit are:
You can do this route by car, or go on an award-winning coach tour with Timberbush.
Inveraray is the gateway to the Highlands and Islands. The town was founded in 1745 by the Duke or Argyll, as well as his new dwelling, Inveraray Castle. The large estate and beautiful garden are a must-see!
Fun Fact – there are more than 1,300 pikes, muskets, swords in the castle.
Known as the ‘little bay’ in Gaelic, Oban is a compact seaside town on the west coast of Scotland. Home of the McCaig’s Tower, a giant monument based on Roman architecture and similar to the Colosseum in Rome. The town’s population grew due to the opening of a distillery in 1794.
Fun Fact – Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘the Lord of the Isles’ made Oban popular with tourists.
A popular destination for hillwalking and mountaineering, Glencoe is known for its deep valleys and towering mountains. The road through the glen is a popular destination for tourists and was a filming location for Skyfall and Harry Potter.
Fun Fact – the U-shaped glen was formed by a massive ice-age glacier!
Part of the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond is a lake in the south of Scotland. It crosses over the boundaries of the highlands and central Scotland. Take advantage of a Loch Lomond cruise to get spectacular views.
Fun Fact – the loch contains over 30 islands!
This route is great for fans of Outlander! To give yourself enough time at locations, this will take approximately 10 hours. In this day trip, the main locations you’ll visit are:
You can do this route by car, or go on an award-winning coach tour with Timberbush.
Doune Castle was built in the 14th century in Doune, Stirling. It’s known for its well preserved great hall and impressive 100ft high gatehouse! It lies 8 miles north-west of Stirling, where the Teith flows into the River Forth.
Fun Fact – used as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail
The palace was constructed in 1597 and sits in the small village of Culross in Fife. A popular visitor attraction as the houses and streets have kept most of their features from the 17th century, including cobbled streets and white houses.
Fun Fact – used as a filming location for Outlander!
Near the village of Blackness, the 15th century fortress of Blackness Castle was built. The castle was one of the main residences of the monarch and has also been an artillery fort and prison.
Fun fact – built on the grounds of a former fort.
Just west of Edinburgh, Linlithgow is home to Linlithgow Palace; a residence for the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th Century. The ruined palace is situated in its own park and sits alongside the pretty Linlithgow Loch.
Fun Fact – Bonnie Prince Charlie visited the palace in 1745.
Set in the grounds of Callendar Park in Falkirk, Callendar house is an impressive 14th century mansion. Highlights include a fully working Georgian period kitchen, the vast grounds and an oak-panelled library which houses a lot of Falkirk’s historical archives.
Fun fact – family friendly activities available including; bouncy castle and crazy golf!
This route is an enjoyable Scottish Whisky trail! To give yourself enough time at locations, this will take approximately 9 hours. In this day trip, the main locations you’ll visit are:
You can do this route by car, or go on an award-winning coach tour with Timberbush.
Deanston Distillery is located on the banks of the River Teith, a few miles away from Stirling. Once a cotton mill, it was transformed into a distillery in the 1960s due to its constant water supply. There’s a visitor centre, as well as regular tours and tastings.
Fun fact – the only distillery in Scotland which generates its own power.
Doune Castle was built in the 14th century in Doune, Stirling. It’s known for its well preserved great hall and impressive 100ft high gatehouse! It lies 8 miles north-west of Stirling, where the Teith flows into the River Forth.
Fun Fact – used as a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Tullibardine was once a destination for beer back in the 15th century. It wasn’t until 1947 that the brewery was converted into a distillery due to the impressive water quality of the local springs. Interesting tours of the distillery are available, including whisky tasting sessions.
Fun fact – the surrounding hills are well known for gold mining.
Dunblane is small town in the area of Stirling. Visit the museum to see a great collection of artefacts and photographs. The impressive looking Dunblane Cathedral was restored in the late 1800s and was built around the year 600.
Fun fact – one of the last surviving medieval churches in Scotland.
Part of the Trossachs National Park, Loch Lomond is a lake in the south of Scotland. It crosses over the boundaries of the highlands and central Scotland. Take advantage of a Loch Lomond cruise to get spectacular views.
Fun Fact – the loch contains over 30 islands!
These are just some of the amazing day trips from Glasgow available. As you can see, you can cover a lot of ground in one day and experience the very best the Scottish Highlands has to offer!
Hopefully the information above will inspire you to go on an adventure! If you want to have a stress-free trip, check out all the one day tours departing from Glasgow on the Timberbush Tours website.
