Virgin Balloon Flights - Shieldhill Castle, Nr Biggar and Lanark
Virgin Balloon Flights - Shieldhill Castle, Nr Biggar and Lanark
Virgin Balloon Flights - Shieldhill Castle, Nr Biggar and Lanark
4.5
Full view
About
Between Edinburgh and Glasgow sits the beautiful Shieldhill Castle. Flyers can see views of the Moat Park Heritage Centre Biggar Park Garden and Lamington Chapel. Whichever way the wind blows, you'll be sure to have an enchanting journey, viewing the beautiful Scottish landscape from a unique perspective.
Similar Experiences
Virgin Balloon Flights - Shieldhill Castle, Nr Biggar and Lanark
Booking unavailable on Tripadvisor
Want other options you can book now?
Show optionsTravelers talk about
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
19 reviews
Excellent
17
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
2
gerryscot
Livingston, UK10 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
Shieldhill Castle is a lovely venue to start the balloon journey. There is a bit of work to do at the start as everyone helps to inflate the balloon, but once you are up in the air it is a peaceful glide over some pretty countryside. There are lovely views over the surrounding hills, and the only disturbance is the occasional roar of the burners as the pilot controls the height. Be prepared for a bumpy landing! There is then more work to fold up the balloon and in our case a bit of a walk to our pick-up point. The glass of champagne was very welcome! Overall a unique experience.
Written June 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gerry,
Thank you for letting us know you had a fantastic flight!
Kind Regards,
Virgin Balloon Flights
Written June 29, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Wattie E
Glasgow, UK25 contributions
Sep 2015
This was best experience I have had so far,the crew were marvellous & informative & funny with it! Great job guys keep it going.
Written September 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rosecapstick
Manchester, UK58 contributions
Jun 2019 • Friends
Had my balloon ride this morning and all I can say is “wow”!! Got this as a gift for my 30th and as far as experiences go this is definitely up there with the best! I loved every minute. The views were spectacular and the ride itself was so smooth it doesn’t even feel like you’re in the air! Our pilot “woody” was fab! So friendly and gave us a safe and enjoyable morning! We got to help inflate the balloon which was fun. I’ve heard the rides can be hard to book and get cancelled frequently but we were fortunate enough to fly on our first booking!
Written June 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi rosecapstick,
Thank you for your feedback.
We are happy to hear you had a wonderful balloon ride with Woody!
It sounds like it was a great morning.
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written June 27, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Chris K
1 contribution
Jul 2024 • Couples
Weather in Scotland is at best unreliable! Not great for Hot Air Ballooning.
So with this in mind we got to work with the Met Office.
One week before our flight the forecast was starting to look very favourable for Monday 8th July AM and DAY flights. By Friday 5th July the forecast was PERFECT for Monday 8th July, with an exception that PM flights would be disrupted by rain at 19.00.
So my partner booked her XMAS 2023 present, and even bought another place for me on the AM flight Monday 8th July, confident that it would go ahead as planned.
At 23.00 on Sunday 7th July the Pilot called off the flight with perhaps one of the best weather forecasts for Ballooning possible in Scotland. The reason given "operational issues - lack of passenger number" (8 people actually).
At no time, and in no advertising was it ever stated that this would be a cause of postponement. In fact there is no mention of minimum passenger numbers in the Company Terms and Conditions. The weather on Monday was in Fact PERFECT!
After numerous calls to Virgin Balloon flights on Monday morning they were astounded to hear that the flight was called off due to low passenger numbers.
We gave them another opportunity to deliver and booked ourselves on the PM flight that day and waited for the Pilot to confirm the flight, which he did at 14.00, stating the flight time would be 19.00, even though at that time the Met Office was confirming the forecast of rain at 19.00 extending it to include 20.00.
We drove almost 2 hours to Bowmuir Farm Holidays launch site, a poorly maintained property with the most unpleasant toilet facilities, only to sit in our car as the predicted heavy rain clouds rolled in exactly as forecast.
The pilot had made no attempt to prepare for launch, almost as if knowing that it would rain, causing a cancelation. Furthermore there were no support crew. He waited until 20.00 before calling off the flight. There were two other couples there that had been waiting more than 4 years for a flight.
The experience was abysmal, very upsetting, and entirely predictable.
We are seeking refunds from Virgin Balloon Flights on the basis that they were in breach of their own terms and conditions when calling off the AM flight. They have already sent us refund claim paperwork.
So with this in mind we got to work with the Met Office.
One week before our flight the forecast was starting to look very favourable for Monday 8th July AM and DAY flights. By Friday 5th July the forecast was PERFECT for Monday 8th July, with an exception that PM flights would be disrupted by rain at 19.00.
