West Highlands, Inveraray & Doune Castle Day Trip from Edinburgh

Luss and Loch Lomond

Our first stop is Luss, a pretty conservation village on the western shore of Loch Lomond, Britain's largest lake by surface area. Its stone cottages, flower-filled gardens and pier look out over the water to the hills, and it is the classic place for a short walk and a photograph. On the way we pass Stirling Castle in the distance, and on a clear day you can see Ben Lomond rising above the loch.

Loch Lomond is celebrated in the old song about the bonnie, bonnie banks, and Luss is the most attractive village to stand on them. A loch tour like this one is popular for anyone asking how to see Loch Lomond from Edinburgh without hiring a car. The stop is short, so use it to walk to the pier and enjoy the view.

Rest and Be Thankful and the Arrochar Alps

West of Loch Lomond the road climbs into the Arrochar Alps, a group of steep, craggy mountains that feel very different from the lowlands. We stop at the viewpoint called Rest and Be Thankful, at the top of a pass. The name comes from a stone that Government soldiers placed there in the 18th century when they built a military road, and the view down the glen is one of the classic images of the Highlands.

This is the best place on the route to appreciate the scale of the landscape, and a chance for photographs of the twisting road below. Dress warmly because it can be windy even in summer. From here the road descends towards Loch Fyne and Inveraray, and your guide points out the historic routes and the peaks around you.

Inveraray on Loch Fyne

Inveraray is a planned 18th-century town on the shore of Loch Fyne, with white-washed buildings and a wide waterfront. It is the lunch stop, and you can decide how to use your free time. Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll and chief of Clan Campbell, is open to visitors in the main season only and is closed on some days, so check the current opening hours before you decide whether to go inside.

The Old Jail is a good alternative, with a courtroom and cells brought to life by exhibits. Otherwise you can simply walk the seafront and browse the shops. If you are looking for things to do in Inveraray, allow time to see the castle exterior, the loch and the main street. Lunch and entry fees are paid for separately.

Kilchurn Castle, Loch Awe and the Trossachs

Heading north, we stop to photograph Kilchurn Castle, a romantic ruin on a peninsula at the head of Loch Awe. It was built in the mid-15th century by the Campbells of Glenorchy and later became a garrison. Legend says it is cursed, so it is best admired from a distance. We continue through Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, past Loch Lubnaig and the village of Balquhidder, where the outlaw Rob Roy is buried.

The final stop is Doune Castle, built over 600 years ago and one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland. Entry is included in the booking. It is a filming location for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Outlaw King and Outlander, and you can explore the great hall and towers. We return to Edinburgh in the early evening, at about half past six.