Loch Ness & Culloden Battlefield Private Tour from Inverness
Description
Enjoy an 8-hour trip to get a flavor of the lush hills and glens in and around the world famous and mysterious Loch Ness. Experience tastes of this unique culture, history and landscape. The private tour will be in a comfortable, air-conditioned Land Rover or minibus that seats up to 8 people. Relax with your Professional, Scottish, kilted tour guide as they take you on a journey to Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle , Beauly , Glen Ord Distillery, Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. This tour is NOT available to people who are on a cruise ship in the Port of Invergordon. This is because the meeting point for this tour is 25 miles from the ship and we can't guarantee at the end of the tour you would be back on time for your ship to sail.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Meet and Greet in front of the Columba Hotel for departure of all our tours. Meet at 8:45am.
As we head towards Urquhart Castle see this world famous loch that holds the most volume of fresh water of any lochs in Scotland. Perhaps you might see it's most famous inhabitant - Nessie!
Stop here and visit this iconic ruined castle. Hear the history and folklore from your guide, watch the short welcome video and take some photos of the castle and spectacular view down the loch
Meet the fabulous Highland Coos Katie Morag and Jamie Fraser. See the comical Alpacas and perhaps buy some fabulous gifts or food from the Farm Shop itself.
Learn about the single malt whisky produced at the distillery and view the new exhibition centre. Your guide will tell you all about the Whisky production and if you wish you can take a tasting that suits your needs.
Stop here for a lunch break and to visit some of the wonderful local cafes (including an award-winning deli) and shops that this medieval burgh has to offer.
Experience the feelings evoked by standing on the site of the last pitched battle fought on British mainland soil. Your guide will take you round around the battlefield showing you Memorial Clan Markers, the Memorial Cairn and much much more
Have a guided tour around the prehistoric site and marvel at the Standing Stones and Burial Cairns, learning their history from your guide.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum age is 6 years
- Children (ages 6 to 17) must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions so dress appropriately
- Booster seats are available on request
- A maximum of 8 people per booking
- This tour is not available to people who are on a cruise ship in the Port of Invergordon. This is because the meeting point for this tour is 25 miles from the ship and we can't guarantee at the end of the tour you would be back on time for your ship to sail.
Reviews(934)
Happy Tours is the best! If I am ever back in Inverness, this will be the company I book with every single time. Cameron was easy and agreeable to book with, especially in offering suggestions for our tour stops. Andrew, our guide, was incredibly accommodating and truly a wonderfully knowledgable teacher of Scottish history. Our stops included a visit to a farm of Scottish coos - there are three coos (all rescue animals) and a darling little shop with all things coo. We took a Loch Ness river tour, which was beautiful. You definitely do get a different view from the middle of the loch. We visited a distillery and took a tour and did some tastings! We also managed some additional stops (Hairy Cook Bakery and the viaduct) - no matter where we stopped, we were always happy with the information. One of my favorite stops was Culloden, which if you are an Outlander fan, you will be familiar with for sure. I read the books and watched the series, but none of my companions had. We all really enjoyed the information that Andrew shared regarding the battle and its outcomes. Finally, Andrew had prearranged with us to drop us off at the Leakey Bookshop since it closes early (5:30) and we might not have been able to check it out otherwise. Be sure to book with Happy Tours as we had a not positive experience with a different company that day before! :)
Thank you again for the lovely review of the day you had around our local area with Andrew. Local knowledge is invaluable and we really enjoy showing all our guests the very best of the Highlands and it's culture. Culloden Battlefield is a truly atmospheric destination and loved by all who visit. Thanks too for your kind recommendations. Sláinte Mhath
We did the Loch Ness & Culloden private tour and had an amazing experience! Our guide Brian was very knowledgeable about the area's history and culture and answered our questions so thoughtfully--we learned a lot from him as well as from the locations we visited. And when one of our family members who hadn't been feeling well in the morning decided to join the tour mid-day, he was flexible in returning to Inverness to pick her up. The tour was a great way to experience the area without having to deal with renting a car and navigating an unfamiliar area, and a chance to have interesting and informative conversations with a local guide. We highly recommend Happy Tours and look forward to booking them again next time we visit!
