The 9 National Parks Tours in Britain That Earn Their Price

1.Day Trip to Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park with Optional Stirling Castle Tour from Edinburgh

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 626 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) Our pick

Travel from Edinburgh to the Kelpies, Balmaha on Loch Lomond, and Stirling in about nine hours. Your English-speaking driver-guide handles the road and commentary, with time for a lochside walk and an optional Stirling Castle visit. Guides such as Sophie, Connor, and Noah have earned praise for their stories and good humor.

“The guide, Dusty, was great! Learned a lot of history during the tour and really enjoyed the stops. We recommend this tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 172 reviews · 9 hours · from $60

Travel from Inverness through Speyside and the Cairngorms with an English-speaking Rabbie’s guide. Stop in Carrbridge, walk to Loch Morlich, take lunch in Aviemore, then tour Tomatin Distillery with whisky tasting. Expect a friendly small-group day in a comfortable minicoach, with time outside the vehicle at several stops.

“Excellent trip, our guide Duncan holds all the knowledge about the highlands. He even made some of the stops which is not mentioned in the itinerary. Overall excellent experience, highly recommend if you want to get lost into the wilderness of Cairngorms”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Cultural Homestay Exploring London, Oxford and National Parks

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 100 reviews · from $959

Spend five days based in Canterbury with a small group of up to six, staying in a teacher’s private home. Your hosts provide breakfast, packed lunches and dinner, while private transport takes you to London, Seven Sisters Country Park, Margate and other British sights. English conversation is part of the experience.

“It was an amazing experience!!! Everything was perfect, the accommodation, the monitors, the food, the excursions, etc.❤”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Loch Lomond National Park & Stirling Castle Full Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 68 reviews · 8 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $67

Leave Glasgow at 9:15 a.m. for Luss, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and Stirling Castle. You’ll ride in an air-conditioned vehicle with up to 16 people, hear local stories from guides such as Johnny, Tony, Marc, or Scott, and choose whether to add a boat cruise. Castle and cruise tickets cost extra.

“Karen, dressed head to toe in tartan, was great! Good sense of humor, knowledge and adaptability. Fun day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Loch Katrine – National Park Scenic Steamship Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 46 reviews · 2 hours · from $42

Sail from Trossachs Pier to Stronachlachar and back aboard the Steamship Sir Walter Scott, launched on Loch Katrine in 1900. You get live commentary on Sir Walter Scott, Rob Roy, Queen Victoria, and the loch’s waterworks, plus indoor and outdoor seating, a bar, accessible toilets, and fine Highland views.

“Fantastic day out, beautiful views and loved the bagpipes. Would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Loch Lomond National Park, Stirling Castle and the Kelpies Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 9 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $77

Travel from Edinburgh in a small group of up to 16 people with a driver-guide such as Gary, Kyle, or John. Visit the Kelpies, Balloch, Loch Lomond, the Trossachs, and Stirling Castle, with optional paid cruise and castle entry. Expect scenic roads, Scottish history, photo stops, and a full day outside the city.

“Excellent tour, marvelled by Garry the tour guide due to his vast knowledge, passion and lovely stories about Scottish culture. The views were splendid along the various lochs culminating with the majestic Sterling Castle.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Loch Katrine – National Park Natural Wonders Scenic Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 35 reviews · 45 min · from $22Best value

Join a 45-minute cruise aboard the Lady of the Lake on Loch Katrine in Scotland’s first national park. Your captain provides live commentary on wildlife, Rob Roy MacGregor, Sir Walter Scott, and Victorian engineering. Enjoy indoor or open-air seating, onboard drinks, and views of Brenachoile Point, an Outlander filming location.

“Site facilement accessible, Paysages splendides, commentaires et musiques appropriés, rien à redire, toilettes magasin souvenirs et restauration disponibles sur place.”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Cawdor Castle and Cairngorms National Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 34 reviews · 8 hours · from $58

Travel from Inverness with an English-speaking guide such as Emily, Iain, Karen, or Harrison to Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Aviemore, Loch Morlich, and Rothiemurchus Farm Shop. You will see Bronze Age stones, historic rooms, Scots pine woodland, Highland coos, and local produce. Castle admission, lunch, and drinks cost extra.

“excellent guide with lots of info. time at each stop to explore. comfortanle coach”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Warriors & Wilderness: Braveheart & Stirlingshire Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 32 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $486

Travel from Edinburgh in a private Mercedes minivan with a guide such as Chris, Stuart, Sean, Keith, or Tam. Follow Scotland’s medieval battles from Bannockburn to Stirling Castle and the Wallace Monument, then visit Dunblane Cathedral, Doune Castle, and the Kelpies. Pickup, WiFi, water, and live commentary are included, but site admissions and lunch cost extra.

“Outstanding history-driven tour of amazing castles and battlefields. Keith was a passionate and engaging guide, very highly recommend for anyone looking for a great day trip”

Check availability →Read our full review