LOCHS, CASTLES AND THE KELPIES

We depart Edinburgh at 8.45am and head west through Scotland’s Central Belt towards the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ – stopping at Balmaha Highland village to soak up the breathtaking, solitary peak of Scotland’s most southerly Munro (a Scottish mountain), Ben Lomond. Stretch your legs on woodland ....

We depart Edinburgh at 8.45am and head west through Scotland’s Central Belt towards the ‘Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond’ – stopping at Balmaha Highland village to soak up the breathtaking, solitary peak of Scotland’s most southerly Munro (a Scottish mountain), Ben Lomond. Stretch your legs on woodland walks, with views of the biggest loch on the British Isles. You can also spot some of the 22 islands within the loch – which are home to an array of creatures including a colony of wallabies! 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 has seen several Scottish Kings and Queens crowned here, including Mary Queen of Scots in 1542. It was also central to William Wallace and Robert the Bruce’s Wars of Independence. Stirling town itself is geographically one of the most significant towns in Scottish history. On the way home, 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. After a day full of exploration, we return to Edinburgh early evening where you can chill out in one of the many cosy pubs.