Culloden and Loch Ness Private Tour with Highlander Guide

Walk a 4,000-year-old cairn and stand on a battlefield that shaped the Highlands

A private tour from Inverness through the Scottish Highlands for 1–7 guests, led by a Highlander guide who worked at Culloden Battlefield for years and shares clan history, local stories and first-hand knowledge of the 18th-century landscape. The route covers Culloden, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, a local farm with Highland cows, Glen Ord Distillery and either Beauly village or Inverness High Street depending on your starting point. Pickup and drop-off are included within Inverness or along your agreed route. You set the pace at each stop and can try on a kilt or arisaid for photos. Whisky tastings at the distillery are optional and cost extra. Entry to the Culloden Visitor Centre is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Urquhart Castle1h 10m · entry included
2. Glen Ord Distillery1h 30m
3. Culloden Battlefield40m
4. Clava Cairns50m

Explore Culloden and Loch Ness area

• Visit Culloden Battlefield with guide
• Explore Culloden Visitor Centre museum
• Discover Clava Cairns prehistoric site
• Meet Highland cows at local farm
• Tour Glen Ord whisky distillery
• Explore Urquhart Castle ruins
• Hunt for Nessie at Loch Ness
• Visit Beauly village or Inverness High Street

The experience

Your guide is John, a Highlander born and raised in the region, who spent years working at Culloden Battlefield itself. That background means he brings the landscape into context rather than simply pointing out locations. He shares stories of how Highland clans lived, the traditions and loyalties that shaped their world, and the events leading to the 1746 battle. You'll walk the battlefield with someone who understands the people and the turbulent period that defined them, and you can ask questions as they arise.

The route itself moves between five major stops. Loch Ness stretches 23 miles and is surrounded by dramatic mountains. You'll have photo stops along its shores to take in the views and watch for the legendary monster. Urquhart Castle stands on the loch's edge as medieval ruins with a long history tied to Scottish independence and the era of Robert the Bruce. You explore at your own pace. At Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old burial site with passage graves and standing stones, you can try on Highland dress for photos (the site is widely associated with the fictional Craigh na Dun from Outlander). Glen Ord Distillery lets you wander the grounds and relax in the bar, with whisky tastings available if you choose them. A stop at a local farm gives you time with Highland cows and other animals, and a visit to the Farm Shop for Scottish produce. Depending on where you start, you'll either stroll through Beauly village with its independent shops and historic Priory, or walk Inverness's medieval cobbled High Street.

The tour runs 6 to 8 hours and is private to your group of 1–7 people. Pickup and drop-off happen within Inverness or along your agreed route. You travel in a sanitized luxury vehicle with bottled water included. If you're arriving from a cruise port, your guide will time the return to get you back on schedule. Wear comfortable, waterproof clothing and footwear. Luggage space is limited, so mention larger bags in advance. You're welcome to bring your own lunch and snacks, especially since cafe and restaurant stops depend on timing and availability.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off within Inverness or along your agreed route.
• bottled water.
• a Highlander guide in a kilt who is an experienced local.
• kilts, arisaids, replica swords and shields for photos.
• entry to Urquhart Castle.
• a sanitized luxury vehicle with limited luggage space.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 to 95 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight 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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Aye Tours Scotland

Is this one for you?The tour runs 6 to 8 hours with stops that let you set your own pace at each site, so it suits travelers who want depth over speed and time to linger at Culloden, the cairns or the loch. If you're traveling solo, note that a minimum charge applies for two guests, but the cost per person drops from three guests onward and is best when all seven seats are booked.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Clava Cairns and why do Outlander fans visit it?

Clava Cairns is a 4,000-year-old prehistoric burial site with passage graves, ring cairns and standing stones built around 2000 BC. The site is widely associated with the fictional Craigh na Dun from the Outlander television series, and you can try on Highland dress there to capture photos in the ancient setting while respecting the significance of the location.

Can I try on a kilt during the tour?

Yes. Kilts and arisaids are provided, along with replica swords and shields, so you can wear them for photos and a more immersive experience at the stops: particularly at Clava Cairns, where the Highland dress adds to the atmosphere of the ancient site.

Is whisky tasting included in the tour?

Whisky tastings at Glen Ord Distillery are optional and cost extra (£15–£75+ per person, depending on what you choose). You can enjoy a tasting, wander the distillery grounds, or relax in the bar at your own pace. It's entirely up to you.

What happens if I'm arriving from a cruise ship?

If you're arriving from the cruise port, your guide will time the return to ensure you get back on schedule. Pickup is arranged along the agreed route, and instead of visiting Beauly village, you'll stroll along Inverness's High Street with its medieval cobbled streets, local shops and cafés.

How much walking is involved in this tour?

The tour involves moderate walking at each stop: exploring Urquhart Castle ruins, wandering through Clava Cairns, strolling through Beauly or Inverness, and visiting the farm and distillery. Some stops have uneven ground, short walks or steps, so waterproof footwear is strongly recommended and comfortable clothing is essential.

What does the guide know about Culloden Battlefield?

Your guide worked at Culloden Battlefield for many years and brings deep first-hand knowledge of the battlefield, the local area and the 18th-century Highlands. He shares stories of clan life, traditions and the people who lived through the Jacobite Rising, helping you understand the landscape and its history in context rather than as isolated locations.