West Highland Lochs & Castles from Edinburgh

Capture the spirit of the Western Highlands and explore Scotland’s most atmospheric lochs and castles.

Departing from Edinburgh, you travel west past Stirling to your first stop of the day, the medieval stronghold of Doune Castle. This castle was built over 600 years ago and is still in great condition. And if you’re a fan of ‘Monty Python and The Holy Grail’ or the ‘Outlander’ series, you can learn more about how the castle was used as a filming set.

You then continue across the Highland Boundary Fault Line into the wild mountains and forests of the Highlands. Travel along the banks of Loch Awe through Campbell country to the picturesque town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne. Here you can admire the 18th-century castle (open to visitors April until October), take time to explore the town, or head to the Old Jail.

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’. You then skirt around Loch Long and down to the “Bonnie, Bonnie Banks” of Loch Lomond. You make a short stop at the conservation village of Luss, where you can wander around taking in 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.

Point of return: 18.30 at 6 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3EG

WEST HIGHLANDS, LOCHS & CASTLES visits Doune Castle, used as a film location for the “Outlander” series - based on the books by Diana Gabaldon.  It also visits Inveraray Castle, featured in the Christmas Special of “Downton Abbey”.​​​​​​​