Glasgow: Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond & Kelpies Day Trip

Three Scottish landmarks in one day, starting with the world's largest horse sculptures

You travel from Glasgow through three of Scotland's most recognizable sites: The Kelpies sculpture park, the Outlander filming location at Midhope Castle, and Stirling Castle with its own grounds to explore. The day includes an air-conditioned vehicle, an English-speaking guide, and an optional boat cruise on Loch Lomond before returning to Glasgow in the evening.

Options for this experience

2 options

From £ 54 to £ 96 per person, depending on the option and date you choose. See options & prices

Tour Only Available from 30 Jan 2027 Guide in English

Entry to attractions is included in the tour Available from 30 Jan 2027 Guide in English Attractions: Midhope Castle, Stirling Castle and a Loch Lomond cruise

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Step-by-step itinerary

Glasgow to Stirling and Loch Lomond

• Depart from Glasgow
• Visit The Kelpies sculptures
• Explore Midhope Castle grounds
• Tour Stirling Castle and lunch
• Walk by Loch Lomond shore
• Optional Loch Lomond boat cruise
• Return to Glasgow

Stops and time spent at each 4 stops

1. The Kelpies 20m
2. Midhope Castle 20m
3. Stirling Castle 1h 50m
4. Loch Lomond Shores 1h

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Glasgow, transport in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide, stops at The Kelpies and Midhope Castle (optional), free time at Stirling Castle with optional entry, and an optional one-hour boat cruise on Loch Lomond at Balloch before returning to Glasgow in the late afternoon.

Times

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Next departure: 30 Jan 2027

Information

Day trip from Glasgow to Stirling Castle, The Kelpies, and Loch Lomond with optional Outlander locations. Includes transport, guide, and boat cruise. 8 hours.

Group Up to 16

Live guide English

Audio guide Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point. 1 similar tour with pickup › See the exact address

Book up to 5h before

Ages Adult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Public transport nearby

More information The exact meeting point address, the operator’s instructions and every other detail are in the full listing. See the full listing

Traveler reviews

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The experience

You're on the bus out of Glasgow before nine, and within twenty minutes The Kelpies rise up in front of you: two 30-meter steel horses that catch the light in a way photographs don't quite capture. They're massive and strange and somehow work. Your guide points out the detail in the manes, the engineering, the reason they're here at all. Then you're moving again, heading toward the Highlands.

The next stop is Midhope Castle, which Outlander fans will recognize as Lallybroch, Jamie's home. The grounds are open to walk around and photograph, though the castle itself stays private, but standing at the gates with the hills behind it, you get why the show chose it. This part isn't guaranteed. Sometimes the estate closes for filming or events, so it's worth confirming when you book. After that, Stirling Castle sits on volcanic rock overlooking the valley, and you get free time here to explore the battlements, gardens and the interior at your own pace, grab lunch in the courtyard café, or just stand on the ramparts and look out. It's one of Scotland's most historically significant castles, and the perch alone makes it worth the climb.

By afternoon you're at Balloch on Loch Lomond's southern shore. Most people take the optional one-hour boat cruise. You drift past Ben Lomond and the old estates along the water, and it's the kind of quiet that makes you stop checking your phone. If you'd rather walk the shoreline instead, that's fine too. The return to Glasgow happens in the late afternoon, though traffic and weather can shift the timing, so don't book anything tight for afterward.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

Can I skip Midhope Castle if I'm not an Outlander fan?

Yes. It's an optional stop, and the itinerary continues whether you get out or stay on the bus. Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond are the main events.

Is entry to Stirling Castle included?

No. Entry is optional and reserved at the time of booking. You have free time there to decide once you arrive.

How long is the boat cruise on Loch Lomond?

One hour. It's optional, and you can choose to walk the shoreline at Balloch instead.

What time does the tour depart Glasgow?

Around 9am. You should arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in. Late arrivals cannot be held or refunded.

What if Midhope Castle is closed when I visit?

The estate sometimes closes for filming or other reasons. If it's closed, the tour continues to the other stops. Confirm the status when you book.

How long is the full day?

Around 8 hours total. Return times vary with traffic and weather, so allow at least 3 hours after the scheduled return for any onward travel.

Is the guide included?

Yes. An English-speaking guide travels with you throughout the day in an air-conditioned vehicle.

Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.

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