Tours/Inverness/Inverness Highlands Bucket List Tour
Viator · group up to 8 pax

Inverness Highlands Bucket List Tour

5.0(120)Inverness1 hour
VIATOR5.0(89)TRIPADVISOR5.0(31)

Description

Highland bucket list Tour from Inverness Our first stop Clava Cairns is where you will find the standing stones made famous by Diana Gabaldon the author of Outlander. But what else happens at this famous site. Find out with your guide the stories and mysteries of this 4000 year old site. We now move on to where in April 1746 on a cold wet moor by the name of Culloden, a battle took place which would change the life of the Highlanders forever. Visit where the gallant Jacobite's took on the might of King George II army. A trip to the Highlands is never complete without visiting the most famous Loch in the world, Loch Ness. Take your camera just in case Nessie makes an unexpected appearance. Next lets try some nessie water and taste some Gin and grab a free dram at the award winning Great Glen Distillery. They say save the best to last and you will not be disappointed as we stop and visit the most romantic ruin in Scotland, Urquhart castle. Explore 1000 years of history.

Tour Options

Half-day highlands bucket list tour
  • Pickup included

Itinerary

30 min

Our first stop we find The Clava Cairns—or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Balnuaran of Clava—are all that remains of what was once a much larger Bronze Age burial complex. Dating back 4,000 years, the evocative cemetery site retains original features, including passage graves, standing stones, and ring cairns (stone circles).

Admission not included80 min

Our second stop take us to Culloden moor Marking the spot of the last major battle on British soil, the wild moor at Culloden is the resting place of 1,500 Jacobite and 50 Government soldiers who fought and died here in 1746. Today, you can walk along the battle lines and see the graves of the soldiers beside the memorial cairn in the centre of the battlefield. Flags represent the front lines of both armies and show the vast scale of the battle, whilst in the centre clan markers indicate the graves of the fallen. As part of our continued conservation of the site, we work hard to try and restore the land, as closely as possible, to how it would have looked in the 18th century. Working alongside our Facilities team, we have goats and Shetland cows who graze the land just as they would have years ago. The unique landscape of Culloden is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including skylarks (who both live and breed on the battlefield) and garden tiger moth caterpillars.

45 min

We now stop at An Talla cafe for a quick bite from the local menu.

15 min

we now drive along the banks of loch ness where we can gaze at whothe amazing views of the most famous loch in the world,nessie is the friendly monster that is said to live here,grab your cameras.

Admission not included65 min

Wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history - Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall. A more comfortable view of the iconic ruins, against a backdrop of Loch Ness and the hills of the Great Glen, can be enjoyed from the café. Urquhart’s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine, and a short film.

Admission included30 min

We now stop at the Great Glen Distillery where you will have a chance to sample a free gin made from Loch Ness water. Learn the amazing story of two friends who stated this award winning adventure. Maybe grab a locally made ice cream and enjoy the freshly made flavours.NOTE: The Distillery will be closed during the winter months

Highlights

Bottled Water
Air Conditioned Vehicle
Local Guide
Private Transportation
Great Glen Distillery

What's included

Included
Bottled Water
Air Conditioned Vehicle
Local Guide
Private Transportation
Great Glen Distillery
Not included
Urquhart Castle
Culloden Battlefield Exhibition

Pickup Locations & Times

Richie your guide will be wearing highland bucket list tour top * THIS TOUR DOES NOT PICK UP FROM INVERGORDON CRUISE PORT

Traveller Ratings

5.0
120 reviews
5
117
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3
3
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2
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1
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Important Information

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Reviews(120)

J
Jessica_A
June 27, 2026
Our tour guide, Richie,...

Our tour guide, Richie, was phenomenal!! He did a fantastic job walking us throughout the Cairns explaining the history, before giving us time to explore on our own. At the battlefield, castle, and Caledonian canal he did a wonderful job giving us background information before letting us explore on our own pace. Throughout the drive Richie had a plethora of stories to tell and recommendations for our time in Inverness. This was a fantastic tour and gave us a ton of background information for the rest of our time in the highlands. Would highly recommend this tour!!!

Operator response

Wow thankyou Jessica for your fabulous 5 star Highland experience it was an absolute pleasure to have you guys on tour :)

K
Kathryn_T
June 21, 2026
Awesome tour

Richie was a great tour guide and let us see everything we wanted to see. He tailored the experience to fit what we wanted to see. Would recommend to family and friends.

Operator response

Thank you Kathryn & family for your fab 5 star review and we are really thrilled you enjoyed our tour in Bonnie Scotland :)

T
T_P
June 5, 2026
Ancient Stones, Historic Battles, and Stunning Castle

We had an incredible tour with Richie! His knowledge of Scotland's rich history brought every stop to life, from ancient sites to historic battlefields. Richie was extremely accommodating throughout the day and did a fantastic job navigating the crowds, allowing us to enjoy a much more personal and intimate experience. His passion, expertise, and friendly nature made this one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!

Operator response

Thankyou so much Tom & Wife for your wonderful 5 star review you guys were the best :)

J
Jim_H
May 25, 2026
A Great Day

Richy was phenomenal! This very personalized tour checked all the boxes!! He was so knowledgeable and he shared it so well~ interesting, easy to grasp, detailed, thorough!!! Highly recommend👍👍

Operator response

Thanks a million Jim & Terri for wonderful 5 star review. you were both a blast all day. It was our pleasure sharing the beautiful Scottish Highlands with you guys :)

S
Steven B
May 24, 2026
Don’t miss this tour with Richie.

Richie was great, we were the only 2 booked and he customized our tour to include Cawdor Castle as tw had done Loch Ness and Castle Urquhart the day before. He is very knowledgeable and provided a fun experience. .

Operator response

Thankyou so much Steven & Debbie for your wonderful 5 star review and so happy we could customize tour happy travels :)

A
Anne_B
May 15, 2026
Small group, great guide, interesting sites

Very good small group tour with personal local guide. All the basics around Inverness with local insight. We loved our guide, Richard, who made it fun and interesting. Dress for the weather! Which in mid-May was windy, rainy and COLD.

Operator response

Thank you Ann for your wonderful 5 star review it was our pleasure to have your small group on board on tour in the Highlands. Hope the golf goes well :)

B
Britney_G
April 17, 2026
A great tour! Our guide...

A great tour! Our guide was friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable. He walked us around the Clava Cairns and was full of stories and facts.

Operator response

Thankyou Britney for your fab 5 star review. So happy you & mum enjoyed todays tour. :)

D
Duncan_G
April 13, 2026
Loch Ness and surrounding tour was excellent

The small tour to Clava Cairns, Culliden, Urquhart Castle and smallest gin distillery in Scotland is highly recommended. We had a great time with the guide Ritchie and of course Nessie. Lots of information given to us throughout the tour.

Operator response

Thankyou so much for your 5 star review Duncan and thrilled you both had a fab day in the Highlands :)

M
Michelle_H
April 7, 2026
Highly recommend!

Great experience with plenty of time to explore all locations. Richie was amazing and was so knowledgeable. Lunch and gin tastings were such a great break from the touring. Highly recommend!!

Operator response

Thank you so much Michelle for your wonderful review, it was a really fun day with the ladies from Maryland Richie :)

C
CHARLES_C
December 9, 2025
Very extensive tour. Our...

Very extensive tour. Our guide was very knowledgeable. Took us to famous sites from the TV series "Outlander." Knows the history of the area well. Enjoyed Culloden very much.

Operator response

Thank you Charles for your 5 star review it was wonderful having your small group on tour with us :)

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