Stirling Highlights Tour: Private Guide, Castle & Distillery

See Stirling's castles and lochs with a local guide who drives you between stops

A private tour from St Andrews to Stirling with a Scottish driver, covering Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument, Deanston Distillery and Loch Lubnaig over eight to ten hours. Entry to all three attractions is included, along with door-to-door pickup from your St Andrews location, transport in a luxury vehicle, lunch at a Scottish pub and time to meet and feed the Highland cattle near the Trossachs. The tour is customised to your interests and runs at your own pace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. National Wallace Monument1h · entry included
2. Stirling Castle1h 30m · entry included
3. Deanston Distillery1h 15m · entry included

Explore Stirling and Scottish Highlands

• Visit National Wallace Monument
• Climb to top of Wallace Monument
• Tour Stirling Castle with guides
• Lunch at a local Scottish pub
• Tour Deanston Distillery
• Meet and photograph Highland Coos
• Stop for photos at Loch Lubnaig
• Return to St Andrews via Tay Road Bridge

The experience

You're picked up from your St Andrews accommodation and driven south toward the Highlands in a private vehicle with a Scottish local who knows the region. The route takes you through Stirling, where you'll spend time at two of Scotland's most significant historical sites: Stirling Castle, where costumed interpreters bring 16th-century court life to the rooms where kings and queens once held celebrations, and the National Wallace Monument, a tower overlooking the town that tells the story of the Scottish patriot through 246 steps to the crown. Entry to both is included.

Between the major stops, the day fills with smaller moments that make the drive itself part of the experience. You'll stop at Loch Lubnaig to walk the banks and photograph the loch framed by mountains, meet and feed the Highland cattle near the Trossachs Woollen Mill, and take lunch at a pub of your choice where the driver can advise on the best local food and drink. The route also passes through Dundee and over the Tay Road Bridge on the return, with views across the east coast.

Deanston Distillery sits on the River Teith and runs hourly tours. Entry is included. The distillery is the only one in Scotland powered entirely by its own river, a detail your driver will share as you move between attractions. The whole day is built around your pace and preferences: the driver adjusts stops and timing to suit your interests, and you travel in comfort without managing transport logistics yourself.

What’s included

• Entry to Stirling Castle, the National Wallace Monument and Deanston Distillery.
• door-to-door pickup and drop-off from any St Andrews location.
• transport in a luxury vehicle with a Scottish driver.
• lunch at a Scottish pub.
• Highland cattle food for the photo stop.
• and a customised itinerary based on your interests.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00, 08:30 and 09:00

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Aura Journeys

Is this one for you?The tour runs eight to ten hours with walking at each major stop (Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument involve climbing and exploring interiors, and Loch Lubnaig includes a walk along the banks), so it suits travellers who are comfortable with a full day of activity and movement between sites. The fixed route covers the main Stirling highlights, so it works well for a first visit to the area or for returning visitors wanting to see the castles and distillery without arranging separate transport.

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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. No refund if you cancel.

How does the private tour differ from a group tour of the same area?

This is a private tour with your own Scottish driver and vehicle, so the itinerary, pace and stops are customised to your group. You're not sharing the experience with other travellers, and the driver can adjust timing and focus based on what interests you most.

What is the National Wallace Monument and why is it worth the climb?

The National Wallace Monument is a tower on the Stirling skyline that commemorates Sir William Wallace, the Scottish patriot who defeated King Edward's army at the Battle of Stirling Bridge. Each level tells part of his story as you climb toward the crown, and the views from the top across Stirling and the surrounding landscape are the reward for the 246 steps.

Does the tour include a whisky tasting at Deanston Distillery?

Entry to Deanston Distillery is included, and hourly tours run throughout the day. If you want to book the Heritage Tour in advance for a more in-depth experience, your driver can arrange that when you book the overall tour.

What happens at the Highland cattle stop?

You'll meet the famous Highland cattle (Highland coos) near the Trossachs Woollen Mill, where you can feed them and take photos. Freshly made goodie bags for feeding them are available to purchase at the store.

Is lunch included, and can I choose where to eat?

Lunch at a Scottish pub is included. Your driver will advise on the best options for your group and can reserve a table in advance to make sure you have a seat and are ready for the afternoon stops.

What's the return journey like?

The drive back to St Andrews takes you through Dundee and over the Tay Road Bridge, which links Angus and Fife and offers views of the east coast. Door-to-door drop-off at your St Andrews location is included.