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Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission
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Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission

By Rabbie's
Recommended by 95% of travellers
95% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
See parts of northern Scotland that most first-time visitors miss during a day trip to Loch Lomond, Kelpies, and Stirling Castle from Edinburgh. Letting someone else drive allows you to spend less time navigating and more time enjoying the scenery, while the insider knowledge of a guide promises to enhance your experience of rural Scotland.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 5-99, max of 16 per group
Duration: 9h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
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Highlights
  • Get off the beaten path on a day trip from Edinburgh
  • Visit sights where fewer crowds are guaranteed
  • Enjoy both guided sightseeing and free time to explore
  • Avoid the stress of car hire and navigation

  • Admission Fees - Stirling Castle included in tour price
  • Small Group Tour (maximum 16 passengers)
  • Top range 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
  • Entry/Admission - Stirling Castle
What's not included
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks, unless specified
  • Admission fees to attractions (unless specified)


Start:
  • Bus Station, Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK
    Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure)
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 225006

    • Most travellers can participate
    • Minimum age to participate is 5 years old.
    • Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure
    • Stirling Castle – We reserve tickets for you. Included in tour price
    • Luggage Allowance: You're restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person on our tours. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus a small bag for onboard personal items.
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 16 travellers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    The tour operator has provided the following answers to customers’ questions.
    What is the departure point for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?
    The tour departs from Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH1 3DQ
    Answered Feb 2023
    Is parking available near the departure point for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?
    Parking can be difficult to find in the center of town. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of the excellent public transportation that is available.
    Answered Jun 2021
    How early should I arrive for the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?
    Check-in closes 15 minutes before your departure time. The tour departs on time, so please do not arrive late.
    Answered Jun 2021
    Can I bring luggage with me on the Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Small-Group Day Tour?
    You may bring up to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
    Answered Jun 2021

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 225006

    From
    £82.53
    £74.27
    per adult
    Select date and travellers
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    Similar experiences

