Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle & Clava Cairns tour from Inverness

Clava Cairns is the real Outlander stone circle, not a TV set.

A full-day tour departing from Inverness takes you to four Highland landmarks: the north shore of Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle with its woodland gardens, Culloden Battlefield where the last Jacobite Rising ended in 1746, and Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site famous as the inspiration for Outlander's time-travel stones. A live English-speaking guide leads the route, and the operator guarantees return to your ship roughly an hour before departure. All fees and taxes are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Culloden Battlefield40m
2. Clava Cairns20m
3. Cawdor Castle and Gardens1h 40m · entry included

Highland tour with Loch Ness and castles

• Depart from Inverness
• Pass Inverness Castle and city sights
• Stop at Robertson’s Farm to see Highland cows
• Visit Dores Beach at north Loch Ness
• Explore Cawdor Castle and gardens
• Visit Culloden Battlefield
• See Clava Cairns ancient burial site
• Return to ship before departure

The experience

Inverness sits where the River Ness flows out of Loch Ness toward the sea, and this tour uses it as a launchpad into the quieter north side of the loch: a more remote stretch than the crowded southern shore. You'll pass Inverness Castle on its sandstone cliff, then head toward Dores Beach at the loch's northern end, where the water opens into its widest views and the shingle beach is a local favorite for photos. The landscape shifts between moorland and forest glens, and at Robertson's Farm you get a close look at Highland cattle, the long-haired, horned breed that has become one of Scotland's most recognizable sights.

Culloden Battlefield is where the Jacobite Rising ended decisively on 16 April 1746, when Charles Edward Stuart's army was defeated by government forces under the Duke of Cumberland in under an hour. The defeat led to brutal reprisals across the Highlands, including bans on tartan, weapons, and the Gaelic language itself. From there, the route moves to Clava Cairns, a beautifully preserved Bronze Age site made up of ring cairns, passage graves, and standing stones arranged around a central burial chamber. The stones align with the winter solstice: the setting sun shines directly into the central cairn, a feat of prehistoric astronomy. Fans of Outlander recognize Clava as the real-world inspiration for "Creag na Dun," the mystical circle where the character Claire travels through time. The TV set was built elsewhere, but this site captures the same atmosphere of ancient power.

Cawdor Castle, a 15th-century Highland fortress still lived in by the Cawdor family, grew around a hollow oak tree once believed to bring good fortune. The castle is famously linked to Shakespeare's Macbeth through the title Thane of Cawdor, though the real building was constructed centuries after the historical Macbeth. Inside, richly furnished rooms hold tapestries and family heirlooms. Outside, formal gardens, woodland walks, and riverside paths are the major draw, especially in spring and summer. The operator has been running this route for seven years and serves thousands of cruise passengers each summer season, timing returns to the ship roughly an hour before departure.

What’s included

• All fees and taxes.
• a live English-speaking guide leading the full route.
• stops at Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle and Gardens, the north shore of Loch Ness at Dores Beach, Inverness Castle viewpoint, Beauly Priory, and Robertson's Farm for Highland cattle.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:30, 09:00 and 10:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 33

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.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours

Is this one for you?The tour runs six to eight hours, which leaves most of your port day free if you book an early departure or return to your ship well before the evening. If your ship docks for a full day, this length gives you time to explore Inverness town afterward. If your port call is shorter, confirm the operator's return time against your ship's schedule before booking.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Clava Cairns and why is it famous?

Clava Cairns is a 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site made up of ring cairns, passage graves, and standing stones. It's known for its winter solstice alignment, when the setting sun shines directly into the central cairn, and as the real-world inspiration for the stone circle in Outlander where the character Claire travels through time.

Can I see Loch Ness on this tour?

Yes. You'll visit the north shore of Loch Ness at Dores Beach, where the loch begins and the River Ness flows out toward Inverness. This northern end offers one of the widest, clearest views straight down the water, giving a real sense of the loch's length and depth.

What happened at Culloden Battlefield?

Culloden is where the final Jacobite Rising ended on 16 April 1746. In under an hour, the Jacobite army led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was defeated by government forces under the Duke of Cumberland, ending Jacobite hopes to restore the Stuart monarchy and leading to brutal reprisals across the Highlands.

Is Cawdor Castle connected to Shakespeare's Macbeth?

Cawdor Castle is famously linked to Macbeth through the title Thane of Cawdor, though the real castle was built centuries after the historical Macbeth. The 15th-century fortress is still lived in by the Cawdor family and features richly furnished rooms, tapestries, and formal gardens set in woodland.

Will I get back to my ship on time?

The operator guarantees return to your ship roughly one hour before departure. They have been running this route for seven years and serve thousands of cruise passengers each summer season, and nearly always arrive back before the ship's own buses.

What wildlife might I see?

At Robertson's Farm, you'll have the chance to see Highland cattle up close: the long-haired, horned breed iconic to Scotland. Dores Beach is also a favorite local spot for wildlife watching and is known for open vistas where you might spot birds and other Highland fauna.