Loch Ness. Culloden Battlefield. Glenmorangie Distillery. Dunrobin Castle. Dornoch Cathedral. Beauly Priory. Inverness. Urquhart Castle.
Loch Ness. Culloden Battlefield. Glenmorangie Distillery. Dunrobin Castle. Dornoch Cathedral. Beauly Priory. Inverness. Urquhart Castle.
Loch Ness. Culloden Battlefield. Glenmorangie Distillery. Dunrobin Castle. Dornoch Cathedral. Beauly Priory. Inverness. Urquhart Castle.
Spaces on our tours for the following ships docking in Invergordon/Inverness coming up soon

*  Crown Princess  -  25 August Dunrobin Castle and Falcons - 22 seats in a coach;  Cawdor Castle and Loch Ness - 4 seats  in a coach £59 

*  Costa Mediterranea - 2 September Dunrobin Castle and Falcons - 8 seats in a minibus, Cawdor Castle and Loch Ness - 8 seats in minibus, Urquhart Castle etc. 4 seats in minibus £59

Book on this website - all seats £59 each for 5 to 7 hour tour in a bus, includes castle entrance charge. 

For tailormade bespoke special tour in 4-8 seater vehicle email us to book at £79 each including castle entrance fee. 

We like to say ‘yes’ so if you can’t find what you are looking for or would like a special tour please email us on info@thistleexcursions.co.uk. 

Welcome to Thistle Excursions

Thistle Excursions has been created for your pleasure - to provide you with a unique tour and experience of the Highlands when you land in Invergordon either via the port of the Cromarty Firth or other means.  You are all welcome on our trips. 

We aim to be courteous, kind, understanding, engaging and interesting and our guides will be there to answer all your questions. 

Our tours are set to leave at  9.00 or 10.00 however for ships arriving later, the departure will be approximately 1 hour after ship docks.  The itinerary is indicative and times alter according to ship’s individual arrival and departure. We are aware of your leaving time and will have you back at least 1 hour before your ship leaves, so please be assured you are in safe hands. 

If you cannot find what you are looking for or your ship is missing please email us as we do offer bespoke tours on our 8 seater Eurobus. Email info@thistleexcursions.co.uk

Thistle Excursion Tours - see the majesty of the Highlands

  • Tour 1 - Fairytale Castle, Historic Village and Whisky Galore

    We have blended the fairy tale Dunrobin Castle, along with the American starlet, Madonna and her marriage near Dornoch, along with a whisky adventure.
     

    • Dunrobin Castle
      visit Dunrobin Castle - one of Britain's longest inhabited houses, dating back to the early 1300s.
    • Madonna
      visit Dornoch Cathedral - the Rev Susan Brown married Madonna and Guy Ritchie
    • Whisky and Chocolate
      visit Dornoch and book a whisky or gin tasting at the Whisky Cellar and sample a delicious hot chocolate in Cocoa Mountain 
    • Historic Dornoch
      visit the beautiful shops and cafes in this picturesque village 
  • Tour 2 - Castles, Battles, Outlander and Nessie

    This tour is specially designed for those who love films, fame, legends and the magic of Scottish history and of course Nessie our Highland monster. 
     

    • Outlander
      Clava Cairns where Claire steps through the stones and the wonder of Culloden rail Viaduct - photo opportunity 
    • Culloden Battlefield
      drive by or visit for photos of the Battlefield where Jamie Fraser from Outlander almost lost his life 
    • Loch Ness
      drive by, photos and cruise on Loch Ness in search of the legend herself ‘Nessie’ 
    • Urquhart Castle or Cawdor Castle
      cruise to the castle on the Jacobite and explore the castle at your leisure, seeing what Claire and Jamie saw the monster.
    • Cawdor Castle will enchant you with its internal decor and it’s lived in feel. Unlike Urquhart, Cawdor is not a ruin and was made famous by its reference in MacBeth. 
    • Beauly Priory
      visit the ancient Priory featured in Outlander or look around the unique shops
Latest News

Well done Glenmorangie Distillery

THE leading distiller behind Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malts has been named Master Distiller of the Year for an unprecedented third time. Dr Bill Lumsden was honoured by the International Whisky Competition (IWC) for creating its Whisky of the Year – Glenmorangie Grand Vintage Malt 199... Full Story...
Monday, August 5th 2019

Feedback from the Crown Princess

Maxine,  Thank you so much for fitting us on this excursion!! Elizabeth was a delight, the castle magnificent, and the falconry display unforgettable. You went above and beyond by including us and ending with a gift of whisky! We can’t say enough good things about your organization. I ... Full Story...
Saturday, July 20th 2019

Bus Tours Invergordon

We will book you onto our coaches and you will leave Invergordon to discover the highlights you have chosen to visit and see in the Scottish Highlands.  We have made it as affordable as possible, as it is important you enjoy it and leave wanting to experience more.  Maybe we will see you again in a few years.  The Highlands of Scotland has much more to offer than a day's tour and we know you will want to return after your "taster" session. 

Most of our bus tours are with English speaking guides, although we do provide a tailored service for our German cruise passengers. In time we hope to offer you tours in all your own languages.

We are happy to answer any questions before you book - feel free to email us, preferably in English, although we can translate.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

Reserve a Tour…

Thistle Excursions are a bus tour operator which departs from Invergordon. This is the perfect location for visitors on touring cruise ships stopping in the Cromarty Firth at the port of Invergordon. Our Invergordon bus tours are the prefect way for tourists and sightseeers to get a true taste of the Highlands of Scotland. Our bus tours which leave from Invergordon feature some of the best Highland locations; Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness, Beauly Priory, Black Rock Gorge, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Urqhuart Castle, Carnegie Whisky Cellar and Glenmorangie Distillery. Check out our Highland bus tour destinations page to choose which sights you want to see. Our bus tours have been chosen to allow you to see the most iconic destinations featured in numerous films, TV shows and rich Scottish History. So if you are looking for the perfect sightseeing tour of the Highlands, Thistle Excursions is your tour operator.

We also offer tailormade bus tours of the Highlands from Invergordon.

When booking your tour please choose carefully which castle you wish to visit. Either Cawdor, Urquhart or Dunrobin. You can visit one on your tour but when doing the Cawdor visit you will see Urquhart beside Loch Ness in the background, but you do not visit both.  Time does not allow.