    Itinerary
    • Edinburgh EH1 3AY, UK
      Please meet your Rabbie's guide inside the Edinburgh Bus Station, Gate J and Gate K, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ (Check in closes 15 minutes prior to departure)
    • 1
    • 2
    • 3
    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Rabbie's
      13,148
      Edinburgh, Scotland
      Joined in May 2007
    • 210elanad
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Cows, hills, and stories...
      We had the best tour guide and her name escapes me at the moment. She was funny, told loads of stories, provided us historical information and recommended places to eat and shop along the way. It was an all day into the evening tour so it was dark by the time we returned to our hotel. Highlights were the Lochness boat tour, visiting private lakes and watching someone swim for their 60th birthday. The scottish cows were too cute. Edinburgh is safe and has loads of great eateries. Our tour guide really personalized the trip and we met so many fun people. I would go on this tour again.
      Written 11 December 2024
    • X2929BDannas
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing Loch Ness tour
      We did the 12 hour Loch Ness tour from Edinburgh and had so much fun! Driving through the highlands was beautiful and getting to go on a Loch Ness cruise was a once in a lifetime experience. Our guide Barbara was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly, we can’t thank her enough for making our day one we will never forget!
      Written 10 December 2024
    • IversenHQ
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Enjoyable Experience
      Our driver was very informative and funny, and the tour itself fascinating and full of history. My family enjoyed the experience greatly.
      Written 10 December 2024
    • Mathieu F
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      very good trip
      Our guide was amazing and very professional thank you very much Mina The bus is very comfortable, travels in small numbers the excursion was wonderfull
      Written 8 December 2024
    • Jackie A
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A great tour!
      We had a great time on this tour! It was a fun way to see the highlights of the highlands. There were plenty of stops to get out and enjoy the scenery, as well as for bathroom breaks. We had Bruce as our tour guide, and he was great! He kept us entertained on the drive with interesting information, funny anecdotes, and an enjoyable playlist with a lot of Scottish artists. Also, although it’s not what we had come on the tour for, we really enjoyed the stop in Callander at the bakery (Mhor Bread) that Bruce recommended!
      Written 6 December 2024
    • annakatem2024
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best tour I've had
      Jim Scott made this tour the best experience, he had the greatest stories, extra vacation advice, and amazing stops. Loved every minute of it! Annakate Martin
      Written 5 December 2024
    • triciab932
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great trip.
      Great day - entertaining and educational guide. St. Andrews was sunny and the town was lovely. The visit to the golf course was a highlight for my husband!
      Written 4 December 2024
    • slainteyal
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Excellant Taster Tour
      My husband and I went on the 3 Day Isle of Skye and Scottish Highlands Tour with Rabbies the first week of October. The bus station to meet the tour in Edinburgh was easy to find and the Rabbies employees making sure everyone got off with the right tour were friendly and helpful. The tour was the perfect "taster" tour of the area so that we could see the sights, the hikes, and the areas without having to drive or do the research ourselves. We're already talking about going back for a longer stay and using the knowledge that the tour gave us to plan our trip. It was so nice to be on a mini-bus, with a small group (16 people) rather than on a monster bus. The tour stopped at several hiking trails, but the time was limited so if people were unable to hike, they didn't have to sit around for hours waiting on the others. It was lovely for those of us who liked to hike as we now know which trails we'd like to spend more time on when we go back. But the star of the tour was our guide Michael. He was excellent about explaining the things we were seeing/passing, without droning on. He was funny and made learning about Scotland's history entertaining. He also kept a sign in the window of our minibus with the word 'dignity' on it so that we could immediately distinguish our bus in parking lots from other Rabbies' vehicles. There is a lovely story behind why that particular sign, but you'll have to go on a tour with Michael to hear it. We don't usually go on organized tours, preferring to plan, research and do things on our own. But our experience has us looking at other Rabbies tours.
      Written 4 December 2024
    • neil1066
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great day out
      Great day out Declan was the perfect host, careful driver with a lot of knowledge Bus was very clean before tour Dec was happy to answer any questions Loads of stops for photos
      Written 4 December 2024
    • rachaelhb2024
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour guide, great views, great history!
      We had a great time! Our tour guide Kylie was amazing, so full of excellent historical facts and terrific music choices. Bus was comfortable. We enjoyed being on the smaller bus more than the big tour buses because it was easier to get on/off and see from the huge windows in both directions, while driving. Lots of photos stops on top of restroom breaks. The surprise highland cow meeting at the end made our day!
      Written 4 December 2024
    • ChanelHW
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A must tour!!!
      Rosslyn chapel is a must for any visit to Scotland. The chapel guides are fantastic and always have so much to share! My husband and son could have spent all day listening to their stories
      Written 2 December 2024
    • A3682OKbethr
      0 contributions
      2.0 of 5 bubbles
      Very long drive. Not much to see.
      A very long day. May appeal to an older crowd who likes to stay in the vehicle & see sights as you drive past. Our driver slammed on the brakes on a highway in the pouring rain to avoid hitting a rabbit…not the safest idea. It just wasn’t for me. I was bored.
      Written 2 December 2024
    • Brenna B
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Thank you Jamie!
      Had such a great day! Our tour guide Jamie’s enthusiasm was contagious and he really made me feel like we got the most out of our day, making extra stops if we saw a good place for pictures along the way
      Written 30 November 2024
    • diawl2024
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing guide
      Excellent Trip. Roger and Kiane are very skillful and friendly guide. We have had a wonderful trip to explore highland. We definitely will travel with rabbie in the future. Love from. Shanghai
      Written 29 November 2024
    • 592tatumr
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      A Great Highlands Experience
      We had a few days in Edinburgh and knew we wanted to get out of the city for a day and explore the country a bit more. This was the perfect option. Check in at the Edinburgh Bus Station was easy to find although through my own mishap, I got lost trying to get there. I called the number on the ticket and a rep was so helpful walking me through the directions on how to get there. Our driver, Adam, was extremely kind and knowledgeable throughout the way. He had the right amount of talking, good music to set the vibes, and he matched his playlist with stories he would tell to make the experience more immersive. The van was extremely comfortable and also came with USB chargers since you are out and about for ~10 hours. There were options along the route for food and bathroom breaks, and the stops were stunning. We will definitely be back and will book more tours. Thank you Adam and Rabbie’s for a memorable experience!
      Written 28 November 2024
    See all 13,148 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles528 reviews
    Excellent
    454
    Very good
    50
    Average
    17
    Poor
    7
    Terrible
    0

    elaishaley
    Vienna, Austria553 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    My West Highlands tour with Rabbie‘s was fantastic. Everything was well organized.
    My tourguide was Mackenzie and he was an amazing storyteller. I loved the humor and the accent.
    We had a 16 seater coach which was very comfortable. Left side of the coach were solo seats and the right side double seats.

