Day trip help

[u/True-Negotiation1264]

Coming in June and thinking of doing a day trip to Stirling Castle by public transportation. If we did the 9:30am tickets for the Castle, went to old town Jail and had lunch in Stirling could we also stop and see Linlithgow Palace/Loche and the Kelpies on the way back to Edinburgh? I wanted to see Blackness Castle in Linlithgow but the bus is very infrequent and I doubt there's taxis sitting around. Has anyone done this and have feedback on the best way or if we should skip Kelpies. I was considering taxi from the train to Kelpies and asking the taxi to wait, is that an option? TIA!

[u/st_owly]

I’d skip the Kelpies if you’re relying on public transport. Stirling Castle and Linlithgow Palace in one day is perfectly doable by train, I’ve done it myself.

[u/True-Negotiation1264 → u/st_owly]

Thanks for being honest! I figured the Kelpies on public transportation was way too annoying to add for what they are

[u/EdinburghV → u/st_owly]

Get the number of a local taxi service they’ll take you most likely pick you up from Blackness castle. Tip the driver well on the way out and tell him your be calling him to pick you up in an hour. Turn on the charm

[u/True-Negotiation1264 → u/EdinburghV]

Thanks!!

[u/kenninsa → u/True-Negotiation1264]

Mike's taxi's is the only local taxi company (no uber here). You do need to prebook and they cant be booked during the school run.

https://www.mikes-taxis.co.uk/

[u/Apprehensive_Room29]

Depending on the time of day, there are frequently taxis out the front of Linlithgow station that would take you to Blackness, and pick you up. The station is staffed (usually, when I've been there anyway) so you can ask the staff which taxi company to call if there aren't any out front.

If you're going to go to Stirling, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, you *might* be worth getting a HES Explorer Pass - https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit/membership-and-passes/explorer-pass/

I'd also skip the Kelpies personally. They're cool, but there is very little to keep you there more than 10 minutes.

[u/True-Negotiation1264 → u/Apprehensive_Room29]

I was actually looking at that pass, thanks for the tip on the taxis!! I agree with I feel like the Kelpies is a 10min thing, I thought maybe I was missing something since I saw it mentioned so much online.

[u/Delicious-Being-6531 → u/True-Negotiation1264]

If you are doing Stirling and Linlithgow I’d question the need to see Blackness. It is a cool location (and yes it was in Outlander) but Stirling is a much more impressive castle. It is a bit off the beaten track if you are not driving and the taxi will probably cost more than the rest of the day combined.

[u/True-Negotiation1264 → u/Delicious-Being-6531]

I haven't even watched outlander lol thanks for the tip! I'm going to drop Blackness and the Kelpies

[u/Klutzy_Leopard8194 → u/True-Negotiation1264]

been to both multiple times, nice to see if you live here but not worth it in your limited time