If you decide to visit Edinburgh you certainly won’t be short of things to do in the city itself. From the history of the castle to the chic shops and boutiques of princess street, there are a multitude of attractions to fill your days and nights. However, if you are feeling a little more adventurous and would like to explore the surrounding areas, why not take advantage of the reasonable priced car hire in Edinburgh that is available and take to the road. There are lots of great places to visit within an hour’s drive of the capital city that offer a range of diverse things for you to do. Irrespective of whether you are looking to take in some Scottish history and culture, or even if you just fancy a trip to the seaside and a stroll along the beach it’s all there. So, listed below are five different places you can visit that will give you a day to remember.

St Andrews

Now if someone mentions St Andrews the first thing people think of is golf. This is not surprising as it is quite rightly seen as the home of golf, and the old course the scene of so many open championships, is generally regarded as the oldest golf course on the planet. As such, playing it is probably on the bucket list of every golf enthusiast. However, there is so much more to St Andrews than just the old course. For instance, you can stroll round the gardens of the historic university that has a long list of famous alumni including Prince William and his wife the duchess of Cambridge. St Andrews is the third-oldest university in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge.

If that isn’t enough history and tradition for you, you can move on to the cathedral, which at 119 metres long was once the largest church ever built north of the border. However, these days all that is left are the ruins of the priory walls and towers. Ruins or not they still give the visitor an insight into the rich history of the town

Now, if culture and history isn’t your thing why not visit the beach a two-mile stretch of sand, and a regular haunt for joggers and dog walkers. St Andrews beach is also featured prominently in the opening scenes of the film Chariots of Fire. If you get the urge to take a dip if you may be worth noting that the sea only reaches 14 degrees even in the height of summer, so unless you’ve packed a wetsuit, I’d probably give it a miss. When you’ve built up an appetite why not visit one of the many restaurants, cafés or pubs for some sustenance.

Inchcolm Island

Inchcolm Island is situated in the middle of the Firth of Forth Estuary only 19 miles from Edinburgh. It is a small island and sat on top is a 12th Century Augustinian abbey. Accessible by ferry or charter yacht, all of which offer tours of the island during which you can spend an hour and a half ashore to explore the abbey. During the trip you will get a bird’s eye view of both the three iconic bridges that cross the Forth. Inchcolm island is also home to incredible wildlife such as seals and puffins.

One thing you should be aware of when visiting Inchcolm, is that you cannot buy food or drink on the island. So, it is advisable to take a picnic with you if you think you are likely to get hungry. Alternatively, you can buy hot and cold drinks and snacks on the Ferry.

Roslin

A visit to the historic village of Roslin is a great way to spend a day, especially if you are interested in Scottish history and have a love of the outdoors. Legend has it that the town was founded all the way back in 203 AD. One of the main reasons to visit Roslin is to see Rosslyn Chapel, which is thought by many to be one of the most extraordinary buildings to be found anywhere in Scotland. The chapel was founded in 1446 and is the place where the last scene of the book the Da Vinci Code is set. This has led many to believe that the chapel is in some way associated with the legend of the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. So, if history is your thing then a visit to Roslin chapel should be high on your list.

The Chapel is not the only thing that draws people to Roslin, there are also the stunning walks of the Roslin Glen Country Park. Featuring numerous walks that take you through the woods, it is a fabulous place to picnic among beautiful scenery while listening to the chatter of the birds. Roslin is only a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh and is a great option if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and get a glimpse of Scotland’s historic past among a landscape of beautiful scenery.

North Berwick

Located only 25 miles from the centre of Edinburgh North Berwick offers visitors much more than just a run-of-the-mill trip to the seaside. Seacliff beach is literally seconds from the town and is the ideal location for a thoughtful stroll either alone or with a loved one. Seacliff beach is dog friendly making it a great option for people who have brought their beloved family pet with them on their break. While on the beach it is likely you will see local horse riders out for their daily hack which all adds to the charm of the place.

North Berwick is also the site of the Scottish Seabird centre, which can be found on the edge of the harbour. If you are a lover of wildlife, then this place should be high on your list of places to visit while in Scotland. The centre gives you the chance to view all manner of wildlife through interactive cameras. With all the worries around the future of the environment the centre will also give visitors a good insight into not only the habits of the local wildlife but will also help you understand the importance of conservation.

There are so many gems in North Berwick including cafés, restaurants and galleries and if you haven’t had enough excitement for one day, you can take a trip to the 14th century Tantallon castle and explore the ruins perched on a cliff that looks over the firth of forth.

Stirling Town and Castle

The historic market town of Stirling is just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, and at one time was the nations capital. Thought of as the Gateway to the highlands the town features the stunning mediaeval architecture of the historic Stirling castle. The castle is somewhere you can spend a whole day, you can either explore yourself or take advantage of one of the organised tours. With lots of interactive activities, you can really learn all about the history of the castle in a way that makes it enjoyable for adults and children alike.

Stirling castle was the childhood home of Mary Queen of Scots and is widely considered to be a symbol of Scottish independence and national pride. Stirling is also the location of the Wallace monument which can be found on Abbey Craig, a hilltop that overlooks the town. If you don’t fancy climbing the monument you can just take a walk round the gardens. All in all if history is your thing then Stirling should be right at the top of your list when it comes to a day out.

Hopefully, the information will give you some idea of what’s available just a short hop from the capital, and whatever you decide to do make sure you enjoy the unique and beautiful place that is Scotland. 

What are you waiting for?

For those with an appetite for adventure and a desire to explore, the Scottish capital is just bursting with things to do. Edinburgh has a plethora of fabulous day trips that offer visitors a chance to experience some truly breathtaking scenery, delve into rich history and culture, admire magnificent architecture and building. This spellbinding city offers everything.