Highland Cows
& Scotland Castles

Day Trip From Edinburgh

Departure Information

Departs from:

Edinburgh

Tours leave:

Select Saturdays

Departs at:

8am (arrive 30mins early)

Returns at:

Approx. 6pm Same Day

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Scotland's Must-See
Highland Cows & Castles
Day Trip from Edinburgh

No trip to Scotland is complete without meeting a Highland cow and exploring a fairytale castle. If you're short on time but want to experience the very best of Scotland, this is the perfect day trip from Edinburgh.

Meet Scotland's most famous residents as you hand-feed and photograph fluffy Highland cows, before exploring some of the country's most romantic castles and historic landmarks. From ancient royal residences to dramatic fortress ruins, every tour showcases a unique side of Scotland's fascinating past.

With longer stops, a relaxed pace and plenty of opportunities for photos, you'll enjoy a genuine taste of Scotland without feeling rushed. Travel through beautiful Scottish scenery and take time to soak up the atmosphere over a relaxed lunch break.

With around 10 hours to explore, you'll experience the sights, stories and landscapes that make Scotland so unforgettable.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Historic Castles

Scottish Villages

View Gallery

Transport in 16 or 28 Seat Coach

Pick up and Drop-off from Edinburgh City Centre

Expert Local Guide

Iconic Locations and Hidden Gems

Luggage Allowance of 1 Cabin Bag and 1 Small Backpack or Purse

Excludes

Flights, Transfers and

Accommodation

Food and Drink

(Shops and Pubs Available)

Optional Castle Entry Fee

Includes

TOUR ITINERARY

Short on time but want to experience more of Scotland than just Edinburgh? This is the perfect Highland escape for you.

In a single day, you'll leave the city behind and journey through some of the country's most beautiful scenery, discovering ancient history, charming villages, legendary landscapes and a few hairy Highland cows along the way.

Lasting a full 10 hours, this adventure packs a surprising amount of Scotland into one unforgettable day, without ever feeling rushed. Whether you're wandering through picturesque Killin, or stepping back in time at the Scottish Crannog Centre, you'll get a real taste of the

Scotland that lies beyond the capital city.

By the time we arrive back into Edinburgh, you'll have explored lochs, mountains, history and Highland culture—all without needing to commit to a multi-day trip.

Finlarig Castle
Stirling or Linlithgow Castle
The town of Callander
Feed and photograph Highland Cows
Killin & the Falls of Dochart
Scottish Crannog Centre or Dunkeld

Check-in: 7:45am
Departure: 8am

Please note: We are unable to wait for guests who are late and no refunds will be issued in this instance. It is your responsibility to make sure you arrive on time for departure.

Pick-Up & Drop-Off

Our meeting point is at Castle Rock Hostel in Edinburgh, right next to Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal mile. This central location is close to many of the city's hostels and hotels. The address is: 15 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2PW.

We recommend spending the night before your tour at Castle Rock Hostel for ease, or if you'd like to stay in a smaller hostel and don't mind a 10 minute walk in the morning we can also recommend Royal Mile Backpackers or High Street Hostel. You will be given a 10% off code for all three of these hostels when you book a tour with us.

Departure Times

Please check your booking confirmation email to confirm the departure time. We change our departure times in line with UK daylight saving hours to maximise sunlight on tours.

Frequently Asked Questions

It’s important to come prepared for everything we get up to on tour. We spend a lot of time outdoors exploring Scotland’s landscapes and we also do a 2-3 hour moderate hike. We recommend bringing:

- Sturdy walking boots or trail shoes from a reputable brand.

- A lightweight waterproof jacket. Choose a fully waterproof outer shell (not just water-resistant) that can be worn over your layers.

- Warm layers (even in summer). It can get chilly, particularly in the evenings or at higher elevations. Bring a warm jumper or fleece, and in colder months consider a hat and gloves.

- Comfortable everyday clothing. Casual, practical clothes are best for travel days and sightseeing.

- A small day backpack. Ideally with a waterproof lining or rain cover. You’ll need space for daily essentials like water, snacks, waterproofs, extra layers, medication, camera and dry socks.

- A water bottle. Staying hydrated on hikes is essential.

- Personal medication and toiletries. Bring enough for the duration of your trip, plus a little extra just in case.

- Travel adapter (UK plug type G). Scotland uses UK-style sockets.

- Spending money. Whether it’s whisky, meals, or souvenirs to take home, you’ll want some spending money. If you exchange currency and receive Bank of England notes, don’t worry – they are perfectly acceptable in Scotland.

- An open mind. Travelling is about new places, new people and new experiences. Embrace it and make the most of every moment.

You are more than welcome to bring along one smaller bag to use while on the bus, as well as one medium sized piece of luggage, suitcase or backpack, which we will put in the hold of the bus during transit. The luggage restriction has been set because our vehicles do not have the space to hold more than this.

If you are concerned you have too much luggage with you, please arrange with Castle Rock Hostel directly before your departure to store luggage while you are on tour. You can contact reception at castlerock@macbackpackers.com.

While many shops, cafes and restaurants in the Scottish Highlands do accept card, most local businesses prefer cash, and power outages are not uncommon in the area. Therefore, when cashier tills have no power, cash becomes essential. You might also like to tip your driver guide at the end of the tour. Therefore, we highly recommend bringing cash.

ATM’s are located at multiple stops along the route, but you could alternatively take out cash in Edinburgh before departure. We recommend around £20 per day if you are buying lunch in cafes/ shops and then cooking your own supermarket food in the hostel at night. However, if you intend on eating in a restaurant at night you would likely need to spend an additional £20-30 per night for this option. If you'd like to buy any souvenirs please factor this in too.

It is very common to see solo travellers on our tours. The majority of our passengers are there by themselves. We do also get groups or friends, siblings or relatives - there is typically a mix of both. Whether you arrive alone or in a group, we encourage everyone to get to know each other and make the most of the incredible opportunity to speak to people from different cultures from all over the world. If you are nervous about coming alone, don't worry! You'll make new friends in no time and be laughing your way around Scotland.

It doesn’t matter what time of year you are travelling, the weather in Scotland can be incredibly unpredictable and sometimes you can even experience several seasons in one day. Even in the summer months!

As a result of this, we would always encourage our passengers to wear waterproof shoes and clothing, ensuring they have several removable layers. You are more than welcome to leave jackets/jumpers on the coach during stops if you find that the weather is nice when you are due to get off. The bus will be locked and your belongings can be left with peace of mind.

Our tours do involve moderate walks and lots of time spent off the bus exploring. We require you to be mobile and physically capable of joining all aspects of the tour. This allows us to be one of the only tour companies who take you up close and personal rather than just admiring the sights from the bus. We need to lock the bus while the group is gone for walks over potentially uneven terrain, so you will need to stand alone for hours outside, even it is raining. Therefore, we would strongly encourage you not to join a tour if you have any injuries or mobility issues.

Check out our full list of FAQs here if you have any more questions!