Day 1: Edinburgh to Loch Lomond

First of all, Failte gu Edinburgh! (Pronounced Fall-cha goo). 

You have woken up in one of the most beautiful capital cities in the world, and now your adventure begins. 

Today, you will set off to explore Stirling, Loch Lomond, and Oban (image below) with tips for your overnight stay in either Loch Lomond or Oban.

Make sure you have all your electronic equipment charged and spare power banks ready because the itinerary that will assault all of your senses begins this morning.

You may also like our guide on how to get to Loch Lomond from Edinburgh by car, train, and tour.

Morning: The Kelpies and Stirling

Setting off on the M9 in your hire car from Edinburgh to Falkirk, the journey will take around an hour; your first stop is The Kelpies.

These statues are the largest equine sculptures in the world. 

Standing over 100 feet tall and weighing more than 300 tonnes each, they symbolise the heavy horse lineage that shaped the Scottish industry and economy.

You can spend 20 minutes to hours at The Helix, as there are canal walks nearby, and the Falkirk Wheel is also nearby, but you don’t have time for that, so hop back in the car after you’ve got some pictures!

Public restrooms and a cafe are also found here.

From Falkirk, you now drive onwards to Stirling; this leg of the journey is about 30 minutes, but it can take much longer in traffic.

Note: Some rental car companies are located in the City Centre or just outside the centre; your pick-up time will dictate your start time.

Parking in the city centre is a challenge; read our guide to parking for more information and consider a hotel with parking if you have to tackle the city with a car.

Alternatively, save time and pick up your rental car at Edinburgh Airport.

Most car parks (parking lots) accept debit cards or use parking apps such as Ringo, but you may need some loose change such as pounds coins, 50p, 20p and 10p in rural areas.

Learn more about Scottish currency and money here.

Stirling

Stirling is a city in central Scotland, and at its heart is Stirling Castle.

This is the first must-see on your itinerary.

Set upon a volcanic rock, the castle offers views over the city and surrounding countryside.

Going back to the 12th century, Stirling Castle has a rich tapestry of involvement in Scottish history.

Almost every Scottish monarch has lived in the castle, died here, or been crowned in the castle.

Set aside 2-3 hours for Stirling Castle, and book the guided tour in advance if you plan to visit it.

The National Wallace Monument is also a popular attraction; you can see it from the castle.

Stirling is a city with plenty of food options; Brea is a popular Scottish restaurant.

Late Afternoon and Evening: Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park

Your next stop is Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, an hour’s drive from Stirling.

Only one of two National Parks in Scotland, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs is home to 21 Munros (mountains over 3000ft), 19 Corbetts (mountains over 2500ft but under 3000ft), and 22 large lochs! 

The largest and most famous is, of course, Loch Lomond.

You may know the song “Loch Lomond’. 

It is played at the end of every wedding in Scotland and is a tune that will get your feet tapping.

However, it is one of the saddest songs you will hear if you listen to the lyrics.

Sang from the viewpoint of a Scottish soldier who was being sent home for execution, the lyrics weave the tale of one soldier going home alive and the other in spirit.

He will never see his ‘true love’ again.

Stopping at Loch Lomond Shores, you can wander around the south end of Loch Lomond, grabbing some photo opportunities and indulging in a wee bit of shopping or early dinner.

Popular tourist activities include boat rides on the Queen of the Scottish Loch (reserve here); however, with such a jam-packed day, you might not have time for this during a 7-day visit to Scotland.

Accommodation is scattered around Loch Lomond, such as the famous Duck Bay Hotel.

Loch Lomond is a very busy area of Scotland.

Scots and tourists visit, especially on sunny days during the summer.

It is a popular overnight stop, so book your hotel in advance and reserve restaurant bookings for evening meals.

Alternatively, you could make Loch Lomond a casual stop and stay overnight in Oban, one of our favourite big towns in Scotland and the next stop on your seven-day Scotland itinerary.

This would be a lengthy drive with lots of stops, so it does really depend on how much driving you plan to do and how much daylight there is.

Best Stops on Day 1

Leaving Edinburgh, the M9 gets you to The Kelpies in under an hour — two 30-metre steel horse heads that look far bigger in person than in photos. Half an hour on sits Stirling Castle, perched on its volcanic crag above the old town; give it 90 minutes if you go inside. From Stirling it is a straight run west to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond, with the postcard village of Luss making the obvious first stop on the water.

Where to Stay Around Loch Lomond

Balloch, at the loch’s southern tip, has the widest choice of guesthouses and is handy for an early Day 2 start. Luss and Tarbet are quieter and more scenic but book up fast in summer. Wherever you land, aim to arrive before dinner so you get an evening walk along the shore — the light on the water after 8pm in June is the reason people fall for Loch Lomond.

Practical Tips for Day 1

• Pick up your hire car the evening before so you can leave Edinburgh by 9am.
• The Kelpies car park is pay-and-display; the sculptures themselves are free to walk around.
• Stirling Castle is busiest 11am–2pm — arrive early or save it for late afternoon.
• Fuel up before leaving the central belt; prices climb once you head into the Highlands.