Scotland Highlands Day Trip: Blair Castle, Hermitage & Lochs

Summary

Edinburgh to Blair Castle and Hermitage with Highland cows and lochs

You’ll join a small group day trip from Edinburgh into Scotland’s Highlands—see Dunkeld Cathedral’s quiet beauty, explore Blair Castle with lunch inside its walls, walk beneath towering trees at The Hermitage waterfall, and meet Highland cows up close. Expect stories from your local guide and time to wander at your own pace—this isn’t just sightseeing; it’s breathing in Scotland for a day.

What’s the experience like?

“You can always tell if it’s going to rain by the way the coos stand,” our driver, Jamie, said as we rolled out of Edinburgh. I’m not sure if that’s true, but everyone in our little group craned their necks for a glimpse of those famous Highland cattle anyway. The Forth Bridge flashed by — red steel against grey sky — and someone behind me tried to snap a photo through the window. It was early, but there was already this low hum of excitement, like we all knew something good was coming.

Dunkeld felt like walking into a postcard. Old stone houses, narrow lanes, and the cathedral sitting quiet by the river. There was this smell — woodsmoke maybe? — drifting from somewhere unseen. Jamie pointed out carvings on the cathedral door and told us about Jacobite rebels hiding nearby once (I didn’t catch every detail; I was distracted by a dog wagging at us from across the street). We wandered at our own pace — no rush, just time to breathe in that chilly Highland air.

Lunch at Blair Castle came after winding through forests that looked straight out of some ancient storybook. The castle itself is bold and white against all that green. Inside, I lost track of rooms — antlers everywhere, old portraits staring back at you (one kid in our group said one looked like his gran). They serve proper Scottish fare in the restaurant; my soup was thick and earthy, perfect for a day that kept threatening rain but never quite delivered.

I think my favorite bit was The Hermitage walk — mossy stones underfoot, trees so tall you have to lean back to see their tops. There’s a waterfall there that drowns out everything else for a minute or two; you just stand there feeling small in the best way. On the way back to Edinburgh we stopped for photos with those “hairy coos” (they really do look like they’re wearing wigs), and Jamie teased us about our accents when we tried some Gaelic words. I still think about that waterfall sometimes when things get loud at home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Scotland's highlights from Edinburgh

• View Forth Bridge from the bus
• Photo stop with Highland cattle
• Visit Blair Castle and have lunch
• Walk riverside trail at The Hermitage
• Stop at Queen’s View lookout
• Stroll Dunkeld streets and visit cathedral

Top questions

How long is the Scotland Highlands day trip from Edinburgh?

The tour is a full-day trip departing from Edinburgh and returning in the evening.

Is lunch included on this Blair Castle tour?

Lunch is available for purchase in the Blair Castle restaurant during the tour stop.

How many people are in each group?

The average group size is around 12 passengers per tour.

Are there walks or hikes on this tour?

Yes, there is a short riverside walk at The Hermitage past tall trees to a waterfall viewpoint.

Do we see Highland cows on this Scotland day trip?

Yes, there are photo opportunities with Highland cattle (“hairy coos”) during the tour.

Is entry to Dunkeld Cathedral included?

Dunkeld Cathedral can be visited free of charge during your stop in Dunkeld.

What kind of vehicle is used for transport?

The tour uses an air-conditioned Mercedes mini coach for comfort throughout the journey.

Is this tour suitable for children?

The minimum age is 5 years old; children must be accompanied by an adult.

What’s included

Your day includes travel by comfortable Mercedes mini coach with live commentary from your local guide, plenty of time off the bus to explore places like Dunkeld Cathedral and The Hermitage waterfall walk, entry to Blair Castle (with lunch available inside), photo stops with Highland cows, and views of landmarks like Forth Bridge before returning to Edinburgh in the evening.