Inverness: Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield & Loch Ness Tour

Summary

Stories of ancient stones, battlefields and a loch that whispers

You’ll wander among ancient Clava Cairns stones near Inverness, feel history echo at Culloden Battlefield with stories from your local guide, and pause by Loch Ness’ shimmering shoreline—maybe even dipping your toes if you’re brave enough. Expect laughter, quiet moments, and a sense of time stretching way beyond your own day.

What’s the experience like?

“You can touch it if you want,” our guide said, half-grinning as we stood among the Clava Cairns. I did — the stone felt cool, rough, older than anything I’d ever touched. The air smelled faintly of moss and something sweet from the gorse nearby. It’s strange, standing in a place that’s been here for 4,000 years; you start whispering without meaning to. Someone in our group tried to line up the stones like in Outlander (I haven’t seen it but apparently it’s a thing) and we all laughed when she spun around pretending to time travel. Even the sheep off in the distance seemed unimpressed.

Culloden Battlefield was quieter. There was this low wind moving through the grass — not cold exactly but sharp enough to make you tuck your hands into your sleeves. Inside the visitor centre, our guide (Alistair? Alan? I’m terrible with names) explained how fast everything happened here back in 1746. The surround cinema made my heart pound a bit; you could almost hear footsteps thudding over the peat. I caught myself staring at an old Jacobite sword behind glass, thinking about how heavy it must have felt after an hour of fighting. We stepped outside and someone left a little wildflower on one of the clan stones — just quietly.

Inverness Castle looked more modern than I expected (they’re still working on parts of it), but there’s this view over the river that makes you stop mid-sentence. The city feels lived-in, not staged for tourists — people actually use these streets. We grabbed coffee from a tiny shop where the barista had a Highland accent so thick I only caught every third word (she laughed when I asked for oat milk). After that came Loch Ness — honestly, I thought it would be gloomier but sunlight hit the water just right and everything shimmered blue-green for a second. Someone dared me to dip my toes in; turns out it’s not as freezing as you’d think… until you stand there too long.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Clava, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness

• Visit Clava Cairns Bronze Age site
• Explore Culloden Battlefield visitor centre
• Tour Inverness Castle Experience
• Walk down to Loch Ness shoreline
• Optional dip in Loch Ness water
• Visit smallest Gin distillery and sample gin

Top questions

How long is the day trip from Inverness to Loch Ness?

The tour is a full-day outing starting from Inverness or Invergordon with several stops including Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness Castle area, and Loch Ness.

Is pickup included for this Highlands tour?

Yes, pickup is included from Inverness or Invergordon for this small-group tour.

Are entry fees included at Culloden Battlefield?

Yes, entry to Culloden Battlefield’s visitor centre is included in your ticket price.

How many people are on each tour group?

The tour is capped at seven people per group for a more personal experience.

Can children join this Scottish Highlands day trip?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams or strollers are allowed and specialized infant seats are available.

Is there WiFi or air conditioning on board?

Yes, transportation includes WiFi and air conditioning during your journey.

Do we visit Inverness Castle inside?

You’ll explore around Inverness Castle Museum area; some areas may still be under development as part of new attractions opening soon.

Can I try local whisky or gin on this tour?

A wee dram of whisky is offered if desired; gin tasting depends on season as the distillery closes during winter months.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from Inverness or Invergordon by air-conditioned minibus with WiFi onboard, entry fees for Culloden Battlefield’s immersive visitor centre experience, guidance from a local expert throughout each stop—including Clava Cairns and along Loch Ness—and even a wee dram of whisky if you fancy it before heading back homeward again.