Many of Scotland's most beautiful and interesting locations can be easily reached by train from Edinburgh.Many of Scotland's most beautiful and interesting locations can be easily reached by train from Edinburgh.
Many of Scotland's most beautiful and interesting locations can be easily reached by train from Edinburgh.

Day Trips From Edinburgh: Here are 11 of the best places to go by train within two hours of Scotland's Capital

Whether you head north, south, east or west, there are plenty of great places to visit within a short train journey from Edinburgh.
By David Hepburn
Published 10th Oct 2022, 14:57 GMT
Updated 17th Feb 2023, 11:36 GMT

With winter nearly behind us it’s time to plan to get out and enjoy all that Scotland has to offer.

And there’s no need to have a car, with plenty of great destinations easily reachable by train (strikes willing).

Here are 11 within just two hours of Edinburgh.

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Here are 11 within just two hours of Edinburgh.

Just over a 30-minute train ride from Edinburgh, Aberdour is a delightful coastal town and a great place to enjoy a section of the stunning Fife Coastal Trail. From the train station, walk along Aberdour High Street and turn left down Shore Road. Follow the road to the left until you reach the harbour and then take the path behind the quay gallery along the harbour. Head up the path over Hawkcraig cliffs and through woodlands to Starley Burn. You’ll pass lovely waterfalls, distinctive due to the lime deposits left by the falling water. Here you can either turn back to Aberdour or continue following the path to Burntisland where you can get the train back to Edinburgh. While you’re in Aberdour, you can also explore the 14th-century Aberdour Castle and Gardens and visit the Norman-style 12th-century St Fillan’s Church next door.

5. Aberdour and Fife Coastal Trail (Journey duration: 33 minutes)

Just over a 30-minute train ride from Edinburgh, Aberdour is a delightful coastal town and a great place to enjoy a section of the stunning Fife Coastal Trail. From the train station, walk along Aberdour High Street and turn left down Shore Road. Follow the road to the left until you reach the harbour and then take the path behind the quay gallery along the harbour. Head up the path over Hawkcraig cliffs and through woodlands to Starley Burn. You’ll pass lovely waterfalls, distinctive due to the lime deposits left by the falling water. Here you can either turn back to Aberdour or continue following the path to Burntisland where you can get the train back to Edinburgh. While you’re in Aberdour, you can also explore the 14th-century Aberdour Castle and Gardens and visit the Norman-style 12th-century St Fillan’s Church next door. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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Scotland’s largest city is just a 50-minute train ride from Edinburgh so it’s easy to do a day-trip to enjoy its shopping and attractions. In the city centre, make sure you check out the medieval Glasgow Cathedral and Merchant City where you’ll find designer boutiques and stylish restaurants that were once old warehouses. For great views of the city, head to The Lighthouse, a centre for design and architecture, where you can also explore the Mackintosh Centre, a homage to Scotland’s most iconic architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. One of the nicest parts of Glasgow to wander around is the West End, which is easily accessed on the subway. Jump off at Kelvinhall subway station to pay a visit to the majestic Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum where you can see one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the world, a vast natural history collection and impressive artworks. From here you can wander over to the beautiful grounds of the University of Glasgow and down to Byres Road where you can enjoy a bite to eat at one of the West End’s restaurants and cafes or have a drink on trendy Ashton Lane, tucked away behind the main thoroughfare. To get back to the city centre, simply jump back on the subway at Byres Road.

6. Glasgow (Journey duration: 50 minutes)

Scotland’s largest city is just a 50-minute train ride from Edinburgh so it’s easy to do a day-trip to enjoy its shopping and attractions. In the city centre, make sure you check out the medieval Glasgow Cathedral and Merchant City where you’ll find designer boutiques and stylish restaurants that were once old warehouses. For great views of the city, head to The Lighthouse, a centre for design and architecture, where you can also explore the Mackintosh Centre, a homage to Scotland’s most iconic architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh. One of the nicest parts of Glasgow to wander around is the West End, which is easily accessed on the subway. Jump off at Kelvinhall subway station to pay a visit to the majestic Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum where you can see one of the finest collections of arms and armour in the world, a vast natural history collection and impressive artworks. From here you can wander over to the beautiful grounds of the University of Glasgow and down to Byres Road where you can enjoy a bite to eat at one of the West End’s restaurants and cafes or have a drink on trendy Ashton Lane, tucked away behind the main thoroughfare. To get back to the city centre, simply jump back on the subway at Byres Road. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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In under half an hour from Edinburgh Waverley you can reach Linlithgow in West Lothian, a pleasant town steeped in history. Check out the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. You can also take in the historic Linlithgow Loch, which offers great views of the residence. If you're in town between April and September, enjoy a picturesque boat trip on the Union Canal at the Linlithgow Canal Centre, not far from the railway station. The old inland port of Linlithgow dates back to 1822 and connected Edinburgh with Falkirk and the Forth Clyde Canal. The centre also has a Canal Museum and tea room.

7. Linlithgow (Journey duration: 21 minutes)

In under half an hour from Edinburgh Waverley you can reach Linlithgow in West Lothian, a pleasant town steeped in history. Check out the ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland in the 15th and 16th centuries. You can also take in the historic Linlithgow Loch, which offers great views of the residence. If you're in town between April and September, enjoy a picturesque boat trip on the Union Canal at the Linlithgow Canal Centre, not far from the railway station. The old inland port of Linlithgow dates back to 1822 and connected Edinburgh with Falkirk and the Forth Clyde Canal. The centre also has a Canal Museum and tea room. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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The gorgeous seaside town of North Berwick is just over half an hour from Edinburgh City Centre and provides the perfect antidote to city life, with quaint shops, cafes, galleries and a pristine beach. If you're feeling energetic, climb to the top of the conical North Berwick Law for spectacular views over the coast. You'll also be able to see across to Edinburgh and the Pentlands on a clear day. The town's award-winning gardens are also lovely for a more relaxing stroll. North Berwick is the perfect day out for nature lovers and you can enjoy an interactive wildlife adventure at the Scottish Seabird Centre, which also boasts a nice cafe. From the centre, look across to the Bass Rock - a volcanic rock two miles from the shore which is home to a colony of gannets. If you're lucky you might also spot a seal in the water. There are plenty of places to stop for something to eat in North Berwick. Try a fish supper from the local chippy or check out one of the town's many cafes.

8. North Berwick (Journey duration: 33 minutes)

The gorgeous seaside town of North Berwick is just over half an hour from Edinburgh City Centre and provides the perfect antidote to city life, with quaint shops, cafes, galleries and a pristine beach. If you're feeling energetic, climb to the top of the conical North Berwick Law for spectacular views over the coast. You'll also be able to see across to Edinburgh and the Pentlands on a clear day. The town's award-winning gardens are also lovely for a more relaxing stroll. North Berwick is the perfect day out for nature lovers and you can enjoy an interactive wildlife adventure at the Scottish Seabird Centre, which also boasts a nice cafe. From the centre, look across to the Bass Rock - a volcanic rock two miles from the shore which is home to a colony of gannets. If you're lucky you might also spot a seal in the water. There are plenty of places to stop for something to eat in North Berwick. Try a fish supper from the local chippy or check out one of the town's many cafes. Photo: Canva/Getty Images

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