From Edinburgh: Stirling Castle, the Kelpies and Loch Lomond Tour

This full-day tour takes you out of Edinburgh and into the landscapes that define the Scottish Highlands, from the shores of Loch Lomond to the towering Kelpies sculptures near Falkirk. Travelling by air-conditioned coach, you'll cover a wide sweep of central Scotland in a single day, moving between historic sites, national park scenery and small villages along the way.

The route takes in Balloch on the southern edge of Loch Lomond, where an optional hour-long boat cruise lets you see the loch from the water, and the scenic Duke's Pass through the Trossachs. You'll also pass through Aberfoyle and Callander before reaching Stirling, where you can explore the city centre or visit Stirling Castle, long associated with figures like Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. On the way back to Edinburgh, the tour stops for a view of the three bridges spanning the River Forth.

This is a guided tour rather than a fixed-itinerary bus pass, so there's room to explore on foot at several stops, including a photo opportunity with Highland cows. Entry to Stirling Castle and the Loch Lomond boat cruise are optional extras, paid for separately on the day.

The day begins with departure from Edinburgh by coach, heading first to the Kelpies for a close-up look at the sculptures before continuing on to Balloch at the southern end of Loch Lomond. Here you can wander the area or join an optional boat cruise on the loch. From there, the route winds through Aberfoyle and the Trossachs via the scenic Duke's Pass, with a stop along the way to spot Highland cows.

After passing through the village of Callander, the tour reaches Stirling, where you can choose to explore the city centre independently or head up to Stirling Castle. The final leg back to Edinburgh includes a stop to view the three bridges crossing the River Forth, rounding off a day that moves between coastal lochs, historic towns and open Highland scenery.