Invergordon Shore Excursion: Highland Bucket List Tour

Four thousand years of standing stones, a 1746 battlefield, and a castle overlooking Scotland's most famous loch.

A guided shore excursion from Invergordon port visiting Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle with a local guide, air-conditioned vehicle and hotel pickup and drop-off. The tour runs seven hours and includes bottled water. A free dram and gin tasting are available at the Great Glen Distillery, and entry to Culloden's exhibition is optional.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Clava Cairns30m
2. Culloden Battlefield1h 30m
3. Loch Ness30m
4. Urquhart Castle1h 5m

Highland historical and scenic tour

• Pickup from Invergordon cruise port
• Visit Clava Cairns prehistoric burial site
• Explore Culloden Battlefield and memorials
• Drive along Loch Ness and take photos
• Gin tasting and ice cream at Great Glen Distillery
• Tour Urquhart Castle ruins by Loch Ness

The experience

The tour starts with pickup directly from the Cromarty port at Invergordon and heads to Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age burial complex dating back 4,000 years. The site holds passage graves, standing stones and ring cairns: the same stones that inspired Diana Gabaldon's Outlander novels. Your guide walks you through the stories and mysteries layered into this ancient cemetery before moving on to Culloden Battlefield, where the last major battle on British soil took place in April 1746. The moor itself is the resting place of 1,500 Jacobite and 50 Government soldiers. Flags mark the front lines of both armies, and clan markers show where the fallen were buried. The landscape has been restored to resemble the 18th century, with Shetland cows and goats grazing as they would have centuries ago.

From Culloden, the route follows the banks of Loch Ness. Bring a camera in case the legendary Nessie appears. A stop at the award-winning Great Glen Distillery lets you taste local gin and take a free dram, or try freshly made local ice cream if you prefer. The final stop is Urquhart Castle, perched on the shores of Loch Ness with a thousand years of history behind its ruins. Climb the Grant Tower for views over the loch, peer into the prison cell that once held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and see the full-sized working trebuchet siege engine and other artefacts that tell the castle's story. A café offers a more comfortable vantage point if you want to sit with the view.

The guide is live and speaks English. Children are welcome from age five. The vehicle is air-conditioned, and bottled water is provided throughout the day. Pickup and drop-off happen at the port, so you don't arrange separate transport.

What’s included

• Pickup and drop-off from Invergordon port.
• local English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• entry to Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and Urquhart Castle.
• free dram and gin tasting at the Great Glen Distillery.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and SaturdayDeparts at 08:30Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 8

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.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site£ 27

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by highland bucket list tours

Is this one for you?Seven hours leaves room for the four main sites but not for a second excursion the same day. If your ship's schedule is tight, confirm the return time before booking. Children from age five travel comfortably, and the tour suits all fitness levels, though Urquhart Castle involves climbing the Grant Tower if you want the full experience.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 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 exactly is at Clava Cairns that connects to Outlander?

Clava Cairns are the Bronze Age standing stones and burial site that inspired Diana Gabaldon's novels. The 4,000-year-old complex includes passage graves, standing stones and ring cairns. Your guide explains the stories and mysteries woven into the site.

Can I walk around Culloden Battlefield itself?

Yes. Culloden Battlefield is free to walk, and you can follow the battle lines marked by flags showing where both armies stood. Clan markers indicate the graves of the fallen soldiers. Entry to the exhibition costs around 10 pounds per adult if you want more detail, but walking the moor itself is included.

What's included at the Great Glen Distillery?

A free dram and gin tasting are available at this award-winning distillery. You can also buy freshly made local ice cream if you prefer not to drink, or simply enjoy the stop without purchasing anything.

Is Urquhart Castle included, or do I pay extra?

Urquhart Castle is included in the tour. You can climb the Grant Tower, explore the ruins, see the working trebuchet and view the artefacts and replicas inside. A café on site offers views over Loch Ness if you want to sit down.