Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 144 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh worth booking?
Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh is a 9.5-hour experience in Edinburgh, United Kingdom, from $99 per person. It scores 75 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 144 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 75 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (144)
- Duration
- 9.5 hours
- From
- $99 per person
Our unique 5-star tours, as awarded by the Scottish Tourism Board, offer the chance to explore and experience Scotland in the perfect setting. You will be accompanied by our knowledgeable guides who have a wealth of stor
What you get
- An experienced, knowledgeable fun guide
- Driving and Walking Tour, we get out and experience the beautiful sights
- Travel around the stunning Scottish Highlands
- Transport in an air conditioned 8 seater minibus
- Guided short hikes throughout the day
- Small group active sight-seeing tour
About this experience
Our unique 5-star tours, as awarded by the Scottish Tourism Board, offer the chance to explore and experience Scotland in the perfect setting. You will be accompanied by our knowledgeable guides who have a wealth of stories, myths, and legends to entertain you with, and of course, we welcome questions! We operate our tours in an 16-person capacity to allow you the freedom to spend more time 'sight-doing' as opposed to sight-seeing. What a wonderful tour you’re choosing. The Stirling Castle, Kelpies, Loch Lomond, and Whisky Distillery tour is designed to give you a fantastic overview of Scotland, all packed into one beautiful day.
What's included
Included
- An experienced, knowledgeable fun guide
- Driving and Walking Tour, we get out and experience the beautiful sights
- Travel around the stunning Scottish Highlands
- Transport in an air conditioned 8 seater minibus
- Guided short hikes throughout the day
- Small group active sight-seeing tour
Not included
- No food or drinks included
- Entry fees to Activities
- Gratuities
- Hotel pick up or drop off
- Stirling Castle Approx £21.50 Pay upon Arrival at Castle
- Glengoyne Distillery approx £22 pay upon arrival to Distillery
What you'll see and do
Stirling Castle
Your expert Tour Guide will take you over to Stirling Castle, one of the most historic Castles in Scotland. Besieged by Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 during the Jacobite Uprising (Think Outlander) it has connections also to Mary Queen of Scots and swapped hands between the Scots and the English during the Wars of Independence (Think Braveheart) You’ll get the chance to visit the castle and learn all about what makes this castle so significant.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
You’ll be exploring in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and hearing all about the Highland boundary fault line and how the land crashing together in this exact location millions of years ago has created the beautiful landscape renowned the world over. Your guide will share stories of history, legend, wildlife, and much more and explain why this area of Scotland is such a special location.
20 minutes here
Glengoyne Distillery
Your guide will quench that thirst of our “water of life” and get you over to Glengoyne Distillery where you’ll have the freedom to enjoy a guided Whisky Distillery Tour and see how Scotch Whisky is produced and even sample a wee dram or two to warm you after the hike.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
The Kelpies & The Helix
These mythical creatures are prevalent in Scottish waters and depending on what you believe can cause a lot of havoc to unsuspecting locals. The origins of the kelpie are believed to be rooted in human sacrifices to the water gods however this concept eventually died out and the story of the kelpie was then used to keep children from playing too near to lochs and dangerous rivers.
20 minutes here
Edinburgh
Start your tour in the most beautiful of cities, Edinburgh
15 minutes here
Balmaha
Visit the gorgeous wee town in the Highlands of Scotland and go for a scenic hike with in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
60 minutes here
Drymen
Travel through the beautiful village of Drymen in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Pass by without stopping
Croftamie
Travel through the quaint wee town of Croftamie as you get ready to drink whisky at a Highland Whisky Distillery
Pass by without stopping
Killearn
Travel towards your Highland Whisky Distillery
Pass by without stopping
Kippen
Travel from Stirling Castle to the beautiful Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Edinburgh
Meet us outside the Jolly Botanist. Check in 15 minutes before tour start time. Our van will have the Experience Scotland's Wild logo on it. If you're running late please call us.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet us outside the Jolly Botanist. Check in 15 minutes before tour start time. Our van will have the Experience Scotland's Wild logo on it. If you're running late please call us.
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 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Experience Scotland's Wild
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Our Tours are for ages 12 and up.
- Minimum numbers apply. We have a Guaranteed Departure Policy which ensures the Tour will go ahead, as soon as 2 travellers book on to our tour. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative date or full refund
- Our tours operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately. We recommend a pair of walking shoes/boots, dressing in layers, and waterproof clothing.
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 145 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Food and drink
4 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
2 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Traveler reviews
145 verified traveler reviews for Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
A great tour and overall experience
Our small group was great! Our guide, Ila, was amazing. I am not sure if I spelled her name correctly. She was very informative and knew a lot about the history of Scotland. She also was a great driver. The castle was beautiful. The whisky tasting was also amazing and our experience at Glengoyne was excellent. All 5 stars all the way around.
via Tripadvisor
Richie was amazing, it...
Richie was amazing, it was raining by the time we got to the kelpies but stopped and fed the highland cows, had lunch at the oldest established bar, just simply a great day
via Viator
Ian is awesome!
Ian, our driver and guide was great! He was on time at the pickup location and was very pleasant. He asked what we were most interested in on the tour and did his very best to meet those needs. His knowledge of Scotland, the surroundings and culture really brought out the most for our tour. He was flexible and gave us a great choice for lunch. A very good experience for the whole party!
via Tripadvisor
Best tour and guide ever
Ian met us and we started the day to Kelpie. And then the day went so fast. Ian was a great guy. We learned a lot about Scotland. About wars, kings and queens. Even about Ian family history. Back in Edinburgh it rained . He even drove us home. 9 hours went so fast.
via Tripadvisor
Must-do!
Excellent tour. Best of all worlds. The distillery is great fun and educational; Loch Lomond is a quick mini-hike and outdoor experience; and Stirling Castle is your history experience. Daniel was a great guide and very knowledgeable. Highly recommend this tour
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 9.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 12+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 50
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Experience Scotland's Wild, who run 16 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 64.5 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Experience Scotland's Wild runsWhy this scores 75
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Edinburgh.
How much does Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh cost?
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Prices start at $99 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 Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh take?
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Plan for about 9.5 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 Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 75 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 144 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Edinburgh, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting 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 Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 12. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 9.5-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting Edinburgh?
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Around 50 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 9.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Stirling Castle, Whisky & Kelpies Tour starting 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 Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands, Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William, Edinburgh Ghost Tour: Mysteries, Legends and Murders. 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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