Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 11 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour worth booking?
Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour is a 5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $606 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 11 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (11)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $606 per person
See some of our beloved (and rare) 'Hairy Coos'. This now rare, and difficult to find, breed has become an iconic symbol of Scotland. Visit the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral and learn about its incredible history. Explo
What you get
About this experience
See some of our beloved (and rare) 'Hairy Coos'. This now rare, and difficult to find, breed has become an iconic symbol of Scotland. Visit the 12th century Glasgow Cathedral and learn about its incredible history. Explore the 19th century Glasgow Necropolis, enjoying the beautiful views over the city. Visit the museum of religious art and the oldest surviving house in Glasgow, built in the 15th century. We will then take you on a tour of the Glasgow Murals - huge life-like paintings hidden around the city centre of Glasgow. Leaving the city, we will then take you to the Kelpies - the largest horse statues in the world. Finally, we will stop over at Midhope Castle, a.k.a. 'Lallybroch' in the famous TV series Outlander.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Gratuities (optional)
- Lunch
- Entry to Midhope Castle (optional) £7 p/p
What you'll see and do
Swanston Farm
Our first stop is Swanston Farm - a working farm that has some Highland Cows. There's also a cafe where you can grab a coffee and/or a bite to eat to take on the go.
15 minutes here
Midhope Castle
Midhope Castle is a 16th-century tower house. You might reognise it as 'Lallybroch', Jamie Fraser's home in the OUtlander TV series. The Castle is closed over the winter, until Spring 2025. During this time, we can still take you to the gate, to see it from a distance.
20 minutes here · Admission not included
The Kelpies & The Helix
We then take you to the incredible Kelpies. These horse-like sculpures are the biggest horse statues in the world.
15 minutes here
Glasgow Cathedral
We will then head on to Glasgow, and our first stop will be at the Glasgow Cathedral. Built in the 1100s, Glasgow Cathedral survived the Protestant Reformation almost intact, and is now the most complete medieval cathedral on the Scottish mainland.
30 minutes here
Provand's Lordship
Here, you also have the option of visiting Provand's Lordship. Built in 1471, this is the oldest house in Glasgow.
20 minutes here
St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art
Next to Provand's Lordship, if you wish, you can visit the St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art.
20 minutes here
City Centre Mural Trail
We will then drive you through the famous Glasgow Mural Trail, to see some of the incredible murals hidden around Glasgow City Centre.
15 minutes here
Pollok Estate and Country Park
Pollok park is famous for its historic fold (herd) of pedigree Highland Cattle.
15 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Luxury/Executive Vehicle
Luxury/Executive vehicle Pickup included
Sedan/SUV
Sedan/SUV Pickup included
Minivan
Up to 6 passengers Pickup included
Standard People Carrier
Up to 7 passengers Pickup included
Large People Carrier
Up to 8 passengers Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- hi, pa, pt, en, fr, ur, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- E2G Travel
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The total driving time of the tour is 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Midhope Castle is closed December to March, reopening in April. During these months, we can still take you to the gate to see Midhope Castle from a distance.
- Uk sedan sized cars are smaller than our American counterparts, please be aware of this when booking for 4 adults in a 4 passenger sized vehicle
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 11 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Small groups
2 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Traveler reviews
11 verified traveler reviews for Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Jimmy, our tour guide,...
Jimmy, our tour guide, was an absolute delight! He made our experience in Scotland a trip to remember. We loved hearing his stories as we traveled from Edinburgh to Glasgow. Thanks, Jimmy! Highly recommend this half day tour to see the countryside.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review of our tour and guide, Jimmy. He is an 'old school' wee gem, full of entertaining stories, and we are glad you had a great time.
via Viator
Hairy coos and stunning cathedrals
Our tour guide was Brian and we loved him! He was the nicest guy, so well-informed on the area, and was so proud to be Scottish. His wife even made homemade cookies for us! He also tailored the excursion to fit our interests and schedule to ensure we got to see as much as possible during the day. The “hairy coos” were adorable, the cathedral was gorgeous, and the Kelpies were stunning. Recommend this tour 100%!
Response from the operator: What a fantastic review and high praise for Brian. Many thanks.
via Tripadvisor
The tour of Glasgow was a...
The tour of Glasgow was a waste. The tour is very over priced. Their were only 3 cows in the tour, we expected much more for the price. Don't book this tour. Tour guide was very average.
Response from the operator: I am sorry you didn't have a good time in our tour. Unfortunately Highland Cattle have become quite rare even in Scotland, with very few folds (herds) anywhere. The most famous, and award-winning one, is based in Pollok Park in Glasgow, where this tour goes. Alternatively, when people want to hand feed the cows, we can take them to a paddock that have three fully mature cows (unavailable in the winter months). If cows are really important to you, we can take you to both sites - but you would need to make your guide aware at the start of the tour when they ask you for your preferences or what you are most looking forward to on the tour. However, it is important to note that expecting to find dozens or hundreds of Highland Cattle in a field is just not realistic. I am also sorry that you found our guide very average. I would be very interested in getting more detailed feedback from you so we can look at areas to improve, but I am not really able to act on a comment of such a general nature. I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays.
via Viator
Excellent tour
The tour was terrific. Our driver, Brian was very courteous, informative, and fun. He got us into a private farm to see the cow close-up., Then we went to the kelpies, and he walked with us to explain the story, after he added a side trip to see the Falkirk Wheel in action, before going onto Glasgow to see the cathedral and the murals. It was an exceptional tour that I can highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thanks Heidi for taking the time out to leave such a nice review of our Edinburgh - Glasgow Cathedral, murals and Kelpies tour
via Viator
Jimmy, our driver, was...
Jimmy, our driver, was terrific. He was very accommodating and took us to a couple extra spots. Made fora great day!!
Response from the operator: Thanks so much for your 5 star review, James! We're very glad that Jimmy made your day special :)
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $606 to $650
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by E2G Travel, who run 24 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.4.
See everything E2G Travel runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour cost?
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Prices start at $606 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Edinburgh usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Edinburgh is not rushed.
Is Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 11 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour?
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Around 4 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Edinburgh can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Edinburgh and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highland Cows, Glasgow Cathedral, Murals, Kelpies Half Day Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Edinburgh within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Edinburgh?
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On Outty we rank every Edinburgh experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Chocolatarium Chocolate Tour Experience in Edinburgh, The Mountebank Comedy Walk of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Old Town: Historical Guided Walking Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Edinburgh?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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