One Day Excursions

Notes for Edinburgh & Glasgow Tours:
All tours are full day tours and are guided in English.  Lunches are not included. However you will either stop in small Highland villages, where you can  choose where you eat, or country family establishments where there is a choice to suite all budgets. These places are always chosen for their charm and character to give you the taste of Highland Hospitality.

Visitor Attractions are not included but we have negotiated reductions to some on your behalf. This is where the Rabbie's Discount card, handed out to all passengers, comes in handy. Clothing – because we believe in time off the bus and give you opportunities to take nature walks. We recommend you bring suitable clothing and footwear on your tour. Scotland can be a wet place!

Winter Tours – whilst travelling around the Highlands in winter can be the most spectacular time to do so, sometimes the routes we take are altered a little depending on the conditions and tours normally run about half and hour earlier. In winter (November to March) the castles are not open but can be viewed from outside. Tours are operated by Rabbie's Trail Burners who have achieve a gold award in the UK's leading green accreditation scheme, demonstrating their high level commitment to protecting the environment and sustainable tourism practices.
 

Out of Edinburgh

Out of Glasgow

All tours below start from 207 High Street.

 

Tours depart from outside the Tourist Information Office at 11 George Square.
 

Out of Edinburgh - 1 Day Tours

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LOCH NESS, GLENCOE & THE HIGHLANDS

Your chance to see "Nessie" and follow a route through some of the most spectacular and haunting Highland scenery. Your tour passes through magnificent Glencoe, scene of the clan massacre of the MacDonalds by the Campbells in 1692, and on through Fort William, the beginning of the “Great Glen” and the Caledonian canal, which you follow up to Fort Augustus, nestling on the banks of Loch Ness. Here you can enjoy your lunch, a boat trip (from Easter) or take a wander along the lochside with spectacular views of the loch. From here you return south, briefly stopping for a whisky tasting at Spean Bridge, before returning to Edinburgh via “Monarch of the Glen” country, stopping in Pitlochry on the way.

LOCH LOMOND NATIONAL PARK & STIRLING CASTLE

A day spent in the land of Scots heroes Rob Roy, Robert the Bruce and William Wallace. You travel to Stirling Castle, where you can visit this imposing stronghold, favorite residence of the Stuart kings and where Mary Queen of Scots was crowned. You then continue into the beautiful forested hills of the Trossachs National Park and stop for lunch in Aberfoyle. Then along the remote and spectacular road to Inversnaid on the “bonny, bonny banks” of Loch Lomond. Here you can enjoy the view of the loch from the Inversnaid hotel or walk along part of the West Highland Way in the footsteps of Rob Roy and up through the Nature reserve to enjoy spectacular views of Loch Lomond. From here you return to Edinburgh in the late afternoon.

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HIGHLAND LOCHS, GLENS & WHISKY

You travel over the Forth Road Bridge past Perth to Dunkeld and the Hermitage in Macbeth’s Birnam Wood for a forest walk amongst spectacular waterfalls and the tallest trees in the country. Then journey north for lunch at Pitlochry before travelling to see the Queen’s View on  Loch Tummel. Your afternoon continues with a visit to Dewar’s Whisky Distillery, before travelling the length of majestic Loch Tay, beneath the dramatic Ben Lawers to Killin in romantic Glen Dochart, an area abundant with ancient stone circles. From here you journey through Rob Roy country past Stirling Castle on your way back to Edinburgh.

WEST HIGHLAND LOCHS & CASTLES
 
You travel by Stirling and on past Doune Castle, set of Monty Python's "Holy Grail". From here you continue north into the Highlands with an afternoon stop by Kilchurn Castle. Magnificently situated at the head of Loch Awe. Turning south you visit the white-washed 18th century town of Inveraray, home to the Duke of Argyll's castle, before continuing over the spectacular "rest and be thankful" pass to Loch Lomond, stopping at the conservation village of Luss, set on its "bonny, bonny banks". From here you return to Edinburgh, stopping briefly under Stirling castle.

