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1 day tour
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and The Kelpies
From
£52.00
Tour Summary
Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and The Kelpies
One day tour
This fascinating tour through spectacular scenery will take you to many places connected with the famous Scottish folk heroes King Robert the Bruce, Rob Roy and Sir William Wallace, the real Braveheart.
The Kelpies - get a close-up view of the magnificent horses-head statues
Loch Lomond - take an optional cruise on the waters of Britain’s largest lake
The Trossachs - tour through the “Highlands in Miniature”
Rob Roy - hear the fascinating story of this legendary outlaw
Doune - see the impressive castle overlooking the River Teith - Castle Leoch in the Outlander TV series
Stirling Castle - visit this magnificent fortress to see the Royal apartments, Great Hall and Chapel Royal
Movie locations - Outlander, Rob Roy and Braveheart
Full Tour Itinerary
We leave Edinburgh behind and make our way past Linlithgow, and its Palace ruins overlooking a lovely loch. King James V and his daughter, the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots, were both born here.
Our first stop of the day is to visit The Kelpies, two 30-metre-high horse head statues built to celebrate the role that heavy horses played in the daily life of the nearby Forth and Clyde Canal.
Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in mainland Britain. It’s known for its natural beauty and was described by Sir Walter Scott as “the Queen of Scottish lakes”.
We’ll make a stop at Balloch, where a cruiser awaits to show you the very best views of the “bonnie, bonnie banks” on an optional 1-hour sail.
If sailing is not your thing, there will be time to relax by the loch and visit the Loch Lomond Shores visitor centre for refreshments.
We’ll make a stop for lunch in Aberfoyle, which sits in the heart of the sprawling Queen Elizabeth Forest Park.
The Trossachs is a haven of lovely woodlands, quiet glens, and sparkling lochs, all set amidst impressive mountains, famed in paintings and romantic literature. The area has been attracting visitors for generations.
There is a real taste of the Highlands as we ascend the Duke’s Pass. This is Rob Roy MacGregor country, and the road we are travelling on was built by his arch-rival, the Duke of Montrose, to access his estate.
We’ll stop to admire the view over Loch Achray, then continue along the banks of Loch Venachar as we travel towards Callander.
Dramatic Stirling Castle stands on a sheer crag looking down towards Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn, both decisive battles in Scotland’s Wars of Independence.
During our time in Stirling, you’ll have the chance to visit this mighty fortress, which King James V turned into a sumptuous Royal residence.
The magnificently restored Royal Palace was the childhood home of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was crowned here at the age of just 9 months. It will take little imagination to visualise the scene when you visit the impressive Chapel Royal.
If you prefer, you can enjoy free time to explore Stirling’s charming old town with its cobbled streets and medieval buildings. It’s sure to impress.
On the return journey to Edinburgh, there is a stop in South Queensferry to enjoy panoramic views of the Firth of Forth and the three bridges spanning the estuary including the Forth Bridge, which dates from 1890 and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Signature Day Tour?
Travelling on a Signature one-day tour is a great way to discover the best of Scotland from your city centre base of Edinburgh, Glasgow or Inverness.
During your day of discovery we’ll introduce you to many aspects of our country: spectacular scenery, history, folklore, nature and much, much more.
Travel is provided by air-conditioned vehicle and each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide a live commentary in English.
There are stops planned at the key sights as well as for meals and comfort breaks.
What are the optional extras on this tour and how much do they cost?
Admission fees are not included in the tour fare. Here are the attractions that are visited on this tour:
Loch Lomond Cruise
Stirling Castle
The above links will provide you with more details including prices. The tour itinerary has been carefully created to allow sufficient time for an interior visit, should you wish. In some cases discounts are available to tour participants, your driver/guide will give you more information if this applies on this tour. Some attractions don’t accept payment by credit/debit card so it’s recommended that you bring sufficient cash should you wish to make a visit.
If you plan to visit Edinburgh Castle as well as Stirling Castle during your time in Scotland you may wish to consider purchasing a Historic Scotland Explorer Pass. This ticket allows visits to up to 77 Historic Scotland attractions during the validity period of your pass.
Tell me about the optional cruise on Loch Lomond?
The cruise will normally last for around one hour and will take you to see some of the 33 islands that are scattered across the loch.
You’ll enjoy wonderful views of magnificent Ben Lomond and of the many stately homes that line the banks of the Queen of Scotland’s lochs.
An engaging commentary will introduce you to the rich history of the area, it’s spectacular natural beauty and of the wildlife that call the loch home.
Most cruise boats have an open deck for enhanced sightseeing as well as a heated indoor saloon with a bar where you can purchase a wide range of drinks and snacks.
Is there much walking involved on your tours?
On most tours you’ll have the chance to stretch your legs at some point each day.
If you have someone in your party who has mobility issues then there is normally an alternative at most stops .
I’ve missed my tour because I was late, can I get a refund?
We’re sorry but refunds or credits won’t be issued if you miss your tour because you are not at the departure point on time.
In fairness to all our passengers coaches will not wait if you are late.
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Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (5 /5) 01 Oct 2025
Stevie was our tour guide, and he was fantastic. He's a great storyteller, and we loved how he brought his passion for music into the experience. We'd absolutely do it again. Highly recommended for anyone interested in castles, Loch Lomond, and Scottish history.
Lorne from Glasgow, GB
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Rating: (5 /5) 22 Aug 2025
You're simply the best! Better than all the rest, Better than anyone, Anyone we've ever met! We followed your lead, Hung on every word you said, Oh, we’d tour with you again, Every time, with no regret! Adam was amazing! Led a wonderful tour, he was super knowledgeable about Scotland and told amazing stories. Very smooth drive and had plenty of time at all the stops. Overall wonderful tour!
Emily from SAN JOSE, US
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Rating: (5 /5) 25 Jul 2025
The tour is well worth the money. John kept us entertained with stories from Scottish history. He also did a fabulous job of pointing out the points of interest. I can’t say enough good things about the experience.
Ellen from Olney, US
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