Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield from Invergordon

The last battle fought on British soil happened here, and you stand on the ground where it ended.

This eight-hour shore excursion from Invergordon covers the major historic sites of the Scottish Highlands with a private guide and air-conditioned transport. The tour includes Beauly Priory (founded in 1230 by French monks), Urquhart Castle overlooking Loch Ness, Old Inverness, Cawdor Castle and Gardens, the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns, and Culloden Battlefield with its visitor centre. Admission to individual attractions is optional and charged separately; the guide can adjust the route if you have a specific interest in particular sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Historic sights around Inverness

• Drive alongside Cromarty Firth to Beauly Priory
• Visit Beauly Priory and explore abbey church
• Explore Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness views
• Tour Old Inverness including river and historic sites
• Visit Cawdor Castle and Gardens
• Explore Clava Cairns prehistoric cemetery
• Visit Culloden Battlefield and visitor centre

The Experience

Invergordon sits on the Cromarty Firth, and the tour begins by driving alongside it toward Beauly Priory, a 13th-century monastery founded by Valliscaulian monks from Dijon, France. The abbey church still stands, with funerary monuments inside. From there the route heads over the hill to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle, which dominates the shoreline. Once one of Scotland's largest medieval fortresses, Urquhart saw centuries of conflict between Scots and English during the Wars of Independence, and later raids from the Lords of the Isles. Government troops blew up the castle during the Jacobite Risings, leaving the iconic ruins you see today—and the views across Loch Ness are unrivalled from the castle grounds.

The tour passes through Old Inverness, where stops include the Hill of the Faeries (Tomnahurich Hill), the Caledonian Canal, the River Ness, Inverness Cathedral, and the Old High Church with its graveyard. Cawdor Castle follows, a medieval tower house built for the 3rd Thane of Cawdor and home to the same family for over 23 generations. The castle contains 12 principal rooms with rare tapestries, fine art, furniture, ceramics and sculpture spanning 3,500 years, and the gardens are worth time on their own. The Clava Cairns, about 4,000 years old, sit on a terrace above the River Nairn and mark an ancient cemetery—Bronze Age burial monuments with the remains of a medieval chapel still visible.

Culloden Battlefield is the final stop. On 16 April 1746, the last Jacobite Rising ended here in less than an hour, with around 1,600 men killed—1,500 of them Jacobites fighting to restore the Stuart monarchy. The Culloden Visitor Centre stands beside the battlefield and features a 360-degree battle immersion theatre, artefacts from both sides, and interactive displays on the conflict's background. Admission to the battlefield itself is free; the exhibition is charged separately. The guide speaks English throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle is included for the full eight hours of travel and sightseeing.

What’s included

• Private air-conditioned transport from Invergordon.
• English-speaking guide throughout the eight-hour tour.
• guided stop at Culloden Battlefield with admission to the visitor centre and 360-degree battle immersion theatre.
• stops at Beauly Priory, Urquhart Castle, Old Inverness, Cawdor Castle and Gardens, and Clava Cairns (individual attraction admissions are optional and charged separately).

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcome

Operated by Grant Driving Tours; Scotland

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full-day Highland loop from your ship with a guide who flexes the route based on what captures your interest, and you can choose which paid attractions (castles, Culloden) to enter rather than commit to all of them.

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Top questions

What was the Jacobite Rebellion and why does Culloden matter?

The Jacobite Rising of 1745 was an attempt to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones. Culloden Battlefield, on 16 April 1746, saw the final pitched battle on British soil, where around 1,600 men were killed in less than an hour—1,500 of them Jacobites. The visitor centre's 360-degree immersion theatre and interactive displays explain the conflict's background and the events of that day.

Can I visit Urquhart Castle and how much time do I get there?

Urquhart Castle sits on the shore of Loch Ness and is included as a stop on the tour. You have plenty of time to explore the ruins and the views across the loch. Admission is optional and charged separately (Adult £13.00, Child £7.80, under 7 free, Family £25.50–£44.50).

Are the castle admissions included in the tour price?

Admission to Urquhart Castle, Cawdor Castle and Gardens, and Culloden Battlefield's exhibition are optional and charged separately at each site. The tour includes private transport, the guide, and access to the grounds; you choose which attractions to enter and pay on-site.

How old are the Clava Cairns and what will I see there?

The Clava Cairns are about 4,000 years old and sit on a terrace above the River Nairn. They mark an ancient Bronze Age cemetery with burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel. The site provides clues to the beliefs and practices of Bronze Age society.

What is Beauly Priory and why was it built?

Beauly Priory was founded around 1230 by monks of the Valliscaulian order, who came from Val-des-Choux ('Valley of the Cabbages') near Dijon, France. The monks chose the location for its beauty—Beauly means 'beautiful place'—and devoted themselves to worship under strict ideals of poverty, chastity and obedience. The abbey church still stands today with fine funerary monuments inside.

Is the tour flexible if I'm interested in specific sites?

Yes. The tour covers all the major historic attractions in and around Inverness, but if you have a specific interest in one or more landmarks, you can let the operator know and they can adjust the schedule and route accordingly.