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From Inverness to Loch Ness , Cawdor Castle , Culloden and more

5 (16)
Scottish Highlands, GB
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From Inverness to Loch Ness , Cawdor Castle , Culloden and more

5 (16)
Scottish Highlands, GB
Share
Embark on an unforgettable journey through the Highlands with a private tour from Inverness to Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden, and more. Experience the beauty and mystery of Loch Ness, where sightings of the legendary creature, Nessie, still captivate imaginations. Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle and learn about its turbulent history. Visit the historic Beauly Priory and marvel at the 800-year-old Beauly Elm Tree. Discover the stunning Cawdor Castle, surrounded by magnificent woodlands. Step back in time at the ancient Clava Cairns, a burial site that inspired the Outlander series. Reflect on history at Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite Rising took place. Pass by Inverness Castle and see the statue of Flora Macdonald, a symbol of Highland courage. Conclude your journey at the majestic Inverness Cathedral, the most northerly Anglican Cathedral in the UK. Let the knowledgeable guides take you on a personalized adventure through the Highlands, sharing their passion and love for this extraordinary land.

About this experience

  • Free Cancellation For a full refund cancel at least before the start of your booking
  • Admission Not Included
  • 8 hours
  • Suitable for 1-8 Participants
  • Private Tour
  • Guided Experience
  • Breathtaking views of Loch Ness
  • Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle
  • Visit the 800-year-old Beauly Priory
  • Discover the stunning Cawdor Castle and its gardens
  • Step back in time at the ancient Clava Cairns
  • Private transportation
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Free pick-up & drop-off
  • Lunch
  • Alcoholic beverages

Popular Hotels Closeby

More about this experience

Introduction

Welcome to the breathtaking Highlands of Scotland, where picturesque landscapes and legendary tales come together to create an unforgettable journey. Allow us to introduce you to our private and personalized tour, "From Inverness to Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden, and more." As locals who have spent our entire lives in this magnificent region, we pride ourselves on showcasing the most captivating and photogenic spots, ensuring an unparalleled experience.

What to expect?

Embark on a 480-minute adventure filled with captivating stories, intriguing history, and awe-inspiring beauty. Our tour begins with the enigmatic Loch Ness, a place synonymous with legends and mysteries. Keep your eyes peeled as we venture around the loch, sharing tales of Nessie sightings and the fascinating history surrounding this renowned waterway. Next, we'll explore the magnificent ruins of Urquhart Castle, perched on a rocky promontory with panoramic views of Loch Ness. Dive deep into its 800-year old history, replete with turbulent tales of battles and resilience. Continuing our journey, we'll head to Beauly Priory, a medieval monastery nestled amidst captivating landscapes. Here, you'll discover the Beauly Elm Tree, an awe-inspiring testament to longevity, having stood for a remarkable 800 years. Prepare to be enchanted as we enter the fairytale-like grounds of Cawdor Castle, a majestic home that has been nestled within the Cawdor Big Wood since 1370. Marvel at its stunning gardens and immerse yourself in the history that echoes within its walls. As the tour progresses, we'll visit the Clava Cairns, an ancient cemetery shrouded in mystery and surrounded by prehistoric burial monuments. This ethereal site provided inspiration for the renowned Outlander series, adding an enchanting layer to this already captivating experience. Our next stop takes us to Culloden Battlefield, where the final Jacobite Rising met its brutal end. Walk in the footsteps of history, witness the memorial cairn and clan burial stones, and allow the significance of this historic battleground to resonate within you. On our journey back to Inverness, we'll pass by Inverness Castle, catching a glimpse of the majestic Flora Macdonald statue, paying tribute to her bravery and role in helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape. Finally, we'll visit the most northerly Anglican Cathedral in the UK, Inverness Cathedral, where awe-inspiring architecture and serene surroundings inspire a sense of peace and reflection.

Who is this for?

Our tour is designed for adventure-seeking souls, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike. Whether you're a curious traveler yearning to unravel the tales of Loch Ness, an architecture aficionado seeking grand castles, or a history buff eager to immerse yourself in the stories of battles and clans, this tour is tailored to cater to all. We welcome individuals, couples, families, and friends, as this journey promises to captivate hearts and create lasting memories for everyone.

Why book this?

Book this extraordinary tour to savor an unparalleled adventure through the mystical and awe-inspiring Highlands of Scotland. Our experienced local guides, armed with extensive knowledge and a heartfelt passion for their homeland, will ensure a truly immersive experience. Uncover the secrets of Loch Ness, explore ancient ruins, wander through stunning woodlands, and relive the historic clashes that shaped these lands. By the journey's end, you'll have not only witnessed Scotland's grandeur but also developed a deep appreciation for its rich history and enchanting landscapes.

