Day Trips & Tours from Dundee

Dundee is one of Scotland’s most culturally rich and versatile cities - not to mention it is also the sunniest! Whether you are into arts, heritage, adventurous activities or simply relaxing on a coastal beach, there is something to satisfy everyone. However, for those wanting to explore Scotland further, there is also a copious variety of day trips and tours from Dundee to engage with just outside of the city, that can be both easily accessed and enjoyed by those visiting Dundee itself.

Whether you decide to venture north, south, east or west of the city there are several modes of transport to consider, including utilising one of Dundee’s public transport services, hiring a car or joining an organised tour.

• Trips and Tours in the North
• Trips and Tours in the South
• Trips and Tours in the East
• Trips and Tours in the West

North of Dundee sits the friendly town of Forfar where you can take a tour of Glamis Castle to learn the history within the walls of the castle located in the childhood village of Queen Elizabeth. There is also a bus service which leaves from the Forum Centre in Dundee that takes you within a 10 minute walking distance of Glamis Castle.

Just minutes from the castle is the Gin Bothy Experience where you can enjoy tastings of the award-winning gin, or you can take a tour of Ogilvy Distillery, just south of Glamis, to learn about, and sample, Scotland’s first ever potato vodka. For those interested in a scenic stroll, Forfar Loch Country Park offers a 4km route around the banks of the loch, which is suitable for all abilities. There is also a bus service which leaves from the Forum Centre that takes you within a 10 minute walking distance of the country park.

North of Glamis is Kirriemuir, the home of Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie which will appeal to those who appreciate one of his best creations, Peter Pan, a famous play created in 1904 about the adventures of a childhood-bound boy on the magical island of Neverland.

South of Dundee is Scotland’s world-famous Home of Golf, St Andrews. There is a realm of choice here with 10 courses to play, including St Andrews Links and the Old Course. For enthusiastic golfers, St Andrews is a prime location to experience some of Scotland’s best golf courses.

For those desiring a day drip from Dundee, there are regular bus and train services running from Dundee to St Andrews, making it a very accessible town to visit. St Andrews is also renowned for its historic architectural attractions which are open to the public, including St Andrews Cathedral and St Andrews Castle.

The town’s university is also an unmissable site to see as it is the most ancient university in Scotland, founded in 1413. When the weather permits, or if you fancy a coastal walk, the West Sands Beach stretches along almost 2 miles of St Andrews coast and is the perfect setting for a family picnic or a dip in the sea.

East of Dundee, just a short drive or bus journey away, is one of the city’s neighbouring coastal villages, Broughty Ferry. This village is home to an award-winning beach, providing an idyllic family outing with watersports such as kayaking on offer. There are several boating trips from Broughty Ferry that allow you to spot some of its attractions by the shore. The historic Broughty Ferry Castle is also an opportunity to explore some of the community’s heritage on the banks of the River Tay.

If you are enthusiastic about travelling further east, then you can venture to the former royal burgh of Arbroath. The remains of Arbroath Abbey are preserved here for inquisitive visitors to explore its heritage. Hospitalfield House is another cultural attraction in Arbroath that offers guided tours of the house and its grounds, which were once a hospital for Benedictine monks of Arbroath Abbey. The Signal Tower Museum also offers an exciting day trip from Dundee, where visitors can learn about the history of the lighthouses as well as observing fishing exhibits. Arbroath beach features some of the most magnificent cliff top views over the coast and Arbroath, where you can spot a variety of seabirds. 

West of Dundee is Perth, situated on the banks of the well renowned River Tay. Perth can be reached by a short train journey, making it an ideal day trip from Dundee for young families. There are endless attractions and activities to see and do in Perth, including Scone Palace – one of Scotland’s Georgian Gothic style architectural wonders that you can take a fascinating tour around.

For those who want to observe the picturesque views over Perth, Kinnoull Hill offers a scenic walk, with views of the River Tay, Friarton Bridge and the Tay Coast Railway Line. Other family-friendly attractions you can find across the city include, the Black Watch Castle & Museum, North Inch Golf Course, and Perth Leisure Pool, to name a few. Perth Concert Hall is also an iconic landmark worth visiting with a range of music, theatre, dance and art on offer to exhibit.