Loch Katrine, Highland Cows & Blackness Castle Tour from Edinburgh

The Kelpies and the road past Stirling

The tour leaves Edinburgh and heads north-west towards the Highlands, passing the Kelpies near Falkirk. These 30-metre steel horse heads, designed by the sculptor Andy Scott and unveiled in 2013, honour the working horses that once pulled barges along the canals, and they are among the largest equine sculptures in the world.

We then drive past Stirling, the historic gateway to the Highlands, where you can see the tall tower of the Wallace Monument and the rock of Stirling Castle above the town. Stirling Castle was a favourite residence of the Stuart kings and queens, and your guide sets the scene for the region's history as we go. These are pass-by views, giving you an overview before the day's main stops.

Blackness Castle, the ship that never sailed

Blackness Castle is a 15th-century fortress on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, built on a rocky spit that gives it the outline of a ship, which is why it is nicknamed the ship that never sailed. It has served as a royal residence, a garrison fortress and a state prison, and its towers and walls are well preserved. Fans of Outlander will recognise it as Fort William in the series.

Visiting Blackness Castle is an optional stop on this tour, and the tickets are not included, so you buy them on the day if you want to go inside. You can climb the towers for views across the water and learn about its history as a prison. If you prefer to skip the interior, the shore around the castle is a good place for photographs before we continue.

Loch Katrine and Loch Achray in the Trossachs

Loch Katrine is the scenic centrepiece of the day. Set in the heart of Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, it is a still freshwater loch surrounded by forest and mountains. It was made famous by Sir Walter Scott's 1810 poem The Lady of the Lake, which helped bring tourists to the Highlands, and it has supplied Glasgow's drinking water since 1859, when Queen Victoria opened the scheme.

We also drive past Loch Achray, smaller and equally peaceful, set between Ben A'an and Ben Venue. This is the classic Highland scenery that people picture, and a good place to walk, breathe and take photographs. If you are asking whether Loch Katrine is worth visiting on a day trip from Edinburgh, the answer is yes for the tranquil views and the short journey time compared with the far north.

Highland cows and the Forth bridges at Queensferry

No Scottish day out is complete without meeting the Highland cows, known affectionately as coos. These gentle animals, with long curved horns and shaggy coats, are perfectly adapted to the wet climate, and the photo stop with them is a highlight for families. Please keep a respectful distance and do not feed them.

On the way back we pause at Queensferry, where three bridges cross the Firth of Forth. The red Forth Bridge, opened in 1890, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and beside it stand the 1964 road bridge and the modern Queensferry Crossing. It is one of the best views near Edinburgh. We aim to return to the city at about 5 pm, but please allow extra time for onward travel in case of delays.