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West Highland Lochs, Mountains & Castles

Departure point:
Edinburgh
Duration:
1-Day Tour
Time:
9:15am - 7pm
Price:
From: £52
Departs:

Daily

Accommodation is payable on arrival

We offer a free accommodation booking service.

If you would like to book your own accommodation, please select 'Tour Only'.

Please select your requirements:

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Our one day tour from Edinburgh lets you enjoy a taste of all things Scottish, as we take you on a wonderful and fascinating journey through a beautiful part of the Highlands. Experience scenic lochs, impressive mountains, historic castles, visit a pretty Highland village and explore the picturesque loch-side town of Inveraray.

The Best of the West Highlands

From Edinburgh we travel west towards our first stop; Doune Castle. You might recognise this medieval stronghold from many different tv programmes and films such as Game of Thrones, Outlander, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. On our way we will pass the historic and imposing Stirling Castle, high on its volcanic rock, Wallace Monument and The Kelpies. From there we drive into the Highlands, past the stunning Loch Lubnaig and up through impressive Glen Ogle, stopping nearby for lunch and beautiful views of the surrounding scenery.

After lunch we drive further into the Highlands, passing one of the most photographed castles in Scotland, Kilchurn Castle, jutting into beautiful Loch Awe and stunningly framed by the surrounding mountains. Then it’s on to Inveraray, a quaint small town built in the mid-18th century, on the shore of Loch Fyne. Explore the town and pick up some Highland souvenirs, or pay an optional visit to Inveraray Castle (April to October only), the historic home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Clan Campbell, which is set in large beautiful gardens overlooking Loch Fyne. Inveraray Castle also featured in the TV series Downton Abbey.

We now start our homeward journey, driving over the Arrochar Alps, an attractive range of mountains, with a brief pause near the top of the Rest and Be Thankful Pass. A little later we reach enchanting Loch Lomond, where we stop at the pretty loch-side village of Luss before returning to Edinburgh.

Tour Overview

Duration9hrs 45mins
Total Distance225 miles
Pick upOutside Green Ensign Ewart pub, Edinburgh at 9:15am.
Group size16 - 32
AvailabilityAll year round
Minimum ageTravellers need to be at least 4 years-old

A couple of things To know

Included
  • Digital translations
  • Knowledgeable Driver-Guide
  • Luxury Modern air-conditioned coach
  • Small group tour
Not Included
  • Entrance to attractions
  • Food and Drink
Amazing choice for Highlands and Castles
“Loved this tour. I reviewed options for months before settling on this one as our goal was to see as many castles as possible while also sampling the Highlands. Did not disappoint! Collin was amazing too. The coach was comfy too.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the departure point?

Your tour departs from outside the green Ensign Ewart pub, at 521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2PE.

View a map of our departure point.

You can also find us by Edinburgh Public Transport

Check-in opens 15 minutes prior to the stated departure time and closes 5 minutes prior to the stated departure time. We recommend that all passengers arrive in this window as tours must depart on schedule.
 

Are the optional extras included?

No, optional extras are not included in the tour price.

The price of your one day tour from Edinburgh includes the services of a friendly, knowledgeable and experienced Driver-Guide, and transportation on one of our luxury, modern, air-conditioned coaches.

All optional extras - attraction entrance fees, loch cruises, food and drinks, etc - are not included in the price of your tour. This is to allow our guests the freedom to choose which optional extras they would like to take part in on the day.

From 1st April 2023:

  • Inveraray Castle - Adults: £16, Senior: £14, Student: £14, Child (5-15): £12.00, Child (Under 5). Free.
  • Doune Castle - Adults: £9.50, Senior: £7.50, Child (5-15): £5.50.

From April 2024, the prices will be as follows:

  • Inveraray Castle - Adults: £16.50, Senior: £14.50, Student: £14.50, Child (5-15): £12, Child (Under 5): Free.
  • Doune Castle - Adults: £10, Senior: £8, Child (5-15): £6
Do I need to pre-book the optional extras?

No, you don't need to worry about pre-booking any of the optional extras.

All the optional extras can be booked on the day and your Driver-Guide will advise you of how to book. We negotiate discounted rates for you, ensuring you'll always get a great deal at Scotland's top visitor attractions.

Please note that many visitor attractions and accommodation providers may not accept card payments, so please ensure you have plenty of cash with you on the day. If you have any questions about this please contact our Reservations Team on +44 (0)131 226 6066 - open 07.00 - 21.00 daily.

Is the tour in English?

Yes, all of our tours are in English.

Your tour will be taken by an experienced, knowledgeable and friendly English-speaking Driver-Guide.

You'll find a digital translation of your tour through a link on your confirmation email.

Digital translations are available for this tour in the following languages:

  • French
  • German
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • Italian
  • Russian
  • Chinese (Mandarin)
What should I bring with me?

As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days.

Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour!

Since we cannot allow hot food on our buses you could also bring a cold packed lunch with you to make the most of your time at each stop, this would be particularly time-saving in the busier months!

Can children travel on this tour?

We welcome children over 4 years old on our tours, and children aged between 4-16yrs are eligible for the concessionary rate.

We regret we are not able to carry children under the age of 4.

Will I meet a clan chief?

Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home to the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell. You can always tell if the clan chief is in by the type of flag flying at the castle – if it’s the Duke’s Personal Standard flag then he is in residence.

There’s no guarantee you’ll see him, but sometimes he can be seen walking through grounds.

How accessible are the locations?

Some of the locations may cause accessibility issues due to their geography and architecture.

If you are a wheelchair user or have restricted mobility, we would suggest downloading this helpful Access Guide by Historic Environment Scotland.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, don't worry! Just because it's not here, doesn't mean we can't do it. Have a look at our private tour page or contact us directly, and we will make it happen!

Departure point:
Edinburgh
Duration:
1-Day Tour
Time:
9:15am - 7pm
Price:
From: £52