    Our first stop was Stirling castle but we just admired it from afar.
    Next stop was Loch Lomond where we had a 30 min break so we can admire the view and have some breakfast.
    After that we stopped at the Rest and be thankful pass at Glen Croe.
    Then we continued to Inveraray castle where we had about an hour and a half to go around the castle and have lunch. Admission was reduced because we were part of the Rabbie‘s tour so that was great.
    Next we went to see Kilchurn castle from afar and admired beautiful beautiful Loch awe. I really was in awe seeing Loch Awe and Kilchurn castle. What a beautiful sight. We had enough time so we stopped at St. Conans Kirk. What a beautiful little church with an amazing view. Mackenzie even played the bagpipe for us. Incredible.
    Our last stop was Doune castle (Winterfell of Game of thrones or Castle Leoch of Outlander) where we had about an hour time to go around the castle. Audio guide included. The tour was 10 hours long. But i tell you it was finished too soon. It didn’t feel like a ten hour tour because we enjoyed ourselves so much and saw many beautiful places. I was sad when we were leaving the highlands.
    The price was very reasonable as you will see a lot in just a short time.

    One thing i admired about Mackenzie our tourguide was that every time we had a stop he would pick up the rubbish that tourists left behind. You see how much he loves his country. And that we tourists must respect and help preserve the places we visit.
    „Take only memories, leave only footprints. 👣“

    I can only recommend Rabbie‘s tours. I’m going back to Scotland and then I’ll book another tour or two with Rabbies again.

    Written 28 April 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much for your review and feedback, we are really pleased that you enjoyed your tour, we hope to see you on another tour in the not too distant future.
    Written 11 May 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Nina T
    New Malden, UK46 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    At a time when tour companies are cancelling tours at the last minute due to not meeting passenger numbers, Rabbies gave me the guarantee that the tour would go ahead with just us. We got on the tour and meet this amazing young man Roland our driver / tour guide who made the trip a fantastic memory . His sense of humour was out of this world gave us & the rest of the passengers a personal service. Me personally would recommend Loch Lomond over Loch Ness
    Written 6 June 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    JenMazz
    Hamilton, Canada146 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2022
    Great day with just the right amount of bus travel time and sightseeing. Be 15 mins early for the bus or they get antsy and will leave without you! Kelpies were great. Our driver & guide, Ewan, was awesome. So funny, playing great Scottish themed music and full of historical facts and interesting stories. The whole bus was singing "The Proclaimers" song, "500 Miles" on the way home and it was a blast. Loch Lomand was beautiful and lunch hike with Ewan was spectacular. Having a bite at The Oak Tree was a great idea; food was so tasty and reasonable priced. Stirling Castle was a highlight and we ended up just joining a free guided tour then doing some quick exploring on our own before meeting up for the bus ride back to Edinburgh. You don't stay in your group for Stirling Castle which was nice. Ewan pulled over to show us the famous Firth of Forth bridges for photo ops. He was excellent and this was a great trip. So glad we did it! Gets you to see parts of Scotland in a convenient way. My kids are 27 & 25 and they both loved it.
    Written 23 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Emma Bailey
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2022
    We had a full day tour, the meeting point was easy to find and the staff were knowledgeable when booking in. Point of contact for and our guide for the day was Mac, he was excellent. Firstly headed out to the Kelpies which was great. Wish we had a bit longer but actually apart from the Kelpies and a little gift shop and cafe there’s not much else there. Next on to Loch Lomond, on the way Mac gave us stories and facts mixed in with music which really set the scene. Loch Lomond was gorgeous and the area we saw was lovely a quiet with only a few tourists. The walk up to the ridge was uneven so wear walking shoes or sturdy trainers, but absolutely worth it. Mac got out his bagpipes and gave a lovely tune while we enjoyed the view, with offers to take pics for us.
    Lunch down at the cafe/hotel/restaurant was really good and affordable, however plenty of picnic places to eat if you take your own food. Next back on the bus and a great tour around the local lochs, lots of time to take photos. More music, stories and chat whilst on to sterling castle. Here you have free roam with time to go around and take photos. Finally a trip back to the starting point in Edinburgh.
    Long review but I can’t give the team more praise, really fantastic from start to finish and really affordable.
    Written 14 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    IslandLifeDiva
    London, UK35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Oct 2021
    I booked this tour in advance online for me and my sister. When we went to Rabbies Cafe to join the tour there was good signage to direct us to the bus stop a little further down the road to pick up the bus.

