Castles, Lochs & Outlander

Name: Castles, Lochs & Outlander

Short Description: Our Loch Lomond tour departs from Glasgow and heads first to the Kelpies, the world’s largest horse sculptures. These towering works of art offer a striking start to the day and a great photo opportunity. From here, we continue to Midhope Castle, better known to Outlander fans as Lallybroch. Although the interior is derelict, you can wander the picturesque grounds and snap some memorable photos. Standing here feels like stepping straight into the show! Next, we travel to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important historic landmarks. With time to grab lunch and the option to explore the castle itself, you can wander through its rooms and learn about the key events that shaped Scotland’s story. Our final stop is Balloch, a charming town on the edge of Loch Lomond. Stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery or choose to join an optional cruise on the loch, before we return to Glasgow in the late afternoon.

Description: Our Loch Lomond tour departs from Glasgow and heads first to the Kelpies, the world’s largest horse sculptures. These towering works of art offer a striking start to the day and a great photo opportunity. From here, we continue to Midhope Castle, better known to Outlander fans as Lallybroch. Although the interior is derelict, you can wander the picturesque grounds and snap some memorable photos. Standing here feels like stepping straight into the show! Next, we travel to Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most important historic landmarks. With time to grab lunch and the option to explore the castle itself, you can wander through its rooms and learn about the key events that shaped Scotland’s story. Our final stop is Balloch, a charming town on the edge of Loch Lomond. Stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery or choose to join an optional cruise on the loch, before we return to Glasgow in the late afternoon.

Highlights

• Midhope Castle(Midhope)
• Kelpies (Kelpies)
• Stirling Castle(Stirling)
• Loch Lomond(Lomond)
• Loch Lomond Cruise(LochLomondCruisee)

Inclusions

Item 1: Small Group Tour

Item 2: Your Legendary Local HAGGiS Guide

Item 3: Scottish Stories & Live Commentary (in English)

Item 4: Foreign Language Audio Guide Available

Item 5: Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones

Item 6: Full Refund if Cancelled More than 24 Hours in Advance

Name: Small But Mighty

NameShort: Small But Mighty

Travelling in a wee group means more banter, more space, and plenty of laughs along the way. Cosy, right? Just a heads-up – while we usually travel in smaller vehicles, sometimes a larger bus might be used due to availability.

Travelling in a wee group means more banter, more space, and plenty of laughs along the way. Cosy, right? Just a heads-up – while we usually travel in smaller vehicles, sometimes a larger bus might be used due to availability.

Image Name: small group tours

Image Alt: small group tours

Name: Kelpies

NameShort: Kelpies

The Kelpies are a stunning spectacle of modern engineering, designed by Scottish artist Andy Scott. Kelpies are mythological beasts in Scottish folklore, and this epic equine landmark is the largest of its kind in the world, “neighing” at a height of 30 meters and weighing a mighty 300 tonnes.

The Kelpies are a stunning spectacle of modern engineering, designed by Scottish artist Andy Scott. Kelpies are mythological beasts in Scottish folklore, and this epic equine landmark is the largest of its kind in the world, “neighing” at a height of 30 meters and weighing a mighty 300 tonnes.

Image Name: Kelpies

Image Alt: Kelpies

Name: Loch Lomond Cruise

NameShort: Loch Lomond Cruise

Kick back on a one-hour cruise on Loch Lomond, with big views of Ben Lomond and some seriously fancy houses lining the shore. You’ll glide past Inchmurrin, the largest island on the loch, where the ruins of Lennox Castle still stand – once said to have sheltered Robert the Bruce.

Kick back on a one-hour cruise on Loch Lomond, with big views of Ben Lomond and some seriously fancy houses lining the shore. You’ll glide past Inchmurrin, the largest island on the loch, where the ruins of Lennox Castle still stand – once said to have sheltered Robert the Bruce.

Image Name: Loch Lomond

Image Alt: Loch Lomond

Name: Stirling Castle

NameShort: Stirling Castle

Stirling Castle is a striking stone structure with an insanely interesting history. If walls could tell tales, they would speak of royalty, ruthless murder and brutal battles. Gaze upon the distant Highlands, and follow in the footsteps of our famous historic characters, through the grand interior and gorgeous gardens.

Stirling Castle was highly sought-after throughout centuries of Scotland’s turbulent history. Perched on an imposing mound of volcanic rock, the solid defence structure was in a prime location to control access between the Highlands and Lowlands. During the Wars of Independence, the castle changed hands numerous times in the ultimate tug of war. The Scots famously fought for their freedom in the Battle of Stirling Bridge and the Battle of Bannockburn within sight of the castle, and it was this crazy conflict with inspired Mel Gibson’s Braveheart. The bloodshed continued in 1452, when King James II ordered the gruesome murder of the 8th Earl of Douglas in the castle, before throwing his body out the window. Step into the past as you roam the rooms of the castle, or join one of the guided tours, to discover more about its royal residents and dramatic events.

Image Name: Stirling Castle

Image Alt: Stirling Castle

Name: Midhope Castle

NameShort: Midhope Castle

Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th century, and has recently found famed in the Outlander TV series as Lallybroch; the family home of heroic heartthrob Jamie Fraser. While the interior is derelict, a selfie outside the instantly recognisable castle is a must for any Outlander fan.

Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th century, and has recently found famed in the Outlander TV series as Lallybroch; the family home of heroic heartthrob Jamie Fraser. While the interior is derelict, a selfie outside the instantly recognisable castle is a must for any Outlander fan.

Image Name: Midhope Castle

Image Alt: Midhope Castle

Name: Loch Lomond

NameShort: Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond has the largest surface area of any loch or lake in the UK, and even has a famous song written about it! Loch Lomond is the epitome of natural beauty, from the stretch of water and its many islands, to the bonnie banks and surrounding mountains.

Loch Lomond & The Trossachs was Scotland’s first national park, and is still the most popular. Loch Lomond is the centrepiece, and it certainly doesn’t do things by halves; it’s massive, the scenery is stunning and the walks are epic. The loch is 24 miles along, and was a sea loch until the last ice age. Loch Lomond is the ultimate Scottish eye-candy, with limitless bonnie views for you to feast your peppers upon. The loch is home to 22 islands and 27 islets (wee islands), including a row of islands across the loch which make up the Highland Boundary Fault Line. This geological divide between the Highlands and Lowlands is best photographed from Conic Hill, which offers spectacular vistas for not too much effort. Once you’ve seen enough by land, it’s time to take to the water in a canoe for a whole new perspective of the loch.

Image Name: Loch Lomond

Image Alt: Loch Lomond