I have only 2 days to explore and discover the best things to do in Scotland! A trip to Scotland has been at the top of my travel destination wish list for as long as I can remember! While visiting London, I had the opportunity for a quick visit to Scotland and immediately started making plans. I wanted to see the breathtaking landscapes and learn about its long and rich history.

With only a little more than 48 hours to explore, I set out on a whirlwind adventure to see castles, Highland mountains and speak with friendly local Scots! Get my full itinerary and learn about where I toured and the city I stayed in. I even searched for a legendary myth known around the world since the late 1800’s.

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Traveling From London to Edinburgh

I was able to avoid long airport security lines and transfers from the airport to the center of each city. I booked an economy seat on the LNER (London North Eastern Railway). For the best deal, I booked the train 2-4 weeks before the trip. Scan through the different times of the day because they will have varied prices. To me, the seating was spacious and comfortable for the over 4-hour train ride. Plus, it’s an eco-friendlier option, producing a lower carbon footprint than flying.

Starting in London

My journey to Scotland first started at King’s Cross Station in London. Before boarding, I couldn’t resist a stop at Platform 9¾ for a quick photo. I also stopped inside the souvenir shop to grab some Harry Potter themed sweets. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this is a fun stop before your train ride north.

Although there are benefits to flying, I’m really glad my group and I decided to take the train. I knew I wouldn’t be charged extra for having bags that would have needed to be checked on a plane. Also, both train stations depart and arrive directly in the heart of both cities. If we had flown, we would have spent 2 hours

Traveling by train was a new experience for me, and I absolutely loved it. The scenic ride through the English countryside was stunning, and chatting with locals made the journey even more enjoyable.

After a 4 hour and 20-minute train ride, I finally arrived at the Waverley station in Edinburgh. If you’re starving or waiting to check in at your hotel, there’s a few restaurants at the station. While navigating around the station, look for the elevators (lifts) and escalators to help you get you and your luggage up to the main road.

Where to Stay in Edinburgh

When deciding where to stay in Edinburgh, it turns out the city is divided into five distinct areas, each offering a unique experience.

• Old Town is perfect for tourists seeking historical sites and stunning architecture.
• New Town features a mix of luxury and budget-friendly hotels, along with plenty of shopping.
• Stockbridge is a local favorite, known for its charming streets and relaxed atmosphere.
• Leith is an up-and-coming trendy neighborhood.
• Haymarket, located in the city center, offers the most affordable hotel options.

Typically, I would gravitate towards a lodging that’s more economical. However, I had the rare opportunity to stay in THE nicest hotel in Edinburgh.

The Balmoral Hotel

The Balmoral is a luxurious and historic hotel located on the edge of New Town. It’s been rated as a 5 Star property, and when I saw it for the first time I was overwhelmed with its gorgeous exterior architecture.

It’s a pet friendly hotel that raises the standards with all of its amenities, including their restaurant, spa, indoor pool and much more. Even though so much of the hotel is impressive to see, I was starstruck when given the opportunity to tour the JK Rowling Suite where she stayed and wrote Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

If you’re looking for an upscale place to stay with incredible staff that made our stay amazing, this is an excellent choice.

Recommended Lodging in Edinburgh

Hotels	Rentals
Balmoral Hotel– Luxury Hotel, Historic Building, Pool, Spa, Pet Friendly, JK Rowling Suite	Apartment– Views of Arthur Seat, Full Kitchen, 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom, Washer & Dryer
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh– Luxury Hotel in Old Town, Views of the Castle, Pet Friendly	Edwardian Linton Collection Apartment– Breakfast Available, Kitchen, Washer & Dryer

An Evening in New Town

After checking into our room, my group and I headed to Duck Waffle for dinner and then the Alchemist for craft cocktails.

I ended our first day with a walk towards Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument. I was drawn to see the details of the gothic architecture of the Scott Monument, but my ultimate goal was to see Edinburgh Castle from below at sunset.

The view of Edinburgh Castle was truly breathtaking perched on top of Castle Rock. As an American, I don’t get to see castles on regular basis. So, watching the sunset of Edinburgh Castle, in my opinion, was one of the top things to do in Scotland.

Day Tour: Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands

The next morning, we woke up early to grab breakfast and coffee before going on our most anticipated tour. Using Viator, we booked a guided tour through the Scottish Highlands a boat ride on Loch Ness. This 12-hour road trip took us through the Scottish Highlands, showcasing some of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.

I loved that our tour was a small group of 16 people, and we made many stops throughout the day. Before starting the tour, remember that the quicker everyone reports back to the bus, the more stops you’ll be able to make.

Some of the stops included Loch Lomond, the mountain of Three Sisters in Glencoe, Glencoe Visitor Center, Cairngorms National Park and more.

My favorite stops were the three sisters in Glencoe and seeing Pattack Falls inside Cairngorms National Park. Towards the end of the tour, we stopped at the small town of Fort Augustus next to the world-famous Loch Ness.

