CRUISE
- Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Loch Ness
Cawdor Castle
Visit inside and outside Cawdor Castle including magnificent gardens and maze. (Entrance is included.) Cawdor Castle was made famous by William Shakespeare’s ‘MacBeth’. This is a medieval furnished lived in castle. 1.5 hours
Culloden Viaduct
Pass by Culloden viaduct. Built in 1893 for trains and still used to this day. Great photo opportunity.
Culloden Battlefield
Visit Culloden battlefield, free to roam the battlefield or visit shop and restaurant. Small entry charge if you wish to go right into museum/visitor centre to re-live the battle from 1746. This is a prime Outlander site (tv series and book).
Inverness
Arrive Inverness city centre where you could visit Inverness Castle’s new viewing gallery. See right across the city. Visit Flora MacDonald’s statue (Inverness casle is being renovated from 2022-2024 so Flora is hidden) outside the castle and see the shops and cafes in Inverness. Maybe try a local beer in the oldest bar in Inverness, the Gellions or Black Friars on Academy street, both dating back to the 19th century. The guide will point out Outlander references from Diana Gabaldon books.
Loch Ness
Travel beside Loch Ness for 15 miles, stopping for photos of Scotland's reclusive Nessie (if you’re very lucky). Sometimes you may get photos of Urqhart castle too, depending on the day and where we stop.
- Secret Loch Ness, Inverness, Clava Cairns, Inverness Castle and Highland Cows
This tour has been designed for those looking for a true taste of the real Loch Ness. This tour is never taken in a large bus - it will be in usually taken in an 8 seater minivan, car or small minibus up to 33 seats
Culloden Battlefield
Visit and get photos of Culloden battlefield and walk through historic clan markers from 1746.
Clava Cairns (Creag na Dun, Outlander)
We will visit Clava Cairns, the inspiration for the Outlander book and tv series by Diana Gabaldon and wander among the ancient standing stones.
Inverness Castle and Inverness
Striking red sandstone towers above the river.
North and South Towers, with commanding views over Inverness and the Great Glen.
A statue of Flora MacDonald, heroine of the Jacobite Rising, stands outside, facing the River Ness.
You'll have 3 hours to take in the castle experience or explore the town. The castle used to be a Sheriff court but has been renovated at a cost of £40 million and is now an immersive experience not to be missed.
Secret South Loch Ness and Dores
We drive along the south side of Loch Ness on single track roads, stopping at Dores to paddle in the loch and maybe speak to the Nessie hunter, Steve Feltam, who gave up his life in Dorset over 30 years ago to permanently hunt Nessie.
An Talla or Robertson's Farm - Highland Cows
As we approach Loch Ness we will briefly stop at a local visitor centre to see their highland cows.
- Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Creag na Dun - the mystery of Loch Ness
Inverness - photo opportunities and brief visit
Tour around the sights - Inverness, Castle and historic places including Outlander links whilst remaining in your vehicle. the guide will provide information on the city sights. A brief visit can sometimes be incorporated where possible.
Culloden Battlefield
Today, Culloden Battlefield is preserved by the National Trust for Scotland, with a visitor centre, clan markers, and the memorial cairn standing as a solemn reminder of the last battle fought on British soil. Stroll onto the battlefield or search for your ancestors.
Clava Cairns (Standing stones - inspiration for Outlander's Craigh na Dun
Clava Cairns (Balnuaran of Clava)
The Clava Cairns are a group of Bronze Age burial cairns and standing stones, located near Culloden, about 4,000 years old (dating from around 2000 BC).
Atmosphere: The site is quiet, atmospheric, and spiritual, often linked with ancient rituals, cycles of life and death, and Scotland’s prehistoric past.
Modern connections: Clava Cairns has inspired myths and stories—most famously featured as the inspiration for the time-travel stones in Outlander.
Loch Ness
Travel beside Loch Ness for 15 miles, stopping for photos of Nessie (if you’re very lucky).
Urquhart Castle
Visit the ruins of Urquhart castle as well as the video centre. Watch a 6 minute historic video with own language subtitles. Wander down to the ruins or browse the shop or cafe. You'll be here about 1.5 hours mostly. Entry fee included.
Beauly and Highland Coos
Leave the village Drumnadrochit then back to the ship via wild land 1000 feet up a mountain then dropping down into the village of Beauly, passing by the ancient Priory, and if time allows, calling into Robertson's farm to see the hairy Highland cows - Katie Morag and Jamie. This may not be possible on 5pm ship departures.
Outlander TV hotspots
Outlander fans will not be disappointed as our tour guides point out all the filming locations of the popular series based on the book by Diana Gabaldon.
- Scottish Whisky and Fairytale Dunrobin Castle
Millionaire’s View to Begin
Your adventure starts high above the Dornoch Firth at Struie Hill, where sweeping views known as the “Millionaire’s View” set the scene for an unforgettable day. The perfect photo stop to capture the wild beauty of the Highlands.
Raise a Glass at Balblair Distillery
Next, step into history at Balblair Distillery in Edderton, one of Scotland’s oldest working distilleries dating back to 1790. Discover the secrets of whisky-making, breathe in the aroma of the casks, and enjoy a dram of smooth Highland malt – a true taste of tradition.
Discover the Charm of Dornoch
Stroll through the picture-perfect seaside town of Dornoch, with its cobbled streets, artisan shops, and welcoming Highland character. Pop into the Dornoch Bookshop, a treasure trove for readers, brimming with Scottish history and stories to take home.
Step Back in Time at Dornoch Cathedral
Marvel at the 13th-century Dornoch Cathedral, its ancient stone walls and stained glass steeped in legend. A peaceful sanctuary that has stood the test of time, beautifully restored by the Duke of Sutherland.
Highland Hospitality at The Eagle Hotel
Pause and refresh at the Eagle Hotel in Dornoch, where hearty Scottish fare and warm hospitality await. Whether it’s a traditional meal, a local ale, or a whisky flight, this is Highland comfort at its best.
A Fairytale Castle - Dunrobin, Golspie
The highlight of the day – the enchanting Dunrobin Castle & Gardens. With its fairy-tale turrets, grand interiors, and spectacular formal gardens inspired by Versailles, this is the Highlands at their most regal. Explore opulent rooms, discover the powerful history of Clan Sutherland, and stroll through manicured grounds overlooking the Moray Firth.
Loch Fleet Nature Reserve
End your journey with a peaceful stop at Loch Fleet National Nature Reserve, a haven for seals basking on sandbanks and rare birds soaring above. A reminder of the untamed natural wonders that make the Highlands so special.
✨ This tour blends majestic castles, smooth whiskies, charming towns, and wild landscapes into a single unforgettable Highland experience.
- Isle of Skye - Tour from Portree for Cruise Ships
The Trotternish Peninsula
The Trotternish Peninsula on the Isle of Skye is often called the island’s geological wonderland — a dramatic sweep of cliffs, pinnacles, landslips, and coastal vistas that feel almost otherworldly. It’s the northernmost peninsula of Skye and a must-see for anyone visiting the island. Here are its standout wonders:
The Old Man of Storr
Perhaps the most iconic image of Skye: a jagged rock pinnacle rising out of sweeping green slopes.
Formed by an ancient landslip, it towers above the Sound of Raasay and is especially stunning at sunrise, when the rocks glow gold against the sea.
A relatively short but steep hike leads you right up to the base.
The Quiraing
A surreal landscape of dramatic cliffs, pinnacles, and hidden plateaus created by one of the largest landslips in Britain.
The Quiraing is still moving today, slowly shifting a few centimetres each year.
Famous features include The Needle (a tall spike), The Table (a secret plateau), and The Prison (a rocky peak resembling a fortress).
Walking here feels like stepping into a fantasy film set — and in fact, it often is.
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Kilt Rock is a striking sea cliff on the Isle of Skye, located on the Trotternish Peninsula. It gets its name from its resemblance to a pleated Scottish kilt, with vertical basalt columns atop a sandstone base. Nearby, the Mealt Falls dramatically plunge 55 metres from the clifftop into the sea below.
Eilean Donan Castle
One of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, situated on a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet.
Portree - capital of Skye
The main town on the Isle of Skye, nestled around a picturesque harbour with colourful buildings and dramatic cliffs.
Fairypools (optional)
The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear, turquoise pools and waterfalls on the Isle of Skye, located at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains.
- Isle of Skye and/or Highland Castles & Lochs - 10 hour tour from Inverness
Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls
Kilt Rock is a striking sea cliff on the Isle of Skye, located on the Trotternish Peninsula. It gets its name from its resemblance to a pleated Scottish kilt, with vertical basalt columns atop a sandstone base. Nearby, the Mealt Falls dramatically plunge 55 metres from the clifftop into the sea below.
Eilean Donan Castle
One of Scotland’s most iconic landmarks, situated on a small tidal island where three sea lochs meet.
Portree - capital of Skye
The main town on the Isle of Skye, nestled around a picturesque harbour with colourful buildings and dramatic cliffs.
Fairypools (optional)
The Fairy Pools are a series of crystal-clear, turquoise pools and waterfalls on the Isle of Skye, located at the foot of the Black Cuillin mountains.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle sits on the shores of Loch Ness, near Drumnadrochit in the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of Scotland’s most famous castles, partly for its dramatic ruins and its connection to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
The site has a long history – first used as a medieval fortress around the 13th century – and over the centuries it changed hands between the Scots and the English, saw battles during the Wars of Independence, and later became a stronghold for Clan Grant. By the 17th century it was largely abandoned and deliberately damaged to stop it being used again.
Today, visitors can explore the ruins, including the Grant Tower with sweeping views over Loch Ness, the remains of the great hall, and defensive walls. It’s one of the most photographed historic sites in Scotland thanks to its location and romantic atmosphere.
Urquhart Castle sits on the shores of Loch Ness, near Drumnadrochit in the Scottish Highlands. It’s one of Scotland’s most famous castles, partly for its dramatic ruins and its connection to the legend of the Loch Ness Monster.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is the most famous loch in Scotland, stretching about 23 miles long and over 700 feet deep – deeper than the North Sea in places. It contains more water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined.
Of course, it’s best known for the legend of the Loch Ness Monster, or “Nessie,” first written about in the 6th century and still a favourite tale today. But even without the monster, the loch is breathtaking – surrounded by hills, forests, and castle ruins like Urquhart Castle on its shores.
Inverness
Inverness, known as the “Capital of the Highlands,” is the cultural and commercial centre of the region. It sits at the mouth of the River Ness and has a history going back to Pictish and Viking times.
Highlights include Inverness Castle, St. Andrew’s Cathedral, and the lovely riverside walks. Just outside the city is Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite Rising ended in 1746 – one of the most important historic sites in Scotland.
Today, Inverness is a thriving small city, mixing traditional Highland culture with modern life, and it serves as the perfect gateway to exploring the Highlands.