Edinburgh, Loch Lomond and Whisky
3 day / 2 night
A comfortable train brings you swiftly to Edinburgh. On arrival discover the medieval streets of the ancient Old Town. Enjoy a stroll along the famous Royal Mile to visit Edinburgh Castle (included). Enjoy a full day excursion to see impressive Stirling Castle and the beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. End the day at pretty Glengoyne Distillery. On your last day explore more of Edinburgh on a hop-on, hop-off tour and enjoy free time before returning to London.
Price range: £415 - £645
High Speed Train - travel between London and Edinburgh in just under 4.5 hours
Edinburgh Castle - see the Scottish Crown Jewels and enjoy amazing views from the ramparts
Loch Lomond - enjoy free time by the “bonnie, bonnie banks”
The Trossachs - known as the Highlands in Miniature” discover a scenic area of lochs and mountains
Glengoyne Distillery - take a tour to learn how Scotch whisky is made and enjoy a wee taste of the end product!
Movie locations - The Angels’ Share, Rob Roy and Braveheart
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 -
After a swift journey by high speed train from London to Edinburgh settle in to your city-centre hotel for your two-night stay in Scotland.
This afternoon discover the history and architecture of Edinburgh’s medieval Royal Mile. For centuries this famous thoroughfare was the hub of life in Edinburgh. A gentle stroll along any part of this historic street will take you in the footsteps of Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and a host of colourful Scottish characters.
The highlight is a visit to Edinburgh Castle which sits on a crag and provides a striking backdrop to Edinburgh’s skyline. Join a guided tour led by one of the castles warders to hear dramatic tales of siege, warfare, dark deeds and intrigue! On your tour you’ll see the Scottish Crown Jewels, Mons Meg (a giant cannon) and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in Edinburgh. There are also spectacular views of Edinburgh to enjoy from the battlements.
Edinburgh has lots a quality restaurants to choose from with many specialising in Scottish fish and seafood. Look out for popular "pre-theatre” menus where you can enjoy good food at great savings, if you eat early. There will be plenty of choices available, just a short walk from your hotel.
Day 2 - Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Glengoyne Distillery Excursion
Our journey commences with a drive past Linlithgow Palace which sits overlooking a lovely loch. It was here that Mary, Queen of Scots was born. You’ll have a chance to visit imposing Stirling Castle. It stands on a sheer crag looking down towards Bannockburn, the battlefield where in 1314 Robert the Bruce defeated the English. James V turned the castle into one of Scotland’s most sumptuous palaces, it becoming the home of the Scottish court.
The Trossachs is a wonderful area of lochs and wild mountain vistas. We travel along the banks of Loch Venachar then enjoy the views as our coach climbs the Dukes Pass to reach the pretty village of Aberfoyle. Next is a stop by the "bonnie, bonnie banks” of Loch Lomond where there is time for lunch.
The last stop of the day is at pretty Glengoyne Malt Whisky Distillery. Here you can go behind the scenes to learn how whisky is made and taste the end product!
Day 3 - Edinburgh Sightseeing Tour - Free time - London
Today enjoy an open-top bus tour of Edinburgh to explore the city at your own pace. You can hop-off to visit the places that interest you then catch the next bus to continue your tour.
On your tour you’ll discover the New Town with its grand squares and sweeping crescents that feature some of the finest Georgian architecture in Europe. There are dark tales to be told of executions and two of Edinburgh’s most infamous citizens, Burke and Hare, as you tour through the Grassmarket. Hear the tale of Greyfriar’s Bobby and see the statue of the little Skye terrier after touring the new Quartermile area. At the foot of the Royal Mile sits the iconic Scottish Parliament building and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, HM The Queen’s official residence in Scotland. Finally there are wonderful views of Arthurs Seat and Holyrood Park to enjoy as we make our way back to the city centre.
