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School trips to Edinburgh offer students the opportunity to explore the spectacular capital of Scotland!

Whether on a general and cultural school trip to learn more about the history and culture of Scotland or a medicine through time themed history school trip, there’s a great range of visits and activities to enjoy here.

Whatever your reason for your educational trip to Edinburgh, we’ll tailor your itinerary to suit your curriculum and specific learning objectives.

Read more  about our school trips to Edinburgh

Why visit Edinburgh?

The historic capital of Scotland

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since at least the 15th century and so it is the perfect destination in which to learn more about the country’s history.

The city boasts many historic attractions, from the imposing Edinburgh Castle and the magnificent Palace of Holyroodhouse, to the churches of St. Giles and Greyfriars. And nearby Stirling is home to the National Wallace Monument, which celebrates one of Scotland’s national heroes, William Wallace.

On your school trip to Edinburgh, your students will have plenty of opportunities to visit these historic sites, where they’ll learn about Scotland’s complex history and its relationship over the centuries with the rest of the United Kingdom.

Explore the unique culture of Scotland

Scotland has its own unique culture, with a rich folklore, musical heritage and literary tradition. On your school trip to Edinburgh, your students will have the exciting opportunity to explore this.

While Edinburgh is the perfect destination in which to explore Scotland’s traditional culture, it remains an important cultural centre within the UK and hosts both the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, which is one of the world’s largest international arts festivals.

A school trip to Edinburgh will give your students the opportunity to better understand the diversity of cultures within the United Kingdom.

An important centre for medical developments

Sometimes referred to as the ‘Athens of Britain’, Edinburgh has a long association with education and medicine is one of the fields for which the city is well known.

Indeed, many medical advancements have happened here, thanks to pioneering Scottish physicians, including Joseph Lister, whose work in antiseptic surgery led to a drastic reduction of post-operative infections and made surgery so much safer for patients.

There are some fantastic educational visits in Edinburgh for history groups studying medicine through time, including the History of Surgery Museum, where students will learn more about Joseph Lister and other pioneering physicians.

Book with Halsbury

Take a look at our range of Edinburgh school trips below, and then get in touch with one of our tour advisers to discuss your requirements.

Prices from £242 pp

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Activities for Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle dominates the capital and offers stunning views of the city and countryside. As part of the visit you… Read More

Harry Potter Walking Tour, Edinburgh

J. K. Rowling famously wrote the first instalment of theHarry Potterseries in a number of cafes in Edinburgh. On a… Read More

Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia spent 44 years carrying the Royal Family around the world, covering over a million nautical miles… Read More

Edinburgh Dungeon

Journey into the depths of Edinburgh's darkest history with a visit to the Edinburgh Dungeons! Professional actors will bring history… Read More

National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland is a must-visit on a school trip to Edinburgh. Here, you'll find some fantastic exhibitions… Read More

The History of Surgery Museum

For any groups studying the history of medicine, a visit to the History of Surgery Museum in Edinburgh is unmissable… Read More

Camera Obscura and World of Illusion

The Camera Obscura show is a fascinating and highly amusing way to see the city and learn about its history… Read More

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is home to a wonderful collection of modern and contemporary art from 1900… Read More

Frequently Asked Questions

We would recommend spending around 3 days in Edinburgh to make the most out of visiting the Scottish capital on your school trip.

Edinburgh is a relatively compact city, with many of the main sights within walking distance of each other. For longer journeys, we would recommend using Edinburgh's excellent buses and trams.

You cannot visit Edinburgh without a visit to Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse which sit at opposite ends of the Royal Mile to one another. We would also highly recommend the Harry Potter walking tour, which offers the opportunity to find out how the city inspired J K Rowling's world-famous series.

There are quite a few free things to do in Edinburgh on your school trip. You could visit the city's beautiful Royal Botanic Gardens which, as well as the beautiful plants, also offers spectacular views across the Edinburgh cityscape, including Edinburgh Castle. The spectacular St. Giles Cathedral is also free to visit and is on the Royal Mile. And if your group is interested in fine art, you'll be pleased to discover that the Scottish National Gallery is also free to visit.

Edinburgh offers lots of educational opportunities for a range of subjects including art, history and even music, making it a fantastic option for a cross-curricular school trip.

Why choose Halsbury?

Here are just a few reasons why teachers choose Halsbury for educational school trips that inspire.

  • School trips designed by teachers for teachers

    Originally founded by teachers in 1986, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and are here to make the process of running your school trip as easy as possible.

    Learn more about Halsbury Travel

  • School trips tailored to your curriculum

    We'll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure your school trip is a truly educational experience.

    Discover how we’ll tailor your school trip

  • Health & safety prioritised

    As a proud Assured Member of the School Travel Forum, the health and safety of your group is always our priority.

    Find out how we ensure your health and safety

  • Support every step of the way

    We'll be with you every step of the way, from your very first enquiry until the moment you return home, including 24-hour support while you’re on your school trip.

    Find out about the support we offer

  • Financially secure school trips

    We're ABTA bonded and all our air tours are ATOL protected, so you can be sure that your school trip is financially secure.

    Find out more about our accreditations

  • Rewarding loyalty scheme

    You'll earn loyalty points from your very first school trip with Halsbury. These can be used towards a discount on your school trip or a free gift for your school.

    Explore our loyalty scheme

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The Halsbury Difference

School trips designed by teachers for teachers

Originally founded by teachers in 1986 and with several former teachers in our team, we understand the pressures on you as Group Leader and work hard to relieve them.

Trips tailored to your curriculum and learning objectives

We’ll design your trip around your specific learning objectives and curriculum, to ensure it meets your particular requirements.

Rewarding loyalty scheme

Work together with other teachers in your school to save thousands of pounds on future school trips with our multi-trip loyalty scheme!