Free cancellationFull refund up to 24 hours before
Instant confirmationYour booking is confirmed right away
TicketMobile or paper ticket accepted
LanguagesEnglish
Private tourOnly your group will participate
Pickup offeredSee the meeting and pickup details below
Overview
This is an unforgettable day tour from Inverness to Loch Ness, taking in some of the most scenic, historic and culturally significant sights available anywhere in Scotland. Our local guide will meet you at your chosen pick up address where your tour will start and take you on your own Highland adventure. We will make our way to Urquhart Castle travelling along the shores of Loch Ness. We will then travel along the Loch side towards Inverness and make our way to Culloden Battlefield, before moving onto the sacred site of Clava Cairns, home of the famous Outlander series . We then travel a short distance to Cawdor Castle and Gardens , before returning to Inverness where we will see Inverness Cathedral and all the local sites that the city offers.
Cawdor Castle and Grounds/ £12.50 - £13.50 (Admission Fee)
What to expect
Urquhart Castle
Pass by
Passing through Drumnadrochit and at the top of the hill we stop at Urquhart Castle which sits on a promontory overlooking the loch. Urquhart Castle was once one of Scotland’s largest castles and has been fought over many times with control of the castle passing back and forth between the Scots and the English during the wars of independence. It is near here that St Columba is purported to have seen the loch ness monster in 580 AD, the monster came out of the water to attack one of his disciples and St Columba banished it back to the water. The castle gatehouse was deliberately destroyed in 1692 so it could never be used again as a military stronghold.
Culloden Battlefield
1h 20m · Admission ticket not included
After Urquhart Castle we come to Culloden Battlefield where on the 16th April 1746 the last battle on British soil took place. The battle was fought between the Jacobites who wanted to restore the Stuarts to the throne and the Hanoverians who were the government. In less than one hour more than 1600 men were killed, 1500 of them Jacobites. The battle lasted just over one hour. The result of this battle was to change the way of life in the highlands forever.
Clava Cairns
20m
Less than a mile from the Battlefield we come to Clava Cairns, this ancient burial ground is more than 4000 years old. Diana Gabaldon is believed to have taken inspiration for her outlander series. The winter solstice was a very important time for these people and the cairns are aligned in a south westerly direction to face the midwinter sun.
Cawdor Castle
1h 20m · Admission ticket not included
After Clava we head to Cawdor Castle. Cawdor Castle has been home to the Thanes of Cawdor for centuries and is one of the few castles in the Highlands to be left unscathed after the Jacobite uprisings, this is very surprising considering it lies between Auldearn and Culloden where two battles took place. The castle is still lived in today by the Dowager Countess of Cawdor.
Inverness
45m
Continuing back to Inverness we stop at Inverness Cathedral, this is the most northerly Anglican cathedral in the UK and was completed in 1866. Driving through Inverness we pass the Old High Church where the Jacobite prisoners were held after Culloden before they were executed in the graveyard, you can still see musket ball marks on the church wall where the executions happened. Opposite the Old High Church you will see the Dunbar Hospital, built with stones from Cromwell’s citadel, the stones originally from Beauly Priory. Further along this street we pass Abertarff House, the oldest house in Inverness dating from 1593 and once the townhouse for the chiefs of Clan Fraser. Continuing through Inverness we pass Inverness Castle and you will see the statue of Flora Macdonald, famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to Skye after Culloden.
Meeting and pickup
Pickup details
Pickup can be from your Hotel, Inverness Airport or your accommodation.
Additional information
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
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The remaining time is allocated for driving time and also stops for lunch and photo stops.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
