Cawdor Castle, Culloden & Loch Ness tour from Invergordon

Touch stones older than the pyramids, then stand where the last British battle was fought

This seven-hour tour from Invergordon or Inverness visits Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle and Loch Ness, with a local guide and time to walk around Inverness town. The group stays under eight people, so the pace stays personal and the guide can answer questions as they come. Cawdor Castle entry and Culloden's interactive visitor centre are optional add-ons at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Scottish Highlands and landmarks

• Visit Clava Cairns burial chambers
• Explore Culloden Battlefield visitor centre
• Tour Cawdor Castle and gardens
• Discover Inverness city highlights
• See Loch Ness and search for Nessie

The Experience

The day starts at Clava Cairns, where standing stones and burial chambers date back around 4,000 years—older than the pyramids. You can walk among them and touch the largest stone, the same one featured in Outlander. From there, the route moves to Culloden Battlefield, where the last Jacobite Rising ended on 16 April 1746 in less than an hour, with around 1,500 men killed. The visitor centre there has an interactive surround cinema, artefacts from both sides of the conflict, and exhibits that lay out what happened and why it mattered to Scotland.

Next is Cawdor Castle, a medieval stronghold with a dramatic tower, dungeon, turrets and award-winning gardens that has been home to the Thanes of Cawdor since 1370. After the castle, you get free time to explore Inverness on foot—the compact Highland capital sits on the River Ness and holds historic Inverness Castle, St. Andrews Cathedral, the Victorian Market, and plenty of pubs and cafes. The final stop is Loch Ness, where you can see the water that gave rise to the legend of Nessie, the mythical creature said to inhabit these depths.

Your guide is local and speaks English throughout the day. The group is capped at seven people, which means you're not herded through stops or competing for the guide's attention. Bottled water is included, and the pace suits all fitness levels.

What’s included

• A local guide who speaks English.
• bottled water.
• transport to Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness and Inverness town.
• free time to explore Inverness on foot.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Go Highlands

Is this one for you?At seven hours, this tour fits a cruise port day or a morning start from Inverness, leaving the afternoon free if you skip the optional castle and battlefield entries, or filling the whole day if you add them. Groups stay under eight, so you move at a pace that lets you ask questions and linger at stops instead of being rushed through.

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Top questions

What are the standing stones at Clava Cairns, and why do Outlander fans visit them?

Clava Cairns holds mysterious burial chambers and standing stones that date back around 4,000 years, making them older than the pyramids. The site is featured in Outlander, and you can touch the largest stone during the tour.

What happened at Culloden Battlefield, and what's inside the visitor centre?

Culloden was the site of the final Jacobite Rising on 16 April 1746, the last pitched battle fought on British soil between Scotland and England. The visitor centre has an interactive surround cinema, artefacts from both sides of the conflict, and exhibits explaining the battle and its significance.

Can I go inside Cawdor Castle and the Culloden visitor centre, or just see them from outside?

Entry to both Cawdor Castle and the Culloden Battlefield Exhibition are optional add-ons you can choose at checkout. If you skip them, you still visit the sites but don't enter the buildings or exhibitions.

How much free time do I get in Inverness, and what can I do there?

Inverness is compact and walkable, so you can explore on foot from the River Ness to Inverness Castle, St. Andrews Cathedral, the Victorian Market, and the many pubs and cafes scattered through town. The exact time depends on the day's pace, but it's built into the seven-hour tour.

Does this tour work if I'm arriving or leaving on a cruise ship at Invergordon?

Yes, the tour can start from Invergordon Cruise Port or from Inverness. If you're on a ship, confirm your departure time when you book so the guide can time the return to the port.

What's included in the tour price?

The tour includes a local English-speaking guide, bottled water, and transport to all four sites. Cawdor Castle entry and Culloden's visitor centre are separate, optional purchases at checkout.