Question on short tour to Midhope Castle

Posted by ktbochsler on 04/17/26 10:47 PM

Hello,
We would like to see Midhope Castle and are searching for a way to go see the castle without booking a full day-long tour that includes other sights.
We have a short window of time - an approximately 5 hour time span on July 15, 2026 from about 10:00 a.m. to about 3:00 p.m. We will be arriving early morning on Stirling this day so we would need to go to the castle from Stirling.
I have read that you can get a car/Uber/taxi out to Midhope, but you cannot get one to come back and pick you up. Thus, leaving you stranded. I've also contacted the only provider I can find who does short tours (Mary Meanders who has a 1.25 hour tour) but they do not offer the castle-only tour in July.

Does anyone know of a tour or taxi or private car that will take us from Stirling to the castle for a short visit (30 or 45 minutes?) and return us to Stirling? We are willing to pay whatever the cost as long as it's reliable and dependable.

Thank you. Kimberley

Posted by jeanm

Chicagoland

04/18/26 02:01 AM

2290 posts

I have read that you can get a car/Uber/taxi out to Midhope, but you cannot get one to come back and pick you up.

Have you actually contacted any of the taxi companies in Stirling or a town closer to Midhope Castle? I don't think Uber operates in that area.

Perhaps take the train from Stirling to Linlithgow (25-30 minutes) and taxi from there to Midhope Castle (15 minutes). How long do you plan to be at the castle? Perhaps you can prebook a taxi to wait while you visit.

Have you looked into a car rental? There is an Arnold Clark Car Rental in Stirling.

Posted by isn31c

Lake District, England

04/18/26 06:06 AM

11695 posts

Clearly Uber does exist in the area. The issue must be that the Castle is a "not spot"- one where mobile 'phone reception is all but non existent.
This is from the castle website-

Midhope Castle is located in open countryside about 10 miles west of Edinburgh. As there is no direct public transport to our location we strongly recommend travel by your own transport, taking an official tour which includes a visit to Midhope Castle, or walking via The John Muir Way long distance pathway. If you decide to use UBER or a taxi service it is important you have your taxi/UBER wait for you while you visit as it is very difficult to order an UBER/taxi from the castle.

[As an aside, for others the John Muir Way is one of Scotland's great lesser known long distance walks, 134 miles coast to coast from Helensburgh to Dunbar- John Muir was born in Dunbar, emigrated to America from Helensburgh and is often regarded as the father of American National Parks]

Posted by auchterless

Delaware

04/19/26 03:18 AM

1716 posts

Hi, Kimberley,

One possible solution may be to take the train from Stirling to Edinburgh Waverley, take a taxi out to Midhope, have the taxi wait for you, and then take the train back to Stirling.

Given the current train schedule, there are departures from both Edinburgh and Stirling which would fit your time parameters. The train journey is approximately 50 minutes.

Depending on the traffic from Waverley to Lallybroch, you could conceivably have at least an hour there, which would be more than you need, as the interior of the castle is closed. The exterior of the castle is all that you can see. The interior shots were produced at the Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld.

It would be a bit of a rush, and dear, but if you are determined to see the castle, it would be worth it.

Good luck!

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by auchterless

Delaware

04/19/26 04:27 PM

1716 posts

Hi again, Kimberley,

Just checking a couple of taxi hire companies in Stirling - it looks as though you can accomplish your quest by hiring a taxi to take you to Midhope, wait for you, and take you back to Stirling. It looks as though it would run about 300 pounds ($400.00), but it would be more convenient than relying on a train and finding a taxi from Waverley. You could try contacting some of the taxi companies in Stirling directly, and let them know your details. If you make arrangements on line, be sure to confirm them by telephone.

Once again, good luck!

Best wishes,

Mike (Auchterless)