Quick Details
Explore Scotland on our Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh!
Step back in time as you follow in the footsteps of the most iconic heroes of Scotland’s past, William Wallace and Robert the Bruce.
DEPARTURE
Check-In 8:15 AM
Tour Departs 8:30 AM
Departure Point: we depart from outside Heritage of Scotland, 459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT. This is directly opposite the road from our original departure point by Deacon’s House Cafe.
(what3words, Google Maps)
Please note: From the 2nd of December 2024 onward, we will be boarding from the north side of St Andrew Square, outside Hotel Malmaison, 22 St Andrew Square, EH2 1AY (what3words, Google Maps). You can view a map and further details here.
Seats are unreserved so we recommend you arrive early if you have a preference of where you would like to sit.
The tour will leave at 8:30 AM prompt. We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance.
TOUR RETURNS
Drop-Off: 6:30 PM
The tour concludes outside Heritage of Scotland, 459-461 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT.
Please note that return times are approximate and may be impacted by road conditions and weather. We recommend allowing at least 2 hours for any onward travel or reservations in the evening, in the event of delays.
ABOUT YOUR STIRLING CASTLE & LOCH LOMOND TOUR
This tour has something for everyone and is a great way to get an overview of Scotland. We venture into the beautiful Scottish Highlands and along the way we’ll see castles, lochs, sculptures and more, perhaps some adorable Highland Cows or as we like to call them ‘Hairy Coos’.
We depart from Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile before saying hello to the iconic Kelpies, the largest equine statues in the world and you will have the opportunity have a close up look of these magnificent sculptures.
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.
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.
We then drive through the charming town of Callander and 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.
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.
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
- Experienced ‘Hairy Coo’ Driver Guide providing live commentary and storytelling throughout.
- Travel on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED?
- Food & drink.
- Gratuities for your Driver Guide.
- Optional Extras are purchasable on the day with cash only.
We can confirm that the optional cruise on Loch Lomond is available, and if that is something you would like to do, tickets for both the boat and Stirling Castle can be purchased and paid for on the day of your tour.
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- Boat Cruise – £15.50 Adult, £10.50 Child
- Stirling Castle – £19.50 Adult, £11.70 Child
(Prices subject to change)
STIRLING CASTLE TOUR ITINERARY
8:30am
Depart Edinburgh
♦ The Kelpies
♦ Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park
Aberfoyle
Callander
♦ Stirling Castle
♦ Forth Bridges – UNESCO World Heritage Site
Arrive back in Edinburgh
Approx 6:30pm
♦ Stop
Before your tour
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We recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, no matter what the forecast appears to be…Scotland’s weather is very unpredictable! And don’t forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you’ll encounter on your tour, which you can later share with us online!
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Food is readily available at the majority of stops on tour, but you are absolutely more than welcome to bring snacks and a cold packed lunch on board. Hot drinks and soups are permitted but only if they have a secure lid. There are often alternatives suitable to most diets, but options may be limited.
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We ask that tickets to the optional extras available are paid in cash, please see the cost listed above under “What is not included”. We must also remind you that while picturesque and quaint, many of the suppliers in smaller towns do still prefer cash payments. ATM’s are located at multiple stops along the route, for example Callander, Fort Augustus and Pitlochry.
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We always aim to stop for a visit of our local, beloved Hairy Coos on our tours! However we cannot guarantee Highland cows, as we are not in control of their movements or placements. Please note that in the winter months (Mid November – March) some farmers decide to move the cows indoors or to other field for the winter so they are unavailable during this period.
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You are more than welcome to bring along a carry-on bag on the tour which can be packed with essentials for the day, but we would advise keeping this bag as light and small as possible to maximise your comfort onboard. If you’d like to bring along larger luggage, please get in touch to confirm availability.