Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
PLEASE NOTE: In the 2026 cruise ship season this tour will no longer visit the Nessie Centre. Instead it will go to Outlander’s Clava Cairns, used for the idea of Creag na Dun.
This tour visits Loch Ness and the visitor centre to learn all about Nessie and it goes to tour Urquhart castle. You’ll see Inverness too and highland cows.
Our tour is based on a quality experience from feedback from our customers in 2019. We are a new company who aim to please and our guides will offer you local knowledge and answer all your questions.
Our tour will depart 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the ship’s arrival.
This tour can be in anything from 8 seaters to 49 seaters depending on numbers.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Specialized infant seats are available
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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 To Expect
Culloden Battlefield
⸻ Culloden Battlefield • Culloden Moor, just outside Inverness, is the site of the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746), the last pitched battle fought on British soil. • It marked the end of the Jacobite Rising of 1745, when Prince Charles Edward Stuart – “Bonnie Prince Charlie” – tried to reclaim the throne for the exiled Stuart dynasty. • The Jacobite army, made up largely of Highland clansmen, faced the government forces of the Duke of Cumberland. This includes travelling time to get there from port of 45 minutes. 30-45 minutes on site.
Clava Cairns
• The Clava Cairns are a group of Bronze Age burial cairns, about 4,000 years old, located near Culloden Battlefield, just outside Inverness. • The site includes passage graves, ring cairns, standing stones, and kerb cairns, arranged in a circular pattern. • Fans of the TV series Outlander will recognise Clava Cairns as the inspiration for the fictional Craigh na Dun, where Claire Randall is transported back in time through the standing stones. • While Clava Cairns itself doesn’t have a magical “split stone” like in the series, the setting – with its circle of standing stones – feels very similar. Includes 15 minutes travelling time from last location.
What‘s Included
Parking Fees
Snacks
Options
Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness etc
Duration: 8 hours: 6-8 hours depending on ship departure time.
4 or 8 seater vehicle
Reviews
105 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
A great day spent in the highlands
jgilbert813,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We actually saw a YouTube video of another cruiser’s day in Invergordon where he had taken a tour with Thistle Excursions and we are so glad we did because we just had the most wonderful day exploring the highlands with them! Our guide, Eleanor was absolutely fantastic. She was funny and nice and you could tell she loved to share her homeland with us. She always made sure we were taken care of and felt comfortable all day. We made 5 stops today and never felt rushed at any of them. This was one of our all time favorite shore excursion tours we have ever taken. We can not recommend this tour enough!!!
A wonderful day in the highlands
jgilbert813,Apr 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We actually saw a YouTube video from another cruiser’s day in Invergordon and they took a tour with Thistle Excursions. I’m so glad we saw that because we got to spend an amazing day exploring the highlands! Eleanor was the best guide, she was wonderfully friendly and funny. You could tell she was truly excited to share her love and knowledge of Scotland with us. She always made sure we were taken care of and comfortable in the van. We never felt rushed at any of the locations we visited. Since we had a small group (6 of us) we were able to pull right up to everything saving us time and energy from having to hike to any of it. I can’t recommend this tour enough.
Engaged at the Urqhart castle
Sabrina L,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was our favorite shore excursion on our trip. Our tour guide Niel is someone we will never forget. We got engaged at the Urqhart castle, so at the end of the tour, Niel played a traditional wedding song for us on his bagpipes. We appreciated all of the knowledge he shared with us regarding Scotland. We can just tell he was so proud to be a Scottish citizen. Every element of the tour was well placed, and well worth the money spent. The highland cows were also an amazing highlight of our trip.
Our guide, June was just...
Janeen R,Aug 9, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide, June was just delightful! Her commentary was detailed and vast. We so enjoyed our tour! She was a safe driver and the car was clean and comfortable. We are on a cruise and other passengers were disappointed with the ships tours. We learned so much and saw so much we will have pleasant memories of June and her tour at Inverness. Many thanks.
Excelent tour and guide
878manoloo,Jul 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic tour with Mike, an incredible guide. Mike was very friendly and provided very interesting and fun infromation.
Loch Ness, Uruquart Castle, Inverness
karencH1161FH,Jul 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a special , fun filled day on this excision guided by Eleanor. She was entertaining and informative, easy to understand. The scenery and beauty of the castle and Loch Ness was stunning. We had adequate time at each stop and this was a great day!!!
This was a wonderful tour...
Shannon W,Jul 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a wonderful tour of the Highlands in Scotland. We started with walking around Inverness, a very cute little city. We then went through the countryside to the Loch Ness Center, which was interesting. Then toured around Urquhart castle and finish the day at a farm with Highland cows. Eleanor was a wonderful tour guide and gave us lots of fun facts about the Highlands. I would recommend.
Our family had a great...
Marc D,Jun 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our family had a great experience with Chas. We were able to learn about Loch Ness and Nessie, visit the Urquhart Castle, do a little shopping in Inverness, and meet some “Harry Coos”. I only wish we had more time in port.
if you are after an historical account of Loch Ness this is a must see tour. it will answer all of your questions.
516malcolmg,Jun 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00The excursion was informative and the pace of the day was fine. i especially liked the lock Ness tour and all the theories that has made this a legend.
Wonderful Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
nm1724,Jun 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Recently visited on the Queen Anne and booked our tour well in advance. We were met by June where the port shuttle buses stop and on that particular day we were her only two travellers. We were soon on our way and June's knowledge of the local area was soon evident as we travelled through the wonderful scenic countryside. Our first stop was Inverness where we had a drive around with an interesting commentary. A photo opportunity was offered. We then travelled along to Loch Ness and enroute we stopped for photos and a quick feel of the water temperature. Our next stop was the visitor centre which we really enjoyed, here there is an opportunity for a coffee. The gin distillery is also located there. Following this we visited Urquhart Castle which on a lovely sunny day was just wonderful and the highlight of our trip. Our return route was just as picturesque and June also added an extra location, which was really good although is not always possible. I will say nothing else about this as I don't want to spoil it for other travellers! June was just lovely and we would thoroughly recommend Thistle.
From £159.00
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Related Experiences
Operated by Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours