— Tour information

Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield

— Summary

Come with us to discover the must-see sights in and around Inverness, including the scenic views of Beauly Firth and a visit to Beauly Priory – a 13th-century monastic ruin.

We’ll explore Urquhart Castle on the shore of the world-famous Loch Ness – with fantastic views of the Loch. It’s a fantastic opportunity to hear some local legends and see if you can spot the monster yourself!

Next, we drive through Old Inverness with a stop along the river before our next heritage stop – Cawdor Castle and Gardens, including an exploration of the ancient Clava Cairns – a 4,000-year-old burial site!

We end our day at a truly significant historic site – Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle that was ever fought on British soil – where the 1746 Jacobite Rebellion was finally, and to some, tragically quashed.

 

Itinerary

Private Loch Ness, Culloden & Inverness Day Tour

 

Castles, Clava Cairns & Highland History

This itinerary is fully flexible and can be tailored to suit your interests. Designed to explore the rich history of the Scottish Highlands, it combines ancient sites, medieval castles, and the dramatic story of the Jacobite Rising.

 

Pick-up from your accommodation (Inverness / Invergordon Port)

Meet your private driver guide
Depart for a journey through the Highlands

 

Beauly Priory

Wander through the tranquil, moss-covered ruins of this 13th-century monastic site, one of Scotland’s most evocative and well-preserved priories, nestled in a serene Highland village surrounded by ancient trees.

 

Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle

Journey along the winding shores of deep, mysterious Loch Ness, fringed by rugged hills and ancient woodlands.

  • Discover Urquhart Castle, perched dramatically above the loch, where ancient stone walls stand as silent witnesses to centuries of Highland drama.
  • Uncover the castle’s pivotal role during the Wars of Independence with tales of sieges and resilience.
  • Soak in sweeping views across shimmering Loch Ness and its mysterious, placid waters.

Optional:

  • Loch Ness boat cruise

 

Inverness City Highlights (Drive / Short Stops)

Delve into the charm and vibrant history of the Highland capital, where ancient and modern blend seamlessly.

  • River Ness and Caledonian Canal
  • Inverness Cathedral
  • Old High Church and historic buildings
  • Tomnahurich Hill (Hill of the Fairies)

 

Cawdor Castle & Gardens

Step inside this beautifully preserved Highland castle, steeped in legends and stories. Watch sunlight filter through stained glass onto exquisitely furnished rooms and wander lush, fragrant gardens filled with colourful blooms.

 

Clava Cairns (Outlander Location)

Discover one of Scotland’s most important prehistoric sites, over 4,000 years old and famous as the inspiration for Craigh na Dun in Outlander.

 

Culloden Battlefield

Stand on the windswept fields of Culloden, where history was forged in a dramatic final clash.

  • Trace the echoes of the 1746 battle and its profound legacy among haunting stones and heather.
  • Walk the battlefield
  • Optional visitor centre experience

 

Return Journey

Comfortable drive back to your accommodation or port

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you collect us from a cruise ship at Invergordon?

Yes, pick-up is from your accommodation in Inverness or from Invergordon Port, and the return journey brings you back to whichever you came from. That makes this a practical shore excursion as well as a day out from the Highland capital. If you are planning around a ship rather than a hotel, our cruise transfers and excursions page is the better starting point.

What are Clava Cairns and why do Outlander viewers ask for them?

Clava Cairns is a prehistoric burial site over 4,000 years old and one of the most important of its kind in Scotland. Outlander viewers know it as the inspiration for Craigh na Dun, the stone circle at the centre of the story, which is why so many guests ask for it by name. It sits close to Culloden, so the two pair naturally in one afternoon. If it is carved stone that interests you, our Pictish Trail day from Inverness is built around what the Picts left along the Black Isle coast.

Is the Loch Ness boat cruise included?

It is an optional addition rather than part of the standard day, and plenty of guests take it. The tour follows the shores of Loch Ness and stops at Urquhart Castle either way, so you see the loch whether you sail on it or not. If you would like the cruise, mention it when booking so the day can be shaped around the sailing.

What is there to see at Culloden Battlefield?

The battlefield itself, walked on foot, which is the part that stays with people. Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil, where the Jacobite rising of 1746 was finally crushed, and the ground is marked so you can trace how the day unfolded. There is an optional visitor centre as well if you would like the fuller account.

Do we go inside Urquhart Castle?

Yes, exploring Urquhart Castle is part of the day rather than a view from the roadside. It stands above Loch Ness, and your guide covers its part in the Wars of Independence, with the sieges and the resilience that came with it. The views across the loch from the castle walls are the best you will get all day, so it is worth taking slowly.

Can we visit Cawdor Castle and its gardens too?

Yes, Cawdor Castle and its gardens are on the itinerary. It is a beautifully preserved Highland castle you step inside rather than admire from the drive, with furnished rooms, stained glass and grounds full of planting. Because the day is private and the itinerary flexible, if the gardens hold you longer than expected we simply shift the rest of the afternoon around it.

Which Inverness sights do we see along the way?

The Highland capital’s highlights, taken as a drive with short stops rather than a walking tour. That means the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal, Inverness Cathedral, the Old High Church and the historic buildings around it, and Tomnahurich Hill, known locally as the Hill of the Fairies. It fills the gap between the loch and the castles without eating into either.

Urquhart Castle ruins on the shore of Loch Ness, hills rising behind the water

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