While you’ll never run out of things to do in this bustling capital city, sometimes you just want to embark on one of the many great weekend trips near Edinburgh, so we’ve rounded up the best ones for your motorhome holiday.
Edinburgh is located in an ideal spot for many getaways, where you can escape the busy streets and head directly into Scottish nature. Whether you’re looking to drive off for a night or two, or to use up some holiday time for an extended break, you can find incredible destinations nearby Edinburgh. From the Cairngorms to Galloway Forest Park, there are plenty of Edinburgh weekend breaks waiting to be explored. Put your phone on silent, crank up the tunes and let the adventure begin!
Photo by Stuart Hay on Unsplash
1. North East 250
This is the longest of our road trips near Edinburgh, but ideal for a long weekend or bank holiday. The North East 250 is especially fun as it’s a circular route, which will ensure you don’t miss any stops and can easily plan your trip.
The North East 250 takes you through the Cairngorms, Aberdeen and the Sunshine Coast — just don’t expect much sunshine there! We’ve created a full itinerary for driving the North East 250, so all you have to do is pack some sweaters and get enough petrol for the drive.
Things to do:
- You’ll be following the famous Speyside Whisky Trail, so be sure to go for a tasting.. or two! Our favourite option for this is Ballinalloch Single Malt Distillery, which makes one of the finest whiskeys in all of Scotland. You can take tours, sample their goods, learn the art of whisky making and get some souvenirs to bring home.
- If you happen to time your trip for July, be sure to stop in Portsoy for the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival, which features entertainment, a glimpse into maritime heritage, markets and plenty of delicious seafood! If you’re visiting Portsoy outside of July, you can still learn more about the area’s fishing history at the Salmon Bothy Museum.
- As we know, Scotland gets its fair share of rain, so if you need to find dry shelter for an afternoon, head to a museum. In Fraserburgh, the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is a delight for the whole family. Or for something more macabre, head to the Peterhead Prison Museum, which was once the most notorious prison in all of Britain.
Staying at: Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park
A short stroll from the town centre, Peterhead Marina Bay Holiday Park offers spacious pitches, with and without electric hookups. It’s situated right by the beach, so you can fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping against the shore. This family-run campsite is dog-friendly, so you can easily bring your pooch along for the trip.
South Rd, Peterhead AB42 2XX, United Kingdom
57.497335, -1.794959
2. Galloway Forest Park
This is perhaps one of the best weekend trips near Edinburgh as it gives you the chance to see the Northern Lights! Galloway Forest Park is the only Dark Sky Park in all of Scotland and was the first to be granted this status in the UK, back in 2009. Because of this, you’re offered an incredible view at night, which often includes the magical aurora borealis.
Galloway Forest Park is about two and a half hours drive from Edinburgh, rendering it the perfect getaway for those looking to do minimal driving. If you’re looking for romantic weekend breaks from Edinburgh, just picture you and your partner watching the colourful night sky together from the comfort of a motorhome… heavenly!
Things to do:
- If you love nothing more than heading out on your bike, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Galloway Forest Park. A beloved route is the National Cycle Route 7, which is over 540 miles long. Don’t worry, you can focus on a smaller section of it, or tackle one of many other cycle routes in the area.
- Nearby you’ll find plenty of majestic castles to visit. Caerlaverock Castle was built in the 13th century and has witnessed countless battles since, even playing a major role in the Scottish-English conflict. Alternatively, Drumlanrig Castle offers countless events throughout the year, and is fully furnished with a notable art collection.
- If you’re travelling with little ones, then you’ll definitely want to plan a stop at The Whithorn Story. This museum and visitor centre brings history to life, as you learn all about the arrival of pilgrims and the Reformation, and even see the remains of Iron Age settlements.
Staying at: Castle Point Caravan and Camping Site
This small campsite has everything you need for the night. It’s within walking distance of three sandy beaches and is known to have some of the best views in the southwest of Scotland. The whole family can stay entertained in the playground, football area and table tennis area. Or check out the many more campsites in Galloway.
Rockcliffe, Dalbeattie DG5 4QL, UK
54.859152, -3.785927
3. Cairngorms National Park
We simply can’t stop talking about the Cairngorms National Park. We recently listed it as one of the best places in the UK to visit in autumn, and now it’s snagging a spot in our list of the best road trips near Edinburgh.
Alongside being one of the largest national parks in the UK, the Cairngorms is also the ideal destination for hill walking, biking, bird watching, photography and more.
If you’ve got some time to spare, you could combine this with tackling the Snow Roads Scenic Route. This 90-mile journey takes you through the best of the Cairngorms National Park, as well as Blairgowie, Braemar and Grantown-on-Spey.
