---
title: 1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh
lang: en
type: tour
city: Edinburgh
country: United Kingdom
price: 76
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.88
reviews: 1062
duration_minutes: 630
languages: [de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es]
free_cancellation: true
rank_in_category: 13 of 90 (Day Trips from Edinburgh)
schedule_checked: 2026-10-01
data_updated: 2026-10-01
canonical: https://guidekin.com/uk/edinburgh/tours/1-day-castles-west-highlands-and-loch-lomond-tour-from-edinburgh/
---

# 1 Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh

**Guidekin's take:** Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe, Inveraray and Luss shape this route through Trossachs National Park and the West Highlands. A guide and air-conditioned transport are included; Doune Castle entry depends on the option booked, and hotel pickup is excluded. 4.88 from 1062 reviews at €76 per person for 10h 30m.

## Overview

Travel northwest from Edinburgh on this small-group tour for an unforgettable day of stunning mountains, lochs, and ancient Scottish castles. We will take you through historic Stirlingshire, once home to the ancient capital of Scotland, through the vast Trossachs National Park and ultimately, the West Highlands. Discover the picturesque villages of Inveraray and Luss, visit Kilchurn Castle on the glassy shores of Loch Awe, and enjoy gorgeous views of the Scottish Highlands throughout.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: This tour will depart at 8:00 am from 60…
- Entry ticket not included: buy it separately
- Starts 08:00: one departure a day
- Food not included: bring or buy your own
- Children from €73: ages 5 to 16

## Key facts

- Price: from €76 per person for the 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh option; other options up to €105
- Duration: 10h 30m
- Rating: 4.88/5 from 1062 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Recommended by 98% of travellers (share of four- and five-star reviews)
- Operator: Highland Explorer Tours Ltd

## Tour options

Prices are the operator's current list price for two travellers (whole euros); options sold only to bigger parties say so; pick the option on the booking page.

| Option | Price | Guide languages | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh | €76 / person | Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, German, Italian, English | - |
| Tour Incl. Doune Castle Entry | €105 / person | Spanish, French, Portuguese, Chinese, German, Italian, English | Entrance to Doune Castle: A 14th century castle known from the hit series 'Outlander', 'Game of Thrones', and movie 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail' |

## What's included

- Local English-speaking guide
- Air-conditioned vehicle

## Not included

- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Doune Castle entry ticket
- Gratuities

## Itinerary

1. **Doune Castle** (1h) - We depart from Edinburgh at 8:00am and drive to historic Doune (75min drive). Choose to explore Doune Castle*, recognisable from the TV series "Outlander".
2. **Tyndrum** (15m) - We continue on to the charming village of Tyndrum (70min drive), which sits at the southern edge of Rannoch Moor, where we make a comfort stop.
3. **We visit the impressive ruins of Kilchurn Castle (20min drive)** (30m) - Once home to the Campbells of Glenorchy, Kilchurn Castle overlooks the peaceful Loch Awe and has a rich history connected to the Jacobite rebellion. Photo stop only.
4. **Inveraray** (2h) - Our next stop of the day takes us to Inveraray (30min drive) where we stop at the beautiful Loch Fyne for lunch, before an optional visit to Inveraray Jail, one of the best-reserved prisons in Britain.
5. **Rest and be Thankful** (15m) - In the afternoon we begin our journey back to Edinburgh, making a quick stop at the aptly named "Rest and Be Thankful" (1hr drive) where we do exactly that. Take in the amazing views before continuing east.
6. **Luss** (30m) - Our final stop of the day is in Luss where you will feel as if you have been transported back in time. Breathe in the west highland air one last time before we return back to Edinburgh. (2hr drive)

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 08:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-10-01
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

This tour will depart at 8:00 am from 60 High Street, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TB. Meet 15 minutes before departure and look for the check-in staff wearing blue high-visibility vests there to greet you.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJu2Nt9YXHh0gRwRNOsSM8tBk

## Good to know

- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5.
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- There are days when Doune Castle may be closed for filming or other reasons. We will then visit Linlithgow Palace in its place. Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and a filming location for Outlander, requires a local entry fee.
- If downloading an audio guide, remember to bring your headset.
- Due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour runs on a bigger bus.
- The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues.

## Compared with other Day Trips from Edinburgh

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #13 of 90** | €76 | 10h 30m | 4.88 (1062) | shared |
| [Stirling, Highlands & Distillery in Spanish](/uk/edinburgh/tours/stirling-highlands-distillery-in-spanish/?format=md) | €77 | 12h | 4.98 (405) | shared |
| [Edinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William](/uk/edinburgh/tours/edinburgh-glenfinnan-viaduct-glencoe-fort-william/?format=md) | €54 | 12h | 4.93 (6417) | shared |
| [Edinburgh: Loch Ness, Glencoe and The Highlands](/uk/edinburgh/tours/edinburgh-loch-ness-glencoe-and-the-highlands/?format=md) | €54 | 12h 30m | 4.92 (6699) | shared |

Ranked #13 of 90 in Day Trips from Edinburgh by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €54 to €940, median €77; typical length 10h. 26 of 90 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/uk/edinburgh/day-trips-from-edinburgh/?format=md

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