Leaving Edinburgh behind, this day trip offers a perfect blend of history, scenery, and culture. The journey begins with the dramatic sight of The Kelpies, the towering 30-metre sculptures honouring Scotland’s mythical water horses, before passing Stirling with its impressive castle and the Wallace Monument rising above the city.
Our first stop is Blackness Castle, a mighty 15th-century stronghold dramatically positioned on the Firth of Forth. Nicknamed “the ship that never sailed” because of its distinctive shape, the castle has served as a royal residence, garrison, and prison. Fans of the Outlander TV series will also recognise it as the filming location of Fort William from the hit TV series.
Next, the tour continues into the Trossachs, a region often described as the Highlands in Miniature. Here, Loch Katrine awaits - a tranquil loch immortalised by Sir Walter Scott in his poem, “The Lady of the Lake”. Surrounded by mountains and forests, it offers classic Highland scenery.
Nearby, the smaller Loch Achray provides another scenic stop beneath the peaks of Ben A’an and Ben Venue.
A highlight of the day is meeting Scotland’s iconic Highland cattle, affectionately known as “Hairy Coos.”
On the return journey to Edinburgh, we pause in South Queensferry to admire the 3 bridges that span the Firth of Forth, including the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge.
