Tours & tickets

Clava Cairns

Embark on a 3-day guided tour of the Scottish Highlands and visit highlights, including Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye. Learn the history of this lush region from your guide and spend two nights in Inverness. Day 1: Departing Edinburgh, we will drive by the famous Forth Bridges before making a short stop at the mysterious Kelpies. We continue north, to the historic village of Pitlochry. From there we drive through the east edge of the dramatic Cairngorms National Park to stop at the Highland Folk Museum (seasonal April - October). Here you'll experience highland life in the 17th century. See the buildings, the clothes and weapons, and how people lived 300 years ago. Continue north, to visit Culloden Battlefield, site of the last Jacobite Rising, then 'Clava Cairns', incredible 4,000-year-old, Bronze-Age standing stones. A short drive onwards, we arrive at the Capital of the Highlands, where you'll stay for 2 nights, choosing from a local guesthouse, hostel, or hotel (accommodation not included). We arrive at approximately 6:30 PM to dour drop-off/meeting point at Inverness Cathedral on Ardross Street, IV3 5NN. Day 2: After breakfast, depart Inverness and drive across the Kessock Bridge to the Black Isle and marvel at the spectacular scenery of Achnasheen and Loch Carron. Arriving on the Isle of Skye, venture north to explore the highlights of the island, including; the Cuillin Mountains, Trotternish Peninsula, Portree, the Old Man Storr, Kilt Rock and the famous Quiraing. In late afternoon, stop for photographs of the most beautiful castle in Scotland, "Eilean Donan Castle." Backdrop to many famous films, such as 'Highlander' and 'Made of Honor', this castle is another must-see iconic landmark! A scenic drive through stunning Glen Shiel follows, returning to Inverness to stay your final night at approximately 7:30 PM. The evening is free for you to do as you wish. Day 3: Depart Inverness for an optional morning cruise of the famous Loch Ness. Drive south to admire the spectacular Glenfinnan Viaduct and the breath-taking views of the Nevis Range at the Commando Memorial. Discover beautiful Glencoe, the most famous valley in Scotland, and hear of its tragic history. Continue south, into the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, while enjoying the scenery on the journey back to Edinburgh, arriving at approximately 7 PM. ** Please note that during the winter season, we will be swapping Day 1 and Day 3’s itineraries to enable us to visit as many places as possible while it is still light outside. Due to weather and/or road conditions during the winter season the route may change at the driver/guide’s discretion. **

Uncover the mystery of Loch Ness on a cruise to Urquhart Castle on this small group guided tour from Inverness. Immerse yourself in local history at Culloden Battlefield. Enter the world of the hit TV show Outlander at the standing stones at Clava Cairns. Depart central Inverness and journey to the world-famous Loch Ness. Glide over the lake's shimmering waters on a 30 min cruise to Urquhart Castle. Have free time to explore the 13th-century ruins on foot. Stop to purchase lunch in one of the charming local cafés in Beauly and explore Beauly Priory, which was featured in the Outlander novel series. Enjoy an optional Highland whisky distillery experience, where you can choose to sample a wee dram. Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on a visit to Culloden Battlefield. Step into the world of Outlander at the burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. Return to Inverness in the early evening.

Discover the Scottish Highlands on a guided tour from Inverness. Explore the burial site of Clava Cairns, discover the historic site of Culloden, and admire the scenery of Glen Affric and the iconic Loch Ness. Depart Inverness in the morning and begin your full-day tour with a trip to the ancient burial site of Clava Cairns. Explore this Bronze-Age graveyard that has survived 4 millennia. Afterward, head to Culloden, one of the most important sites in Scottish history. Learn more about the 60-year series of uprisings that finally ended in a tumultuous battle in 1745. Explore the visitor center and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last ever battle fought on British soil. Continue to Glen Affric and stop to walk among the indigenous Caledonian pine trees. Enjoy the views over Loch Affric and the mountains beyond, with your expert guide taking you to the best waterfalls and photo spots. Afterward, explore the historic ruins of Beauly Priory, a monastery dating back to the 13th century. To cap things off, you’ll head to the shores of Loch Ness, before heading back to the center of Inverness in the early evening.

After leaving Aberdeen, our first stop is in the village of Aberlour in the heart of Speyside. Surrounded by forests and hills you might catch the seductive smell of whisky or shortbread on the breeze, depending which way the wind blows. You continue through the heart of Speyside and arrive at Loch Ness for al boat trip*. Onboard the ship, you travel over the widest and deepest part of the loch and get a fine view of Urquhart Castle. Back on dry land, it’s time to travel deep into the past at Clava Cairns. This spot is situated in a gorgeous green grove and boasts well-preserved ancient burial tombs. They even say this spot was the inspiration for Outlander’s Craigh na Dun. You then continue to Culloden Battlefield, the location of the final Jacobite Rising. It’s an eerie, flat, tragic landscape that can put the history of Scotland into perspective. You have a comfort break within the gorgeous Cairngorms National Park before you reach Aberdeen in the evening. This route may be reversed on some occasions. *The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice. ** Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness included in the tour price

Start your small-group tour Highland adventure from Inverness with jaw-dropping scenery, whisky tastings, and a chance to spot Nessie herself! First, we head to mysterious Loch Ness, where you’ll hop aboard a boat to hunt for Nessie and explore the haunting ruins of Urquhart Castle - who knows what secrets it holds? Next, it’s time for a wee break in the picturesque village of Beauly. Stroll through its charming streets, visit Beauly Priory, or just grab a cuppa before the next leg of the journey. Then, we dive into Scotland’s finest at a Highland whisky distillery. Sample a dram (optional, of course!) and learn all about the “water of life”, the true spirit of Scotland. For Outlander fans, you won’t want to miss our visit to Culloden Battlefield, the site of Scotland’s most famous battle and the inspiration behind the beloved show. You’ll feel the weight of history as you stand on this sacred ground which hosted the last of the Jacobite rebellions. We finish with a visit to Clava Cairns, where the ancient standing stones might just send you on your own journey through time, Outlander style! Then, we make our way back to Inverness, arriving in the early evening with time to unwind and reflect on an unforgettable Highland day.

Your guide will be waiting for you at the agreed meeting point at the port and your shore excursion in Invergordon can begin. Look forward to getting to know the enchanting landscape and culture of Scotland. First, sit back and relax in your excursion vehicle as you explore the tranquil port city of Invergordon leave. Your approximately one-hour drive will take you to the historic Cawdor Castle. The castle dates back to the 14th century and inspires with its fairytale architecture and mighty walls. During your visit, stroll through the stylish rooms, enjoy the manicured gardens that surround the estate, and learn why the castle is associated with Shakespeare's famous tragedy "Macbeth." Next, you can already get in the mood for whisky in your mind. Because your journey will take you on to a traditional Whisky distillery. Once you arrive at the distillery, you will learn interesting information about the Scottish national drink and the art of its production during a guided tour. After you have gained exciting impressions of the elaborate process, round off your visit with a small Tasting off. Let yourself be seduced by the aromas of the noble wines! Afterwards, you will continue through the Scottish countryside towards the famous Loch Ness, which stretches picturesquely between the hills. Already during the trip you can catch a glimpse of the mysterious, deep blue lake, around which legends about its legendary inhabitant "Nessie" entwine. Their goal is the impressive Ruins of Urquhart Castle, which are enthroned directly on the shores of Loch Ness and provide a special backdrop. On site, you will have some time to explore the remains of the former medieval fortress and enjoy a spectacular View of Loch Ness to enjoy. Have your camera ready to capture this special sight! Depending on the time, you will also make a stop in Inverness one. There, you can either take a look around the so-called "Capital of the Highlands" with some free time or get a snack to recharge your batteries. At the end of your varied exploration of the Scottish Highlands, you will reach Invergordon again and be transferred back to the cruise port on time. We wish you an unforgettable shore excursion in Invergordon and the surrounding area! Entrance to the Castles is optional and not included in the shore excursion price. A separate link to reserve tickets will be sent to you shortly after you have reserved your tour. As a guide Castle Entry is approximately £14 - £16 per person.

Our small group tour day begins in the morning with a brief tour of Inverness' sights before heading to our first stop: Culloden Battlefield. This poignant site marks the end of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Here, you'll learn about the battlefield's history, walk its grounds, and even explore any family connections you may have to the area (optional extra). Next, we visit the Clava Cairns, the remains of a once larger complex used for housing the dead. This site offers insight into life over 4,000 years ago and Scotland's Bronze Age society. Fans of Outlander may enjoy the prehistoric stone circle that inspired Craigh Na Dun in the series. We then continue to Fort George (optional extra), an imposing fort built after the Battle of Culloden. This massive fortification took over 22 years to construct and is essential for military history enthusiasts. It houses the largest regimental museum outside of Edinburgh and is still an active army base, home to the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland. After absorbing the rich history here, we head to the northern coast in Nairn for lunch in this charming seaside town. As we travel through the scenic Cairngorms, we’ll stop at Loch an Eilein for a photo op. This stunning loch features a small island with castle ruins, aptly named “loch of the island” in Gaelic. It’s a perfect photo spot, so keep an eye out for the local wildlife. Our final stop is Aviemore, where you'll have time to explore this beautiful village nestled in the northwest corner of the Cairngorms National Park, surrounded by mountains and lochs. It’s an ideal place to grab a coffee before we journey back to Inverness to conclude our tour.