Wonderful day. Wonderful guide. Highly recommend this trip if you are in the area. Love Scotland and would love to visit again.
Thank you Andrew for leaving a great review of the tour you did with us. We love you recommend our tour and Scotland too. Better get saving for your next trip! Haste ye back.
Great introduction to Highland culture and history. Our guide Brian was very engaged and attuned to our interests. The castle is a must see - the views of Loch Ness are amazing! Singleton Distillery was a nice break after lunch. For Outlander fans, touch the standing stone that sent Claire back in time! End the day on a more solemn note at Culloden battlefield.
Thank you so much Shelby for the great review of the tour you did with Brian. There is such a variety of stops on this tour that it really does give you a great introduction to Highland history and culture as you say We hope you captured some fabulous photos to remember your day. Haste ye back
The guide was simply fantastic. The rating is really for him. But to be honest, the Loch Ness, Urquhart, etc. area was our least favorite part of visiting the country of Scotland. Culloden Battlefield was a big standout, and Inverness the city is well worth visiting. But Loch Ness and Urquhart were quite underwhelming after having visited Loch Lomond, Edinburgh Castle, Eilean Donan Castle, etc. But the guide was so good that I still recommend doing this if you decide to see this area!
Thank you David for taking the time to leave a great review for your guide Andrew. We are truly surprised that you felt underwhelmed by the magnificent Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. We are all individuals so we can appreciate you seem to have enjoyed other attractions more. It's nice that you still had a great time with Andrew at the other attractions on the tour an we agree that Culloden Battlefield is very memorable. haste ye back
A very interesting and informative experience Learn about history at this tour in a balanced and knowledgeable way. The guide was very good and very clear. And you get to see the battle field.
Thank you so much Jackie for taking time to leave a lovely review of your tour with us. We are very "happy" you enjoyed the mix of history, folklore and just good old fun. We like our guides to ensure you have the best time and can understand everything they say. Haste ye back
Our family includes a 13-year-old history buff, and a 10-year-old who has no interest in history at all. From the Urquhart Castle to the Culloden Battlefield to the Clava Cairns, our guide, Ian, gave both kids a perfect day. (My husband and I loved it, too!) Ian personalized our tour by skipping the distillery in favor of a trip to the Loch Ness Centre, a immersive, multimedia museum that the kids loved. Sharing legends of warrior fairies and stories of Nessie sightings alongside historical observations, Ian quickly felt like an old (kilt-wearing!) friend -- with a vast knowledge of this awe-inspiring place.
Thank you so much for the really heartfelt review for Ian. We are very "happy" he was able to entertain both the children which as you say is no mean feat! On your personalised tour you get to concentrate of your interests and just have an all round fun and informative experience.. Hope the kids managed to capture a few Nessie pictures! Haste ye back.
William made the entire day so much fun. He joked with us, he helped my elderly mom, he went slow to accommodate us and told such wonderful stories. We will come back and request him and happy tours again.
Thank you so much Scott for leaving a lovely review for William. We are very "happy" you had such a fun day on your Private Loch Ness and Culloden Battlefield Tour and that you and your mum were able to set the pace that was enjoyable for you both. It's lovely to get all the local folklore along with the history and William is just the man to do this for you.Thanks so much for sharing your brilliant photos too. Haste ye back!
We loved this tour! And our guide was really great, a safe driver, and squeezed a LOT into the day. Plenty of potty breaks, and we added on Cawdor Castle (for an extra fee) and it was worth it! The Loch Ness was more the surrounding area and all it has to offer. Highly recommend we had a great day!
Thank you Shana for a great review for Andrew and for us as Happy Tours. We really love the photos you have shared with us, "happy" faces all round! When it's your own private tour you can add as much as we can do in one day and we can ensure you have the best memories of your time in The Highlands. Haste ye back
You could feel the history in every blade of grass at Culloden. Our driver/guide, Drew, was an absolute treat and knew of so many locals-only treats and tricks.
Thank you John for such a lovely review for Drew. We are really "happy" that you had such a great tour and that you enjoyed all his local knowledge and off the beaten track sights. Culloden Battlefield is certainly an atmospheric place to visit and with a guide explaining the history it takes on a special significance. Haste ye back
