Edinburgh day tour: Highlands, lochs & whisky or castle

A day through the Scottish Highlands, returning to Edinburgh in time for dinner

A guided day tour from Edinburgh that takes you through Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, past the 30-meter Kelpies sculptures and Stirling Castle, with a choice between Deanston Distillery (tour and whisky tasting included) or Blackness Castle (15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth). The driver-guide provides live commentary throughout, and you're back in the city by around 5 PM. Children from age 8 are welcome. The coach is air-conditioned with regular comfort stops.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. The Kelpiespassing by
2. Deanston Distillery1h
3. Blackness Castle45m
4. Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park15m
5. Forth Bridge10m
6. Stockbridge Market5m

Scenic day tour from Edinburgh

• Depart Edinburgh New Town
• Pass by The Kelpies sculptures
• Pass Stirling with Wallace Monument views
• Visit Deanston Distillery or Blackness Castle
• Stop at Loch Achray and see Hairy Coos
• Visit Loch Katrine in Trossachs
• View the Forth Bridge on return
• Return to Edinburgh late afternoon

The experience

The tour departs Edinburgh's New Town in the morning and heads north past the towering Kelpies, 30-meter-high sculptures of mythical horses, and Stirling, once Scotland's capital. You'll see views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle before reaching your first major stop. Here the route splits: choose the Deanston Distillery option for a guided tour through the whisky-making process and a tasting of their single malts, or pick Blackness Castle, a 15th-century fortress dramatically perched on the Firth of Forth with views across the water. The castle is known as "the ship that never sailed" for its distinctive shape and appeared in the TV show Outlander.

From there, the tour moves deeper into the Trossachs to Loch Katrine, the freshwater loch immortalised in Sir Walter Scott's poem The Lady of the Lake. A short stop at Loch Achray follows, nestled between Ben A'an and Ben Venue mountains. You'll also meet the Hairy Coos, Highland cattle, for photos and a chance to experience Scotland's countryside up close. The coach is air-conditioned, and the driver-guide offers live storytelling and commentary. Regular comfort breaks are built into the route.

On the return to Edinburgh, you pass three bridges spanning the Firth of Forth: the 19th-century Forth Bridge (a UNESCO World Heritage Site and former world's longest cantilever bridge), the 20th-century Forth Road Bridge, and the Queensferry Crossing from 2017. The tour aims to have you back in the city by around 5 PM, leaving the evening free. Any time not specified in the itinerary is spent traveling between stops and exploring Scotland from the coach.

What’s included

• All taxes, fees and handling charges.
• experienced driver-guide with live commentary and storytelling.
• regular comfort breaks throughout the day.
• air-conditioned coach.

Options for this experience

2 options

Optional distillery tour availableGuide in English · 10:30Includes a stop at Deanston Distillery. This version of the tour does not stop at a castle. Distillery tour tickets are not included. Minimum age is 8 and up.

Optional castle visit availableGuide in English · 10:30Includes a stop at Blackness Castle. This version of the tour does not stop at a distillery. Castle tickets are not included. Minimum age is 7 and up.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupUp to 37 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site£ 8.50

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by The Hairy Coo

Is this one for you?Book the castle option if you want to explore a dramatic 15th-century fortress and its historic role. Choose the distillery option if you'd rather learn the whisky-making process and taste single malts. Either way, the fixed schedule and included guide mean the Highlands, lochs and Kelpies fit into one afternoon without arranging transport or timing yourself.

Traveler reviews

4.84★★★★★★★★★★

378 verified traveler reviews

5 ★343

4 ★20

3 ★7

2 ★5

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the castle and distillery options on this tour?

You choose one at checkout. The castle option visits Blackness Castle, a 15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth (entry tickets are not included, adults £8.50, children £5). The distillery option goes to Deanston Distillery for a guided tour and whisky tasting (the tour and tasting are not included, £19.50 for adults, £6 for children). Both routes include the same Highlands scenery, lochs and Kelpies sculptures.

Are there toilets on the coach?

There are no toilets onboard, but the tour includes regular comfort stops where you can use facilities and purchase food and refreshments that cater for most dietary requirements.

What are the Hairy Coos and where do you see them?

The Hairy Coos are Highland cattle, iconic to Scotland's countryside. You stop to photograph them during the tour in the Trossachs area, part of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.

What time does the tour return to Edinburgh?

The tour aims to return to Edinburgh by around 5 PM, giving you the evening free for dinner and other plans.

Is the coach wheelchair accessible?

The coach is not wheelchair accessible, but folding wheelchairs can be accommodated if you notify the operator ahead of time to confirm available space. The bus has three steps of approximately 30 cm each at the entrance.