Scottish Highlands Tour: Stirling Castle & Glencoe Highlights
Stirling Castle tour with hiking, crossing three bridges, Wallace Monument, and Glencoe peaks adventure
A private full-day tour from Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands with a live English-speaking guide, traveling by air-conditioned minibus to Stirling Castle, the Kelpies, Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Pitlochry. You visit Linlithgow Palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born, photograph Loch Tulla and the Three Sisters volcanic range, explore Fort Augustus on Loch Ness at your own pace, and return past the three Forth bridges. The tour runs 12.5 hours and includes a wee dram of whisky and shortbread.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Scottish Highlands landmarks and villages
- Pass by Linlithgow Palace
- Pass by The Kelpies sculptures
- Pass by Stirling Castle
- Pass by National Wallace Monument
- Stop for refreshments and meet Hairy Coos
- Photograph Loch Tulla viewpoint
- View The Three Sisters volcanic peaks
- Pass by Fort William and Ben Nevis
- Explore Fort Augustus and optional Loch Ness cruise
- Visit Commando Memorial
- Evening stroll and refreshments in Pitlochry
- Pass by The Three Forth bridges
- Linlithgow Palace passing by
- The Kelpies passing by
- Stirling Castle passing by
- National Wallace Monument passing by
- Loch Tulla Viewpoint 15m
- The Three Sisters 15m
- Fort William passing by
- Fort Augustus 2h
- Commando Monument 15m
- Pitlochry 30m
- Forth Road Bridge passing by
What’s included
- Air-conditioned minibus for up to eight passengers.
- a live English-speaking guide.
- bottled water throughout the day.
- a wee dram of whisky and shortbread.
- hotel or city pickup in Edinburgh.
- Every day 08:00
Information
Private full-day tour from Edinburgh through the Scottish Highlands with a live guide, visiting Stirling Castle, the Kelpies, Glencoe's volcanic peaks.
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The experience
The route starts north from Edinburgh and moves through Scotland's most storied landmarks. Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, opens the day, followed by the Kelpies: 30-metre equine sculptures and the world's largest horse statues. Stirling Castle sits high on a volcanic outcrop where it guarded the lowest crossing of the River Forth for centuries, and the National Wallace Monument stands nearby, built in the 1800s to honor Sir William Wallace. You'll meet the Hairy Coos at a refreshment stop and browse the Edinburgh Woollen Mill shop before heading deeper into the Highlands.
The landscape shifts as you drive toward Glencoe. Loch Tulla offers one of the most photographed viewpoints in the Scottish Highlands, and the Three Sisters (a trio of volcanic peaks each rising above 10,000 feet) dominate Scotland's most historic glen. Your guide shares the stories that shaped the region. Fort William sits on the shores of Loch Linnhe as the gateway to Ben Nevis, the UK's largest peak, and the Commando Memorial honors the original British Commando Forces from World War 2.
Fort Augustus gives you time to move at your own pace: take a boat cruise along Loch Ness (admission separate) to search for the famous monster, or settle into one of the town's restaurants and pubs for lunch while watching boats pass through the canal. Pitlochry, the largest town in Perthshire, closes the day with an evening stroll, ice cream, or a dram in one of the local pubs. On the return to Edinburgh, the three Forth bridges crossing the Firth of Forth stand shoulder to shoulder across the water: a final sight worth photographing.
Top questions
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 is the Kelpies and why are they on this tour?
The Kelpies are 30-metre-tall equine sculptures and the world's largest horse statues, standing near Falkirk on the route north from Edinburgh. They're included because they're a striking landmark in the Highlands approach and a photo stop that breaks up the drive.
Can I take a boat on Loch Ness, or do I have to stay in Fort Augustus?
Fort Augustus gives you the choice: you can book a Loch Ness cruise (admission not included) to search for the famous monster, or you can stay in town for lunch and refreshments at one of the restaurants and pubs while watching boats pass through the canal.
What happens at Stirling Castle? Do I go inside?
Stirling Castle is a stop on the route where you see the fortress sitting high on its volcanic outcrop. Entry to the castle itself is not included in the tour, but you get the exterior views and the guide's stories about how it guarded the River Forth crossing for centuries.
How long is the full day, and when do we get back to Edinburgh?
The tour runs 12.5 hours from pickup in Edinburgh, moving through Linlithgow Palace, Stirling, Glencoe, Fort William, Fort Augustus, and Pitlochry before returning past the Forth bridges. The exact return time depends on your pickup location and traffic on the route back.
Is lunch included, or do I need to arrange food?
Lunch is not included in the tour price. You have time to eat at Fort Augustus or Pitlochry, where you'll find restaurants, pubs, and cafés. The tour includes a wee dram of whisky and shortbread, plus bottled water throughout the day.
What are the Three Sisters, and where do we see them?
The Three Sisters are a trio of volcanic peaks in Glencoe, each rising above 10,000 feet. You'll photograph them as part of the Glencoe stop, where your guide shares stories about Scotland's most historic glen and you have time to capture the landscape.
Operated by Sixstar Bespoke Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
Prices and times updated 4 days ago
Scottish Highlands Tour: Stirling Castle & Glencoe Highlights
12h 30m · EN · at your hotel
from £ 750 per group
≈ US$ 1,009 in your currency
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