For those interested in tours in Scotland and England, this kind of day tour from Edinburgh provides an incredible way to see a vast amount of the country in a short time. Don’t forget to tip your driver!

Boat Ride on Loch Ness

Visiting Loch Ness and possibly seeing the Loch Ness Monster has been on my bucket list for years. Not only were we going to see Loch Ness, but we signed up to take a 50-minute boat tour on the loch.

During our tour it was unfortunately raining, but luckily, we got seats inside next to the window that had great views. The guide on board shared the history and facts about Loch Ness, including how deep it is and interesting things found on sonar that feed into the tales of the monster.

Throughout your tour of the Highlands, you’ll see so many lochs that you might be a bit numb to see so many. I’m still glad I did the boat tour, but if you’re not interested in the legend of the monster, you can probably skip it.

Exploring Edinburgh

On my last day in Scotland, I opted for a late afternoon train to have more time to explore some of Edinburgh. After grabbing breakfast and a coffee, I wanted to check out the area known as Old Town located on top of the hill with the castle. Edinburgh is hilly and has lots of stairs, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes.

I mentioned this earlier in the blog, but I’m a big Harry Potter fan. I had heard from interviews that JK Rowling gained inspiration for her books all over Scotland, and especially in Edinburgh. There’s free Harry Potter Tours that you can take, but because I’m short on time, I decided to skip it. Instead, I did my best to try and find some of the highlighted spots that gave her inspiration on my own.

Greyfriars Kirkyard

I’m not sure if many people feel the same, but I love to visit historic cemeteries. Turns out, Greyfriars Kirkyard is actually the oldest one I’ve ever visited! Greyfriars Kirkyard is a historic cemetery in Edinburgh, Scotland, dating back to the 16th century. Immediately when I walked through the gates, I thought the space had a beautiful and calm atmosphere but is also accompanied with eerie tombstones and mausoleums.

It’s considered one of the most haunted places in the world, largely due to the Mackenzie Poltergeist, linked to the brutal persecution of Scottish Covenanters. Also, don’t miss the 2 statues of Bobby the sky terrier. He was a loyal dog who spent 14 years guarding his owner’s grave, and the city wanted to honor and remember him.

The cemetery often gets crowded walking tours that can mess with the peaceful and quiet vibe of the cemetery. The tours walk through because JK Rowling visited Greyfriars Kirkyard while developing Harry Potter. There are Harry Potter character names on real tombstones including Tom Riddle, Mad Eye Moody and Professor McGonagall.

Victoria Street

Touring Edinburgh Castle

My last stop before catching my train back to London was to Edinburgh Castle, one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks. Built in the 12th century, the castle offers a self-guided tour that can take several hours. If you’re there before 1:00 pm, make sure to catch the One O’clock Gun, a daily tradition (except Sundays) dating back to 1861.

The first thing I wanted to see was the Scottish Crown Jewels: a crown, scepter, and sword of state. They are impressively making them the oldest surviving crown jewels in Britain. They are displayed inside Edinburgh Castle alongside the Stone of Destiny. These treasures hold immense historical significance and are a must-see for anyone exploring Scotland’s royal heritage.

The story of Stone of Destiny was so fascinating to me. It’s a sacred symbol of Scotland’s monarchy that has been used in the coronation of Scottish and British kings for centuries. The British took it from the Scots in the 13th century, and then in 1950, it was stolen back and brought back to Scotland.

There is now a peaceful agreement between England and Scotland. Anytime a new king or queen is having their coronation, it is temporarily taken to England and then returned to Scotland afterwards. We were able to see it 2 weeks before the coronation of King Charles III.

Other highlights include:

• St. Margaret’s Chapel– The oldest surviving building in Edinburgh, dating back to the 12th century.
• The National War Museum– Display of Scotland’s military history with artifacts, weapons, and more.
• Prisons of War– Former jail cells where prisoners from past wars.
• The Great Hall – Built by James IV in 1511, featuring impressive medieval armor and weaponry.

Thoughts on Best Things to Do in Scotland

My 48 hours in Scotland was packed with history, adventure, and stunning landscapes. From the mesmerizing Highlands to the exploring the charm of Edinburgh. This trip introduced me to some of the best things to do in Scotland, and it was way too short.

If you’re planning a day tour from Edinburgh, I highly recommend taking a Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh. It was a fantastic and relaxing way to see the countryside and learn about one of Scotland’s most famous legends. Not to mention we had the most amazing guide!

Arthur’s Seat is that mountain in the background behind the city.

With so much more to see, I’m already planning my next trip. I’d like to find a place with live music of traditional Scottish songs, tour more historical buildings and hike to Arthur’s Seat. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or an extended stay, Scotland offers something for every traveler. If you have any must-see recommendations, let me know in the comments!