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.
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