From Glasgow: Standing Stones of Kilmartin Glen Day Trip

Discover the ancient history of Scotland on a day trip from Glasgow. Explore the ancient hill fort at Dunadd, see the rock carvings at Achnabreck, and visit the Kilmartin Museum.
Explore the ancient hill fort at Dunadd, the site where the ancient Kings of Scotland were coronated. Visit the Kilmartin Glen, home to over 800 ancient monuments, and see the rock carvings at Achnabreck.

Depart from Glasgow and head out of the city towards Loch Lomond. Travel along the western side of the Queen of all Scotland Lochs. Next, make your way up the mountain pass known as ‘Rest and be Thankful’. Make a brief stop here at the viewpoint to take pictures.

Have time to explore the ancient hill fort at Dunadd. Occupied since the Iron Age, it was once the capital of Dalriada, one of the early kingdoms of Gaelic Scotland. Dunadd fort is also the site where the ancient Kings of Scotland were coronated.

See the ancient rock carvings at Achnabreck, one of the finest examples of prehistoric rock art in Scotland. The carvings are extensive with spirals and massive multiple ring marks, some stretching a meter across.

Explore the Kilmartin Glen, home to over 800 ancient monuments. Start at the Kilmartin Museum. Here you’ll find a vast array of ancient artifacts including quartz tools used to make prehistoric rock art.

Not far from the Museum is Kilmartin Parish Church where you’ll find a remarkable collection of early grave slabs. Some of these slabs are of early Christian design and others are medieval. Nether Largie standing stones and Temple Wood are within walking distance from the museum.

Temple Wood’s 13 standing stones is the picturesque setting for the best-preserved stone circle in Kilmartin Glen. The Temple Wood Stone Circle’s use began some time before 3000 BC and continued into the Bronze Age, ending around 1000 BC. A timber ring pre-dated the stone circle you see today by around 2,000 years.

Have a break in the traditional county town of Inveraray for evening refreshments. In the town, your driver guide will point out Inveraray Castle, one of Scotland’s most elegant castles. Inveraray Castle was also the location for the Downton Abbey Christmas special 2012 episode. Your tour will then return to Glasgow where the tour will end.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.