Full-Day Private Tour to Urquhart Castle Loch Ness and Inverness

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Recommended by 98% of reviewers

Badge of Excellence | Invergordon, Scotland

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7 to 8 hours (approx.)

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Overview

Collecting you from the Port gate we travel along the shore of the Cromarty Firth and cross the Cromarty bridge to the Black Isle and make our way to Beauly Priory , the 13th century Monastery built for an order of Valliscaulian monks from Dijon in France and destroyed by Cromwells forces in the 16th Century. We will then make a brief stop to see some Highland Cattle ( see photo ) before we carry on over Culnakirk Hill to Drumnadrochit and visit Urquhart Castle which sits on a promontory jutting out in to Loch Ness , the views of the Loch are fantastic from here and it was near here where St Columba is reputed to have seen the Loch Ness Monster. We then head towards Inverness and as we come in to Inverness we pass the Hill of the Fairies. We stop to see the Cathedral and The Old High Church and we pass Inverness Castle and the statue of Flora Macdonald before we travel out to Clava Cairns and have lunch at Cawdor Castle before concluding our tour at Culloden Battlefield.

What's Included

Snacks
Bottled water
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Free pick-up & drop-off

Entrance Fees to attractions

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Meeting and Pickup

Pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up all travellers from the port gate and we return the travellers to the gate within the time specified. We will be waiting outside the gate for you to disembark and we will have a board displaying your name.

What To Expect

Beauly Priory

Beauly Priory is currently closed due to recent high winds causing masonry to fall , we do not know yet when it will reopen. We will still visit Beauly where you can see it from the gate.Beauly Priory was founded in the 13th Century as a Monastery for Valliscaulian order of monks from Dijon in France , Oliver Cromwells forces were responsible for destroying the Priory in the 16th Century. For centuries this was a Burial place for the chiefs of Clan Fraser and Mackenzie and their families. Their is an Outlander connection because it was here that Claire met the Seer.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Urquhart Castle

Urquhart Castle sits on a promontory jutting out in to Loch Ness and has been fought over many times through the years. The views of Loch Ness from the castle are fantastic and during the visit you can go and explore the ruins of this 1000 year old castle and you can go down to the water side of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled in case Nessie makes an appearance.

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Culloden Battlefield

The Battle of Culloden in 1746 was the last battle fought on British soil . Visit the Museum and we walk around the main areas of the Battlefield where the heaviest fighting took place , you will see the memorial cairn , the well of the dead and the gravestones of the clans as well as Leanach cottage. This visit is top of the list for Outlander fans.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Clava Cairns

We will visit Clava Cairns and you can enter 2 of the 3 Cairns , this 4000 year old Bronze age cemetery is where Diana Gabaldon took inspiration for her outlander series and you will see the Cleft stone and the stone circles around the Cairns.

40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Inverness Castle

The current Inverness Castle is the 3rd Castle on this site and dates from 1836 , the first Castle was built here in 1057 and stood until 1307 , the Castle was rebuilt in 1548 and was destroyed during the Jacobite uprisings. In the grounds of the Castle you will see the statue of Flora Macdonald who was famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie escape over the sea to Skye.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Leakey's Second-hand Bookshop

One of the oldest streets in Inverness is Church street and the first place we see is Leakeys bookshop , this was a Government Hospital after the battle of Culloden.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Old High St Stephen's Church

Behind Leakeys bookshop stands the Old High Church / St Stephens where the Jacobite prisoners were taken after the Battle of Culloden , you can still see the musket holes in the church wall where the Jacobite prisoners were executed. Looking over the river from the graveyard we will see Balnain House which was also a Government Hospital after Culloden and St Marys Church which has Outlander connections.

1 hour • Admission Ticket Free

Abertarff House

Further up Church street we pass Abertarff House .This is the oldest house in Inverness and was once the town house for the Fraser Chiefs.

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle re-opens on the 27th April 2024 Cawdor Castle with its Macbeth connections is one of the few castles in the Highland area that has been unaffected by the Jacobite uprisings. Home to the Thanes of Cawdor for centuries , you can tour the castle and visit the magnificent gardens and you meet the Dowager Countess of Cawdor who still lives in the Castle.

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Frequently Asked Questions

(7)

Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Full-Day Private Tour to Urquhart Castle Loch Ness and Inverness?

A: You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the tour for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (BST). Read more Apr 2025