Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle Small Group Tour from Glasgow
Description
The Loch Lomond tour from Glasgow has a little of everything that Scotland has to offer, from a leisurely cruise on bonnie Loch Lomond to the mountains of the ‘Highlands in miniature’ and majestic Stirling Castle. Leaving Glasgow, we’re soon in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty where Rob Roy MacGregor was celebrated as a hero and an outlaw. Learn about the area’s lawless Vikings and feuding clans during a loch cruise. At sumptuous Stirling Castle step back in time to the lavish days of Scotland’s Renaissance kings and queens.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We visit the conservation village of Luss, where tidy rows of cottages stretch down to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond and are brimming with floral displays in summer. Luss is a tourists’ favourite, especially its picture postcard Church founded by the Celtic Saint MacKessog. In its churchyard lies a legacy of the lawless Vikings: their 11th century ‘hogback’ Viking grave, a stone-carved sculpture.
Here our passengers have the option purchase tickets to join a 1 hour boat cruise on the beautiful Loch Lomond. Enjoy the picturesque scenery and learn more about the area. Those who prefer to stay on dry land can explore Balloch Country Park.
We follow the dramatic Duke’s Pass and deep into the Trossachs, the ‘Highlands in miniature’. Opinions differ on the meaning behind the Trossachs, but our favourite is from the Gaelic meaning ‘the bristly country’. We'll stop for a photo or two in this area, as well as a short stop for our passengers to get some lunch. This landscape inspired Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake and his novel Rob Roy and we think you’ll be inspired too, whether to pick up your camera or your notebook. Look out for a favourite photographic subject, our woolly, long-horned Highland cows. We call them hairy coos!
Passengers have the opportunity to visit to Stirling Castle (tickets not included, see tour exclusions), great royal residence of Stuart Kings and of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was declared monarch here in 1543, aged only nine months. It’s an imposing sight, perched on its crag, and you’ll have 90 minutes to explore this historic gem.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We are unable to accommodate children under the age of 5.
- Our tour departs from between stance 23 - 32. Please check-in 15 minutes before departure. The station information board will display the exact stance for the tour. If you do not arrive on time for check in you will unfortunately miss your tour.
Reviews(85)
Kieran was our driver/guide. Personable and provided us with a lot of information. Small group tour was much better than a large coach. There was insufficient time at Stirling Castle (c75mins) as there is so much to see; as senior citizens we paid ony £15 but felt that it was not money well spent. Too long at Luss and Aberfoyle. At Balloch we chose the boat trip which was fine; we heard from our fellow travellers that they found the town itself not particularly engaging. The length of the stops need to be reviewed.
The day was absolutely lovely - the driver Maggie was very good. The tour started at the castle and ended at Loch Lomond which is definitely the better order of the trip. Lunch was nice at the town of Callander - definitely get the steak pie or sandwich and one of their delicious pastries! The only reason we are giving it wasn’t perfect was that they were not strict on times. We waited more than 15 min past the time to leave for a group and this same group was late back to the shuttle another 15 min past time so we were very rushed at Loch Lomond and Luss. Losing that 30min out of our limited time was a letdown, and they really should have adjusted due to the stragglers because we got back well over an hour before all aboard.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We’re delighted to hear that you had a lovely day and that Maggie was a great driver. It’s also wonderful to know that you enjoyed the route, particularly starting at the castle and finishing around Loch Lomond, as well as your lunch stop in Callander. We’re sorry, however, that the delays caused by other members of the group affected your experience. We completely understand how frustrating it must have been to lose valuable time at Loch Lomond and Luss, especially when you had limited time to enjoy these beautiful locations. Keeping to the planned schedule is important, as we want every guest to have the opportunity to enjoy each stop without feeling rushed. We’ll make sure your comments are shared with our team so we can continue looking at ways to improve how we handle late departures and returns. Thank you again for travelling with us and for your thoughtful review. We’re pleased that, despite the timing issues, you enjoyed so much of the day, and we hope you’ll join us again on another Scotland tour in the future. Discover Scotland Tours
This excursion was excellent. Pick up at pier was easy, small group in a nice relaxing, air conditioned small bus. Allyn was knowledgeable, funny and engaging. Best scenery ever. Gave us enough time at all the stops to shop, eat and explore. Just wonderful and a great experience for the money we paid. Thank you, Al for a wonderful day!
Thank you for your lovely reveiw. We are thrilled you had an excellent time on tour. Alan's knowledge always makes for a great tour, we will be sure to pass along your kind words. - Discover Scotland Tours
Our Sterling Castle tour was our second tour with Discover Scotland and again, we we not disappointed. Kyle was lovely and very knowledgeable about local history, mythology, and flora/fauna, which is right up my alley. We also enjoyed the small tour bus as it provided a more customized experience and allowed us to get to know our fellow travelers. Highly recommend.
Thank you for your 5 star review and recommendation! We are delighted that you enjoyed Kyle's vast knowledge and the small tour size. We hope to welcome you back for another Discover Scotland Tour
It is hard to pick a tour when you have so many options. I myself have taken 5 while in Scotland. I must say the tour guide makes the day and Gary made mine. I met an amazing group of people but Gary made sure to address us by name and gave us facts that were not only historic but fun. He constantly checked on us and kept us in our toes. A special side stop to see a beautiful view. It says a lot about a person when other company tour guides came over just to say hello while we had free time. I’m so grateful I picked this tour. From the cruise to the special surprise stop. It was the perfect day. Thank you Gary for showing us why Scotland is so amazing.
Your kind words mean so much to us! It’s wonderful to hear Gary made such a personal connection with the group and helped bring Scotland’s stories and scenery to life. We’ll be sure to share your appreciation with him. - Discover Scotland Tours
It was a wonderful experience. The guide was awesome with knowledge. Overall felt like I am travelling with my own car.
Thank you for your 5 star review, we are glad you enjoyed the tour! - Discover Scotland Tours
Alan was a terrific guide. He told us all kinds of information about Scotland and where we were going and pointed out sights along the way. We were in a group of 10 and he did everything he could to make sure that each of us got to do exactly what we wanted. He was especially accommodating to us, because we wanted to spend some time at the Luss Highland games, which just happened to be the day we were taking this tour. He also was able to drive us up to Sterling Castle, so we didn’t have to take a long hike up to it. It was a perfect tour with a fabulous guide!Highly recommend!!
We are absolutely delighted that you enjoyed Alan's knowledge and his passion to accommodate everyone on tour as best he can. We will be sure to pass on your lovely words to him. Thank you for the 5 stars and we hope to help you discover more of Scotland in the future. - Discover Scotland Tours
Guide, Allen was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The bus was comfortable and Stirling Castle was very interesting with beautiful grounds.
Thank you for your 5 star review from your tour with Alan! It's great to hear that his knowledge and entertaining guiding was able to add to your experience. We are also glad to hear you enjoyed Stirling Castle. We hope to see you again some time! - Discover Scotland Tours
Great tour and tour guide! We were given enough time to explore each destination. Enjoyed the charming village of Luss and the tour of Stirling Castle. Our guide Stevie was so knowledgeable of Scotland’s history, and he made each guest feel so welcome!
Thank you for your great 5 star review! It is great to see that you enjoyed your visit to both Luss and Stirling Castle. We are also glad to see that you found Stevie welcoming and knowledgeable. We hope to see you again! - Discover Scotland Tours
Time for lunch is tight, just grab some takeout. Be prepared to pay to get into Stirling Castle, there is a free tour but it will take up most of your time there, explore on your own.
Thank you for your 5 star review and feedback, we greatly appreciate it! - Discover Scotland Tours
