Urquhart Castle, Inverness, Loch Ness Centre, Gin and the mystery of Nessie
We aim to give you a full day of adventure and enjoyment, making you as comfortable as possible. We hope you will return again and again to visit the Scottish Highlands, as this is all but a taster session, although you will have plenty of time to experience every aspect of the Thistle tour.
Tour vehicle
This tour could be in a 4, 8, 16, 33 or 49 seater vehicle. It is usually in the smaller of these though.
What's included in the price?
Adult £135 Child £90.Infact under 2 years FREE. (includes entrance charge to Urquhart castle and the Nessie Exhibition Centre in Drumnadrochit.)
Tour timings
Depart at 9am or 10am if your ship docks later. Please meet your guide around 840am Tour returns at least 1 hour before ship departure. The tour lasts from 6-8 hours but can be shortened to accommodate ship departure times. It can also leave later if your ship docks after 9. We will have you back in plenty of time for your ship's departure. Please do not be concerned as we will have you back on the ship before it sails.
For our cancellation policy see FAQs https://www.thistleexcursions.co.uk/faqs
Inverness - photo opportunities and short visit
Tour around the sights - Inverness, Castle and historic places including Outlander links whilst remaining in your vehicle. The guide will provide information on the city sights and you will be normally dropped off for around 45 minutes, if tour timings allow for this.
Loch Ness
Travel beside Loch Ness for 15 miles, stopping for photos of Nessie (if you’re very lucky). (20-30 minutes)
Loch Ness Exhibition Centre - unpick the legend of Nessie - the Loch Ness monster
Visit the newly refurbished Loch Ness Centre - decide if you believe in the legend or not. You'll also have a toilet stop here and shops to see. (1.5 hrs), (entracen included).
Great Glen Gin Distillery - Drumnadrochit
Visit the smallest gin distillery in the UK (15 minutes) - free tasters.
Urquhart Castle - tour castle
Visit the ruins of Urquhart castle 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. You'll be here about 1.5 hours mostly, (entrance included).
Beauly and Highland Coos
Leave the village Drumnadrochit then back to the ship via wild land 1000 feet up a mountain the dropping down into the village of Beauly, passing by the ancient Priory. and if time calling into Robertson's farm to see the hairy Highland cows - Katie Morag and Jamie. This may not be possible on 5pm ship departures.
Outlander TV hotspots
Outlander fans will not be disappointed as our tour guides point out all the filming locations of the popular series based on the book by Diana Gabaldon.
Book this tour
Prices: Adult - £135, Kids - £90
Date | Vessel | Time | |
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16 July 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
18 July 2025 | Viking Jupiter | 09:00 | Details |
19 July 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 09:00 | Details |
20 July 2025 | Viking vela | 09:00 | Details |
21 July 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 09:00 | Details |
23 July 2025 | MS Rotterdam | 08:30 | Details |
25 July 2025 | Oceania Sirena | 09:00 | Details |
28 July 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
28 July 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
31 July 2025 | Seven Seas Voyager | 09:00 | Details |
03 August 2025 | Star Legend | 09:00 | Details |
04 August 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
06 August 2025 | Nieuw Statendam | 10:30 | Details |
07 August 2025 | Oceania Vista | 09:30 | Details |
11 August 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 09:00 | Details |
12 August 2025 | AidaSol | 10:30 | Details |
13 August 2025 | Celebrity Eclipse | 09:00 | Details |
14 August 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 09:00 | Details |
18 August 2025 | Azamara Journey | 09:00 | Details |
20 August 2025 | Seven Seas Navigator | 09:00 | Details |
20 August 2025 | Seven Seas Navigator | 12:30 | Details |
22 August 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 08:30 | Details |
26 August 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 09:00 | Details |
30 August 2025 | Ritz-Carlton Ilma | 09:00 | Details |
30 August 2025 | Ritz-Carlton Ilma | 09:00 | Details |
01 September 2025 | Norwegian Dawn | 09:00 | Details |
04 September 2025 | AidaLuna | 09:00 | Details |
05 September 2025 | Mein Schiff 3 | 09:00 | Details |
06 September 2025 | Costa Favalosa | 09:00 | Details |
07 September 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
10 September 2025 | AidaSol | 09:00 | Details |
12 September 2025 | Costa Favalosa | 10:00 | Details |
15 September 2025 | Seven Seas Mariner | 09:00 | Details |
23 September 2025 | Queen Mary 2 | 09:30 | Details |
24 September 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
25 September 2025 | World Voyager | 09:00 | Details |
25 September 2025 | Ambition | 09:00 | Details |
03 October 2025 | AidaSol | 09:00 | Details |
05 October 2025 | Regal Princess | 09:00 | Details |
10 October 2025 | Artania | 09:00 | Details |
17 October 2025 | AidaSol | 10:00 | Details |
18 October 2025 | AidaSol | 09:00 | Details |
30 October 2025 | Ambience | 09:00 | Details |
13 March 2026 | Ambience | 09:00 | Details |
24 April 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
06 May 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
13 May 2026 | Norwegian Star | 09:00 | Details |
20 May 2026 | Norwegian Sky | 09:00 | Details |
17 July 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
29 July 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
04 August 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
22 August 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |
15 September 2026 | Majestic Princess | 09:00 | Details |