Private Tour
Full-Day Private Tour to Urquhart Castle Loch Ness and Inverness
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Collecting you from the Port gate we travel along the shore of the Cromarty Firth and cross the Cromarty bridge to the Black Isle and make our way to Beauly Priory , the 13th century Monastery built for an order of Valliscaulian monks from Dijon in France and destroyed by Cromwells forces in the 16th Century. We will then make a brief stop to see some Highland Cattle ( see photo ) before we carry on over Culnakirk Hill to Drumnadrochit and visit Urquhart Castle which sits on a promontory jutting out in to Loch Ness , the views of the Loch are fantastic from here and it was near here where St Columba is reputed to have seen the Loch Ness Monster. We then head towards Inverness and as we come in to Inverness we pass the Hill of the Fairies. We stop to see the Cathedral and The Old High Church and we pass Inverness Castle and the statue of Flora Macdonald before we travel out to Clava Cairns and have lunch at Cawdor Castle before concluding our tour at Culloden Battlefield.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
WiFi on board
Bottled water
Snacks
Free pick-up & drop-off
Entrance Fees to attractions
What To Expect
Beauly Priory
Beauly Priory is currently closed due to recent high winds causing masonry to fall , we do not know yet when it will reopen. We will still visit Beauly where you can see it from the gate. Beauly Priory was founded in the 13th Century as a Monastery for Valliscaulian order of monks from Dijon in France , Oliver Cromwells forces were responsible for destroying the Priory in the 16th Century. For centuries this was a Burial place for the chiefs of Clan Fraser and Mackenzie and their families. Their is an Outlander connection because it was here that Claire met the Seer.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle sits on a promontory jutting out in to Loch Ness and has been fought over many times through the years. The views of Loch Ness from the castle are fantastic and during the visit you can go and explore the ruins of this 1000 year old castle and you can go down to the water side of Loch Ness. Keep your eyes peeled in case Nessie makes an appearance.
Options
2 - Group of up to 6 people
Pickup included
3- Group of up to 8 people
Pickup included
1 - Group of 4 People
Pickup included
Reviews
72 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Must do tour to Loch Ness
hl146,
Sep 1, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Super good guide! We loved the trip to Loch Ness with the castle. The guide knew some quieter areas around Loch Ness and knew a lot about the history of the clans and Scotland as well as the local area. We could plan our trip individually with the guide, who was good at making it fit with time. Can definitely be recommended.
Great!!
V9378FAnancyb,
Aug 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent Trip would highly recommend this group!! our driver was Ken and he was great, but so was the Mclean’s. their recommendation to go through The CAstle was spot on.
Hairy Coos!
Jennifer L,
Aug 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our tour guide, Bill, was so knowledgeable and interesting. He shared a lot of great information and history. Bill was so kind and went out of his way to find opportunities for pictures with the hairy coos. When it started to rain, he made sure we had rain jackets. Absolutely outstanding tour and guide!
Inverness and Loch Ness
tomgM895RW,
Jul 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shamus was a great tour guide and customized our tour to enable us to see as much as possible in the short time we had available for our shore excursion.
Inverness Brought to Life in a Day Trip
Jashenry,
Jul 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible day touring with Kevin, whose expertise, professionalism, and humor made the experience truly unforgettable. From the very start, he made us feel welcome and somehow managed to tailor the itinerary perfectly to our interests; all without being the slightest bit pushy or rushed. His ability to read the group and pace the day just right was impressive. The tour included a fantastic variety of stops: Highland cows at Robinsons Farm, whiskey tastings at Glen Ord and Urquhart Castle, tartan weaving at James Pringle Weavers, gift shopping at Holm Mills, a scenic drive through Inverness, the atmospheric Clava Cairns (complete with Harry Potter and Outlander lore), and the moving Culloden Battlefield. At every stop, Kevin shared fascinating stories and historical insights that brought each location to life. Throughout the day, Kevin kept us comfortable and entertained; his clean, well-stocked vehicle (ice-cold water and chocolates were a lovely touch), responsible driving, and great conversation made the time fly by. His mix of knowledge, charm, and humor made for one of the best tours we’ve ever taken. We can’t recommend him highly enough!
Highlands adventure
David P,
Jun 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Billy our guide was excellent. He had extensive historical knowledge and presented it in an entertaining manner. He was very considerate and extremely helpful. We unfortunately had an interruption in our planned itinerary due to a major road closure due to an accident. Billy found alternate routes and managed to get us to all sites detailed in advertisement. Definitely would recommend him to other travelers.
Amazing personalized tour of Inverness
F2816PHsarahg,
Jun 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00You will not be disappointed by this your company! Our guide customized our tour on the fly based on our preferences and squeezed more in than we thought possible! These guides are truly local and have a rich understanding of the area. Plus they are super personable and enjoyable to spend a day with, and even lent me their coat when I was freezing! We have since recommended them to friends who also had a wonderful tour.
Last minute change to cruise destination.
allisonhT5330OV,
Jun 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kevin was absolutely magnificent. We had a change in ports right at last minute, my mother wanted to see Loch Ness and the Castles in area. Let me tell you this trip was completely worth it. Kevin was insightful, friendly, knowledgeable, and highly entertaining. Gave us the full treatment to all of the worthy destinations in area like Cowder Castle, Loch Ness, Culleden Battlefield, a couple of local haunts, Clava Cairns, a drive through Inverness, and saw Inverness Castle (closed due to renovation). Amazing day with a wonderful guide.
Excellent tour
Samantha B,
May 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was excellent—knowledgeable, easy to follow, and kept things moving without rushing. He was easy to hear from anywhere in the van, even in the back, which made a big difference. As a lifelong resident, he seemed to know everyone and had great local insight that added depth to the experience. We saw a lot, covered a wide range of topics, and had time for questions and photos. The driver was great—safe and professional. The activity itself was fantastic and well-organized. A solid way to experience the area without the hassle of planning everything yourself.
Lawrence Maclean is the real deal!!
hireneXus CEO,
Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an incredible experience with Highlander Private Tours! Our guide, Lawrence Maclean, was absolutely wonderful—knowledgeable, personable, and passionate about Scottish history and culture. He brought the stories of Scotland to life with fascinating insights, and his deep understanding of whisky made our tastings both educational and enjoyable. Lawrence went above and beyond to tailor the tour to our interests, creating a memorable and truly special experience. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a first-class, personalized tour of Scotland!
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Operated by Highlander Private Tours