Private Tour
Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel Private Tour for 1 - 4 people from Greater Glasgow
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Private Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel Tour from Tartan Tours Scotland for
parties of 1- 4 people. Tours leave from the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area, You will collected at your hotel or agreed meeting place.
• The Kelpies - The magnificent 30 metre sculptures built in 2013
• The Falkirk Wheel - The only rotating boat lift in the world.
• Private Tour - For your party only of 1-4 people
• Private Tour Guide
Private tour of 1- 4 people. Travelling in luxury we provide soft drink and snacks to keep you going between locations.
Being a
private tour you will also have your own tour guide for the day.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A maximum of 4 people per booking
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Hotel drop-off
Private tour
Bottled water
Snacks
Driver/guide
Hotel pickup
Transport by private vehicle
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Falkirk Wheel
Tartan Tours Scotland first stop on this tour is at the only rotating boat lift in the world. The Falkirk Wheel, which connects the Forth and Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. Opened in 2002 The Falkirk Wheel raises boats 24 metres high. From the visitor centre on the East side of the lower basin there are hourly boat trips which allow you to sample The Falkirk Wheel. Since opening The Falkirk Wheel has attracted 4.4 million visitors of which 1.3 million have taken the boat trip. Admission is free however the boat trip is an additional extra and we advise pre booking this prior to your tour.
The Kelpies & The Helix
Our final stop on this tour by Tartan Tours Scotland is at The Kelpies. Standing next to the Clyde and Forth Canal and near the River are the impressive 30 metre high horse head sculptures called The Kelpies. Built in 2013 The Kelpies represent mythical water horses and are to represent the horses role in industry, agriculture and tow horses for the canals. In the first year alone over 1 million people visited these fantastic sculptures. Andy Scott the sculptor designed The Kelpies with a steel structure and stainless steel cladding and each sculpture weighs in at 300 tonnes.
Options
Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel Private Tour for 1 - 4 people from Greater Glasgow
Pickup included
Reviews
49 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel Tour
karendorman,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Stewart was a fantastic guide ,very friendly and helpful and knowledgeable . Throughly enjoyed our day out . Both the Kelpies and the Farlkirk wheel were great Thank you cheers Karen D - Australia
Very comfortable in his SUV
pauldZ4546GE,
Oct 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour guide Stuart did a great job. He is very knowledgeable and really helpful for any of our needs. I have done a lot of tours around the world and this would rate as one if the best. I would have no hesitation in recommending Stuart as a tour guide you will not be disappointed.
Stewart at Tartan tours, the perfect tour guide
jimmG4065IH,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was great trip and Stewart is the perfect guide, very good natured and full of information. The "off topic" general conversations with him were as informative and interesting as the actual tour and we came away from the day with a much better understanding of Scottish life as well as visiting the actual tour highlights Highly recommended.
Kelpies and Falkirk wheel
U5926MNjohnm,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a lovely day it was. Stewart was there waiting for us at the cruise center on time The tour was excellent no pressure with time it was a gentle pace . He told us the best place to take photos and history. If we are back in Scotland again he's will be top of our list to call . 10 out 10 from all of us. Brilliant time
Best Day ever because of the guide!
AndresRudmik R,
Jul 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This day was the best of our 28 day cruise and it was because of Stuart our guide. He met us at the port (sign with my name on it) and drove us to the Kelpies. We only knew they were horse statues but they are 30 meters high and super impressive! Stuart told us ALL about them and we walked around the area, taking them in and then up close. No rushing! Lots of pictures! Very impressive! We proceeded to the Falkirk Wheel. It too was way bigger than we expected - massive engineering design. My husband & our friend are both engineers & they were loving this! We watched the boats go up & down. Stuart had prebought our tickets and we had time for lunch in the cafe - scones were delicious! When we came out to get in line to take our ride, Stuart was standing #1 in line saving our place for the best seats! That is service!! Stuart had thought of everything to make our day the BEST DAY ever!! We have traveled on all 7 continents and he rates at the top of the guide list!!
Experience of a lifetime!
Jean C,
Jul 10, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Stewart and Stewart Tartan Tours was amazing! Communicated well, on time, gave us the local fables of the Kelpies which made it more meaningful. As a lifelong horse lover, it filled my heart to see these majestic modern sculptures captured them so perfectly! Stewart pointed out the best spots to take photos, and in the Visitor Center, showed us concept art that inspired global fundraising. Then on to the Falkirk Wheel, where Stewart had tickets for us, and pointed out the best place to sit on the boat, where we experienced the Wheel for ourselves! From start to finish, I was truly glad I chose Tartan tours for our first trip to Scotland.
Wanted to visit these sites for some time and they did not disappoint
Pauline S,
Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Could not fault Stewart’s knowledge. He made our visit one we will treasure. Our visit ran like clockwork due to his attention to detail.
What a wonderful day
I6354GPjanetl,
May 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00When my husband and I travel we like to see and do things out of the ordinary. Thus on our recent British Isles cruise I searched for something to do on our day in Greenock/Glasgow. other than the excursions the ship offered. I read about the Falkirk Wheel which sounded right up our alley. What a wonderful day! Stewart picked us up at the cruise terminal in Greenock and away we went. His commentary along the way included the history of Scotland and Glasgow. The first stop was the Kelpies. What an amazing sight! We learned the how the Kelpies appeared when the slag from the iron smelting hit the cooling water and the steam looked like Kelpies rising. The monument celebrates the horse's role in industry and agriculture as well as with the canals as tow horses. We talked about the history of the Roman Empire in Scotland and so we made a stop not on the schedule to view part of the Antonine wall, an old Roman wall that ran across Scotland between the River Clyde and the Firth of Forth. And then we made it to the Falkirk Wheel. What an engineering marvel. We even went on a boat ride to get a first hand experience of how the lock worked. I encourage anyone planning a trip to Scotland and wants to something other than castles and museums to consider Tartan Tours .
Private Tour was the way to go!
914ellie,
Dec 30, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Long overdue review of a FANTASTIC tour! Our overseas trip to the Glasgow area would not have been complete without seeing the Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel, but we were surprised few tours were offered. My husband is handicapped, and since we weren't planning to pick up a rental car until later in the trip (and I doubted my ability to use public transport), we decided to try out the private tour with Tartan. Boy, was it the best decision! From the get-go, Stewart kept in contact, checking in with us via email before the trip. Pick-up from our hotel was easy and Stewart was so easygoing, knowledgeable, and friendly (and a great driver) we were at ease right away. We learned so much along the way and Stewart knows the absolute best photo spots at each location. We had ample time and were never rushed - Stewart was so also helpful and patient with my disabled husband. This was such a relief for us! We were able to relax and really enjoy our day without thinking we were holding anyone up. Stewart even snuck in a hidden location after learning of my husband's fascination with the Roman empire, lol. It ended up being a highlight! We weren't sure what to expect from a private tour, but Stewart's warmth and expertise actually made our whole visit. We can't recommend him and this tour enough!
One of the best excursions ever!
Kelly C,
Nov 2, 2024
- Review from Viator
5.00Our driver Stewart made the day exceptional. We adored the Kelpies. The Falkirk Wheel was beautiful and an engineering marvel. Stewart was informative, entertaining and delightful.
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Operated by Tartan Tours Scotland