The 15 Best Loch Lomond & Stirling Day Trips

1.Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,305 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $72Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh in a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach to the 30-meter Kelpies, Loch Lomond, and Stirling Castle. Your English-speaking driver-guide, perhaps a storyteller like Craig, Martin, or Kieran, adds history, music, and local tales. Lunch is extra, and the day returns to Edinburgh.

“Beautiful scenery and well paced to allow plenty of time at each location. Excellent options for lunch and our driver/guide Paul gave great context!”

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2.Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,198 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $63

Travel from Edinburgh with a Timberbush driver-guide such as Ash, John, Adam, or Morag to the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, Stirling Castle, and South Queensferry. The day includes live commentary, optional cruise time, and a castle visit for an extra fee.

“Covers a lot of ground and all are not to miss stop John was a delight to spend time with, super knowledgeable,very funny, very informative,it was like as huge history lesson”

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3.Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,043 reviews · 9 hours · from $57Best value

Travel from Edinburgh in a comfortable 16-seat minibus with an English-speaking guide to see the Kelpies, walk beside Loch Lomond, pass through the Trossachs, and explore Stirling Castle. Guides such as Jim, Martin, David, and Stephen are known for lively stories, music, and Scottish history.

“Very organized and easy to find the tour staff. The bus station is clean and safe. We waited a short spell for our driver. The bus is a small shuttle, like a hotel would use, but very nice and comfortable inside like a tour bus. The driver will lock up the bus any time he or she is away, so feel free to leave your belongings inside. Our driver Mark was very entertaining, knowledgeable and informative. He kept the tour moving the entire time between speaking and playing musical. We were given about 30 minutes at the Kelpies, which is just about right, but don’t spend the entire time gazing…”

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4.Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 895 reviews · from $74

Leave Edinburgh with an English-speaking driver-guide for a full day of Highland scenery, the 30-foot Kelpies, Loch Lomond, and Stirling. You can add a boat cruise and Stirling Castle entry on the day. Expect music, stories, winding roads, comfort stops, and a possible hairy coo sighting.

“The weather was cold and wet, but our guide Fraser was top notch. He was funny engaging and informative.”

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5.1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 850 reviews · 10 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88Top rated

Spend 10.5 hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Loch Fyne, Rest and Be Thankful, and Luss. Small groups of up to 16 use an air-conditioned vehicle, with castle entry, meals, and hotel transfers extra.

“Terrific fun! The guide did a fantastic job telling us about information on each stop…. And more. It was just the right amount of info and was very helpful in answering all questions.”

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6.Rosslyn Chapel, Dunfermline Abbey and Stirling Castle Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 649 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $77

Spend about nine hours with Highland Experience Tours visiting Dunfermline Abbey, Stirling Castle, and Rosslyn Chapel from Edinburgh. Expect Scottish history, castle views, carved stone mysteries, and lively driver-guides such as Steven B, Graham, Alex, and Paul. Attraction tickets cost extra, so plan ahead.

“All three stops were great. The castle ruins were closed at Dunfermline without notice due to staff shortage the day we went on our tour, so that was a bummer, but we really enjoyed the local volunteer at Dunfermline Abbey. He was so knowledgeable and friendly. Stirling Castle was amazing!! However, we were there the day that Storm Amy hit, so we weren't able to really enjoy the Castle grounds due to the wind and rain. Rosslyn Chapel is absolutely stunning! From the outer colors to the grandeur inside, it was amazing.”

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7.Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh by air-conditioned coach to the Kelpies, Loch Lomond at Balmaha, and historic Stirling. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Sophie, Connor, Cara, or Ry, provides live commentary. Stirling Castle entry is optional and costs £17.50.

“Unfortunately it was the most boring tour I've ever attended. Sounds better than the reality It was very uncomfortable that the guide is a driver at the same time. While driving the car, the driver cannot concentrate on landscapes and tell a story. The guide should be in love with the places to which he brings tourists. So that the tourists want to return again and again. It' s my subjective opinion. But for the sake of fairness, it must be said that the views were amazing. We enjoyed Sterling Castle and Loch Lomond.”