    Our driver was Jim Divine and there were 6 of us on the tour with a useful map of Scotland in the front of the mini bus. The day was explained and all safety information provided before we set off. Jim provided lots of history and information about Scotland and I learned the basis of the term 'daylight robbery'! Very informative and helped the day go by including ensuring that the times to meet were clear at each point where we stopped.

    The Kelpies were fantastic! Loved them and the myth/folklore that accompanies it. Beautifully set out place. Loch Lomond was pretty and Jim did a little additional stop for us to see the wonderful views of the lowlands and highlands whch was lovely as the other guests all respected the meeting times to return to the bus to move on.

    Stirling Castle was full of things to see, be prepared to walk up and down steep inclines and steps. The staff there dress up and give talks about the history of the place and the particular area that you are in at the time. Well worth visiting with stunning views of the countryside. During the day there was a break in a village for lunch and a comfort break. All in all a thoroughly enjoyable day and would definitely recommend the tour and the guide we had.
    Written 31 October 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Donna S
    Charleston, SC35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2022
    Mark, our travel guide went way beyond our expectations. His running commentary and musical interludes were perfectly paced to keep our tour interesting, informative and highly entertaining. Although I thought I understood the basic history, Mark's information enhanced my education by miles!
    The tour itself was just right, with stops for comfort and food well spaced. Mark also stopped along the way for photo ops, which was appreciated. The highlight at the end - Stirliing Castle - was well worth the cost of the trip. We were given plenty of time to explore and the staff at the site were helpful and professional.
    I'd highly recommend this tour company, Mark especially, and this trip to anyone visiting Scotland.
    Hint: online tipping is not available. I wish I had a few bank notes, because Mark definitely earned an extra gratuity.
    Written 2 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Puppa44420
    Girard, OH25 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2022
    We loved this tour so much and Al our guide and Dave our driver made it extra special. We had ample time to spend at each site and Al gave us much information as well as his Scottish humor and Scottish music along the way! They both made sure everyone on the small bus was comfortable and felt included. The Kelpies are just amazing to see. Loch Lomond was very beautiful and we had time for lunch in lovely Balmaha Bay. Finally, Stirling Castle is an absolute "must see" in Scotland, the largest and most strategic fortress in the land. The view from there is vast and beautiful and it is easy to see why this castle and fortress were so important to Scotland's history.
    Written 24 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    D_Walker96
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2021 • Couples
    My partner and I went on this trip on Saturday and loved it. Each part of the day was different and enjoyable with a good amount of time at each location. Our guide Jim provided great detail about various aspects of Scottish history. It was clear he was very passionate about Scotland and wanted to share this with the group. Excellent trip made even better by Jim.
    Written 6 September 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    SnowPrincess907
    Anchorage, AK1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sept 2022
    Cameron was our guide. We wanted to see something beyond Edinburgh but we were not up for a full 12 hour trip. The excursion to Stirling Castle was just right. We loved stopping off at loch Lomomd and the Kelpies but the castle was the highlight. Cameron added interesting bits of history along the way and integrated some great Scottish folk songs as well. He set a good balance of keeping the narrative interesting but also giving us some quiet driving time. Perfect day trip! Highly recommend.
    Written 21 September 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    pranita
    California9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jun 2022 • Family
    Sterling Castle was very nice our guid Stewart was very nice man great sense of humor and good story teller. It was lovely ride seeing the open pace and country side, the stops are very short.
    I would suggest bringing sandwiches with the stop before Sterling Castle is Long enough to eat lunch the problem is most of the restaurants provide super slow service and just the small little country town so you can’t get your food in time to eat do you have to get it to go or cancel your order, there’s no time to stroll in the stores are by souvenirs you’re spending most of your time waiting for your food in a restaurant. Our guide has recommended to the restaurant owner several times to speed up the service unfortunately that hasn’t changed.
    Written 24 June 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Loch Lomond, Kelpies & Stirling Castle Tour Including Admission provided by Rabbie's

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