Good to know

Prepare for a full day of exploration and discovery, spanning approximately 8 hours. Comfortable attire and sturdy footwear are essential, as we'll be traversing varied terrains and historic sites. Remember to bring your camera along, as numerous picture-perfect moments await you at every turn. Our tour is designed to indulge your curiosity and create an immersive experience, ensuring that each step of the journey enthralls and leaves you with cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Reviews

Travelers who have embarked on this tour have been left in awe of the Highlands' breathtaking beauty and the captivating stories shared by our knowledgeable guides. Visitors have described it as an extraordinary and immersive experience, praising the personalized approach, attention to detail, and passion exuded by our guides. Guests have marveled at the stunning landscapes and iconic sites, while also gaining a deeper understanding of Scotland's rich history and cultural heritage. Many have deemed it a must-do tour when visiting the region, ensuring an unforgettable journey through the Highlands and leaving them yearning to return and explore more.

How long before the event do I need to book?

  • You can book at any time before the event

Vouchers accepted in the following formats

  • Mobile

Your Itinerary

Loch Ness

Loch Ness is 23 miles long and at its widest point it is just 1.5 miles wide. Nessie was first seen by St. Columba in 564 AD. Every year people are reporting sightings - in 2017 there were 11 sightings, and in 2018 there were 13 sightings. Keep your eyes peeled as we journey around the loch. Our first stop is at the Wellington lay-by where on the 31st December 1939 a Wellington Bomber from RAF Lossiemouth was forced to ditch after suffering engine failure. The remains of the bomber were recovered in 1985 and it has been fully restored and is now in Brooklands Museum in Weybridge in Surrey.

Urquhart Castle

Carrying on through Drumnadrochit we come to Urquhart Castle sitting on a rocky promontory with fantastic views over Loch Ness. This 800 year old castle has had a turbulent and bloody history. Explore the ruins and visitor centre.

Admission Not Included

Beauly Priory

Leaving Urquhart Castle, we head back to Drumnadrochit and take the Culnakirk Hill Road towards Beauly and our next stop, the Beauly Priory. The priory was founded in the 13th century for monks of the Valliscaulian order. In the grounds of the priory you will find the Beauly Elm Tree, this tree is 800 years old and is the oldest elm tree in Europe.

Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle re-opens on the 27th April 2024 Cawdor Castle, has been home to the Thanes of Cawdor since 1370. The castle is set in stunning grounds and gardens and is surrounded by the magnificent Cawdor Big Wood, one of the finest woodland areas in Europe.

Admission Not Included

Clava Cairns

We head back towards Inverness to the Clava Cairns. The Clava Cairns are 4000 years old and the area is an ancient cemetery. The sites contain a range of prehistoric burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel. The Clava Cairns provided inspiration for Creag Na Dun in the Outlander series and the Cleft Stone can be found here.

Culloden Battlefield

Less than a mile from Clava Cairns is Culloden Battlefield where on the 16th April 1746 the last battle on British soil was fought and the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal end. In less than one hour, 1600 men were slain, 1500 of them Jacobites. This was to change the way of life in the Highlands forever. Walk round the battlefield and see the memorial cairn and the clan burial stones, and visit the visitor centre.

Admission Not Included

Inverness Castle

(Pass by)

We pass by Inverness Castle where you will see in the grounds of the castle a statue of Flora Macdonald who was famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden.

Inverness Cathedral

Inverness Cathedral is the most northerly Anglican Cathedral in the UK. The Cathedral was commissioned by Bishop Eden and was completed in 1866.

Reviews

(16)

5 (16)

