Best One-Day Tours from Glasgow: Have a Magical Day with Rabbie’s

How are you going to make each day special? That can be a challenge, right? To not waste the day, to do something memorable, to take a step towards the life you want.  

That’s a little overwhelming, we understand. Which is why we’re here to help you out a wee bit. Because, particularly when you travel, there’s an expectation to make every moment incredible. When this trip has been on your travel bucket list for years. When you get home, everyone wants to know ‘what was your favourite place’ as you show them the hundreds of photos you snapped. 

The best outcome? When it’s impossible to choose a favourite moment. When you see so much – even in just one day – that you cannot simply comprehend the adventure you’ve just experienced. And that’s what we’re about: helping create those memories. Even if all you have is one day, you’d be surprised what we – and you, by association – can do with that.  

We’ve spent the last 30 plus years devoting ourselves to creating the best experiences possible. So, no matter what kind of traveller you are, we have a range of one-day tours departing from Glasgowthat cater to every kind of adventurer. 

Which magical adventure will you choose?  

Coming up in this blog: 

• Bute for beach lovers

• Arran for island lovers

• Distilleries for whisky lovers

• Castles for Outlander lovers

• Glen Coe and Oban for land and sea lovers

• Loch Lomond for loch lovers

• Ayrshire for Scottish heritage lovers

• Loch Ness for mythology lovers

Beach lovers... 

During the Great Scottish Witch Hunt of 1661-62, six Scottish women were accused of witchcraft in the parish of Rothesay on Bute. The Bute Witches did not survive their interrogations, but their story remains.  

But don't let that dark history spook you off. The Isle of Bute is so stunning, you might find it hard to believe something so sinister once took place here. Especially as you coast along stretches of sand, sea, and sun (maybe, this is Scotland after all) so luscious you’ll easily forget the sordid history.  

We love our islands here in Scotland. Skye is our most famous, and rightly so, but you might be surprised by the rest of them. Each with their own unique claim to fame, and we cannot go past Bute for those who love squishing their toes in the sand and breathing in the sea air.  

Island lovers... 

There’s something about jumping on a ferry and heading over to a tiny island that feels like a true adventure is beginning. And we love the Isle of Arran here in Scotland. We call it ‘Scotland in Miniature’ for one simple reason: it has everything you could want from a Scottish experience, all on one tiny little landscape. Whisky, beaches, cute villages, standing stones, beautiful hikes, and plenty of shopping options. 

Whether you join us on our A Day on the Island: Arran tour from Glasgow, or head over yourself, you’ll find Arran a magical place.  

Whisky lovers... 

If there are two things we love most here in Scotland, it’s whisky and lochs. Granted, there’s plenty more to love (haggis, coos, bagpipes, Munros... we could go on), but there’s something about a dram of whisky and a peaceful, glistening loch that truly makes Scotland Scotland.  

And Loch Lomond is beloved for a reason. We can only imagine how many times The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond has been sung by someone cradling a glass of whisky... and likely not their first tipple either.  

Because here in Scotland, it’s hard to stop at just one. We can’t just see one loch. We can’t just pet one coo (carefully). We can’t just have one dram of whisky. Luckily, we understand this and there is absolutely no way we are going to limit you, fair traveller. We’re here to ensure you try the best of the best by taking you to some of our favourite whisky distilleries. To not just sample the ‘water of life’ but to learn about the impressive process that brings this magical drink to life.  

Outlander lovers... 

We’ve all been obsessed with a TV show or movie at some point in our lives. There’s no use denying it. We are in the age of binge-watching shows... and Outlander is no exception. It did for Scotland what Harry Potter did for England. It drew many new eyes towards our beautiful land and inspired people to dream about one day visiting. 

Which they are. And we welcome them. So much so, that we understand their desire to not just see Scotland’s beautiful landscapes, but to visit the places that featured in the show and become important to them. 

What’s great about our 1-day Outlander Adventure tour from Glasgow is that it’s an amazing tour whether you’re a fan of the show or not. Because if you’re a fan of castles and beautiful little villages, this tour will excite you just as much as any Outlander fan. From gritty Blackness Castle to the serene quaintness of Culross, we know you’ll experience something worth remembering.  

Land and sea lovers... 

Land or sea? Which is more beautiful? Luckily on this tour, you don’t have to choose one or the other. If you’re travelling to Scotland, you’ve likely already heard of Glen Coe. It’s strongly considered one of Scotland’s most striking destinations to visit – even if just for a quick photo stop. Its haunting mountains, yawning valley, and muted tones make for an undeniable view.  

But there’s something about a bit of contrast. From striking and haunted to luscious and open – that's Loch Lomond National Park. Within the park hides one of Scotland’s largest lochs – a body of water so beautiful it has inspired artists and singers for many years: Loch Lomond.  

And just when you think a single day can’t get more memorable, there’s Oban. This charming town has wonderful seaside views and is known as the ‘Seafood Capital of Scotland’, which makes it the perfect place to sample the local catch. So, on our 1-day Oban, Glencoe, Highland Lochs & Castles tour from Glasgow, you really do get the best of both. 

Loch lovers... 

We know what you’re thinking: why would you come to Scotland and not see the famous Loch Ness? She’s a beauty, don’t get us wrong, and the mystery of her waters is one of Scotland’s biggest draws... but we’ll always have a soft spot for Loch Lomond. 

She’s one of Scotland’s largest lochs and from her shores (or on the waters themselves), she’s easy to admire. This body of water has attracted poets, warriors, and travellers for hundreds of years. Framed by majestic mountains and adorned with over 30 islands, this stunning loch has been celebrated in songs and poems for centuries. You might even be familiar with the tune The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond, it’s beautiful and anthem-level melody hiding the heartbreaking lyrics beneath. 

Perhaps you’ll put it on as you cruise its waters, enjoying fresh Scottish air as you look out for local wildlife.   

Scottish heritage lovers... 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
And never brought to mind? 
Should auld acquaintance be forgot 
And the days of auld lang syne? 

You sang along, didn’t you? We’re not surprised. Auld Lang Syne is famous across the world, sung at events and significant moments, and usually as the clocks pass us into a new year. But do you know the song's origins? Did you know it’s as Scottish as we are? 

Robert ‘Rabbie’ Burns. There’s a name you should know. He’s one of Scotland’s most famous poets and who our company is named after. He’s a big deal here in our bonnie land for many reasons, including that he was the original creator of the poem of which the song is based off. 

If you’re coming to Scotland, you really should know his name... and perhaps a bit more. On our 1-day Culzean Castle, Burns Country & the Ayrshire Coast tour, we head to the lovely village of Alloway in the luscious region of Ayrshire. It was in this wee place that Robert Burns was born, and you can visit the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and discover the roots of this most famous Scot.  

Mythology lovers... 

We can’t pass up an opportunity to talk about our favourite local: Nessie. If the legends are true, she chose the dark and murky waters of Loch Ness as her home. Once you see it for yourself – learn about its history and depths – you might wonder why she finds somewhere so unnerving comfortable enough to be her home. 

But if the Loch Ness Monster is real, why shouldn’t she reside in such a place?  

If you’ve ever dreamt of becoming a monster hunter, now is your chance. Join us on the 1-day Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands tour from Glasgow, jump on the (optional) cruise on the loch and see if you can’t be the one who finally proves the naysayers wrong. 

So, which adventure will you choose? Perhaps more than one. Don’t get us wrong, we adore Glasgow and all it has to offer. But on the city’s doorstep is wild and wonderful Scotland, endless adventures for you to choose from, countless ways to spend your day.

Countless ways to make one single day so incredibly special.