Hairy Coos & Highland Views 6.5-Hour Short Day Escape from Edinburgh with Distillery or Blackness Castle Visit
by The Hairy Coo
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$121.52Overview
This 6.5-hour day trip departs from Edinburgh’s New Town by air-conditioned coach with a local Scottish guide providing live commentary throughout. Early in the journey, the coach passes the Kelpies, two 30-meter-high horse sculptures, and then Stirling, where views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle can be seen from the vehicle. Passengers select one of two first stops when booking: Deanston Distillery or Blackness Castle. At Deanston Distillery, a former cotton mill, visitors take a guided tour to learn about the whisky-making process and finish with a tasting of single malt whiskies. There is also time to relax by the River Teith or in the distillery’s Coffee Bothy. Alternatively, the Blackness Castle stop allows 45 minutes to explore the 15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth, known as “the ship that never sailed” for its shape. The castle has served as a royal residence, prison, and garrison and offers views over the water. The coach then continues to Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park, where passengers have about 30 minutes to rest by the freshwater loch surrounded by forests and mountains. Next, the tour stops for 15 minutes at Loch Achray, a smaller loch between Ben A’an and Ben Venue mountains, where travelers can see the Highland cattle known as Hairy Coos and take photos. On the return trip to Edinburgh, the coach makes a brief stop to view the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever railway bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing. The tour concludes in Edinburgh in the late afternoon, around 5 PM. The guide provides live commentary throughout, and there are regular comfort breaks during the trip. The coach does not have onboard toilets. Food and entrance fees are not included. The route varies depending on the chosen option: the distillery visit or the castle visit, which cannot be combined. Alternative stops replace Blackness Castle during its seasonal closure. This tour offers a short escape from Edinburgh to see historic sites, natural scenery, and Highland cattle.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
The Kelpies & The Helix
The tour departs from Edinburgh’s New Town and heads into the Scottish countryside. Early in the journey, the coach passes the Kelpies, which are two large 30-meter-high horse sculptures representing mythical creatures. The route also passes Stirling, where passengers see views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle from the vehicle.
Stirling
Passing through Stirling, which was once Scotland’s capital, travelers get views of Stirling Castle, one of the country's most significant castles, and the Wallace Monument, both visible from the coach as it drives by.
Deanston Distillery & Visitor Centre
If the distillery option is selected, the first stop is Deanston Distillery for about one hour. The distillery, previously a cotton mill, produces single malt whisky. Visitors take a guided tour explaining the whisky-making process and end with a tasting of Deanston's whisky varieties. Visitors may also walk along the River Teith or relax in the distillery’s Coffee Bothy.
60 min
Blackness Castle
If the castle option is chosen, the first stop is Blackness Castle for approximately 45 minutes. This 15th-century fortress is located on the Firth of Forth and is known as “the ship that never sailed” because of its shape. The castle has served various roles, including royal residence, prison, and military fortress. It also appeared as Fort William in the television series “Outlander” and offers views over the water.
45 min
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
The tour continues with a stop at Loch Achray for about 15 minutes. This smaller loch lies between Ben A’an and Ben Venue mountains and offers a peaceful setting. Nearby, visitors have the chance to see and photograph Highland cattle known as Hairy Coos, a well-known symbol of the Scottish countryside.
15 min
Forth Bridge
On the return journey to Edinburgh, the coach stops for 10 minutes to view the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever railway bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passengers also see the adjacent 20th-century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st-century Queensferry Crossing, which opened in 2017. These three bridges together span the Firth of Forth, linking Edinburgh with Fife.
10 min
Edinburgh
The tour concludes with the return to Edinburgh in the late afternoon, around 5 PM. Time between stops is spent traveling on the coach. Passengers leave with views and memories of Scotland’s historic sites, lochs, and natural scenery.
5 min
Loch Katrine
Deeper into the Trossachs National Park, the tour stops for about 30 minutes at Loch Katrine, a freshwater loch surrounded by forests and mountains. This loch was featured in Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake, and visitors can relax by its tranquil waters.
30 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN STARTS AT 10:15 AM, BUS DEPARTS 10:30 AM.
End point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN STARTS AT 10:15 AM, BUS DEPARTS 10:30 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh 75-Minute World Ghost Evening Walking Tour of Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Underground Vaults
- Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh
- Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour with Tickets Included
- Edinburgh Private Tour: Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriars & Local Drink
- Private 9-Hour Scottish Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh with Highland Cows and Castles
Hairy Coos & Highland Views 6.5-Hour Short Day Escape from Edinburgh with Distillery or Blackness Castle Visit
by The Hairy Coo
Choose from 2 available options
How do you want to book?
Book on Viator Confirmed right away, but you pay full price.$121.52Overview
This 6.5-hour day trip departs from Edinburgh’s New Town by air-conditioned coach with a local Scottish guide providing live commentary throughout. Early in the journey, the coach passes the Kelpies, two 30-meter-high horse sculptures, and then Stirling, where views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle can be seen from the vehicle. Passengers select one of two first stops when booking: Deanston Distillery or Blackness Castle. At Deanston Distillery, a former cotton mill, visitors take a guided tour to learn about the whisky-making process and finish with a tasting of single malt whiskies. There is also time to relax by the River Teith or in the distillery’s Coffee Bothy. Alternatively, the Blackness Castle stop allows 45 minutes to explore the 15th-century fortress on the Firth of Forth, known as “the ship that never sailed” for its shape. The castle has served as a royal residence, prison, and garrison and offers views over the water. The coach then continues to Loch Katrine in the Trossachs National Park, where passengers have about 30 minutes to rest by the freshwater loch surrounded by forests and mountains. Next, the tour stops for 15 minutes at Loch Achray, a smaller loch between Ben A’an and Ben Venue mountains, where travelers can see the Highland cattle known as Hairy Coos and take photos. On the return trip to Edinburgh, the coach makes a brief stop to view the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever railway bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside the Forth Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing. The tour concludes in Edinburgh in the late afternoon, around 5 PM. The guide provides live commentary throughout, and there are regular comfort breaks during the trip. The coach does not have onboard toilets. Food and entrance fees are not included. The route varies depending on the chosen option: the distillery visit or the castle visit, which cannot be combined. Alternative stops replace Blackness Castle during its seasonal closure. This tour offers a short escape from Edinburgh to see historic sites, natural scenery, and Highland cattle.
Highlights
What's included
What's not included
Itinerary
The Kelpies & The Helix
The tour departs from Edinburgh’s New Town and heads into the Scottish countryside. Early in the journey, the coach passes the Kelpies, which are two large 30-meter-high horse sculptures representing mythical creatures. The route also passes Stirling, where passengers see views of the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle from the vehicle.
Stirling
Passing through Stirling, which was once Scotland’s capital, travelers get views of Stirling Castle, one of the country's most significant castles, and the Wallace Monument, both visible from the coach as it drives by.
Deanston Distillery & Visitor Centre
If the distillery option is selected, the first stop is Deanston Distillery for about one hour. The distillery, previously a cotton mill, produces single malt whisky. Visitors take a guided tour explaining the whisky-making process and end with a tasting of Deanston's whisky varieties. Visitors may also walk along the River Teith or relax in the distillery’s Coffee Bothy.
60 min
Blackness Castle
If the castle option is chosen, the first stop is Blackness Castle for approximately 45 minutes. This 15th-century fortress is located on the Firth of Forth and is known as “the ship that never sailed” because of its shape. The castle has served various roles, including royal residence, prison, and military fortress. It also appeared as Fort William in the television series “Outlander” and offers views over the water.
45 min
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park
The tour continues with a stop at Loch Achray for about 15 minutes. This smaller loch lies between Ben A’an and Ben Venue mountains and offers a peaceful setting. Nearby, visitors have the chance to see and photograph Highland cattle known as Hairy Coos, a well-known symbol of the Scottish countryside.
15 min
Forth Bridge
On the return journey to Edinburgh, the coach stops for 10 minutes to view the Forth Bridge, a 19th-century cantilever railway bridge and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Passengers also see the adjacent 20th-century Forth Road Bridge and the 21st-century Queensferry Crossing, which opened in 2017. These three bridges together span the Firth of Forth, linking Edinburgh with Fife.
10 min
Edinburgh
The tour concludes with the return to Edinburgh in the late afternoon, around 5 PM. Time between stops is spent traveling on the coach. Passengers leave with views and memories of Scotland’s historic sites, lochs, and natural scenery.
5 min
Loch Katrine
Deeper into the Trossachs National Park, the tour stops for about 30 minutes at Loch Katrine, a freshwater loch surrounded by forests and mountains. This loch was featured in Sir Walter Scott’s poem The Lady of the Lake, and visitors can relax by its tranquil waters.
30 min
Meeting point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN STARTS AT 10:15 AM, BUS DEPARTS 10:30 AM.
End point
We meet in front of Burns Monument, at 1759 Regent Road, Edinburgh. What3Words: ///allow.topped.joined CHECK-IN STARTS AT 10:15 AM, BUS DEPARTS 10:30 AM.
Languages
Cancellation policy
- Cancel at least 24 hours before start for a full refund.
Additional info
More things to do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh 75-Minute World Ghost Evening Walking Tour of Old Town, Greyfriars Kirkyard and Underground Vaults
- Hogwarts Express and Scottish Highlands Day Tour from Edinburgh
- Rosslyn Chapel and Scottish Borders Small-Group Day Tour from Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle Guided Walking Tour with Tickets Included
- Edinburgh Private Tour: Edinburgh Castle, Grassmarket, Greyfriars & Local Drink
- Private 9-Hour Scottish Highlands Day Trip from Edinburgh with Highland Cows and Castles