Experience the best of the Highlands on this Invergordon shore excursion. Visit Cawdor Castle, explore the ancient Clava Cairns, and enjoy scenic views of Loch Ness at Dores Beach. Spend time in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands, before heading to Glen Ord Distillery for a whisky tasting of Singleton’s 12-year-old single malt. This tour blends history, landscape and local flavour – ideal for visitors looking to discover the heart of the Scottish Highlands. Explore Inverness and the Highlands Departing Invergordon, we travel to our first stop of the day, Cawdor Castle. Set amid beautiful gardens in Nairnshire, Cawdor Castle is the ancestral home of the Campbells and dates back to the 15th Century. Spend time here exploring the castle and its picturesque surroundings. We then leave Nairnshire and journey on towards Clava Cairns, a group of burial monuments that offer a glimpse into the life and rituals of Scots in the Bronze Age, over 4,000 years ago. Our Invergordon shore excursion continues on to Dores Beach, situated on the banks of Loch Ness for a quick photo stop, allowing you the opportunity for a quick bit of Nessie Hunting! Our adventure then heads to Inverness; Capital of the Highlands. We spend over an hour here, plenty of time to enjoy lunch and walk along the banks of the River Ness and perhaps get some good views of Inverness Castle. Discover Glen Ord Distillery, home to The Singleton After time to explore Inverness and grab some lunch, our 1-day Inverness shore excursion moves on to our last stop of the day; Glen Ord Distillery. Glen Ord is the only remaining single malt whisky distillery situated in the Black Isle and is the home of Singleton Whisky. Enjoy a tour of the distillery, finishing off your Invergordon Shore Excursion with a tasting of the Singleton of Glen Ord 12-year-old whisky. We then return to Invergordon, where your Inverness, Cawdor Castle & Highland Whisky shore excursion ends.

Day 1: You leave Edinburgh and head north across the River Forth towards the Highlands. You travel through the beauty of Highland Perthshire and your driver-guide will look for the perfect place to stop this morning. Perhaps it will be Pitlochry, a quintessential Scottish town nestled among the hills. Or maybe you'll stop in at the gorgeous wee village of Dunkeld. We keep things flexible this morning and see what the group is interested in. This wild heart of the Highlands teems with mountains, rivers, lochs, and wildlife hotspots and is a magnet for all nature lovers. We head to Aviemore, a bustling hub for all outdoors activities, where you can try local specialities before you travel to Loch Morlich, which is as unique as it is bonnie. Leave the majestic mountains and step back in time at Clava Cairns near Inverness. These ancient standing stones and ring cairns are as beautiful as they are mysterious and were made famous by Diana Gabaldon in the Outlander books. Then it’s just a short drive to Inverness, where you’re dropped off at your accommodation. The evening is free for you to explore the Capital of the Highlands. Day 2: After a leisurely breakfast, you’re picked up from your accommodation and taken into the surrounding countryside. You travel to the mysterious Loch Ness where you have the chance to take a boat trip along the loch and visit dramatic Urquhart Castle. Our journey continues south through the Great Glen past Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK, towards Fort William. You stop for lunch along the way before arriving in Glencoe. One look and you'll understand why its one of the most famous natural landmarks in all of Scotland. There's also a tragic tale that’s haunted this valley for over 300 years... perhaps your guide will tell you all about it. The return journey continues over the wild and remote Rannoch Moor and into the Lowland scenery around Stirling, before finally reaching our starting point of Edinburgh.

Day One Our tour departs in the morning from Glasgow City Centre and from there, we head north to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park area where we will stop for a quick comfort break to enjoy the beautiful scenery. Our tour continues north to dramatic Glencoe which you may recognise from James Bond’s Skyfall. We will stop here to take in the haunting scenery of the area and to learn about its fascinating history, as it was the location of the 1692 massacre of the MacDonald clan. Be sure to bring your camera for fantastic photos of one of Scotland’s most poignant locations before we continue north to the loch-side town of Fort William. After a scenic loch-side lunch break, we head to the Commando Memorial. Enjoy magnificent views of Ben Nevis, Britain’s tallest mountain, as you learn about the meaning behind the memorial. From there, our tour continues towards Loch Ness. First resting at Fort Augustus, a picturesque town at the foot of the loch that offers spectacular views. Be sure to keep an eye out for Nessie! There may also be a photo opportunity at the impressive ruins of Urquhart Castle should time permit, before we arrive in Inverness, the capital of the highlands. Here, we will check into our accommodation for the night. Day Two After a hearty highland breakfast, our second day of touring will begin. We will head out of Inverness. Our first stop of the day is Culloden Battlefield where Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites were defeated by the Duke of Cumberland. We then journey towards Clava Cairns, a group of burial monuments that offer a glimpse into the life and rituals of Scots in the Bronze Age, over 4,000 years ago. Following a photo stop at Carrbridge, our tour will head into the spectacular Cairngorms National Park - the largest National Park in the United Kingdom. Enjoy a relaxing lunch stop on the shores of Loch Morlich. Be sure to keep an eye out for some of the wildlife that is known to inhabit the area. After this, our next stop will be the old military garrison of Ruthven Barracks, built by General Wade and the British Government after the Jacobite Rising of 1715. On our return journey to Edinburgh, there is the opportunity for a visit to Blair Athol Distillery. Here, there will be time for a tour and tasting, where you can sample some award-winning scotch whisky. Please note that due to availability, this may not always be possible. If we are unable to visit Blair Athol, we will instead have time to explore the historic Victorian town of Pitlochry. We then begin the final stretch of our journey back towards Edinburgh, crossing over the impressive Queensferry Crossing. After a short journey, we then arrive back in Edinburgh, where our 2-day Loch Ness, Inverness and the Highlands tour will come to an end. If continuing to Glasgow, your guide will take you to Edinburgh Waverley railway station for the 50 minute journey by train, courtesy of Timberbush.