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8.Stirling Castle and Whisky Very Small Group Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 386 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $95

Travel from Edinburgh in a Mercedes mini-coach with a guide such as Angela, Keith, Alan, or Paul. See Stirling Castle, Aberfoyle, Loch Lomond, and Glengoyne Distillery, with a short nature walk and whisky tasting. Admission fees and food are extra.

“Keith was a great trip guide. Funny informative and nothing was up much trouble. Enjoyed ye whole day !”

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9.Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 297 reviews · from $76

Spend about 12 hours exploring central Scotland in Spanish with a group of no more than eight. The route joins forest walks, Queen’s View, Loch Tay, Stirling, the Kelpies, and Blair Athol Distillery. Guides such as Ruth and Jonny are praised for clear storytelling, humor, and thoughtful local advice.

“Jonny was our guide on this excursion, and he was incredible! He took us to tons of places and did everything in Spanish. He recommended an incredible restaurant with traditional food, and it was amazing! Highly recommended and one of the best tours we've taken!”

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10.Stirling Castle, Kelpies and Loch Lomond from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 273 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $62

Travel from Edinburgh with a Hairy Coo driver-guide such as Paul, Jason, Peter, or Mike. Visit the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, Stirling, and South Queensferry, with optional boat and castle admissions. Expect Scottish history, Highland roads, regular comfort stops, and a full day in a small coach.

“Fun family exploring day. Saw some beautiful countryside and Sterling castle was a treat to see. Recommend it!”

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11.Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $90

Join a small-group day tour from Edinburgh with guides such as Chris, Perry, Pete, Cameron, or Aila. Visit Stirling Castle, hike near Loch Lomond, taste whisky at Glengoyne, and see the Kelpies. Castle and distillery tickets cost extra.

“It was very Informative. Saw a lot of different sites ! Driver was excellent. Ride was comfortable I would recommend !”

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12.Loch Lomond and the West Highlands Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 85 reviews · 10.5 hours · from $78

Leave Edinburgh with an English-speaking guide and travel through the West Highlands, stopping at Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray, Loch Lomond, and Luss. Guides such as Dave, Graeme, Heidi, Torva, and Leonia are known for lively stories, while the $78 fare includes transport and guide service.

“Simply the best day. Lots of information and lovely sceneries.”

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13.Stirling Castle,Trossachs National and Loch Lomond Day Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Spend about nine hours touring the Kelpies, Loch Lomond, Balmaha, and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh. An English-speaking guide such as Dusty, Louise, Connor, or Alistair handles the driving and stories. Castle admission costs £17.50 extra, and the small group can include up to 16 people.

“Wendy had the best talk of any of several guides we've had in Scotland - clearly enunciated, informative and entertaining. Right amount of time at each site. Extra stops at the Firth bridges and a farm for a hairy coo. Excellent day!”

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14.Stirling, Whisky and St Andrews Tour in Spanish

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 67 reviews · from $71

Join a Spanish-speaking guide from Edinburgh Old Town for a 10-hour trip to Stirling, a whisky distillery, St Andrews, and South Queensferry. You’ll have time for Stirling Castle, a whisky tasting, St Andrews Cathedral, the Old Course, and views of the Forth Bridge.

“Excelente la excursión, la organización de los tiempos pero por sobre todas las cosas la excelente predisposición, dedicación y atención de Luis, hizo que cada momento de la excursión sea interesante con sus explicaciones y musicalizacion de los viajes.”

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15.Wallace monument, Stirling Castle, Linlithgow Palace Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 46 reviews · 8 hours (approx.)

Travel from Edinburgh in a private vehicle with guide Ed Silinis, stopping at the Forth Bridges, Stirling Castle, Wallace Monument, and Linlithgow Palace. The day can be adjusted for your group, pace, walking ability, and interests.

“Our tour guide Ed was awesome. His Mercedes vehicle was very comfortable. Before the trip, Ed customised the tour to fit our requirements of limited walking for which I was grateful. It was the perfect mix of a lovely travel via Ed's car, across the gorgeous Scottish lands and listening to history from Ed (His knowledge of the history of Scotland is amazing). Very much recommended.”

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