West Highlands Lochs & Castles Tour from Edinburgh West Highland Lochs and Castles: Small-Group Tour
ID: GYG3425-3425
Category:
Sight Seeing
, Nature and Landscapes
Country: United Kingdom
Duration:
10:00 hours
Description
Explore the lochs and castles of Scotland’s West Highlands on a full-day scenic drive to Doune Castle, Callander, Loch Lomon, the Breadalbane Mountains, and more. Learn about Scotland’s folk heroes, and hear stories of famous battles.
Enjoy a small group tour of Scotland’s Western Highlands, and explore some of its most atmospheric lochs and castles. Traveling in a comfortable 16-seat Mercedes minibus, you will depart Edinburgh and head west past Stirling Castle.
The first stop will be Doune Castle, built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago. You might recognize it from the famous comedy film, Monty Python and The Holy Grail. Continue to Callander, where you will pause for a coffee, before leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands.
Visit Loch Luibnaig, and continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort-of Highland Robin Hood, who stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor!
From Balquhidder, the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane. Stop for lunch in a small West Highland village. Continue past Kilchurn Castle in the middle of Loch Awe, and on through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Visit the 18th-Century castle, home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan.
Depart Inveraray, and drive up through the steep mountains of the Arrochar Alps, to the great viewpoint at “Rest and Be Thankful,” given its name by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the military road up through Glen Croe. Skirt Loch Long, and drive down to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, Scotland's largest loch.
Stop at the conservation village of Luss, to admire its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch, and then make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short stop underneath Stirling Castle.
Highlights
- Take a full-day scenic drive through the western Highlands
- Discover some of Scotland's most beautiful lochs and castles
- Visit Doune Castle, location for scenes from Monty Python's Holy Grail!
- Admire one of Scotland's longest lochs
- Drive through Loch Lomond National Park
- Go to the home of the Duke of Argyll at Inveraray Castle
- Journey through the Arrochar Alps
- Discover the "Rest and Be Thankful" viewpoint
- Visit the conservation village of Luss
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• Tour returns to Edinburgh by approximately 18:30
• Transportation is by top range 16 seat Mercedes minicoach
• Small group tours, maximum of 16 passengers. Touring with a small group you will get more for your money, more personal attention, more time with the locals, more time off the bus, more time on the backroads, and just more of an authentic, friendly experience. The smaller groups allow you to meet people from all over the world and make friends for life.
• It is recommended that you bring suitable clothing and footwear for possible nature walks. Scotland weather can be wet
• Inveraray Castle is open Easter - mid October only
• Minimum age to participate is 5 years
• You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on the tour. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items
The number of visitors is limited to reduce crowds
You must keep social distance while in vehicles
All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned
You will receive a mandatory temperature check
You must fill out a travel information form
You are required to bring and wear a mask
Rabbie's Cafe, 6 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
