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Depart Edinburgh at 08.30 and travel west, past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn.
Then you arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail', with many scenes filmed here.
You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he 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 (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop to see Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you will have lunch and can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin.
Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. From here you make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle.
Return time - approx 18.30
Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts |
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Posted by Rahel on 15/05/2013
Sarah was our guide for the day. She was perfect! Very knowledgeable, and very engaging. She had no problem with small talk, and answered any questions anyone had. The Castles were amazing, the weather perfect, and the Lochs pristine. She suggested many places to see with our stops, and they all turned out to be winners. Highly recommended, and I highly recommend Sarah as a guide!
Posted by Jeff@Colorado on 03/05/2013
Al was a very knowledgeable and great tour guide, this one day trip was wonderful, my family and I loved it.
Posted by David Calhoun on 09/04/2013
This particular tour was one of the most beautiful--lots of mountain views, and lovely scenery. The setting for both Doune and Kilchum castles was amazing. Did not hurt anything that it was a deliciously sunny day.
Posted by Susan Byrnes on 09/04/2013
We love Kilchurn Castle and our guide Sarah was charming, we learnt lots of interesting things thanks to her!
Posted by ELIA CARBONELL on 05/04/2013
seeing a bit of the Highlands was a fantastic experience. this was my first trip to Scotland and I definitely want to come back.
Posted by Gina Barnett on 20/03/2013
This tour was really enjoyable and Alan was a wonderful, very knowledgable tour guide, full of interesting information. It was only a small group but was a fun day out. He even washed the windows at one stop for our picture taking. Excellent.
Posted by Anne Connell on 20/03/2013
Not just seeing the sites, but learning about the history of them was the best part for me.
Posted by Jason Fraser on 20/03/2013
We all loved everything, even though I personaly have a preference for Kilchurn castle and Loch Awe... Wonderful scenery! A huge thanks to Liam for being such a good guide!
Posted by Anne-Lise Becavin on 07/03/2013
We loved the tour! Ally was excellent. So friendly and funny. The best part of the tour was being able to go inside the castle. It was a real treat!
Posted by Sarah McKenna on 06/03/2013
Eric was an amazing guide. He was informative, interesting, fun, and even incorporated extra stops into our tour because there were so few of us. The most amazing experience I've ever had with a tour. Thanks so much!
Posted by Chelsea Graham on 21/02/2013
The guide was very friendly and it was very enjoyable to listen to all his stories and comments
Posted by . Torres on 12/02/2013
Well i had the most amazing time during this tour. John is the perfect guide, he never rushes you at any site and he is so much fun and I think he would have a really successful career as a Dj as he has a great taste in music with Sony MP3 player which is his little treasure :))). Also he keeps telling stories about scottish history which shows his amazing knowledge. One More thing when i come to Scotland again i will make sure to book with rabbie's and Hopefully i am lucky enough to have John as the Guide. Cheeeers John :)
Posted by Loay Hossny on 04/02/2013
Tip of 2013: Join John McDermott for a trip to the Highlands: Castles, Awesome Landscapes, Deer, Ancient Pub and Highland Park Whisky. All accompanied by great music and stories. Thanks John! Joan & Carel 19 Jan 2013
Posted by Carel Weijand on 27/01/2013
I would thank the organization, our driver was John really a book of history and accuracy on deliver information related the Scottish history, I really enjoy the moments spent on board the bus.
Posted by Saverio MACCHIA on 07/01/2013
I LOVED Kilchern castle! One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen with the frost on the grass and trees and the mountains reflecting on the loch! It was breathtaking, and the skies were the most beautiful blue, and I loved that the guide (Mav) stopped on the other side of the castle too so we could get a picture there.
Posted by Emily Rincavage on 05/12/2012
Our guide - Mike - is brilliant and fantastic. Very positive and very informative day because of his tour.
Posted by Dmitry Dubrovskiy on 19/11/2012
Our guide Shelby was delightful, and really gave us a wonderful overview not only of Scottish history but also of Scots' way of life, which we loved. She was also very kind with my children, and lively, and they loved her!
Posted by Karine Trempil on 12/11/2012
I had a great time on the tour. It was nice to have a small group with enough time to stop to and explore the different area. Audrey was very nice and fun, she told great stories and answered any question you asked!
Posted by Erin Berdal on 31/10/2012
This tour was really enjoyable and Alan was a wonderful, very knowledgable tour guide, full of interesting information. It was only a small group but was a fun day out. He even washed the windows at one stop for our picture taking. Excellent.
Posted by Anne Connell on 20/03/2013
Not just seeing the sites, but learning about the history of them was the best part for me.
Posted by Jason Fraser on 20/03/2013
We all loved everything, even though I personaly have a preference for Kilchurn castle and Loch Awe... Wonderful scenery! A huge thanks to Liam for being such a good guide!
Posted by Anne-Lise Becavin on 07/03/2013
We loved the tour! Ally was excellent. So friendly and funny. The best part of the tour was being able to go inside the castle. It was a real treat!
Posted by Sarah McKenna on 06/03/2013
Eric was an amazing guide. He was informative, interesting, fun, and even incorporated extra stops into our tour because there were so few of us. The most amazing experience I've ever had with a tour. Thanks so much!
Posted by Chelsea Graham on 21/02/2013
The guide was very friendly and it was very enjoyable to listen to all his stories and comments
Posted by . Torres on 12/02/2013
I would thank the organization, our driver was John really a book of history and accuracy on deliver information related the Scottish history, I really enjoy the moments spent on board the bus.
Posted by Saverio MACCHIA on 07/01/2013
I LOVED Kilchern castle! One of the most beautiful things I have ever seen with the frost on the grass and trees and the mountains reflecting on the loch! It was breathtaking, and the skies were the most beautiful blue, and I loved that the guide (Mav) stopped on the other side of the castle too so we could get a picture there.
Posted by Emily Rincavage on 05/12/2012
Our guide - Mike - is brilliant and fantastic. Very positive and very informative day because of his tour.
Posted by Dmitry Dubrovskiy on 19/11/2012
Our guide Shelby was delightful, and really gave us a wonderful overview not only of Scottish history but also of Scots' way of life, which we loved. She was also very kind with my children, and lively, and they loved her!
Posted by Karine Trempil on 12/11/2012
I had a great time on the tour. It was nice to have a small group with enough time to stop to and explore the different area. Audrey was very nice and fun, she told great stories and answered any question you asked!
Posted by Erin Berdal on 31/10/2012