So my partner booked her XMAS 2023 present, and even bought another place for me on the AM flight Monday 8th July, confident that it would go ahead as planned.
At 23.00 on Sunday 7th July the Pilot called off the flight with perhaps one of the best weather forecasts for Ballooning possible in Scotland. The reason given "operational issues - lack of passenger number" (8 people actually).
At no time, and in no advertising was it ever stated that this would be a cause of postponement. In fact there is no mention of minimum passenger numbers in the Company Terms and Conditions. The weather on Monday was in Fact PERFECT!
After numerous calls to Virgin Balloon flights on Monday morning they were astounded to hear that the flight was called off due to low passenger numbers.
We gave them another opportunity to deliver and booked ourselves on the PM flight that day and waited for the Pilot to confirm the flight, which he did at 14.00, stating the flight time would be 19.00, even though at that time the Met Office was confirming the forecast of rain at 19.00 extending it to include 20.00.
We drove almost 2 hours to Bowmuir Farm Holidays launch site, a poorly maintained property with the most unpleasant toilet facilities, only to sit in our car as the predicted heavy rain clouds rolled in exactly as forecast.
The pilot had made no attempt to prepare for launch, almost as if knowing that it would rain, causing a cancelation. Furthermore there were no support crew. He waited until 20.00 before calling off the flight. There were two other couples there that had been waiting more than 4 years for a flight.
The experience was abysmal, very upsetting, and entirely predictable.
We are seeking refunds from Virgin Balloon Flights on the basis that they were in breach of their own terms and conditions when calling off the AM flight. They have already sent us refund claim paperwork.
Written July 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael H
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Family
Been trying to go for 6 months constantly getting cancelled £440 just for them to cancel it every night before don’t waste your money it’s as close to a scam as can get if your lucky you’ll get to drive there and it still get cancelled
Written July 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
usmcvet594
1 contribution
May 2019 • Couples
As beautiful as Scotland is from the ground, it is a thousand times more amazing from a balloon. William Wood (Woody) and his crew made this entire event effortless and enjoyable. The views were stunning. We took this flight to celebrate our 35th anniversary. If your looking for a special treat for someone (or yourself!) this should be #1 on your list. Nobody ever had to say "smile" for picture taking - no one on the flight could stop smiling the entire time!
Written May 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi usmcvet594,
Thank you for your review.
It's great to hear you had an amazing time flying over Scotland with Woody, I bet the views were stunning!
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written June 19, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jim P
2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
The Scottish weather finally gave us a window and we lifted off from Biggar smoothly and gently drifted over South Lanarkshire 'following the meandering river Clyde over herds of fascinated cows and sheep and green fields ,woods where deer could be seen.
Touch down was interesting gentle landing ended on our side but perfectly safe, a good laugh!
All in all a great experience.
Touch down was interesting gentle landing ended on our side but perfectly safe, a good laugh!
All in all a great experience.
Written May 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi JimP1787,
Thank you for your feedback.
It sounds like you had a wonderful hot air balloon ride!
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written May 3, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynsey C
2 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Excellent flight couldnt reccomend enough, very smooth from start to finish. Helpful crew and woodie done a marvelous job in guiding us in our balloon. Very peaceful experience
Written April 30, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi LynseyC171,
Thank you for your feedback.
Great to hear you had a wonderful balloon ride with us!
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written May 3, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
gill593
Tranent2 contributions
Oct 2018 • Solo
Amazing from start to finish. Would highly recommend. Might take a bit of time to get a date to fly but well worth the wait.
Written October 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Gill
Thank you for your feedback.
So glad you had a fantastic balloon ride with us!
Kind regards,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written October 23, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
postle63
Alloway, UK15 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
So well looked after. Despite uncertain weather we had a fantastic evening. Would definitely do again!!
Written May 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi Postle63
We're with you on the best way to travel being by hot air balloon! (As long as your destination doesn't have to be too specific.)
Thank you for taking the time to leave us such a kind review and we look forward to having you fly with us again one day.
Kind Regards
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team
Written May 8, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hi Andrew,
Thank you for getting in touch.
It all depends where you'd like to fly from and whether you'd like to fly at sunrise/sunset or on a weekday/weekend.
If you visit our website you'll be able to find the full selection.
Prices start from £79pp.
Alternatively, our call centre is open 7 days a week and our friendly team will be able to help you if you call 01952 212750
Hope to see you in the skies soon!
Many thanks,
The Virgin Balloon Flights Team.
Written October 9, 2015
Showing results 1-1 of 1