Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
This bus tour from Invergordon features highlights from Outlander, Culloden, Castles, Loch Ness & Nessie! It packs in a lot for one day's tour and is very affordable and good value for money. Entrance to castle is INCLUDED. Our website contains full details of all tours and booking.
Our tours are specially put together after taking feedback from YOU. We have surveyed your desires and requests and put them together in our tours. We provide a quality experience and a guide or driver guide on our minibuses or buses. Our guides will impart their knowledge of their local Highlands and answer any of your questions.
Please check the tour times on our website, as the times listed here are approximate. As a general rule tours leave 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the arrival of the ship and return at least 1 hour before ship departure time.
This tour is usually in a bus unless it’s a small ship then it may be in an 8 seater minivan.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair travellers difficult
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Entrance to castle cost is included in your booking price. Inverness castle is closed for refurb.
What To Expect
Culloden Battlefield
We will travel to the Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobites lost many a soul in the 1946 uprising. This was the last battle to be fought on British soil. If time allows we will give guests a chance to walk on the battlefield. Depending on tour we may not stop but just drive by.
Culloden Viaduct
After a half hour visit at Clava Cairns, we will pop around the corner to see the famous Culloden or Nairn viaduct, designed by Murdoch Paterson and opened as a railway crossing in 1898. It is a spectacle to behold – there will be photo opportunities.
Options
Tour 2 Cawdor Castle & Nessie
Reviews
330 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Not so great
Marita T,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Tour guide (Mo) was nice, but would say “over here there is xyz”, no idea if it was to right or left and often couldn’t see off bus. Loch Ness was very lame. The Robertson farm had 2 cows, no bathrooms, waste of time. Then the bus broke down. Would not recommend
Great Guide in a Great Place
Gjpjoep,
Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was one of our best tours and with the very best guide of our entire trip in the British Isles and France. "Mo" is a retired school teacher from Inverness and is a great guide, very knowledgeable and very proud of her city and the Scottish Highlands. She gave us excellent orientations at Inverness along the Ness River, the Culloden Battlefield and the Cawdor Castle, which was the highlight for us with an audio guided tour of the castle interior. We also saw the beauty of the highlands and took many photos on this sunny day. No, we did not see Nessie, but we did stop to see some highland cows.
Don’t miss this one
Kristy B,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great guide and driver. Loved the scenery as we drove as well as the interesting stops snd history comments
Ability to overcome obstacles.
James H,
Sep 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour operator was so helpful in fixing my reservation when I booked the wrong day. Mo, our tour guide was great and calm under pressure when the bus stalled. She went right to work to make sure we would get back to the ship in time despite the hiccup. Anybody can do a great job when things go perfect but what separates the best is how well they pivot when things don’t go as planned and despite the mechanical issues we had a wonderful day, saw everything we were supposed to and got back together the ship in time. Thank you Thistle Tours.
Day outing
Dreamer769807,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our guide was wonderful. We got to hear about life in Scotland and see all the places. And had us back to our cruise ship on time. Thank you
Good tour with BIG caveats
ElizabethA768,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Wasn't really expecting all the Outlander stuff. Thought it would be more of a historical tour. It was quite good in that our guide Emma was historically knowledgeable as well. She was friendly with all on board. Would have liked more time at Culloden and less time shopping in Inverness, but that is just personal taste. Two stars removed for the following reasons. The coach was small and brutally uncomfortable especially for those unlucky enough to land in the back row. There is a step at the back not clearly marked as an elevation change and 2 of us fell on it twisting knees and ankles (fortunately not seriously). Instead of ramming us in like sardines, we needed a bigger coach/fewer people on it. Thistle tours cuts it WAAYYYY to close for all aboard if you are on a cruise. Their plan was a half an hour to spare (which does NOT leave enough time for emergencies). Another of their coaches broke down in front of us and we stopped to help them. We were back at 5:32 for a 5:30 all aboard. Whilst we did make it, it was a very uncomfortable feeling for the people on both coaches. Other tours we took allowed an hour before all aboard to be back which is much more comfortable for unforseen circumstances. For this reason, I would not use Thistle Tours again.
Ok with BIG caveat
John A,
Sep 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Wasn't really expecting all the Outlander stuff. Thought it would be more of a historical tour. It was quite good in that our guide Emma was historically knowledgeable as well. She was friendly with all on board. Two stars removed for the following reasons. The coach was small and brutally uncomfortable especially for those unlucky enough to land in the back row. There is a step at the back not clearly marked as an elevation change and 2 of us fell on it twisting knees and ankles (fortunately not seriously). Instead of ramming us in like sardines, we needed a bigger coach/fewer people on it. Thistle tours cuts it WAAYYYY to close for all aboard. Their plan was a half an hour to spare (which does NOT leave enough time for emergencies). Another of their coaches broke down in front of us and we stopped to help them. We were back at 5:32 for a 5:30 all aboard. Whilst we did make it, it was a very uncomfortable feeling for the people on both coaches. Other tours we took allowed an hour before all aboard to be back which is much more comfortable for unforseen circumstances. For this reason, I would not use Thistle Tours again.
Excellent tour of Inverness and surrounding areas
Jessy R,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We did this tour as a shore excursion and had a wonderful time. There's alot to see in the area and they take you to everything and allow ample time at the stops. Emma is a great and knowledgeable tour guide and Ross is an excellent driver. Highly highly recommend this tour with this company!
Good company to deal with.
Delex2019,
Sep 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Good value for money, guide knowledgeable, interesting places visited. Only downside, bus to small a bit cramped. Overall happy
Great day
lauramK9254BP,
Sep 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We had a great day touring. Inverness, Castle, learning the history of the area. Mo was a great tour guide and Gordon a friendly safe driver.
From £149.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours