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Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh

Small Group Tour

  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
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    - Minimum age 5
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  • Tour ID:
    1054
  • Tour theme:
    Edinburgh Day Tours (Group Tours),
  • Duration:
    1 Day - 10 hours approx.
  • Starts from:
    Edinburgh
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Small Group Tour

  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh
  • Scottish West Highland Lochs and Castles Day Tour from Edinburgh

Tour Description

A fantastic day out in the heart of the scenic Western Highlands taking in the superb ruins of Kilchurn Castle, stunningly situated at the head of Loch Awe and Inveraray Castle, home to the Duke of Argyll.If you love old ruined castles, tales of old clan rivalries, west coast lochs, baronial mansions and brilliant mountain scenery then you'll find this tour difficult to beat.

Depart Edinburgh at 08.15 and travel west, past Stirling castle to your first stop at Doune Castle. This area of Scotland has certainly seen its fair share of fighting and warfare. Stirling castle was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', and it was here that William Wallace (immortalised by Mel Gibson in the film Braveheart) defeated the English army in 1297. After William Wallace's death it was Robert the Bruce who continued the fight for independence and you will pass the site of his most famous victory in 1314 at the Battle of Bannockburn.

Then you arrive at the fantastic medieval stronghold of Doune castle. Built for Robert Stewart, the Duke of Albany, over 600 years ago the castle is still in great condition and you will have time for photos. You might even have seen the castle before, it was made famous by the film 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail' and more recently the "Outlander" series based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, with many scenes filmed here.

You then continue a little further on to Callander. After a short coffee stop you cross the Highland boundary fault line leaving the rolling farms for the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. You will make a short stop at Loch Luibnaig before you continue over the Braes of Balquhidder, the final resting place of Highland outlaw Rob Roy MacGregor. Made famous by Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor.

From Balquhidder the tour winds its way through the tough knot of mountains known as Breadalbane (meaning the 'high country of Scotland') before we stop for lunch in a small West Highland village. Shortly after lunch you will see Kilchurn Castle, a magnificent ruin situated in the middle of Loch Awe and former home of the Campbells of Breadalbane. You will continue along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can visit the 18th-century castle and home of the Duke of Argyll, chief of the Campbell clan. The town was built at the same time as the castle and has the air of a classic 18th-century planned village with its straight wide streets and dignified Georgian houses. You can take time to explore the town and maybe call at the Old Jail or the maritime museum, the Arctic Penguin.

Leaving Inveraray, you take a drive up through the steep-sided mountains known as the Arrochar Alps to the great viewpoint at 'Rest and Be Thankful'. It was given its name in 1753 by the weary soldiers who had just finished building the old military road up through Glen Croe. From here you skirt around Loch Long and down to the Bonnie, Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, with its quaint houses and stunning views across the loch. From here you make your way back to Edinburgh, with a short photo stop underneath Stirling Castle.

Return time - Approx 18.30.

For departure details refer to the "Prices, Dates, and What's Included" Section...

West Highland Lochs and Castles 1 Day Tour

Photography Credits: Visit Britain, Visit Scotland, Britainonview, Mike Hasted, Luke Sheppard, Ingrid Rasmussen, Pawel Libera, Tony Pleavin, Craig Easton, David Angel, Martin Brent, Bob Berry, Paul Watts

Prices & Dates

Departs: 08:15 | Returns: 18:30 approx

Departure Point:
6 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

Departs: Daily - Year Round

Prices Per Person

Adult Price from £45 to £59 (GBP)
Senior (60+)/Student £45 to £59 (GBP)
Child ( 5-16) £42 to £56 (GBP)

Click Book This Tour to find pricing on specific dates

**children under 5 years of age are not accepted. See below for more price notes

What's Included

The Tour Includes:
- Transportation by a top of the range 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
- Air Conditioning as standard.
- Services of a professional driver/guide

Not Included:
- Lunch and refreshments.
- Entrance fees to any Visitor Attractions

Discount Price:
Children between 5 and 16

Highlights:

- Kilchurn Castle
- Inveraray
- Doune Castle*
- Loch Awe
- Rest and Be Thankful pass
- Conservation village of Luss
- Loch Lomond National Park

Important Information:
We like to give you plenty of opportunities to go on nature walks, so we recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear for your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!!

Departure & Map

Leaving From Edinburgh
6 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG
  TERM & CONDITIONS

Payment
Reservations will only be confirmed on receipt of full payment.

Cancellations and Refunds
The Company will only cancel tours due to circumstances outwith our control.

Where the Customer cancels the tour reservation then the effective date of cancellation will be the date the Company receives written notification. In the event of cancellation a charge, as detailed below, shall be payable by the Customer.

If cancellation for extended tours is made less than 3 weeks before the tour commences, refunds are at our discretion. Please also note that customers may be liable for 1 nights accommodation surcharge in this instance. If cancellations are made less than 72 hours before the tour commences, please be advised that customers may be liable for all accommodation costs.

Charges
For All Tours, City Breaks and holidays of more than 1 day
a) Cancellation more than 21 days before the tour date 10%
b) Cancellation less than 21 days before the start of the tour entirely at our discretion.
For 1 Day Sightseeing Tours
a) Cancellation more than 72 hours before tour departure 10%
b) Cancellation less than 72 hours before the tour departure entirely at our discretion.

Alternatives/Cancellations
While the Company shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and details as planned, the Company reserves the right to alter itineraries, transport or accommodation for whatever reason. In the case of hotel accommodation a similar standard of alternative accommodation will be obtained wherever possible.

The Company reserves the right to refuse to carry any person whose conduct or manner is likely to cause offence or upset to other passengers. In such cases full cancellation charges apply and the Company shall have no further liability to that passenger.

Other operators/carriers
The Company will not accept or have any liability for any acts or omissions whether negligent or otherwise of any supplier or person providing services in connection with any tour unless such a person is employed by or under the direct control of the Company. Tickets for travel on other carriers are subject to the normal conditions of carriage of the individual carrier.

Luggage
Unless otherwise notified passengers are restricted to one medium sized suitcase/bag and one carry-on bag per person. Luggage is carried free of charge but at the passenger's own risk.

Children
We regret we do not carry children under the age of 5.

Insurance
The Company strongly recommends that passengers arrange suitable travel, medical and cancellation insurance.

Smoking
Smoking is not permitted on coaches but there are frequent stops en route for passengers who wish to smoke.

Financial Protection
In accordance with the EC Directive on Package Travel all customers monies are held in trust until such time as the tour has been completed.

Force Majeure
The Company does not accept any liability for any loss, inconvenience or damage caused by war, threat of war, riot or civil commotion, terrorist or criminal activity, industrial disputes, natural disasters, fires, sickness, weather conditions, road or traffic conditions, temporary technical, mechanical or electrical breakdown within booked accommodation, explosion of, or radioactive contamination from, any nuclear facility or other events beyond the control of the Company.

Jurisdiction
These conditions shall be construed and interpreted in accordance within the Law of Scotland and the Parties each submit to the jurisdiction of the Scottish Courts.

Operated by: Rabbies Trail Burners
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