See Stirling Castle, the Kelpies monument, and Loch Lomond on this day trip from Edinburgh. Pass Linlithgow Palace on the way to the Kelpies, said to be the largest equine sculptures in the world. Then travel through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, where you can join your guide on a nature walk, before heading to Stirling Castle for an interior tour. This small-group tour in a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach is limited to 16 passengers for a memorable experience.

Full-day trip to Loch Lomond, The Kelpies, and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh
Scenic drive past villages, lochs, and mountain vistas with an optional nature walk led by a guide
Small-group tour for a more personalized experience
Travel by a top-of-the-range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach

What's Included

Admission Fees - Stirling Castle included in tour price
Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers)
Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide

Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Admission fees to attractions (unless specified)

Meeting And Pickup

Meeting point

Bus Station
Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK
Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure)

Start time

09:15 AM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Meet your guide in central Edinburgh and travel in a top of the range, 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach to the Kelpies, passing Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, on the way.

Stop at the Kelpies monument for an up-close look at the 30-meter high horse heads. The sculptures stand as a testament to the horsepower that drove the industrial development of central Scotland.

Afterward, take a back road to Loch Lomond, traveling through the protected lands of Scotland’s first national park: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. Follow a scenic route along the 22-mile-long (35-km) loch’s eastern shore, which is dominated by the oft-climbed Ben Lomond.

Then travel to where the Lowlands meet the Highlands, into the Trossachs or ‘The Highlands in Miniature’. Take in a stunning landscape of steep mountains, shimmering lochs, and thick forests on a nature walk with your guide.

Break for lunch (own expense) in the village of Aberfoyle, located within the National Park, before continuing to the city of Stirling, where you can visit one of Scotland’s most magnificent castles. Opt to take an interior tour independently (own expense) to learn about the castle's history.

Your small-group day trip concludes with the return drive to Edinburgh.

The Kelpies & The Helix

30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Stirling Castle

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Loch Lomond

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Minimum age to participate is 5 years old.
Not wheelchair accessible
Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure
Near public transportation

Most travelers can participate
Stirling Castle – We reserve tickets for you. Included in tour price
Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. 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.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

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Q:What is the departure point for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ

Feb 2023

Q:Is parking available near the departure point for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.

Jun 2021

Q:How early should I arrive for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring luggage with me on the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. 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) and a small bag for onboard personal items.

Jun 2021

Q:What should I bring with me on the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring your camera and spending money for lunch, optional admission tickets, etc.

Jun 2021

Q:Are admission fees included in the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:Admission to selected attractions will be included, which are listed in the Inclusions section. For any that are not listed, you pay for access as you arrive. Most of these locations accept both cash and card.

May 2023

Q:What type of vehicle is used during the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:The tour is conducted in a 16 seat Mercedes Mini-coach. There are three steps up into the coach – each 150mm in height. There are grab handles on both sides, the step edges are clearly marked and the treads are non-slip.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring a wheelchair on the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:The bus is not wheelchair accessible, however, there is storage available for a folding wheelchair or walking frame. Guests must be able to get on/off the bus on their own or with the assistance of a companion as guides cannot assist physically.

Jun 2021

Q:Are restrooms available on the bus during the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:There are no restrooms on board the bus, however, the group does make regular breaks to use the restroom during the tour.

Jun 2021

Q:Can I bring my small child with me on the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?

A:All guests must be at least 5 years old to participate in this tour. If your child is 5 or older, but under 1.35m (4.4 ft.) tall, please notate this in the "Special Requirements" box so a booster seat can be arranged.

Jun 2021

Traveler Photos

Traveler Tips

A very relaxing tour and highly recommended to anyone wanting to get a quick lay of the land.

There was a walking tour around the Loch that was quite slippery and probably wasn't necessary, next time I wouldn't do that portion.

Reviews

4.5

911 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 911 reviews

Wonderful experience, a...

stefania_b, Aug 2023

Wonderful experience, a very helpful guide/driver, Gary, with a good sense of humor. The travel schedule well planned.

A quick highland experience

Juan_P, Aug 2023

Russell from Rabbie’s was outstanding and great company. The van was comfortable and he drove very well. His additional stories of Scottish History were very enlightening. I would contract Russell any time!!!! Worth the money

Proclaimers all the way!

Cheryl_S, Aug 2023

Interesting tour. Love the smaller bus concept. Our guide Pete was personable, informative and provided the right amount of talk/music while driving. Kelpies are stunning, stop provides nice amenities. Before the Kelpies I think we stopped to view the Forth bridges. Amenities there too. Loch Lomond stop in Balmaha. Picturesque place with a short walk to a viewing platform, a little store and coffee shop but not much else…we stopped for lunch in Callander, ate at Mohr Bread the mac n cheese pie was yum. Stirling castle was the next stop, amenities there s well they had great guides to give a walking tour. We had fabulous weather. The garden is beautiful. Didn’t get to see any hairy coos on the way back, another stop to see the bridges from a different viewpoint. Got back around 6 I think.

Would recommend..our tour...

Andrew_R, Aug 2023

Would recommend..our tour guide Garry was amazing and very knowledgeable took us to some really nice places and was open to stopping for photos out of our way..

