From Inverness: Cawdor Castle, Cairngorms and Highland Coos
Overview
Available languages
8 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Start your adventure on this small-group tour at the ancient Clava Cairns, one of Scotland's best-preserved Bronze Age burial sites. Next, we’ll journey to the iconic Cawdor Castle, steeped in history and surrounded by captivating legends. Explore its enchanting halls and stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens that embody its charm.
Our next destination is to meet with the fluffiest locals - the hairy Highland coos. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing walk through the ancient Scots Pine Forest, home to Scotland’s majestic native trees. We’ll then take a break for lunch in the vibrant town of Aviemore, the perfect place to soak in the local atmosphere.
Our journey continues through the stunning landscapes of Cairngorms National Park, where breathtaking views and potential wildlife sightings await.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5. Anyone aged 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark.
Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
If downloading an audio guide, remember to bring your headset.
Due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour runs on a bigger bus.
The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Clava Cairns
Discover the ancient mystery of Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site dating back over 4,000 years. Nestled in a serene Highland landscape, these atmospheric stone circles and passage graves offer a captivating glimpse into Scotland’s distant past. A must-see for history lovers and Outlander fans alike!
Cawdor Castle
Step into the timeless beauty of Cawdor Castle, a Highland gem steeped in history and charm. Wander through its enchanting gardens, explore centuries-old rooms, and immerse yourself in the legend of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike - Cawdor Castle is where Scottish heritage comes to life!
What‘s Included
Foreign language audio guides available
Transportation in air-conditioned mini-bus
Local, passionate guide
Entrance to Cawdor Castle (unless option chosen)
Food and drinks not provided
Tips
Hotel pick up and drop off
Options
Tour without castle entry
Tour with Cawdor Castle ticket
Entrance to Cawdor Castle
Reviews
98 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Very good day out!
MikeBCornwallUK,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A good day out visiting major places like Cawdor Castle etc plus smaller stops. High points for me Cawdor: Macbeth etc and the RSPB centre to see the ospreys on their nest. Along day but well worth it with an expert guide who kept us informed and entertained! Many thanks and recommend.
Great experience
Explore42319417591,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emily was a great tour guide. Great to have lunch in Carrbridge. I recommend.
Beautiful tour!
mariliish2023,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beautiful tour with a slower pace than usual tours, which is perfect for visiting Scotland. This tour has a nice balance between history and nature. Definitely recommend if youre looking to see more of the nature and calmness of Scotland.
Castles and Coos in the Cairngorms
NocturnalArtist,May 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great experience with Highland Explorer Tours in the The Cairngorms today. Our guide, was Torquil who was knowledgeable, extremely friendly, and brought a great energy to the day. The music he played while driving was soothing and connected us to this majestic area. The mini coach was comfortable and I felt safe the entire trip. Driving in the Highlands is challenging as I can now attest after navigating the roads in a small car from Edinburgh to Skye and I “take my hat off to ya’. Torquil also managed the flow of the tour perfectly, giving people time to relax and chat, then picking things back up naturally to continue with specific information relevant to that part of the tour. Cawdor Castle was beautiful and the listening devices were nice for room specific info. My wife named the new family of coos ….Jamie, Claire and Brianna so be sure and say hi to them. The gardens and the hedge maze are pristinely maintained by a crew which takes tremendous pride in their work. I found this attention to detail simply Amazing. I personally loved the stop at Carrbridge which was a pleasant surprise and was home to a beautiful old stone bridge which we took stunning some photos near. Also stop by the Carrbridge Cafe for some tasty treats and the art shops are for some reasonably priced hand-crafted works by a family of local artists / sculptors. After a short hike in Loch Garden Pine Forest and a couple of other stops …Torquil wrapped things up by leading us in singing “Loch Lomond” together which was lots of fun and showed pride in his Scottish heritage. Overall this was a really enjoyable tour and a great way to experience the Highlands.
Great day out with Emily.
IrishChainQuilt,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out with Emily. She’s competent, knowledgeable…and lots of fun.
Cawdor castle and so much more
berniecullen,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic Tour - visited some amazong places - our guide Emily was brilliant - full of knowledge and made our day exploring beautiful Scotland just perfect. Would recommend this tour to all .
Good
saohuangdadui,Feb 25, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00wonderful view and experience,good tour guide craig I had a truly wonderful view and an unforgettable experience during this tour. The scenery along the way was simply breathtaking, and every moment was filled with excitement and joy. What's more, the tour guide, Craig, was really good. He was not only knowledgeable but also very patient, sharing a lot of interesting stories and historical facts with us, which greatly enhanced our understanding and enjoyment of the journey.
Absolutely breathtaking day out across some of the most beautiful scenery in the world
O8828SAadamt,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb day out across absolutely stunning scenery and sights. I have been to Scotland many times but not as far on the Isle of Skye. A long day but worth every minute with plenty of photo opportunities. Emily is a fantastic guide - very funny and very knowledgeable
The highlands in a snapshot
mariaht304,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Emily was an amazing guide. She gave us a lot of lovely information and background on all of the sites we went to, and a number of suggestions to make our time here even better.
Excellent
M4593HGclaudiar,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent guide Iain, very clear and friendly. The tour is excellent and very complete. It's worth it.
From £54.00
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Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd