The Highlands, Lochs and Whisky Tour
One day tour
Discover picturesque mountains and lochs on this wonderful tour through the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. Explore impressive Stirling Castle, take the opportunity of visiting a whisky distillery and see The Kelpies, the impressive horse sculptures.
Price range: £33 - £45
Stirling Castle - visit the favoured residence of Scotland’s Kings and Queens
Lake of Monteith - see Scotland’s only lake and enjoy the amazing views of towering Ben Lomond
The Trossachs - admire the views as you tour through the “Highlands in Miniature”
Loch Katrine - enjoy a walk along the banks of this picturesque loch in the heart of Rob Roy country
Deanston Distillery - discover the distiller’s art on a “behind the scenes” tour to see how malt whisky is produced
Doune Castle - explore this impressive castle the setting of Castle Leoch in the Outlander TV series
Movie locations - Outlander, Braveheart and Rob Roy
Full Tour Itinerary
We depart from Edinburgh and make our way through the Forth Valley to our first stop at the amazing Kelpies – 30 metre high metal equine sculptures, built at the entry to the Forth and Clyde Canal as a tribute to Central Scotland’s industrial heritage.
Next we make the short drive to the ancient city of Stirling. Along the way hear tales of the famous battles fought at Stirling Bridge and Bannockburn during the Wars of Independence, as William Wallace then Robert the Bruce led the Scottish army to victory.
Stirling Castle is one of the most significant castles in Scottish history due to it’s strategic location where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. There is over 900 years of history to be discovered within the walls of this famous castle. There is time to explore the Royal Palace, Great Hall, dungeons and much much more. If you don’t want to visit the castle the Old Town of Stirling is just a short walk away.
Next we travel to the banks of the attractive Lake of Menteith, Scotland’s only Lake, and enjoy amazing views of ‘Ben Lomond’. There will be time for lunch in the little village of Aberfoyle, before we tour over the famous ‘Duke’s Pass‘, stopping for photos of the panorama, before we meet a herd of ‘Hairy Coos‘ (Highland Cattle)!These magnificent yak-like creatures are native to Scotland, and they love to pose for your photographs!
At Loch Katrine discover the beautiful scenery that inspired Sir Walter Scott to write the poem The Lady of the Lake. Take a short walk along the banks of this scenic loch to collect some stunning photographs before we continue our journey through “Rob Roy” country.
When we arrive in the little village of Doune you’ve got the chance to visit Deanston Distillery to discover how whisky is lovingly produced. The tour ends with a short whisky-tasting. Alternatively, why not visit close by Doune Castle instead, dating from the 14th century, and a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander.
From Doune it’s a short drive back to Edinburgh and the end of our tour.
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. Luxury travel is provided by air-conditioned mini or midi coaches 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. Please note that tours to some destinations, particularly to Loch Ness, can be faster paced so the number and duration of stops may be limited.
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:
The Kelpies
Stirling Castle
Deanston Distillery
Doune 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 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.
Do you offer a hotel pick-up service?
We know that you will want to start your tour straight away rather than spending valuable time travelling around hotels. By offering a single centrally located departure point we can get you to Scotland’s best scenery as quickly as possible .
Will there be a tour commentary?
Each tour is led by an experienced driver/guide who will provide an informative and entertaining commentary in English. You’ll hear tales of the Clans, bloody battles and the famous characters that have shaped the history of Scotland. You will learn too of the landscape that surrounds you and of the nature that makes Scotland so special. Be ready to have a laugh as well - you’re bound to be told some really corny jokes!
Inclusions
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned mini/midicoach
- Live commentary in English
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your tour host
Departure information
From Deacon’s House Café
304 Lawnmarket
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH1 2PS
Check-in: 08:15 hrs
Tour Departs: 08:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 18:30 hrs
Child details
Concession discounts apply to students and children aged 7 to 17 years inclusive.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 7 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code
NB 02894