Fantastic 👍

Chris_C, Aug 2023

Loved the tour ! Our guide David was so knowledge and nice it made the whole experience so memorable - Thanks David from 🇲🇹

Great trip!

joanm_g, Aug 2023

Great trip. Our guide Gary was the best! We saw all the sights and got great information and background.

Beautiful day at Loch Lomond!

Joan_I, Aug 2023

Loch Lomond was Gorgeous Stirling Castle Amazing! Our Tour Guide Gary was the Beat! He made this tour a very memorable one,… many great stories! He knows his stuff!! Would totally recommend this tour!

Dont do it

Alfredo_V, Aug 2023

some of the stop were really uselless like lock lochmond nothing to see or do since you really only have minutes there

Response from Host, Aug 2023

Hi Alfredo, We're so sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your tour fully. We would normally allow around one hour at Balmaha on the banks of Loch Lomond to explore the area and get some great pictures. Unfortunately there have been some issues recently with major road closures and one off events which caused serious delays all around the country. This meant that some stops were a little shorter than we'd normally expect and we're very sorry it impacted your tour. We'd love to have you travel with us again so we can make it up to you in the future! Thanks, Jo

Great experience

NeuzaMaria_S, Aug 2023

David was a wonderful guide who clearly enjoys his job. We enjoyed learning about the history of Scotland

A very nice visit outside Edinburgh

Lewis_B, Aug 2023

Graeme was an enjoyable and energetic guide. The visit to the Kelpies and Stirling Castle was very nice with enough time for viewing without feeling rushed. Loch Lomond was pretty and this might have made a better lunch stop than where we visited. The trip does involve a fair amount of travel time (made worse by road work, which was unfortunate but unavoidable

A day out in the Scottish Highlands

Esther_c, Aug 2023

We had a slow start, due to the cycling championship, closing roads. Which was out of Andrews hands. We got to see a lot of Scotland country side, which I really wanted The Stirling Castle was the best. We had a great time 😊. I personally like a tour guide that doesn't overload you with history, Andrew was great.

Great tour! Especially if you only have 1 extra day

Steven_F, Aug 2023

This tour operated by Rabbies was phenomenal! Small group with a great tour guide made this one special

An amazing First Taste of some of Scotland’s most beautiful sites!

S_G, Aug 2023

This was our first time in Edinburgh and our first taste of the Scottish Highlands. This tour offered a great introduction to some of Scotland’s most beautiful and interesting sites. We were blessed to have Grahame as our tour lead, as his deep and interesting knowledge punctuated our trip throughout and meant that we left with a wealth of knowledge to share with others. My favourite parts were the Kelpies (which are magnificent) and Loch Lomond which is stunning- definitely go on the short trek if you can because the views are amazing form the advanced height. Thank you Grahame we loved this tour!

Good time, great scenery, could easily be trimmed down.

Brandon_H, Jul 2023

Good tour but a little exhausting with so many stops, felt a bit rushed, would have preferred just the castle with the Kelpies. The guide did a great job and everything went smoothly just needs some trimming.

A very good introduction to what’s outside of Edinburgh

bruce_m, Jul 2023

Chaz, our tour guide was a unique combination of wit, wisdom and some very interesting humor and kept us waiting for the next Scottish gem to come out. Seriously it was a great tour hitting many of the highlights of south/central Scotland. A mix of cow petting, lunch at a local restaurant and ending up at Stirling castle which is not to be missed

Stirling Castle Tour

Nichole_H, Jul 2023

Great guides lots of knowledge. Price includes ticket into castle. The back country drive was absolutely gorgeous. The Stirling Castle was my favorite of the other castle's in England we visited.

A MUST SEE!

Derren_B, Jul 2023

Keith was such an encyclopedia on two legs! Amazing day small group and a MUST do for those who have the time! Highly recommend!

Tour

Peter_N, Jun 2023

The guide/driver Ian was superb. Overall the e tour was good but we would like to have seen more of Loch Lomond.

Sorry for you and sorry for us

Dave_L, Jun 2023

the guide Leo was seemingly untrained, got mixed up telling us information, When not talking to the tourists he was chatting constantly with a young lady in the jump seat while driving with one hand and gesturing to her with his left hand. Tried to take a short cut and had to return to another route. Arrived late at the Castle to get a tour guide. The Country is beautiful, it was a shame to enjoy it only partially

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Hi Dave, We're very sorry about your experience on tour. All our guides have extensive training before being set out on the road. They do their best to tell you as much about Scotland with passion and excitement, but our history is quite complex and it's easy to make a wee slip (I know this from personal experience)! And every so often unexpected delays and road closures can catch us by surprise but we hope that we can still give our customers plenty of time at each of their stops. If this didn't happen on this occasion we can only apologise. Thanks, Jo

Loch Lomond, Stirling and Kelpies

beverlycote, Jun 2023

Nik was a great guide - very informative and funny. The trip was a really nice look at the countryside and Stirling Castle was beautiful. Nice amount of time for lunch and walking around - and not too much time on the bus. But Nik made the bus ride enjoyable with his stories and music.

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