Edinburgh: Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Private Tour

Two 98-foot horse sculptures and a castle that sits on a crag: a private day north of Edinburgh

You're picked up at your Edinburgh hotel and driven to three major stops (The Kelpies sculptures, Loch Lomond's highlands and shoreline, and Stirling Castle) with a local guide narrating the journey and two hours of free time to explore on foot. The vehicle is private, air-conditioned, and returns you to your hotel by evening, which means you skip the logistics of renting a car or catching a group coach on a fixed schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. The Kelpies30m
2. Loch Lomond1h
3. Stirling Castle1h 30m

Private tour to Loch Lomond and Stirling

• Meet driver at hotel
• Drive 90 minutes to The Kelpies
• Visit The Kelpies sculptures
• Explore Loch Lomond area
• Tour Stirling Castle
• Enjoy 2 hours free time
• Return 90 minutes to hotel

The experience

The Kelpies rise 30 metres out of The Helix parkland between Falkirk and Grangemouth: two enormous horse-head sculptures that stop you mid-sentence when you first see them. Your driver picks you up at the hotel and drives north for 90 minutes through Edinburgh's outskirts before you reach them, standing next to an extension of the Forth and Clyde Canal. They're the kind of thing you'd miss if you were driving yourself, which is partly why the private tour from Edinburgh works: someone else handles the route while you watch the landscape change from city to moorland.

After The Kelpies, you move on to Loch Lomond, which sits inside the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. The water is ringed by highlands where red deer move through oak woodlands, and on the eastern shore Ben Lomond mountain rises with footpaths that cross its craggy slopes. The guide shows you the smaller settlements: Luss village with its stone cottages, the kind of place that looks like it hasn't moved in two centuries. You're not hiking it. You're seeing it from the vehicle and then getting two hours to walk around on your own, which is enough time to actually stand by the water instead of just passing through.

Stirling Castle comes last, and it's the historical anchor of the day. The castle sits on top of an intrusive crag that forms part of the Stirling Sill geological formation. It's one of Scotland's largest and most important castles, and the position alone tells you why it mattered. Your guide walks you through the grounds and the main rooms, then you're back in the air-conditioned vehicle for the return to your hotel. The whole day runs around eight to nine hours depending on traffic, and because it's a private tour, the timing bends around your hotel schedule, not a fixed departure time.

What you don't arrange: the vehicle, the route, the guide's knowledge of which stops are worth the time, the return to your hotel at a reasonable hour. What you do is show up at the hotel entrance and step into a car that's already waiting.

What’s included

• Private transportation in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.
• professional local tour guide.
• 2 hours of free time to walk and explore.
• all fees and taxes.
• specialized infant car seats available upon request.

Options for this experience

8 options

Driver-Only TourUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 07:30No guide, fixed 7:30 AM pickup: private transportation only. No guide and no entry tickets. Available on Tuesdays with a fixed 7:30 AM pickup. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 7 passengersUp to 7 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 6 passengersUp to 6 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

See 5 more options

Tour for a private party of 5 passengersUp to 5 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 4 passengersUp to 4 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 3 passengersUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 2 passengersUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

Tour for a private party of 1 passengerUp to 1 per booking · Guide in English · 09:00Private transfer: includes private transportation to and from the hotel. Private guide: enjoy the company of a private guide across Loch Lomond, the Kelpies and Stirling Castle. Pickup is included.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 09:00

Book up to2d before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Paid on site£ 19.74

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by taxiGo Limo Airport Service

Is this one for you?This tour suits travellers staying in Edinburgh who want to see Loch Lomond, The Kelpies, and Stirling Castle in one day without renting a car or coordinating group transport: the private vehicle and fixed hotel pickup remove the logistics, leaving you to focus on the sights.

Top questions

How long is the drive from Edinburgh to The Kelpies?

Around 90 minutes from your hotel to the first stop.

What's included in the tour?

Private transportation, hotel pickup and drop-off, a professional local guide, 2 hours of free time for walking, and all fees and taxes.

Can I get a child car seat?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available: mention it when you book.

Is there a fixed departure time?

No, the tour is tailored to your hotel schedule. Your driver meets you at the hotel entrance.

What if traffic delays the tour?

The route and duration can shift due to traffic, special events, or other conditions beyond the operator's control. Refunds are not available if the tour duration is adjusted.

Do I need to be fit for this tour?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You spend most of the day in the vehicle, with optional walking during your 2 hours of free time.

Are entry fees to Stirling Castle included?

All fees and taxes are included in the tour price.