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Inverness Private Tour: Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden Exploration
5.0
24 Ratings
Scottish Highlands
We offer exclusive, customized tours. Having been residents here throughout our lives, we understand the Highlands from a local’s perspective. Over the years, we’ve led tourists to the most breathtaking, picturesque locations in the Highlands. This land we regard as home is a source of pride for us and we can’t wait to let you experience it.
We offer exclusive, customized tours. Having been residents here throughout our lives, we understand the Highlands from a local’s perspective. Over the years, we’ve led tourists to the most breathtaking, picturesque locations in the Highlands. This land we regard as home is a source of pride for us and we can’t wait to let you experience it.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
-
Loch Ness - Loch Ness stretches 23 miles in length and reaches a width of 1.5 miles at its broadest point. The first sighting of Nessie was recorded by St. Columba in 564 AD. Annually, numerous sightings are reported, with 11 in 2017 and 13 in 2018. Stay alert as we explore the loch.
Our initial stop is at the Wellington lay-by, where on December…
- Loch Ness - Loch Ness stretches 23 miles in length and reaches a width of 1.5 miles at its broadest point. The first sighting of Nessie was recorded by St. Columba in 564 AD. Annually, numerous sightings are reported, with 11 in 2017 and 13 in 2018. Stay alert as we explore the loch.
Our initial stop is at the Wellington lay-by, where on December 31, 1939, a Wellington Bomber from RAF Lossiemouth had to make an emergency landing due to engine failure. The bomber’s remains were recovered in 1985, fully restored, and are now displayed at the Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey.
- Urquhart Castle - Continuing through Drumnadrochit, we arrive at Urquhart Castle, perched on a rocky promontory offering stunning views of Loch Ness. This 800-year-old castle has a rich and tumultuous history. Explore the ruins and the visitor center.
- Beauly Priory - Beauly Priory is currently closed due to recent high winds causing masonry to fall, with no reopening date yet. However, we will still visit Beauly, where you can view The Priory from the gate.
After leaving Urquhart Castle, we return to Drumnadrochit and take the Culnakirk Hill Road towards Beauly, our next stop, the Beauly Priory. Founded in the 13th century for monks of the Valliscaulian order, the priory grounds feature the Beauly Elm Tree, an 800-year-old tree and the oldest elm in Europe.
- Cawdor Castle - Cawdor Castle will reopen on April 27, 2024. Since 1370, it has been the residence of the Thanes of Cawdor. The castle is set amidst beautiful grounds and gardens, surrounded by the magnificent Cawdor Big Wood, one of Europe’s finest woodland areas.
- Clava Cairns - We head back towards Inverness to visit the Clava Cairns, a 4000-year-old ancient cemetery. The site includes a variety of prehistoric burial monuments and the remains of a medieval chapel.
The Clava Cairns inspired Creag Na Dun in the Outlander series, and the Cleft Stone is located here.
- Culloden Battlefield - Less than a mile from Clava Cairns is Culloden Battlefield, where on April 16, 1746, the last battle on British soil occurred, marking the end of the final Jacobite Rising. In under an hour, 1600 men were killed, 1500 of whom were Jacobites, forever altering Highland life.
Stroll around the battlefield to see the memorial cairn and clan burial stones, and visit the visitor center.
- Inverness Castle - We pass by Inverness Castle, where a statue of Flora Macdonald, known for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape after the Battle of Culloden, stands in the castle grounds.
- Inverness Cathedral - Inverness Cathedral is the northernmost Anglican Cathedral in the UK. Commissioned by Bishop Eden, it was completed in 1866.
What's Included
- Private transportation
- Complimentary bottled water
- Tasty snacks included
- Convenient free pick-up & drop-off service
- Private transportation
- Complimentary bottled water
- Tasty snacks included
- Convenient free pick-up & drop-off service
Additional Information
- Alcohol is not served to underaged
- Alcohol is not served to underaged
Location
Loch Ness
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(24 Ratings)
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Marylouh659
Oct 9, 2025
Great tour - Excellent full day tour taking in all the sites on our wish list plus more. Our driver and guide, Billy, was friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bonnie_m
Aug 23, 2025
My Scottish Heritage Found - Billy was so knowledgeable, entertaining and friendly! The tour was very interesting and fun. I learned a lot, had a relaxing day, and thoroughly enjoyed the adventure.
