Invergordon Cruise: Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch & Loch Fleet

Millionaires Viewpoint, a witch's stone, and a falconry display in one morning

This six to seven hour guided tour from Invergordon Cruise port takes small groups through Easter Ross and Sutherland to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and Loch Fleet. The itinerary includes entry to Dunrobin Castle and its falconry display, stops at Millionaires Viewpoint (named for Andrew Carnegie's visits), the thirteenth-century Dornoch Cathedral and the Witch's Stone marking Janet Horne's 1727 execution, and a wildlife reserve where seals often rest on the sand. A local guide, bottled water and air-conditioned transport are included. The tour departs from the cruise port itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Easter Ross and Sutherland highlights

• View Millionaires Viewpoint scenery
• Visit Dornoch town and landmarks
• Experience wildlife at Loch Fleet
• Tour Dunrobin Castle and falconry

The experience

Six to seven hours means the tour fits inside a port day without cutting it close. You board from Invergordon Cruise port and travel through the Highlands in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local guide who knows the region's history. The first stop is Millionaires Viewpoint, a pair of scenic overlooks in the Scottish Highlands named after Andrew Carnegie, who owned Skibo Castle and would bring guests here to show them the views. From there the route moves to Dornoch, a town whose name comes from the Gaelic word for "pebbly place". The pebbles were supposedly fist-sized and used as weapons. You'll see the thirteenth-century Dornoch Cathedral, the Old Town Jail, and the Witch's Stone, which marks the spot where Janet Horne was burned in 1727, the last witch execution in Scotland.

Loch Fleet comes next, a nature reserve on the east side of the A9 between Dornoch and Golspie where you can watch for seals basking on the sand, depending on weather and timing. The reserve sits where pinewoods meet coastal scenery. The final stop is Dunrobin Castle, one of Scotland's oldest inhabited houses. Entry to the castle and its gardens is included, and so is a falconry display. The operator notes this is the part visitors find most memorable. Bottled water is provided throughout, and the vehicle is air-conditioned.

The tour is small group only, which means you won't be on a coach with fifty people. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. Service animals are allowed. The guide speaks English and knows the local history well enough to explain why a viewpoint is called what it is and what a stone in the town square actually marks.

What’s included

• A local guide fluent in English.
• entry to Dunrobin Castle and its gardens.
• the falconry display at Dunrobin.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• air-conditioned transport.
• and pickup and drop-off at Invergordon Cruise port.

Before you book

Days and timesFriday and SaturdayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 31 Oct

Book up to10h before

GroupUp to 7

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on site£ 12

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Go Highlands

Is this one for you?Small groups suit this tour better than large coach excursions. You'll have room to move and a guide who can answer questions without shouting over fifty other people. The fixed six to seven hour window is built around cruise port schedules, so the day holds together without you watching the clock or negotiating an early return with the driver.

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Top questions

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 Millionaires Viewpoint and why is it called that?

Millionaires Viewpoint is a pair of scenic overlooks in the Scottish Highlands. The name comes from Andrew Carnegie, the entrepreneur and industrialist whose home was once Skibo Castle. He would bring visiting friends to this point to show them the views across the landscape.

Can I see wildlife at Loch Fleet?

Loch Fleet is a nature reserve where seals often rest on the sand, though whether you'll see them depends on weather and timing. The reserve sits between pinewoods and coastal scenery on the east side of the A9.

What happens at Dunrobin Castle?

Dunrobin Castle is one of Scotland's oldest inhabited houses. Entry to the castle and its gardens is included in the tour, and there is a falconry display that the operator describes as the highlight most visitors remember.

How long does the tour take and when does it leave?

The tour runs six to seven hours and departs from Invergordon Cruise port, so you don't need to arrange separate transport from the ship.

What is the Witch's Stone in Dornoch?

The Witch's Stone is a memorial in Dornoch marking the execution of Janet Horne in 1727, the last witch burned in Scotland. The stone is inscribed with the year 1722.

Is this tour suitable for families with young children?

Yes. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available. The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels, and service animals are allowed.