Culloden, Loch Ness + More
Description
Your guide worked at Culloden Battlefield for many years where he taught Highland History and demonstrated how weapons were used at that time. He has a wealth of knowledge in the local area as well as the battle itself. You will be accompanied onto the field of Culloden with an expert on the 18th Century Highlands and Clan Life. Our tour covers a wide range of famous attractions. From visiting a world-renowned castle on the shores of Loch Ness to sampling Whisky with a dram or two in the Black Isle's last remaining distillery. Experience local life at a Farm with Highland Hairy Coos and other lovable animals. Taste local food and wander around quaint charming villages. Please know that the Itinerary can change at any time due to unforeseen situations like Castle private events, Operating hours of Exhibition Centres, Distilleries, etc. Rest assured that we can take you to other equally amazing alternative Attraction.
Tour Options
Itinerary
This is your chance to hunt for Nessie. Did you know that she was first sighted way back in the year 565AD? Somewhere in that 23 mile stretch is her home in Loch Ness. That stretch has breathtaking scenic spots that we can take you to.
We'll take you to a famous medieval ruins on the shores of Loch Ness. You will have a chance to explore the castle at your leisure. The castle is historically linked as far back as to St. Columba as a Pictish Fort to Robert the Bruce's struggle for independence as a mighty medieval stronghold. Today, its remnant lures film makers like the Outlander TV Show.
Scotland is well-known for its whisky distilleries. We'll visit one that produces a 12 year old, 15 year old and 18 year old single malt whisky exclusively available to the Southeast Asian market only. If you want a Glen Ord whisky, you'll only be able to buy it from Asia or in the distillery itself. They offer their own respective tour to show how their whisky is made and for visitors to taste the distinct flavour of their whisky for additional fees. We leave this up to you to decide as you can alternatively choose to simply wander about their stunning grounds and enjoy a tasting at your own leisure in their cozy bar. [Not available for Cruise Ship Guests due to time constraints]
We'll take you to a local farm to have the pleasure of meeting a Hairy Heilan Coo (Highland Cow) and other lovable farm animals. Scottish produce and souvenirs are available in the Farm Shop. [Not available for Cruise Ship Guests due to time constraints]
Beauly has an abundance of charming places to eat. From lovely little cafes to gourmet restaurants to one of the best fish and chips. There's a mix of shops that caters to a wide range of interest. A stroll around the Priory is a must specially for Outlander fans. This Attraction is not available for Cruise Ship Guests. Instead, we will head out to a more suitable attraction known as the Capital City of the Highlands - Inverness. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Your Guide worked at Culloden Battlefield for many years. He has a wealth of knowledge in the local area as well as the Battle itself. You would be accompanied onto the field of Culloden with an expert on the 18th Century Highlands and Clan Life.
Locals and Visitors alike come to pay respects to fallen heroes/ancestors. A world class Museum in the Visitor's Centre is available should you wish to know more.
Have a wander through the mystical 4,000 year old Clava Cairns. Learn the history of the people who built these magnificent structures. Enjoy the peace and tranquility and a bit about The Outlander TV Show too.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Travelers who are Out-Of-The-Way: You can send us a message to make arrangements OR proceed to the default meet-up point (St. Mary's Catholic Church at 30 Huntly Street, Inverness IV3 5PR) We will be there waiting for you up to 20 minutes.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We strive to provide a safe and fun environment for our guests. Booking with us will mean that you have read, understood and agree to our Guidelines listed below. In this way, we can ensure a smooth tour experience so that you can relax and enjoy the best day-tour with us
- 1. Our Tours are Private. This tour requires a minimum of 2 people per booking, maximum 7.
- 2. A tour reminder alert will be sent to you a few days before your tour. It will be through any of the following: Viator message, Email, WhatsApp or iMessage from +44 7481 590163.
- 3. We offer pick-up and drop-off within Inverness or enroute.
- 4. Wear appropriate, comfortable clothing. Waterproof hiking shoes and jackets are highly recommended. Carry-ons/Backpacks are welcome but Luggage space is limited.
- 5. You can bring lunch or snacks in case we miss restaurants/cafes lunchtime schedule.
- 6. Minors, Seniors and People with Special Needs must always be accompanied by their respective guardians.
- 7. We kindly ask that all participants observe mindful public awareness, respect the environment, wildlife and guidelines. Please be conscious about carbon footprint during the tour.
- 8. For everyone's safety, comfort and well-being, we cannot accommodate the following: i. Children under 5 years old ii. Wheelchair/mobility assistance iii. Anyone with high risk health conditions (i.e expecting a baby, feeling unwell or exhibiting contagious symptoms like cough, sneezing, colds or runny nose). Please do not attempt to join our tour if any one in your group is unwell, recovering or still infectious - your group will be refused service without a refund. We can alternatively offer you another date within the tour season (depending on availability) iv. Any untoward behaviour in general that presents a danger to themselves or others will not be tolerated.
- 9. We will not to be held liable for any accidents, personal injury, damage or loss of property, missed travel schedules or any appointments thereafter.
- 10. Photos and videos taken during our tours may be used for promotional purposes.
- If you have any medical condition, don't forget to bring your prescribed medication or take them before your tour starts. Bring a bug spray if you are prone to insect bites during summer time, meds for motion sickness, etc. Your health, comfort and well-being will ultimately be up to you.