Review provided by Viator
P8841taeduardom
Jul 25, 2025
Great tour - Lawrence was excellent,a very nice tour and very knowledgeable of all the history. He was attentive and loved his little extras.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Marylouf2023
May 5, 2025
Sights and Stories - This was more than a tour of various sights. Our guide Lawrence, who owns this company with his brother Billy, wove all the stops and more together with a running tale like episodes on a TV series. UK history is deeper and longer than what we Americans have with the Scottish royalty, uEnglish Lords and the many clans. Lawrence was factual, informative and fun. He was a delightful raconteur and he created a perfect day for us.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
955janetg
Oct 22, 2024
A great way to see the Highlands in Scotland! - Lawrence did a superb job in helping us to see Northern Scotland. We customized our tour and he was very receptive to places we wanted to go. He is very knowledgeable and helped us understand some of the history of this great land. Our trip was less stressful as he did all the driving! Don't hesitate to hire him!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pjwjpjwj
Aug 9, 2024
Great Day with Kevin - We (2 couples) spent a wonderful day with Kevin. Kevin was very attentive and knowledgeable about the area and sights we visited. We greatly appreciated Kevin's advice and guidance the entire day. Would not hesitate to spend another day with Kevin!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessicabw7761xo
Jun 17, 2024
Day tour while in Port - My huband and I booked a day tour with Larry while in port on a cruise. Larry was well aware that I am a big fan of the show 'Outlander,' and that I love animals.
Larry took us to many Outlander inspired sites and explained the history behind each of these sites. I also really appreciated the enthusiasm he conveyed towards his country and their history.
If my husband and I made a unique request, Larry was sure to do everything he could to make it happen!
I feel like he helped us make the absolute most of our time while visiting and I can't wait to return someday.
Thanks so much, Larry!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosselarsen
Jun 10, 2024
Absolutely the best tour of Inverness and Lock Ness - Most excellent all day tour. Our tour guide did an excellent job in his time management. Couldn't believe how much we saw and did, all on a one day tour off the cruise ship. Had us back right on time to the boat. Super knowledgeable and friendly. Rolled with our ever change request for shopping for the ladies. Thanks for the best tour on our cruise. Signed the Park Sister's, Utah, USA.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Emily_t
Mar 9, 2024
A must Do - and Ask for Billy!! - We booked the “From Inverness to Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Culloden, and more through Viator, and they used the local company Highlander Private Tours. Our guide was Billy – and he was absolutely amazing! It was just the four of us (my sister, husband, and niece, whom we were visiting on her break from university in St. Andrews). From his pick up at our hotel to our drop off – Billy was so much fun! He listened to our interests and completely catered our tour to ensure we saw everything and a ton of extras! He personally walked with us through Culloden and gave us stories and the history – while 2 of us were Outlander fans and 2 not so much – it didn’t even matter! The Outlander fans were so thrilled with how Billy wove that into our tour, and the 2 who weren’t, were absolutely spellbound by the history. There were some places that weren’t open (Cawdor Castle), and on our journey, we discovered the Beauly Priory was closed due to renovations, but Billy ensured we were not disappointed by taking us to other fascinating sights, including old cemeteries and mausoleums (because I love them and the history he told of the occupants) to visit James Mackenzie Fraser – the gorgeous Highland Cow. Billy went above and beyond for us; once he heard we were driving to the Isle of Skye the next day (without a plan – we were just going to put the Fairy Pools in the GPS and go), while we were getting a wee dram at a distillery, Billy spent his downtime creating a stop-by-stop itinerary for us for the next two days, handwritten on two sides of a large notebook paper. We are so appreciative; without it, we would have missed so much! He even recommended the ferry to us (that we didn’t even know about), and it cut off a good chunk of our driving time and allowed us to check off everything on our “must-see” list!
We plan on going back in 2026 for my niece's graduation and will be making it a large family trip – and Billy will be the one I reach out to for all touring for my family. There is no one else I would trust my family to – and I know he will make that trip as memorable as he did this tour for us. Well done, sir – and THANK you so much!
Review provided by Viator
Colleenr944
Sep 1, 2023
Excellent Tour and Guide - Awesome tour with a great guide. Larry picked us up and returned use to the cruise port. We covered nearly all of the highlands. The van for transportation was clean and comfortable. Larry curated the tour to our needs and what we wanted to cover. He provided us with refreshments. Thanks Larry for the warm Scottish welcome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
