Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond Private Shore Excursion Greenock
Duration
8.5 Hours
Location
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The Trossachs
Tour Type
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Private
Group Size
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Up To 8
Language
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English
Description
Maximise your time ashore and let a local kilted Scotsman greet you off the ship and welcome you aboard our luxury minivan.
Being a private tour, this beats any of the large coach tour as you get the added luxury of adding stops that interest your group plus you will have the exclusive use of a private local guide who will talk you through the local history and culture.
Enjoy some of Scotland’s famous sights such as Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park where we travel up through the Dukes Pass often described as being the “Highlands in miniature” by many who travel through. This area claims to be the birthplace of tourism in Scotland which goes all the way back to the 18th century when greats like Sir Walter Scott would visit and gain inspiration for famous stories such as the Lady of the Lake.
Itinerary Highlights
Total Duration: 8 Hours Approx
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Balmaha, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park, The Dukes Pass, Highland Cows, Callander & Stirling Castle (By request; The Devils Pulpit)
Route Map
Tour Information
​Departure & return
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Tour will start Greenock Ocean Terminal and will end at the same location.
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Check In 0815
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Departs 0830
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End Time (1630) Approx
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**All times are flexible to work in with the embarkation/disembarkation times of the cruise ship.
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What to bring
​It is recommended to pack suitable footwear for hiking, waterproof clothing, umbrella, suncream and midge spray (insect repellent). We can get all 4 seasons in one day in Scotland!
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Child seat regulations
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Due to insurance policies we regret we do not carry children under the age of 2. Children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.
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What's included
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Experienced English Speaking Driver/Guide
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Exclusive use of our Luxury Mini Van (Mercedes V Class or Ford)
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Dual Air-Conditioned Vehicle
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Fuel/Parking
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Hotel Pick Up/Drop Off
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Bottled Scottish Water
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Dedicated Tour Planning Agent
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Local Taxes (VAT 20%)
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What's not included ​
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Entry to Visitor Attractions
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Meals
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Cancellation policy
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If you cancel your reservation 14 days before departure date a full refund will be given minus the 20% non-refundable deposit.
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Added Protection: In the event your ship is unable to dock for whatever reason – you will receive a full refund minus the 20% deposit.
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Full T&C's can be found here
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Know before you go​
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Some attractions may be closed in winter season please check before booking
Tour Itinerary
Please note: This tour can be done in reverse, and you can visit Stirling Castle in the morning. Leaving the Port, we will drive for just under 1 hour driving out of Greenock and crossing over the Erskine bridge passing through the historic town of Dumbarton where your guide will point out Dumbarton Castle. William Wallace was betrayed in 1305 by Sir John Menteith who imprisoned Wallace at Dumbarton Castle before handing him over to the English. Our first stop on the tour will be the delightful village of Balmaha which sits just on the Eastern shore of Loch Lomond within the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. You will learn about Scotland’s Munro mountains plus your guide will also talk about what makes Loch Lomond the jewel in the crown of the park. Here you will have some free time to wonder down to Loch to absorb the beauty of the scenery and take a moment to take it all in. You also will have an opportunity to grab a coffee or tea in the St Mocha coffee shop and possibly a cake or two! If you wanted to add an extra stop, we can take you to the Devils Pulpit which is a magical gorge made even more famous by the television show Outlander (This is steep and can be slippery so please only do this if you feel capable) This will reduce time at Stirling Castle and Balmaha and only possible time dependant. From here we will now to the small village of Aberfoyle passing through towards the Dukes Pass which takes its name from the Duke of Montrose who built the road in 1885. It has been dubbed the Highlands in miniature with its dramatic scenery and beautiful lochs its often referred to as the birthplace of Scottish tourism where poets and writers would go for inspiration. As we approach the town of Callander we will make a stop just before taking a break for lunch at the Kilmahog Woollen Mill where you will get the chance to meet the famous Highland cows which is often a highlight for some! Callander will be our lunch stop for the day where you can go band pick something light up at the famous bakery mhor bread or take it a bit slower and ask your guide about restaurant recommendations. You may wish to grab something lighter and ensure you have plenty of time at Stirling Castle and being a private tour, this is entirely your decision as you get to take it at exactly the pace you prefer. After lunch we will drive through the village of Doune and onto Stirling Castle (Time permitting you make ask your guide to make a quick stop for a photo at Doune Castle) We will arrive at Stirling Castle for our main stop of the day and depending on our time we can have anything from 1 hour here to 2 hours. (We recommend no less than 1.5 hours) You will also see the Wallace monument from the Castle where your guide will tell you stories of a turbulent time in Scotland’s history and how the area played a key role on what is now called the wars of Scottish independence. Please note your guide won’t enter the Castle and this is a self-guided visit. The Castle usually has guides doing free tours that start every 3o minutes and you can jump in and out of these as you please. *Castle entrance fees are not included. Please see our FAQs for more information. Once we have been to the Castle it’s a 1H 15 drive back to Greenock passing Bannockburn, Falkirk and Glasgow.
Attractions
Below we have added links to attractions that can be done on this tour.
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Tour FAQ's
Our FAQ's can be found here but FAQ's specific to this tour are below:
How long do we stop at Loch Lomond? We stop at Balmaha on the South Eastern shores of the Loch and this will give us a chance to walk down to the Loch to absorb the incredible views. There is a lovely coffee shop in the village where you can sample the local coffee and maybe a cake or two!
Should we book Stirling Castle in Advance? We advise to book these in advance to reduce wait times at the gate and the to ensure best value. Timings depend on what way we do the tour wether it be the Castle in the morning or in the afteroon
Will I see a hairy coo? (Highland Cow) We will make a stop at the Kilmahog Woolen Mill where we should encounter Highland Cows
What are our lunch options? Lunch reservations can be made independantly in Aberfoyle or Callander depending on which way you do the tour. (We can make reccomendations) We often find most shore excursions our passengers would ratyher have a grab and go lunch or something a little faster to maximise the time at scenic/historical locations but it is entirley down to the group.