Lochs, Castles & The Kelpies

Name: Lochs, Castles and The Kelpies

Short Description: Our Kelpies tour from Edinburgh starts in the morning, as we head west towards Falkirk where you’ll have the chance to ‘ooh’, ‘aah’, and, um, ‘nay’, at the world’s largest equine sculptures, The Kelpies. Each 30-metre-high horse head sculpture is made from 300 tonnes of structural steel and designed by Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott. Our adventure takes us to the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ for woodland walks and stunning views. We stop at the village of Balmaha and admire one of Scotland’s highest mountains, Ben Lomond, on the way. The afternoon takes you to one of the largest and most significant castles in Scotland, both architecturally and historically. Stirling Castle sits atop Castle Hill and was central to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce’s Wars of Independence. After a day full of exploration, we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Description: Our Kelpies tour from Edinburgh starts in the morning, as we head west towards Falkirk where you’ll have the chance to ‘ooh’, ‘aah’, and, um, ‘nay’, at the world’s largest equine sculptures, The Kelpies. Each 30-metre-high horse head sculpture is made from 300 tonnes of structural steel and designed by Scottish sculptor, Andy Scott. Our adventure takes us to the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ for woodland walks and stunning views. We stop at the village of Balmaha and admire one of Scotland’s highest mountains, Ben Lomond, on the way. The afternoon takes you to one of the largest and most significant castles in Scotland, both architecturally and historically. Stirling Castle sits atop Castle Hill and was central to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce’s Wars of Independence. After a day full of exploration, we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Highlights

• Stirling Castle(Stirling)
• Kelpies (Kelpies)
• Balmaha(Balmaha)
• Loch Lomond(Lomond)

Inclusions

Item 1: Your Legendary Local HAGGiS Guide

Item 2: Scottish Stories & Live Commentary (in English)

Item 3: Small Group Tour

Item 4: Foreign Language Audio Guides 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: 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: 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: Balmaha

NameShort: Balmaha

The pretty village of Balhama sits on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Wander right down to the bonnie bonnie banks for views across the loch and to the island of Inchcailloch. Learn about Scotland’s most popular national park and its unique geology in the National Park Centre.

The pretty village of Balhama sits on the eastern shores of Loch Lomond. Wander right down to the bonnie bonnie banks for views across the loch and to the island of Inchcailloch. Learn about Scotland’s most popular national park and its unique geology in the National Park Centre.

Image Name: Balhama

Image Alt: Balhama

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