We leave Edinburgh and head west, passing Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. En route to Loch Lomond, we stop at the Kelpies Monument, where two towering horse heads stand as a testament to the horsepower that drove the industrial development of Central Scotland.

Then we continue to the shores of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest loch and its first National Park. Balmaha is ideal for a walk along the ‘bonny banks,’ with superb mountain views. This peaceful area was once home to Scotland's famous Highland folk hero Rob Roy MacGregor, and the lochside trails follow in the footsteps of one of Scotland’s greatest legends.

Next, we enter the Trossachs, known as ‘The Highlands in Miniature,’ where Lowlands meet Highlands. With steep mountains, sparkling lochs, and dense forests, the scenery is breathtaking. We stop for free time for lunch in Aberfoyle, a charming village set amid the landscapes that inspired Sir Walter Scott.

We then continue to Stirling, where you can visit one of Scotland’s most impressive castles and learn why it was so vital to the nation’s history.

From here, it’s a short trip back to Edinburgh, passing the Kelpies once more before returning to the capital.