Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Explore historic Stirling Castle
- Marvel at the Kelpies sculptures
- Enjoy scenic Loch Lomond views
- Learn about Scottish history
- Experience Scotland's natural beauty
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Stirling Castle
- Visit to the Kelpies sculptures
- Scenic drive around Loch Lomond
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
See the spectacular Kelpies – 30 foot high metal equine sculptures, built at the entrance to Forth and Clyde Canals as a tribute to Central Scotland’s industrial past. You’ll see why the Kelpies are fast becoming one of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks and the perfect spot for photographs.
Heading West we make our way towards the town of Balloch, situated at the southern of Loch Lomond’s Bonnie Banks where you will have a chance to explore and also take an optional hour-long boat cruise on the loch. Whilst enjoying the beautiful scenery from the boat you can also hear the expert onboard commentary from Neil Oliver, who is amongst other things a renowned Scottish historian and archaeologist.
Pass by: After leaving the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond we then head towards the quaint village of Aberfoyle before exploring a picturesque Highland road named the Dukes Pass, the old stomping ground of the legendary folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor.
Pass by: Known as “The Gateway to the Highlands” Callander is situated on the boundary of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National park, an area of outstanding natural beauty.
We make our way to the historic Stirling Castle where you will have the option of either taking leisurely stroll around the city centre or going inside and hearing how important this stronghold was over the centuries. From the Wars of Independence, think William Wallace and Robert the Bruce to Mary Queen of Scots who was crowned at the castle in 1543 aged just 9 months old this fortress has played a major part in our history. If you don't fancy the castle you will have free time to explore the ancient city of Stirling.
After visiting Stirling we make our way back to Edinburgh, stopping at South Queensferry for an opportunity to catch a glimpse of the 3 bridges that span the River Forth including the iconic Forth Rail Bridge, a World Heritage Site granted by UNESCO in 2015.
We will drop you off in the city centre, our estimated arrival time is 6:30 PM. Please note that this can be impacted by traffic and other factors outwith our control. We recommend leaving 2 hours between the expected arrival time and any onward travel or reservations, as we are not able to offer individual drop-offs.
Meeting point
Start Location
1759 Regent Rd, 1759 Regent Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8DR, UK
Important information
Know before you book
- Confirm your booking at least 24 hours in advance.
- Be aware that the tour operates rain or shine.
- Ensure you have a valid ID for age verification if required.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the castle tour.
- Bring a camera to capture the stunning landscapes.
- Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- There are opportunities to take short nature walks, it is recommended to bring suitable clothing and footwear.
- Minimum age to travel is 7 years old. Photo ID, such as a passport, may be required. Children (8-17) must be accompanied by an adult.
- This tour in an air-conditioned coach, hosted by a local Scottish guide, rated 5-stars by the official Scottish Tourist Board
- There are regular stops on tour to purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements
- There are regular stops on tour for comfort breaks
- No animals allowed on tour
- For insurance purposes, passengers must not be unaccompanied on our buses during tour stops. Drivers take legally required breaks and cannot stay with the vehicle.
Traveler reviews
Loved it!!
Mari is awesome! Highly recommend the tour.
Worth it!!
Mari was awesome! We had a fantastic day!! Thank you
Highlight of our trip
This was a great way to see the best of the lowland countryside. Stirling castle is an absolute must for anyone interested in Scottish history; the hairy coos are an absolute hoot- I cannot emphasize this enough, you must feed the coos ( 1E, totally worth it); Loch Lamond boat ride - stunning, and the Kelpies are magnificent. I suspect there are a lot of companies that do a similar tour, but I would recommend The Hairy Coos. The bus was small and temperature comfortable. Our bus driver, Craig, was extremely personable-lots of great stories and good advice about where to purchase souvenirs and so on. We especially appreciated his advice about lunch (vegetarian) and explicit instructions about what to do if we left something on the bus (we did). This was the highlight of our trip. 10/10, no notes.
Loch Lomond , Stirling Castle and the Kelpies
Dave was my driver and tour guide . He is very knowledgeable and I learned much of Scottish history. .I can’t believe how he navigates the large bus through the traffic and the roads . It was an amazing tour
Surprising
It is filled with history and intimately linked to Scotland's national hero, William Wallace (Braveheart); from its hill, incredible views can be seen. All the details are thoughtfully planned and taken care of to ensure that history is experienced as an experience.