Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden from Inverness

A 13th-century castle sits half-submerged in Scotland's most famous loch, and you reach it by boat.

This full-day guided tour from Inverness covers Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Beauly, Glen Ord Distillery, Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield with a Scottish English-speaking guide and air-conditioned transport. You choose whether to add the Loch Ness cruise and castle entry or take the tour as a route-only option. The itinerary runs roughly nine hours and returns to Inverness in the early evening. Exact timing depends on weather and road conditions.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Urquhart Castle1h 10m · entry included
2. Glen Ord Distillery45m
3. Clava Cairns30m
4. Culloden Battlefield1h 30m

Loch Ness, Outlander, and Highland tour

• Depart Inverness
• Take Loch Ness cruise and see Urquhart Castle
• Enjoy lunch in Beauly
• Explore Beauly Priory
• Visit Highland whisky distillery and taste whisky
• See Clava Cairns burial chambers and standing stones
• Visit Culloden Battlefield and hear Jacobite tales
• Return to Inverness

The experience

The tour departs central Inverness and heads straight to Loch Ness, where you board a boat for a 30-minute cruise across the water to see the ruins of Urquhart Castle, a 13th-century fortress that now sits partly submerged on the loch's edge. The cruise time varies with weather, and if conditions are severe, it may be cancelled: in that case you get a refund. After the loch, you have free time in Beauly to grab lunch at one of the local cafés and walk around Beauly Priory, the stone ruins featured in the Outlander filming locations.

The route then takes you to Glen Ord Distillery for a Highland whisky experience. You have the option to taste a dram or skip it. From there, the tour moves to Clava Cairns, where mysterious burial chambers and standing stones appeal especially to Outlander fans, before finishing at Culloden Battlefield. Your guide walks you through the harrowing history of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal 1746 battle that took place there. You return to Inverness in the early evening, though the exact time depends on road conditions and weather. It's worth allowing an extra three hours after the scheduled return if you have onward travel plans.

The tour runs in an air-conditioned vehicle with a local Scottish guide who narrates throughout. Children from age five are welcome. Younger children cannot travel. The order of stops may change, and in rare cases the tour operates on a larger bus depending on availability. Public transport options exist near the departure point, though booking your own transport to get there in advance is recommended. Arrive at least 15 minutes early for check-in.

What’s included

• Local Scottish English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• 30-minute Loch Ness cruise (if you choose the cruise option).
• Urquhart Castle entry (if you choose the castle option).
• stops at Beauly Priory, Glen Ord Distillery, Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield.

Options for this experience

2 options

Tour onlyGuide in English · Available from 9 Nov · 08:15

Includes a cruise and a visit to Urquhart CastleGuide in English · 08:15

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:15

Book up to5h before

AgesAdult (17 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Child (5 to 16 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 34

Live guideEnglish

Audio guideSpanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Chinese

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.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd

Is this one for you?Book the option with cruise and castle if you want to actually reach Urquhart Castle by water and stand in front of the ruins. The boat ride is the only way to get close to them. Choose the tour-only option if you prefer to skip the boat and the castle entry fee and focus on the Outlander sites, the distillery and the battlefield history instead.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 16 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's the difference between the tour-only option and the one with the cruise and castle?

The tour-only option covers the route, guide and stops at Beauly, the distillery, Clava Cairns and Culloden Battlefield. The option with cruise and castle adds the 30-minute boat ride on Loch Ness and paid entry to Urquhart Castle ruins, so you actually get out on the water instead of viewing the loch from the shore.

How long is the Loch Ness cruise?

The cruise lasts approximately 30 minutes and varies depending on weather conditions. In extreme weather, the boat trip may be cancelled, and you'll receive a refund for that portion.

Can I get a whisky tasting at Glen Ord Distillery?

Glen Ord Distillery is included as a stop on the tour, and you have the option to sample a dram there. The tasting is not included in the tour price, so you pay separately if you choose to taste.

What makes Clava Cairns worth visiting?

Clava Cairns features mysterious burial chambers and standing stones that are significant to Outlander fans, as the site appears in the novel series. Your guide explains the history behind the location, which adds context to why it matters in the Outlander story.

Is there time to eat lunch during the tour?

Yes, you have free time in Beauly to enjoy lunch at one of the local cafés. You choose where to eat and how long to spend there, so you can pace the break yourself.

What should I know about arriving and returning?

Arrive at least 15 minutes before departure for check-in. The bus will not wait for late arrivals and no refund is given. Return times are approximate and depend on weather and road conditions, so allow at least three extra hours after the scheduled return time if you have onward travel plans.