Things to do:
- Embark on one of the many hiking routes across the Cairngorms. You can find one suitable for your level of experience, and maybe challenge yourself to a slightly more difficult route the next day! Our favourite is the five-mile circular walk through Black Wood to Dun da-Lamh hillfort, which can include a dip in the waterfalls to cool off.
- Fancy a drink after all that trekking? Head to one of the many whisky distilleries in the region for a tasting and tour.
- This is another destination where you might be able to spot the Northern Lights. So pitch up early, cook a delicious dinner, and start star gazing. Aim to park far enough from trees in a northern direction. Or head to the Glenlivet Estate, which is known for its dark-sky events.
Staying at: Glenmore Campsite
You certainly can’t go wrong with a campsite that’s been named the “nicest campsite in the whole world” in reviews. It offers mountain views around it and is located amidst a secluded forest. This ensures that you won’t be disturbed, except for some furry friends sniffing around for leftovers! Speaking of food, you can even get a hot breakfast at the visitor’s centre across the road from Glenmore Campsite.
Glenmore Campsite, Aviemore, Inverness-shire, PH22 1QU
57.167067, -3.695111
Looking for more campsites in the Cairngorms National Park?
4. Fife Coastal Route
If you’re looking for road trips near Edinburgh that you can easily fit into two days of travel, then look no further than the Fife Coastal Route. This 77-mile road trip starts and ends on the two bridges that cross Scotland’s greatest rivers: the Kincardine Bridge over the Firth of Forth, and the Tay Bridge over the Tay.
This short road trip allows you to see incredible sights, including ancient forests, seal colonies, majestic castles, picturesque villages and windswept beaches. We’ve rounded up a complete itinerary for your Fife Coastal Route road trip, ideal for your next weekend away.
Things to do:
- Famous artist John Vettriano is from Fife, and at Kirkcaldy Galleries, you can immerse yourself in his work. You’ll also find pieces by other artists that hail from the area, as well as the impeccable Moments in Time exhibition, which takes you over 300 million years.
- Spend a day in St Andrews. This gorgeous city is known mainly for its university but is also ideal for a day trip. In particular, we’d recommend visiting the impressive botanical gardens and a nearby tearoom.
- If the weather permits, take to the water at the Scottish National Water Ski Centre in Dunfermline. This is the best place to do waterskiing or wakeboarding, for amateurs and experts alike. If you don’t fancy getting wet, you can rent a boat for the afternoon instead.
Staying at: Forth House Caravan Site
Open from March to November, this is the perfect campsite for holidays outside of peak season. It’s a small, rural site that boasts incredible coastal views. Next door, you’ll find an active farm, so you might even get some furry neighbours wandering over. If your ideal Edinburgh weekend breaks involve plenty of R&R, then this campsite in Newburn is exactly what you need.
Forth House Caravan Site, Forth House, Newburn, Upper Largo, Leven, Fife, KY8 6JE
56.2354, -2.8957
5. Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
This is one of the best weekend trips near Edinburgh to get a taste of both the Highlands and Lowlands. It’s only a two-hour drive from Edinburgh, making it perfect for a quick night or weekend away.
Loch Lomond has the largest surface area of any loch in Scotland, stretching out over 28.5 square miles. This also makes it the largest inland stretch of water in all of Britain! Surrounding the loch are acres of woodland, home to various wildlife, including red deer. This is a hill walkers paradise, with countless walking routes and bike trails.
Things to do:
- Spend an afternoon strolling through the idyllic village of Luss, which dates back centuries. The cobblestoned streets and stone cottages will make you feel like you’ve stepped straight into the pages of a fairytale, and you can get a bite to eat at one of the cosy cafes dotted around.
- Fancy a dip in these famous waters? Given that you don’t have to worry about a sea monster like Nessie, open-water swimming is very popular in Loch Lomond. There are even events organised where you can go swimming as a group if you can brave the chill!
- Little ones and adults alike will adore the Faerie Trail. Starting at Luss, this trail takes you along magical spots, using clues to find your way. You’ll find mystical gates to pass through, and even spell books to be opened.
Staying at: Trossachs Holiday Park
This award-winning park truly puts the glam in glamping. It features an adventure playground, WiFi cafe, games room and more. Surrounded by woodlands, glens, mountains and lochs, these 40 acres of campsite are so lovely that you’ll struggle to leave at the end of your trip!
Gartmore, Stirling FK8 3SA, United Kingdom
56.139947, -4.355072
If you’re finding it hard to pick out of these weekend trips from Edinburgh, then we’ve got the solution you need, simply do them all! Pick five weekends in the upcoming year, hire a motorhome, and embark on micro-adventures. It’s the perfect way to space out your holiday time and ensure you maintain that perfect work-life balance.
Whether your perfect Edinburgh weekend breaks include camping in nature or exploring a town, there are plenty of options for you. Book your next adventure so that you have something to look forward to every Monday!
