There are many interesting sights in Edinburgh. The Royal Mile, the Scotch Whiskey Experience, the famous Edinburgh Castle and Mary King’s Close are really great places to visit. However, the surroundings of the city also deserve attention.
If you have already managed to explore all the interesting places of Edinburgh, then hire a car and go beyond it. A car is a great way to get around. It gives independence from public transport and allows you to move in comfort. Thus, picking up Budget car hire Edinburgh will be a perfect solution to get the most out of your trip.
The region has beautiful mountains, picturesque coastlines, ancient castles and abbeys. Here’re some great 1-day trip destinations to go from Edinburgh…
Stirling Castle
The small town of Stirling is located 40 miles away from Edinburgh. You need about 45 minutes to reach it in your hire car. This is the former capital of Scotland, but now travelers come to this town to see the amazing 12th-century castle.
It resembles Edinburgh Castle, and is also situated on a huge basalt rock with unapproachable 75-meter cliffs on three sides. Over the centuries, Stirling Castle has been rebuilt many times. Medieval buildings alternate with green lawns with bright flower beds, secret staircases, quiet corners and gloomy casemates.
It will take several hours to leisurely explore the entire castle with its cannon batteries, loopholes, museums, medieval kitchens, tapestries and simply stunning views. Costumed guides who will be happy to answer your questions add extra flavor to the castle.
Stirling Castle has a very interesting history. If the history of most other castles in Scotland is connected with the history of an aristocratic family who lived in this castle, then this castle is linked with the history of the whole Scotland.
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a favorite vacation spot for the Scots, the place where the highlands begin and where the southernmost of the mountains, Ben Lomond, rises above the lake. Loch Lomond is the largest lake in Scotland – it’s about 38 km long, with 8 km in its widest point.
There are 37 islands scattered across the lake, some of them so small that only a few pines grow on them. Especially interesting is the eastern shore of the lake with picturesque deserted beaches and untouched nature.
Loch Lomond is an amazing place to go in your hire car. Moreover, it’s located just an hour and a half from Edinburgh. The lakeside has some lovely villages to visit, some great hotels, restaurants and just good places to walk.
St Andrews
Looking to explore an iconic town in Scotland? Drive a hire car to St Andrews. It’s a small university town on the east coast of Scotland with a surprisingly interesting mix of a wide sandy beach, narrow medieval streets and a majestic cathedral ruin by the sea. Add to that the ruins of a cliff fort and the world’s oldest golf course right next to the beach and you’ll have a great set for an incredible sightseeing tour.
St Andrews was once the spiritual center of Scotland and is home to the oldest and most prestigious university where Prince William studied. After a refreshing walk through the city, it’s pleasant to visit an excellent restaurant providing amazing views of the sea and serving the freshest mussels, oysters and fish.
Cairngorms National Park
It would be a great idea to visit the largest mountain range and national park in Great Britain, where endless hills covered with heather stretch from horizon to horizon. There are many wild deer and partridges in its valleys, while narrow mountain roads run along the lakes and lead from one pretty village to another. This makes car hire a great way to explore the area.
There are more than enough attractions in Cairngorms National Park for every taste. Local distilleries include Dalwhinnie, Glenlivet, Tomintoul, Royal Lochnagar, and Balmenach. Among the greatest ancient castles are Braemar Castle, Corgarff Castle, and Blair Castle.
The diversity of nature is also striking in the arctic tundra on the high plateaus followed by alpine flora and virgin pine forests. In addition, in the heart of the park is the Balmoral Palace – the Queen’s residence in Scotland.
Falkland
Walking around Falkland won’t take you too long, especially if you travel in a hire car. The village is small, but very atmospheric and picturesque, with an ancient square in the center, narrow 17th and 18th-century streets and tiny souvenir shops, pubs and cafes.
Although Falkland is a popular destination for travelers, it rarely gets many visitors. This is the perfect place to see the unhurried life of the Scottish countryside in all its glory and, of course, look into Falkland Castle – the former hunting estate of the Scottish kings. Also, Falkland Castle houses the oldest tennis court in the UK.