What's included in the price?

This tour can only take a minimum of 4 passengers:

4 passengers = £700 (£169 each), 5 passengers = £160, 6 passengers = £990 (£159 each), 7 passengers = £149, 8 passengers = £1,160 (£139 each).

Tour includes entrance fees to Culloden Battlefield exhibition centre, Urquhart Castle and Nessie Visitor Centre (approx. £45). These tours are more expensive because they are exclusively taken in a smaller vehicle, normally 9 seater minivans with driver/guide.  They also include entry to THREE locations.

What sort of vehicle is this tour done in?

In a 4, 8, 19 seater car, van or minibus.

Tour timings

Depart at 9am from Inverness. Your guide will either collect you from your hotel or pick you up at an agreed meeting point.  It leaves and returns to Inverness. Return time is normally 5.30-6.00pm.

For our cancellation policy see FAQs https://www.thistleexcursions.co.uk/faqs

Culloden Viaduct

Pass by Culloden viaduct. Built in 1893 for trains and still used to this day. Great photo opportunity.  

Clava Cairns

We will pay a brief visit to Clava Cairns (the inspiration for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander story).  These stones date back to prehistoric times - ancient ruins over 2,000 years old and linked to other standing stones like Stone Henge in England.

Culloden Battlefield

Visit Culloden battlefield, free to roam the battlefield or visit shop and restaurant. Entry included into the exhibition centre to re-live the battle from 1746.  This is a prime Outlander site (tv series and book). 

Inverness - Castle, shops and the Highland's oldest bar

Arrive Inverness city centre where you could visit Inverness Castle’s new viewing gallery. See right across the city. Visit Flora MacDonald’s statue (Inverness casle is being renovated from 2022-2024 so Flora is hidden) outside the castle and see the shops and cafes in Inverness. Maybe try a local beer in the oldest bar in Inverness, the Gellions, dating back to 1841.  The guide will point out Outlander references from Diana Gabaldon books.  

Loch Ness and Nessie Exhibition Centre

Travel beside Loch Ness for 15 miles, stopping for photos of Scotland's reclusive Nessie (if you’re very lucky).  Sometimes you may get photos of Urqhart castle too, depending on the day and where we stop. Then entry included into the new Nessie Exhibition Centre at Drumnadrochit. 

Smallest Gin Distillery in the World

See the smallest gin distillery just opened in 2022.  Sample a free speciality gin. 

Urquhart Castle

Visit the ruins of Urquhart castle that date back to the 1300s, as well as the video centre. Watch a 6 minute historic video with own language subtitles. Wander down to the ruins or browse the shop or cafe. This castle is the site of many raids including the MacDonald clan and Grant clan and was involved in the Jacobite uprising.  It is more recently famous for being show in the Outlander tv series and books by Diana Gabaldon.

An Talla Highland Cows and Coffee/Toilet Stop

Visit this lovely restaurant and shop to see genuine Highland cows and grab a snack or coffee.  Amazing ice cream shop here too and of course a Bathroom stop.  Then omto Loch Ness.

Your itinerary will look something like this but can be tailored on the day to suit your tastes:

8.00 guide office

8.15 guide leaves Invergordon

9.00 pick up Inverness

9.30 arrive Clava cairns

10.00 leave

10.10 arrive Culloden battlefield - visit field and exhibition 1hr 10 minutes (entry included)

11.20 leave

11.40 drive around Inverness showing Outlander sights such as Old High church, castle, islands etc.

12.00 leave city

12.10 stop off at An Talla

12.45 leave and drive beside Loch Ness (20 minutes)

1.10 arrive Loch Ness visitor centre

1.15 enter exhibition (entry included) (1 hour)

2.15 out into shop and see smallest gin distillery (free drink) (15 minutes)

2.30 leave

2.40 arrive Urquhart castle - tour (included) (1.5 hours)

4.15 leave heading over Culnakirk and Clan Fraser and Simon the Fox country (30 minutes)

4.40 Robertson’s farm (see hairy Highland cows)

5.10 leave via Beauly Firth to Muirtown

5.40-6.00 drop off Inverness

6.30 guide back to Invergordon