Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh worth booking?
Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh is a 8.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $860 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 5 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (5)
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- From
- $860 per person
Embark on a day trip out of Edinburgh. On this tour you'll get up close with the world famous Kelpies, the two equine sculptures standing over 95ft high. You'll learn about how they were constructed, designed and the in
What you get
About this experience
Embark on a day trip out of Edinburgh. On this tour you'll get up close with the world famous Kelpies, the two equine sculptures standing over 95ft high. You'll learn about how they were constructed, designed and the inspiration behind them. You'll travel through and experience the oustanding beauty of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs, Scotland's first National Park. Taking in the views of the 'Bonnie Banks' from it's southern end. Finally, in the afternoon you'll visit and explore the impressive Stirling Castle, learn about it's royal past and key role in the Wars of Scottish Independence.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Lunch
- Entrance fees
What you'll see and do
The Kelpies & The Helix
Our journey begins with a drive out of Edinburgh and towards the majestic Kelpies. These towering equine sculptures, standing 30 meters (95ft) tall, are a marvel of engineering and artistry, paying homage to Scotland's rich industrial heritage and mythical folklore. Here you can get up close to them and admire their beauty and impressive design.
40 minutes here
Here, you'll have an opportunity to meet some Highland Cows up close. On occasion they may allow you to feed them and try you're best to get a selfie with these friendly cattle. There is also toilets, cafe and a gift shop nearby.
20 minutes here
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
The Trossachs, known as the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, is a breathtaking region of rolling hills, serene lochs, and majestic mountains. This area forms part of Scotlands first national park and we'll stop off at a few points of interest as we travel over the route known as 'The Dukes Pass". Back during the early 19th century, this area was made famous by the writer Sir Walter Scott. He was deeply inspired by the Trossachs' stunning beauty, particularly when crafting his novel "Rob Roy." The region's dramatic landscapes and rich history provided the perfect backdrop for the adventures of the titular Scottish folk hero, bringing the Trossachs' rugged charm and cultural heritage to vivid life in Scott's celebrated work.
Pass by without stopping
Loch Venachar
One of the many Lochs located withing The Trossachs. Here, we'll stop and take in the stunning view!
20 minutes here
Brig o'Turk
A charming settlement located within The Trossachs with a quirky histoical link to Queen Victoria. Here, we'll pass on through on our route over 'The Dukes Pass'
Pass by without stopping
Balloch
You'll have time to explore and view the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond. The Loch itself is the largest body of fresh water in Scotland by surface area. It's over 22 miles (36km) long and 5 miles (8km) wide! Due to its proximity to Glasgow, it can be a popular spot for the locals on sunny days. We'll have lunch nearby.
90 minutes here
Stirling Castle
Travelling to Stirling Castle atop its volcanic crag, a symbol of Scotland's turbulent past and royal legacy. Here, amid the ancient stone walls and grand courtyards, you'll uncover tales of kings, queens, and legendary battles that have shaped the nation's history. It's recommended to have castle tickets pre-purchased for fast track entry. There are free guided tours of the castle that run periodically throughout the day.
105 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 6 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Anderson Scottish Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Important note - The remaining hours are allotted for the travel time.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
1 mentionThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers comment on how the schedule is paced.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Stirling Castle & Loch Lunch
We recently took a day tour through the Scottish countryside, and it exceeded all expectations. Our guide, Callum, made the entire experience — easy-going, knowledgeable, and never once rushed us through a stop. He paced the day perfectly, giving us plenty of time at each location while still covering the full itinerary without anyone feeling hurried. The undisputed highlight was Stirling Castle. The history, the views, the architecture — it was everything we’d hoped for and more. Callum’s commentary added real depth to the visit, pointing out details we’d have otherwise missed. Lunch by the lake was another standout moment. Beautiful setting, great food, and a relaxed pace that let us actually enjoy the scenery instead of feeling like we were watching the clock. Overall, a brilliantly run tour with a guide who clearly loves what he does. We’d book with Callum again in a heartbeat and recommend this tour to anyone visiting the area.
via Viator
Great Day Trip!
Wonderful experience. Each stop was unique and worthwhile. Pete was fantastic and really made it one of the best days of our trip. We even learned some Gaelic!
via Tripadvisor
Beautiful despite the bad weather
A break is necessary even in bad weather. A beautiful discovery that these statues of horses came out of nowhere under the very grey sky of Scotland.
via Tripadvisor (translated)
A Smashing Day!
Callum was a great tour guide! He made me and my friends feel so comfortable and was great at interacting with everybody. We loved getting to explore bits of Scotland we had not seen before. We had such a laugh with him. Callum's knowledge of Scotland was very interesting and impressive to hear, and the whole day was very enjoyable. We loved getting shown around by our kilted tour guide :) Highly recommend!
via Tripadvisor
A magic experience!
What a great day out, getting to see the Kelpies has been on my bucket list for ages and they did not disappoint!! Callum was a fantastic tour guide and made the whole experience so enjoyable. He has some great local knowledge and really thought of everything to make it a comfortable and memorable day! I would highly recommend booking with Anderson Scottish Tours for your next vacation :)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $860 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 Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh take?
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Plan for about 8.5 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 Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 5 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 Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh?
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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 Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh?
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Around 2 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 8.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Loch Lomond, The Kelpies and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh 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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