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ST. ANDREWS & THE FISHING VILLAGES OF FIFE

This tour takes you to South Queensferry to view the “8th Wonder of the World” before travelling into the medieval kingdom of Fife following the coastal route through the pretty fishing villages in the East Neuk of Fife (including stopping in Crail) and gives you 3 hours to enjoy the historic city of St. Andrews. You can visit its cathedral, castle and University, shop at leisure and take a walk along its beautiful white sandy beach next to the Old Course, the home of golf. You then travel westwards through the heart of Fife, stopping in the historic village of Falkland, home to James V’s historic Renaissance Palace. From here you return home to Edinburgh.

ROSSLYN CHAPEL & THE SCOTTISH BORDERS

Uncover the myths and legends around the Da Vinci code, the Knights Templar and the heart of Robert the Bruce. Your tour takes you south to the world famous Scott’s View, with stunning views over the Tweed Valley and the Eildon Hills. From here you travel to Melrose exploring the great Border Abbey of Melrose, burial place of Robert the Bruce, and centre for the old Knights Templar. Following lunch in Melrose you will travel north to the spooky graveyard of Temple, named after the Templars. After a brief stop here you will make your way to the stunning 15th century Rosslyn Chapel, immortalized in Dan Brown’s “Da Vinci Code” where you can find out more about the myths and legends surrounding the whereabouts of the “Holy Grail”. From here you return to Edinburgh.

Out of Glasgow - 1 Day Tours

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STIRLING CASTLE, LOCH LOMOND & WHISKY TOUR

Our route will take us north from Glasgow to Stirling. From the castle, if you choose to visit, you can look down over the scene of Wallace’s greatest triumph, the battle of Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English army in 1297. With Bannockburn to the south this is an area alive with history! From Stirling we travel into the Highlands to an area known as the Trossachs National Park. Often referred to as ‘The Highlands in Miniature’ it marks the point where the Lowlands meet the Highlands. Marvel at the shimmering lochs, rugged mountain tops and forest filled glens – it is easy to forget that this was once thought of as a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans. We stop for lunch outside Aberfoyle, where you can enjoy the magnificent nature all around you. After lunch we ‘take the high road’ or back-road to Loch Lomond, at over 22 miles long, 5 miles wide at its widest point, and with 79 islands, it is Scotland’s largest loch, it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. Following a walk out along the west highland way you travel onto the picturesque Distillery of Glengoyne, one of the leading ‘Malt Whiskies ‘in Scotland, where you have the option to tour the Distillery or enjoy the refreshments that are on offer at their ‘Slainte Mhath Shop’. Then it’s just a short drive back to Glasgow.

LOCH NESS & THE HIGHLANDS

Travel north towards the Highlands along the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Crossing the ancient natural fault line that runs across Scotland we travel into the majestic Highlands where the scenery changes quickly and dramatically. We climb towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs. This contrasts with the spectacular mountain scenery as we pass down into Scotland's most famous valley, Glencoe. Stunningly beautiful, with its dramatic cliff faces and steep slopes, Glencoe is infamous as the site of the Glencoe massacre in 1692. Passing through the town of Fort William we drive under Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis before arriving at Fort Augustus on the southern shore of Loch Ness. At 23 miles long and over 700ft deep it's the largest loch by volume in Scotland and contains more water than every lake in England and Wales combined! You can take the opportunity of a boat cruise on the loch to go in search of the monster, or simply to enjoy the beautiful scenery. From Loch Ness we return south again heading through the mountains of the Cairngorms National Park. South of Perth we drive past Stirling Castle, which was once known as the 'Key to Scotland', before returning to Glasgow.