Reviews(63)
10/10 would recommend doing a tour with Aye Tours Scotland on your trip to Caledonia. If you want an authentic Scottish experience with a true Highlander, then John is your guy. He brings the perfect blend of hospitality, humor, and fun education that makes for an unforgettable adventure of a day. Highly recommend wearing a kilt for the tour to truly be one with the Highlands. Thank you again John for a once in a lifetime experience that my wife and I will cherish and laugh about forever.
It was my absolute pleasure to take you both on tour. Thank you for leaving us such a lovely review. The craic as we say was grand and we hope to see you back another time. All the best. John.
John was an excellent tour guide. We were so very fortunate to have him show us around and teach us the history.
Thanks for leaving us a review Laurie. It was my pleasure to take you both on our local tour. The craic was good. BTW I still have those pics I took but there was no way to send them to you.
This tour exceeded our expectations. Our guide John was incredibly charismatic and had a rare talent for weaving together history, humor, and heartfelt storytelling. He explained the history of Scotland with clarity and passion, and his stories about the Scottish clans were fascinating — full of depth, personality, and cultural insight. The entire experience was engaging from beginning to end. Truly a wonderful tour led by the outstanding guide John.
Thank you so much. What a lovely review! We are so glad you enjoyed our local tour. Haste ye back til we see you again.😊
Highly recommend John! He was a safe driver and truly invested in our experience. His local knowledge made the trip unforgettable, especially the fascinating insights into Culloden and the area's best whiskey.
Thank you for taking the time to leave us a review Kathryn. We are so glad you both enjoyed our local tour. All the best til we see you again (.And of course). All hail Clan Macdonald! 😁
Two words come to mind when we reflect on our tour with John: Highland hospitality. From the moment he picked us up to the final drop-off, the entire day was seamless, informative, and incredibly enjoyable. His knowledge of the Highlands — historically, locally, and even pop-culturally — made every stop come to life. We especially appreciated the privacy of the tour and the flexibility to explore at our own leisurely pace. It truly felt bespoke and unrushed, which made the experience even more special. If you’re considering a full-day tour, don’t hesitate — this was the perfect way to experience the Highlands. We felt like we saw and did everything we’d hoped for, all with the comfort of having our own private chauffeur. Highly, highly recommend!
Thank you so for being on our first tour of 2026 and for leaving us such a lovely review. All the very best to you, Amanda and the boys. A totally enjoyable day. ❤️
We had an absolutely fantastic full-day private tour in Inverness, and our guide, John, was the highlight of the experience. From the moment we met him, he was warm, welcoming, and full of good humor. His knowledge of the area, history, and local legends brought every stop on the tour to life. John has a great way of making even the smallest detail interesting, and his storytelling kept us engaged and laughing throughout the day. He struck the perfect balance between being informative and entertaining, which made the entire experience so much more enjoyable. The sights themselves were stunning, but it was John's insights and personality that truly made this tour memorable. We felt like we were exploring the Highlands with a good friend who happened to know everything about the region. Highly recommend this tour—and if you’re lucky enough to get John as your guide, you’re in for a great time!
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a fab review. It is always my pleasure to show you around wonderful Inverness and the surrounding area. Make sure you come back and see us another day. All the very best. JOHN.
Do not hesitate to book with John! He is authentic and so kind. The day went by too fast and left me longing for more. I am still overwhelmed by the amazing tour and it truly was a gift! Lots of unexpected moments that I will truly treasure. He taught us so much about Scottish history and made it interactive. I have never experienced anything like it and was so saddened when the day was done. It was perfect!! John thank you for being genuine and giving me insight into your beautiful country that I have waited a lifetime to visit. A day I will treasure always. tapadh leat mo charaid!
Thank you for writing such a lovely and heartfelt review. I had a wonderful time and hope you will come back another day to our country. All the very best. JOHN ❤️
A local guide well known in the community with a great reputation who made our Aye Tour the best of our three week stay. We had multiple other tours and none came close to John. I thought I knew Scottish Jacobite history but his entertaining insights and enthusiasm caught us all up and we agree that it was the highlight of our trip. The day passed too quickly and we felt like we were leaving an old friend behind.
It really was my pleasure to take you out on our local tour. Thank you so much for leaving us such a wonderful review. All the very best to you and the other girls until we see you again. ❤️
Our guide, John was over and beyond what we’ve become accustomed to and that’s saying a lot at the near end of our 3 week holiday in England and Scotland. He knew the history and instead of just reciting rote facts, he “assigned” us to be different historical figures even using our ancestors where they were known. I thought I knew Scottish history but I gained a lot of understanding into how the Jacobite rebellion shaped the world- and all without any boring lectures! John’s past experiences have given him great insight. He was brilliant! We all loved him by the end of the tour. He had weapons for us to help visualize the fighting techniques of the Highlanders and we had a go at each other-cautiously of course- but got my favorite photos of the trip. Everyplace we went, the locals knew and obviously were happy to see him. I could write much more about all the sites but will only say that I will tell my tour guide to always recommend Aye tours with John Coleman to his Scotland bound clients. I definitely plan to return!
Thank you so much for such a fabulous review. We are so glad you enjoyed your day with us. All the best to you and the girls. You guys were great fun to be with. ❤️
Awesome tour that was tailored perfectly for us! John was informative and fun every step of the way. We have come home with a better understanding of the highland culture and history, and can’t wait to go back!
Thank you so much for your very kind review. It was my pleasure to show you the Highlands. The craic was good as we say 😊 Definately come back and see us again. All the best. John
