Cawdor Castle, Culloden & Loch Ness tour from Invergordon

Four Scottish landmarks in one morning and afternoon, timed so you're back before the ship leaves

A full-day guided bus tour from Invergordon port takes you through the Scottish Highlands to Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Loch Ness, with castle entry included and a return timed an hour before your ship departs. The itinerary packs four stops into six to eight hours, and the operator has been running this route for seven years, serving cruise passengers every summer.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Culloden Battlefield45m
2. Cawdor Castle and Gardens1h 30m · entry included
3. Inverness Castlepass by
4. Loch Ness10m

Highlands tour with castles and Loch Ness

• Travel to Culloden Battlefield
• Visit Clava Cairns and see Culloden viaduct
• Tour Cawdor Castle and gardens
• Stop in Inverness for shopping and sightseeing
• Drive by Beauly Priory
• Pass Inverness Castle and Cathedral for photos
• Drive along Loch Ness and look for Nessie
• Visit local farm shop and see Highland cows

The experience

You're picked up from Invergordon port and head south toward Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobites fought the last battle on British soil in 1746. Depending on the schedule, you'll either walk the battlefield or drive past it, then stop at the Culloden or Nairn viaduct: a 1898 railway crossing designed by Murdoch Paterson that's worth a photograph. The route then takes you to Cawdor Castle, a lived-in fortress mentioned in Shakespeare's Macbeth as the home of the Thane of Cawdor. Entry is included, and you'll have time to walk the grounds and take an audio-guided tour inside.

After Cawdor, the bus heads into Inverness for a break of 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the tour. You can shop, visit the historic churches and streets, or explore the Inverness Castle viewing gallery and the cafes nearby. The driver will point out the town hall and cathedral as you pass through. From there, the route follows the River Ness onto Loch Ness itself: a 30-minute drive along the water where you'll watch for Nessie, the legendary Loch Ness Monster. There's a stop at the lay-by for photos, and the scenery along the loch is the main event here. On the way back, you'll pass a local farm shop to see the two Highland cows, Jamie and Katie-Morag.

The tour runs in a large bus for most ships, though smaller vessels may use an eight-seater minivan instead. Your guide delivers commentary in English throughout the day. The operator guarantees you'll be back at the port around an hour before the ship's departure. They say they nearly always arrive before the ship's own buses do. Arrive 15 minutes early at the meeting point.

What’s included

• Entrance to Cawdor Castle.
• a full-day guided tour with English-language commentary.
• stops at Culloden Battlefield, Inverness Castle and Loch Ness.
• a 30-minute scenic drive along Loch Ness with a photo stop.
• a visit to a local farm shop to see the Highland cows.
• return transport to Invergordon port timed an hour before ship departure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day6 departure times: the first at 08:30, the last at 12:30

Book up to10h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 53

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you're docking at Invergordon and want to cover four major Scottish sites in one afternoon. The itinerary is timed to get you back before the ship's buses, so you won't miss departure.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What's actually inside Cawdor Castle that I'll see on the tour?

Cawdor Castle is a working residence with spectacular gardens you can walk through. Entry is included, and you'll have access to a guided audio tour in your own language, so you move at your own pace inside the castle itself.

How much time do I get at each stop?

Culloden Battlefield is a brief stop (you may walk it or drive by depending on the schedule). Cawdor Castle gets enough time for the gardens and the audio tour inside. Inverness is the longest stop at 30 to 90 minutes for shopping and sightseeing. Loch Ness is a 30-minute scenic drive with a photo stop.

Will I actually see the Loch Ness Monster?

Nessie sightings are rare (the last famous recorded one was decades ago), but the 30-minute drive along Loch Ness is scenic regardless, and you'll stop for photos. Recent online footage has circulated of something moving in the water, so the hope is always there.

What happened at Culloden Battlefield?

Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil, in 1746, when the Jacobites were defeated. Depending on the tour schedule, you'll either walk the battlefield to see the terrain or pass by it on the drive, and the guide will explain the history.

Is there a connection to Outlander on this tour?

Yes. The route passes Beauly Priory, a 1230 ruin built by French monks, which is the real-world location where the fictional character Claire from Outlander is said to have met Mairi. It's also the burial ground for the chiefs of Clan Fraser, Jamie Fraser's fictional clan. The stop depends on time.

How do I know I'll make it back to the ship on time?

The operator guarantees return an hour before departure and says they nearly always arrive before the ship's own buses. They've been running this route for seven years and serve thousands of cruise passengers each summer, so the timing is built into the schedule.