If you fancy some retail therapy you’ll find the designer label shopping aplenty in fashionable George Street whilst grand Princes Street provides world-class shops and department stores including Jenners, Edinburgh’s very own version of Harrods! If you’re looking for antiques or quirky souvenirs try friendly Stockbridge or Victoria Street, just off the Royal Mile.
All too soon it’s time to head to Waverley Station to board your comfortable train for the return journey to London. Haste ye back!
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Freestyle Train Tour?
This carefully planned semi-independent tour will stretch your holiday time to the max, without making you feeling rushed. A unique combination of travel by train, comfortable accommodation and quality sightseeing will give you extra time to explore Scotland in greater detail. All the documentation you need, including your rail tickets, will be emailed to you. Just print these out and you are good to go. Any questions or if you need your documents early - just email or call us, we’re here to help. On the tour you’ll travel independently by train to and from London. We’ll make sure you have a reserved seat and we’ll send you a comprehensive itinerary, so you know what’s happening at any time during your tour, as well as helpful city guides for you to download to your smart-device. Accommodation is provided in comfortable 3-star hotels that are just a short walk from the railway station and are convenient for sightseeing and the tour departure points. A buffet breakfast is included in the cost of the tour. The sightseeing tours that are included as part of this package are led by experienced driver/guides who will provide an entertaining and informative commentary in English. Transportation will be in comfortable air-conditioned coaches.
Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?
Admission fees are not included in the tour fare. Here are the attractions that are visited on this tour:
Stirling Castle
Glengoyne Distillery
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.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
Will someone meet me in Scotland?
This is a semi-independent tour so you will not be met on arrival in Edinburgh or Glasgow. A comprehensive and customised itinerary is included as part of your documentation together with Official Guides to Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness (depending on the itinerary that you are travelling on). Assistance is also available by telephone 7-days a week.
How much luggage can I bring?
There are no restrictions on the amount of luggage that you can bring on this tour . Please bear in mind that luggage storage on the train is limited and you may be required to lift your case onto a shelf unaided.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 2 nights hotel accommodation
- Location: Edinburgh (2)
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (2)
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle
- Full day tour to Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and Glengoyne Distillery
- Hop-on, Hop-off tour of Edinburgh
Tour Essentials
- Return standard class train tickets between London and Edinburgh with seat reservations
- Customised tour itinerary & Official Edinburgh Guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges unless stated above
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure information
From Kings Cross Railway Station
Euston Road
London N1 9AL
Check-in: 06:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 07:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 20:55 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 3 to 15 years inclusive.
We’re sorry but children aged under 3 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
IMPORTANT: Once booked this tour cannot be changed or cancelled
Accommodation
The price of this tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
Train Times
The times shown above are for guidance only. The train times for your journey will be shown on your tickets and itinerary.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
ST 00313
Customer Reviews
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Rating: 09 May 2015
Rooms were sizable which was nice. Location to the royal mile was good. Might gave like to stay on the main strip? Hotel should be able make recommendations for restaurants, things/places to must see. They seemed indifferent when asked any question, said they didnt know the area and couldnt recommend a restaurant. Found that a little annoying. But otherwise the stay was fine
Catherine from Mount Prospect, United States
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Rating: 03 Mar 2015
Had a great time. Very informative and fun! Great hotel and location too. The van was a bit small for my rather tall dad but other than that no complaints
Hillary from Leicester, United Kingdom
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Rating: 01 Sep 2014
Train tickets had great seats, with a table, and riding forward each way. Hotel was perfectly located for our activities and the staff were very accommodating. Driver-guide Iain was marvelous -- knew his history and was a wonderful story teller, complete with accents. I picked the tour with no prior information about Scottish Tours, but the 3-day Scotland tour with Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond and a distillery, Edinburgh & the Royal Mile, and the Hop-on/Hop-off tour -- where we got off & toured the Botanical Garden -- were everything we hoped for and more.
Edith from Aiken, United States
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