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OBAN, GLEN COE, WEST HIGHLAND LOCHS & CASTLES

We travel northwest, through the gorgeous Glen Fruin, riving parallel with Loch Long. From here we will be crossing the Highland boundary fault line. This is an area which once was a dangerous frontier fought over by the fiercely territorial Highland clans such as the MacGregors, made famous by highland folk hero, Rob Roy MacGregor. We will then take a leisurely drive over the at 'Rest and Be Thankful' mountain pass and along the steep-sided mountains, known as the Arrochar Alps. On to the picturesque harbour town of Inveraray on the shores of Loch Fyne, famous for the18th-century castle and home of the chief of the Campbell clan. We continue along the shore of Scotland's longest loch, Loch Awe, where we will see the magnificent ruin of Kilchurn Castle in the middle of Loch Awe. After lunch we then head north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and into Scotland's most famous valley, stunningly beautiful Glencoe. Travelling south you descend towards the wild desolation of Rannoch Moor. At an altitude of over 1000ft, covered by heather and peat-bogs and dotted with dozens of lochs, it's a unique landscape. From here we will travel south towards Loch Lomond. It is Scotland's largest loch and takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. The last stop of the day will be in Luss, an 18th century conservation village with old workers cottages, built for the laborers of the Estate. From here you return to Glasgow.

WALLACE MONUMENT, LOCHS, GLENS & WHISKY

Depart Glasgow at 09.00 and travel towards Stirling. Your route north is one that has been used for thousands of years by invading armies. It was the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire, and was later used by the English King Edward I, as he marched proudly towards Stirling (only to be sent homewards to think again!). To the north is the 220ft high tower of the National Wallace Monument commemorating Scotland’s great hero William Wallace, played by Mel Gibson in the Oscar winning movie Braveheart. From the top you can look down over Stirling Bridge, where he defeated the English army in 1297. Further to the South is Bannockburn where, in 1314, the battle was fought for possession of Stirling Castle. Then we travel onto Crieff, a lively resort town which was once the main centre for the cattle trade in Scotland. The town was burned down for harboring Bonnie Prince Charlie during his 1745 Jacobite rebellion and was rebuilt by the local landlord, the Earl of Perth. We continue north over the Highland line, through the beautiful Sma’ Glen and onto Aberfeldy. Nearby is Dewar’s Whisky distillery, where you can discover the secret of how Scotland’s national drink is made. Later you travel west into the ancient lands of Breadalbane, or the ‘High Country’ surrounding Loch Tay and make your way along the loch towards Killin. The small town is situated beside the River Dochart and has the fantastic Falls of Dochart at its heart, flowing under the old bridge and past the ancient burial ground of the Clan MacNab. After Killin, you take a drive through the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park where we will make a stop at the gorgeous conservation village of Luss, situated on the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. This is Scotland's largest loch and it takes its name from the mountain Ben Lomond on the eastern shore. From here you return to Glasgow at approximately 19.00.

Alnwick Castle, Berwick and the Borders – 2012

A day spent in the Borderlands of Scotland and England. Our tour follows the ancient Roman Dere Street that connected Scottish Caledonia with Roman Britannia through the Scottish Borders.

Stopping at Melrose, home to the remains of the Cistercian Abbey and the burial place of the heart of Scottish King Robert the Bruce who lived and fought in the area that we are traveling through today.

Continuing South we cross the border and travel onto imposing Alnwick Castle, one of the great castles of Northumberland that has stood for nearly a millennium. Originally built to protect the north of England from Scottish border reivers and invaders, more recently Alnwick Castle and its perfectly manicured gardens have found fame as one of the settings for the fictional Hogwarts school in the Harry Potter movie series.

After almost 3 hours to explore Alnwick Castle we head towards the ancient gateway town of Berwick Upon Tweed, a strategic walled town at the estuary of the River Tweed, that has swung between Scottish and English control over many centuries.

There is time to explore the city walls or visit the Georgian army barracks before returning to Edinburgh along the rugged coast of Berwickshire and East Lothian.