Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

Meet your guide in central Edinburgh, and then head west through Scotland's Central Belt towards the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ where we take time at Balmaha to admire views of Ben Lomond. Here, you will have the opportunity to go on a woodland walk that will afford you great views of the loch. Standing on its bank you will understand why Loch Lomond has been immortalised in a world famous song.

From the famous stretch of water, continue through the Trossachs National Park, home to some of Scotland’s most iconic Highland scenery. Pass through the twisting valleys, admiring the glens, loch and dense wilderness of the dales that embody the raw beauty of the Highlands.

In the afternoon, leave the Highlands and travel east to Scotland’s former capital of Stirling. Head inside its star attraction — Stirling Castle — and discover the places where many Scottish royals were crowned on a walking tour. The entrance fee is at your own expense, but once inside you’ll see some of the most impressive public rooms in Scotland including the lavish James IV’s Hall and the Renaissance Royal Palace. Learn how the castle was central to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce's fight in the Wars of Independence and hosted bloody sieges as well as much political intrigue.

On our return to Edinburgh, you will have the chance to visit and marvel at the stunning Kelpies, the world's largest equine sculptures dedicated to the horse-powered heritage of Central Scotland, designed by Andy Scott. It also celebrates the mythological transforming beasts living in our lochs, rivers and streams, who possess the strength and endurance of 100 horses and drag people into the water. Fortunately, we don't encounter these spirits on our way to Edinburgh and we return early evening at approximately 5.30pm.