6 Days in Edinburgh: The Highlands Launchpad
Six days adds St Andrews, the furthest of these day trips by public transport and the one worth saving for last, since it needs a full day and no direct service makes it a quick add-on. Coming from the 5-day plan ? This just adds Day 6. Ready to go all the way to a whisky day? See the 7-day version .
| Day | Focus | Travel time from Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Get based in Edinburgh | Walking distance |
| 2 | Loch Ness and the Highlands | 3.5 to 4 hours each way |
| 3 | Stirling Castle | 45 to 50 min by train |
| 4 | Glasgow | 44 to 50 min by train |
| 5 | Rosslyn Chapel and the Forth Bridges | 45 to 60 min bus / 20 min train |
| 6 | St Andrews | 1h45 to 2 hours, bus or train plus a connection |
Book these before you go: the Loch Ness and Highlands day tour on Viator , a Stirling Castle and whisky day tour on Viator , a combined Rosslyn Chapel and Glenkinchie Distillery tour on Viator , and an Edinburgh hotel near Waverley on Booking.com .
Day 1: Get Based in Edinburgh
Morning: Settle into a hotel near Waverley Station, within reach of every train and most coach pickups on this list. Walk the Royal Mile from the Castle esplanade to Holyrood, free, about 20 to 25 minutes without stopping.
Afternoon: Confirm your Highlands booking, then take the free 10 to 15 minute climb up Calton Hill for the skyline view. Our Edinburgh city guide covers the Castle interior and the Old Town in real depth alongside this trip.
Evening: Early dinner, early night, Highlands pickups run around 7:00 to 7:30am.
Day 2: Loch Ness and the Highlands
Full day, 12 to 13 hours door to door, 3.5 to 4 hours’ drive each way, south through Glencoe to Fort Augustus and back via the Great Glen. Budget tours start around GBP 56; premium small-group options run past GBP 200.
Is Loch Ness Worth the Day When You Also Have St Andrews and Rosslyn?
Yes, they’re not competing for the same kind of day. The Highlands day is the one big, demanding outing on this trip; St Andrews and Rosslyn are shorter, easier days you can slot in when you want a break from early starts. Keep the Highlands day near the start of the week while your energy’s highest, and use the shorter trips to recover.
Day 3: Stirling Castle
Direct ScotRail service, 45 to 50 minutes, roughly every 30 minutes, fares from about GBP 6 to 20 (check current ScotRail times ). Historic Environment Scotland runs it, cheaper than Edinburgh Castle, minus the Crown Jewels.
Day 4: Glasgow
Direct trains 44 to 50 minutes, roughly every 15 minutes across operators, from about GBP 12 one-way. The Kelvingrove Art Gallery, the Riverside Museum and the Burrell Collection are all free.
Day 5: Rosslyn Chapel and the Forth Bridges
Morning: Lothian Bus 37 to Roslin, 45 to 60 minutes, GBP 10.50 adult (GBP 9 concession) at the official Rosslyn Chapel site , guided talk included.
Afternoon: ScotRail to Dalmeny, about 20 minutes, then a 15-minute walk into South Queensferry for all three Forth bridges, free from the shore.
Day 6: St Andrews
No single direct service covers the route: budget 1h45 to 2 hours each way, either a Stagecoach bus with a change via Kinross Park and Ride, or a train to Leuchars plus a short local bus. The Old Course and the Swilcan Bridge draw the golf pilgrims, but St Andrews itself is a real university town with a free ruined cathedral and castle on the coast.
Is St Andrews Worth It If You Do Not Golf?
Yes. Golf is the reason most people add it, but the free cathedral ruins, the castle and a genuine university-town centre make it worth the day on its own, not just a pilgrimage stop for players. Budget the full day given the travel time, rather than trying to squeeze it into an afternoon.
Save St Andrews for whichever day you’d rather move slower, the travel time alone rules out combining it with anything else.