Leith

Select Month

start planning

Although Leith is generally known as the port of Edinburgh, it developed independently of the city up the hill, its history bound up in the hard graft of fishing, shipbuilding and trade.

The presence of sailors, merchants and continental traders also gave the place a cosmopolitan, if slightly rough, edge, which is still obvious today.

While the stand-alone attractions are few, Leith is an intriguing place to include on a guided tour of Scotland, not just for the contrasts to central Edinburgh, but also for its nautical air and its excellent cafés, pubs and restaurants.

Leith’s initial revival from down-and-out port to des-res waterfront began in the 1980s around the area known as the Shore, the old harbour at the mouth of the Water of Leith. More recently, the massive dock areas beyond are being transformed at a rate of knots, with landmark developments including a vast building housing civil servants from the Scottish Government, and Ocean Terminal, a shopping and entertainment complex beside which the former royal yacht Britannia has settled into her retirement.

Britannia

Launched in 1953, Britannia was used by the royal family for 44 years for state visits, diplomatic functions and royal holidays. Video clips of the ship’s most famous moments are shown in the visitor centre (within Ocean Terminal) along with royal holiday snaps, and you can roam around the yacht itself, which has been largely kept as she was while in service, with a well-preserved 1950s dowdiness – a far cry from the opulent splendour which many expect.

Trip ideas for Scotland

Crafted with by local experts

Alnwick Castle
Crafted by Marcela

8 days

Guided tour of Scotland: Highlands and iconic locations

Step into the spellbinding world of Harry Potter on a guided tour of Scotland, where cinematic magic and real landscapes come together. Among the most memorable Scotland trips, this journey invites you to follow the paths of young wizards through ancient courtyards, misty moors, and storied stone walls.Walk in the footsteps of Harry and his friends as you explore dramatic scenery, timeworn villages, and iconic filming locations that bring the story to life. With expert guidance and seamless travel, each stop reveals both the history behind the setting and the magic that made it unforgettable.Bring your curiosity, your sense of wonder, and your wand. Your next chapter begins in Scotland’s most enchanting landscapes.

view trip ⤍
Scotland
Crafted by Marcela

9 days

Luxury Scotland tour: Highlands, Skye and Loch Ness

On a luxury Scotland tour, the country reveals itself in its most refined and unhurried form. Among the finest Scotland trips, this journey unfolds through quiet glens, sea-salted air, and landscapes rich in history and atmosphere. In Perthshire, forests glow with shifting light, leading you toward the legendary waters of Loch Ness and the charm of Inverness, the capital of the Highlands.Ancient mountains rise around you, not as a backdrop but as part of the experience, inviting you to pause, take in the silence, and travel at a more considered pace. Along the untamed west coast, walk secluded sandy beaches before continuing to the Isle of Skye, where dramatic cliffs, still lochs, and remote villages create a sense of rare and understated luxury.This is a journey defined by space, comfort, and depth, designed for travelers who value authenticity, privacy, and a more meaningful way to experience Scotland.

view trip ⤍
Scotland
Crafted by Marcela

7 days

Private tour of Scotland: Highlands and family adventures

Dreaming of a journey your family will talk about for years to come? This private tour of Scotland invites you into misty Highlands, storybook villages, and cities rich with legend and local life. Thoughtfully designed among the most engaging Scotland trips, it brings together iconic sights and meaningful moments in a seamless, family-friendly experience.Picture castle courtyards where children’s imaginations run free, landscapes that inspired Hogwarts, and quiet loch shores where time slows and connections deepen. Created for curious families, this journey blends discovery, comfort, and a sense of wonder, turning every stop into a shared memory.

view trip ⤍
Scotland
Crafted by Marcela

7 days

Scotland walking tour: Highlands and Outlander locations

Step into a Scotland walking tour inspired by the landscapes and stories of Outlander. Follow quiet trails through misty glens, past ruined castles, and across hills shaped by centuries of history and legend.Walk in the footsteps of Claire Beauchamp as you explore places where story and landscape meet. Pause in historic inns, hear Gaelic in remote villages, and take in sweeping Highland views. Among the many Scotland trips you could take, this one invites you to slow down and experience the country step by step, at your own pace.

view trip ⤍
Scotland
Crafted by Marcela

11 days

Scotland tour from Edinburgh through the wild Highlands

Ready to explore Scotland’s wild heart and shape a journey that feels truly your own? This Scotland tour from Edinburgh takes you deep into the Highlands, far from the everyday. Windswept moors, misty lochs, and story-filled glens set the scene for one of those Scotland trips that feels both immersive and personal.Follow quiet roads through remote landscapes and pause in villages where traditions still shape daily life. Discover local flavors around welcoming tables and fireside stories. Each day unfolds at your pace, from dramatic viewpoints to meaningful encounters with Gaelic culture. This is where you move beyond a checklist and begin to experience Scotland in a way that feels rare and truly your own.

view trip ⤍
scotland
Crafted by Marcela

6 days

Christmas in Scotland trip: festive holiday experience

Let this Christmas trip stir your senses in the wild beauty of the Highlands. Crisp air carries the scent of pine and peat fires, village squares glow with fairy lights, and market stalls brim with handmade crafts and local delicacies. Fiddles and pipes drift from historic pubs, drams are shared with welcoming hosts, and stories unfold across snow-dusted glens. It is in moments like these that Scotland trips feel at their most atmospheric and alive.This journey is shaped around you, from hidden Christmas markets to intimate winter gatherings, with the chance to return for lively summer festivals in the same timeless landscapes. Leave behind crowded, generic breaks and step into an experience that feels personal and carefully crafted, where every stop reflects your pace and style of travel. The Highlands wrap your trip in atmosphere, tradition, and the quiet thrill of discovery.

view trip ⤍
See all Scotland trip ideas
Rough Guides Editors

written by
Rough Guides Editors

For over 40 years, Rough Guides has been a trusted name in travel, offering expert-curated guides, inspiring articles, and tailor-made trips. Our passionate team of writers and local travel specialists provide in-depth insights into destinations worldwide, from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. We help you travel smarter and experience the world authentically.