Depart Edinburgh 10.00am and head northwest past Linlithgow Palace. This amazing building, on the site of an earlier hunting lodge and castle built by Edward I of England when he invaded Scotland, was one of the main residences of the Scottish Royal Family, the Stewarts. The Stewarts ruled Scotland from 1371 to 1714, but they were never a lucky family. James I was assassinated, James II had an obsession with cannons until he was blown up by one, James III was killed fighting his son, James IV was hacked to pieces by the English, James V died of depression, Mary got her head chopped off, as did her grandson Charles I. His son, James VII, fled into exile in case he got his head chopped off, and his grandson Charles Edward Stewart died an alcoholic. The tragic Mary Queen of Scots was born at Linlithgow palace, and became Queen when she was only 6 days old.
Passing the huge oil refinery of Grangemouth, it is relatively short run to Stirling Castle. Stirling castle is also known as the 'Key of Scotland', as it controlled most of the north/south movement of goods and people throughout Scotland. In 1297 is was controlled by the English army of Edward I. On the hillside opposite, the rebel leaders William Wallace and Andrew Moray led an attack on the English encampment below the castle. The two armies met, but the English were no match for Moray's brains and Wallace's brawn, and were heavily defeated. Unfortunately, for the whole campaign Moray was killed, and Wallace defeated in 1298 nearby at Falkirk. Scotland would have to wait until 1314 for independence. Led by Robert the Bruce, the Scottish army routed the forces of Edward II at Bannockburn. Again, the fight was for Stirling castle. We give you over an hour to explore this unique part of Scotland's history.

From Stirling we head into the Highlands and an area known as the Trossachs. Forming part of Scotland's first national park, and meaning 'spiky hills', the Trossachs were made famous by Sir Walter Scott and Victorian tourism. We will climb through the forested hills of the Queen Elizabeth forest park, passing Lochs Venachar, Achray and Drunkie. The latter being a favourite hiding place for illicit whisky. Unfortunately, the whisky often seeped out of the barrels and into the loch, hence its rather curious name. We stop for lunch at Aberfoyle in the heart of the Trossachs. Then it is up to Loch Lomond. Taking you to the Highland end of the loch, we pass through Rob Roy country. Rob Roy was a sort of Highland Robin Hood, he stole from the rich, but never quite got round to giving it to the poor.

Loch Lomond is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. Ben Lomond means 'Beacon Hill', and fires we lit on this high mountains as a signal to the local Clansman for a call to arms. We will take you for a walk through the nature reserve owned by the Royal Society for Protection of birds, where there is a stunning view down the Loch. After an hour and a half here we take the 'Low Road' back to Edinburgh, passing Scotland's only lake - the Lake of Mentieth (the rest being lochs). It is said that because William Wallace was eventually betrayed by the Earl of Mentieth, resulting in his rather grim death in London, that Loch of Mentieth was renamed as a lake, like they have in England, as a permanent reminder that Mentieth had betrayed Scotland. The truth is rather more prosaic unfortunately. It was originally called Loch of Mentieth, but a Government map maker in the 18th Century, being English named all Scotland's bodies of water Lakes (eg Lake Ness, Lake Lomond, etc), realising his mistake he went back and corrected his map, but he missed Mentieth, and the name has stuck to the present day.

The tour then skirts the wide Flanders Moss, which until modern times was a great marsh, now one of the most productive farmlands in Scotland, before reaching Stirling and the quick run back to Edinburgh.

This full day tour departs daily from Central Edinburgh. 10am - 6.30pm.

Adult Price: £25
Child Price: £22 (3 - 16 yrs)

Inclusions:
Transportation by top of the range 16 seat Mercedes minicoaches for a more personal service.Inclusions
Forced air ventilation as standard.
Services of a professional driver/guide
Exclusions:
Lunch and refreshments.
Entrance to Stirling Castle, but you get 10% off with our discount card - or £2 off Historic Scotland Explorer passes - for lots of Historic sites in Scotland