Secret Loch Ness, Inverness, Culloden, Cawdor Castle from port

Embark on an affordable and action-packed tour from Invergordon to Loch Ness, Inverness, and Cawdor Castle. Explore Outlander highlights, Culloden, castles, and even search for Nessie! Book now!

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Cawdor Castle - Explore the renowned ‘Macbeth’ Cawdor Castle, which is fully furnished and still inhabited. The castle also features a maze and beautiful gardens.
  • Loch Ness - Travel along the River Ness to Loch Ness, where you might catch a glimpse of the legendary Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Enjoy a comfortable 30-minute ride by Loch Ness, keeping an eye out for Nessie. Although the last famous sighting was decades ago, recent footage suggests she might still be around. The scenery is breathtaking, so have your cameras ready. We’ll stop at a Loch Ness lay-by for photos, where you can paddle in the water or take a sample home. You’ll spend 45 minutes traveling past the south of Loch Ness on single-track roads, hoping for a sighting of Nessie.
  • Inverness - Explore the shops in Inverness city center, visit the museum, library, or one of the historic bars like the Gellions, the oldest bar in the Highlands, established in 1841. Alternatively, try the popular Irish bar Johnny Foxes. After visiting Inverness Castle, relax in a quaint cafe or bar while your partner shops.

The town visit can last from 45 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

  • Inverness Castle - Continue through Inverness to see the historic town hall and Inverness Castle. You can climb the 95 steps to the viewing gallery and visit the local shops, cafes, or historic bars. The Gellions, dating back to 1841, serves excellent local beer and whisky.

Note: Only exterior photos of the castle are allowed until 2024 due to renovations.

  • Clava Cairns - Occasionally, we visit Clava Cairns, the inspiration for the book and TV series Outlander.
  • Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly - Stop by a charming farm shop near Beauly, where you can touch or feed Highland cows. Jamie and Katie-Morag await you.
  • Culloden Battlefield - Visit the historic battlefield featured in the Outlander series and book, along with the visitor center.
  • Loch Ness Region - Explore the south of Loch Ness and paddle in its clear waters.
What's Included
  • Castle entrance fee included in the booking price.
Additional Information

This bus tour from Invergordon features highlights from Outlander, Culloden, Castles, Loch Ness & Nessie! It packs in a lot for one day’s tour and is very affordable and good value for money. Our website contains full details of all tours and booking.

Our tours are specially put together after taking feedback from YOU. We have surveyed your desires and requests and put them together in our tours. Our guides will impart their knowledge of their local Highlands and answer any of your questions.

Please check the tour times on our website, as the times listed here are approximate. As a general rule tours leave 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the arrival of the ship and return at least 1 hour before ship departure time. Please check our website which has the exact tour departure and return times for every tour.

We try to take this tour in a 4, 8 or 16 or 29 seater vehicle. Thank you

  • Wheelchair travellers difficult
  • There is a steep path to the waterfall and also 95 steps up to the Inverness castle viewing gallery. You may wait in the tea room instead of going to the waterfall and you do not have to go to the viewing gallery - you can wait elsewhere,
Location
37 Shore Rd
Shore Road
If docking at Invergordon pier disembark cruise ship, walk 2 minutes to the harbour gates, Invergordon IV180EH. It is signposted to where the independent tour guides wait or look for our Thistle Guide wearing purple and a Thistle lanyard.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(72 Ratings)
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1 star
Alex_j
Aug 3, 2024
Great Value + Saw So Much! - They managed to fit so many things into such a short time! Our assigned tour guide, Lorraine, was not only a great person to ask questions but also an excellent driver.
Review provided by Viator
Cathy
Aug 3, 2024
Amazing! - Amazing tour. Our guide June was lovely and made the tour alot of fun. Really enjoyed it! Would highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Anonymous
Jul 10, 2024
Great company to work with, loved the tour - We had some issues with the ship but Max was fantastic to work with and we managed to get on the tour on time. Loved the fact we could go to a beach of Loch Ness and touch the water. Mo was very knowledgeable, would definitely use this company again for any tours.
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_a
Jul 6, 2024
A LOT to see In a day but amazing - We came off a cruise ship and this was A LOT to see in the time we had. It didn't feel that rushed but many stops were really just 15 min photo ops. It was raining, so we didn't stop in Inverness but a local shop instead for trinkets. If I were on land I would plan this as a longer day by a few hours, rent a car or do it over 2 days and definitely stop or stay in Inverness. Overall it was a great day for the time we had and our guide was awesome!
Review provided by Viator
Miranda_m
Jun 29, 2024
Educational - Enjoyed every bit. Most definitely Cawdor Castle gardens my favorite. Remember always bring a jacket or sweater weather for June was colder than expected.
Review provided by Viator
Lisa_b
Jun 28, 2024
Wonderful day ! - This was a great tour. Mo was our guide- she was so knowledgeable and wanted to make sure we didn't miss anything. The castle was interesting,because is occupied by the owner. We went to Clava Cairns, the Battlefield. Saw lots of animals, including Hairy Coos. Mo , Bob the driver and Thistle tours were great!
Review provided by Viator
Kandhramey
Jun 28, 2024
Exceptional tour and guide - We did this tour today 6/28/24 and OMG. June was our tour guide and after the end of the trip she became family. Her and the tour have been the highlight of our vacation and we cannot thank her enough for the kindness, knowledge and flexibility she gave us. I hope everyone can do this tour and experience June like we did. She will forever be in our memories along with the unforgettable tour she gave us. We cannot thank her enough! The Ramey Family, GA, USA
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U550gistephan
Jun 26, 2024
Everything during just one day! - During our tour, which started near the cruise ship dock, we really got to see everything that was important in the area. While Lorraine drove us safely even through the narrow countryside streets in a VW bus, we received all the important information about the sights. In the end, we even saw more than the program had originally planned. A great day with many highlights and a clear recommendation!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marylynne_s
Jun 24, 2024
Terrific Day! - This tour would be very hard to beat as an absolute favorite. Our guide met us prepared. We promptly set off for our many destinations where we had ample time at each place. Our guide was super knowledgable and explained each stop's important details. I would have loved more time on this tour, but, alas, our cruise ship required us back! I told my husband that I wished I could stay for several more days. Very well done!!
Review provided by Viator
Jan
Jun 20, 2024
Fantastic excursion in a mini van with a guide who was very knowledgeable and for whom nothing was too much trouble. - Better than expected, nothing to complain about. Guide was very knowledgeable and took us to all the sights, even the less obvious ones. Highly recommended, only praise.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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