Emily_T

We booked the “From Inverness to Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden, and more through Viator, and they used the local company Highlander Private Tours. Our guide was Billy – and he was absolutely amazing! It was just the four of us (my sister, husband, and niece, whom we were visiting on her break from university in St. Andrews). From his pick up at our hotel to our drop off – Billy was so much fun! He listened to our interests and completely catered our tour to ensure we saw everything and a ton of extras! He personally walked with us through Culloden and gave us stories and the history – while 2 of us were Outlander fans and 2 not so much – it didn’t even matter! The Outlander fans were so thrilled with how Billy wove that into our tour, and the 2 who weren’t, were absolutely spellbound by the history. There were some places that weren’t open (Cawdor Castle), and on our journey, we discovered the Beauly Priory was closed due to renovations, but Billy ensured we were not disappointed by taking us to other fascinating sights, including old cemeteries and mausoleums (because I love them and the history he told of the occupants) to visit James Mackenzie Fraser – the gorgeous Highland Cow. Billy went above and beyond for us; once he heard we were driving to the Isle of Skye the next day (without a plan – we were just going to put the Fairy Pools in the GPS and go), while we were getting a wee dram at a distillery, Billy spent his downtime creating a stop-by-stop itinerary for us for the next two days, handwritten on two sides of a large notebook paper. We are so appreciative; without it, we would have missed so much! He even recommended the ferry to us (that we didn’t even know about), and it cut off a good chunk of our driving time and allowed us to check off everything on our “must-see” list! We plan on going back in 2026 for my niece's graduation and will be making it a large family trip – and Billy will be the one I reach out to for all touring for my family. There is no one else I would trust my family to – and I know he will make that trip as memorable as he did this tour for us. Well done, sir – and THANK you so much!

colleenr944

Awesome tour with a great guide. Larry picked us up and returned use to the cruise port. We covered nearly all of the highlands. The van for transportation was clean and comfortable. Larry curated the tour to our needs and what we wanted to cover. He provided us with refreshments. Thanks Larry for the warm Scottish welcome.

Pared55

Lawrence picked us up from the cruise dock to start our day. He tailored our trip to what we were interested in and made sure to tell us the history and sights along the way. Gave us plenty of time at each location and allowing us to view highlights at our leisure. We really enjoyed his knowledge and company for the full day tour. I highly recommend using him for your Scotland tour needs

StephenInWSeattle

Lawrence picked us up at our AirBN and we were off on our journey. He provided an overview of what we would see and shared a number of facts and stories throughout the day. Lawrence was a fan tree attic guide. He provided water and shared great suggestions for restaurants, pubs with Trad & and whisky tours. We had a great day of learning more about the history of Lock Ness and the Scottish Highlands. We had a group of five and we were very comfortable his amazing van. It was clean and provided a great ride. If you plan to visit Inverness, and you should! Schedule this tour with Lawrence, you will have an amazing day. We have also taken a couple of other tours with Lawrence and they were exceptional as well.

Jade0008

I had the most amazing experience with our Scottish tour guide Lawrence! We were planning this trip for two years and we cannot be happier with the choice of this tour. His knowledge of the history and culture was truly impressive, and he shared it all with such enthusiasm. We loved his boisterous laugh and it was like traveling with a long lost family member who was an expert in Scottish culture. He also had water and Scottish snacks and crisps at the ready and was very considerate for my mother and her interest in learning about her Fraser roots. From the stunning landscapes to the hidden gems, every moment was captivating. Their storytelling made the trip unforgettable, and I can’t wait to explore more of Scotland with Lawerence in the future. Highly recommended!

Cruiser54588306638

We had a wonderfull day, spent with Lawrence. Visited Inverness, Urquhart castle, Culloden Battlefield. Had a lot of knowledge about the history of Scotland, Highland and place. Perfect day!!

Henry_S

Lawrence, from Highlander Private Tours, is one of if not the best guides we have ever had.  For Inverness tours and to learn about the Highlanders way of life he can tell you firsthand because he has lived his entire life in this area.  You will learn more about the history of this section of Scotland than you could ever imagine.  Among many other sites you will see the real Outlander stones and get a chance to touch them in person.  Careful, not to have any gems in your pockets.  He will take you to the site of the Battle of Culloden and explain the slaughter the jackovytes endured, and what happened afterwards to survivors.  You will learn of the proud highlanders and the different clans thru out this part of Scotland  If you book a tour with Highlander Private Tours, with either Lawrence or his brother Bill, guaranteed it will be a highlight of your trip!! 

856sylvial

Lawrence treated us to a wonderful, fact-filled day accommodating our time constraints. A wonderful day visiting Beauly Priory, Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, and Inverness. With highland cows thrown in for good measure. We can’t wait to come back and let Lawrence show us more! It was a perfect day!

Kathy M

This was one of my all time favorite tours! Lawrence spent the day catering to our tourist needs and let me tell you, he did not disappoint!!! Highly recommend!

Myrna_S

Our tour guide was good but not great. We had trouble hearing him in the back of the bus. He knew a lot and was great about answering questions. He took us to so many stops more than I was expecting.
Collected by Evendo, Tripadvisor & Viator
2024-05-05 18:02
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