Inverness Highlands Bucket List Tour

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Our first stop we find The Clava Cairns—or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Balnuaran of Clava—are all that remains of what was once a much larger Bronze Age burial complex. Dating back 4,000 years, the evocative cemetery site retains original features, including passage graves, standing stones, and ring cairns (stone circles).

   30 min

2. Our second stop take us to Culloden moor Marking the spot of the last major battle on British soil, the wild moor at Culloden is the resting place of 1,500 Jacobite and 50 Government soldiers who fought and died here in 1746. Today, you can walk along the battle lines and see the graves of the soldiers beside the memorial cairn in the centre of the battlefield. Flags represent the front lines of both armies and show the vast scale of the battle, whilst in the centre clan markers indicate the graves of the fallen. As part of our continued conservation of the site, we work hard to try and restore the land, as closely as possible, to how it would have looked in the 18th century. Working alongside our Facilities team, we have goats and Shetland cows who graze the land just as they would have years ago. The unique landscape of Culloden is also home to a rich variety of wildlife, including skylarks (who both live and breed on the battlefield) and garden tiger moth caterpillars.

   1.3 h

3. We now stop at An Talla cafe for a quick bite from the local menu.

   45 min

4. we now drive along the banks of loch ness where we can gaze at whothe amazing views of the most famous loch in the world,nessie is the friendly monster that is said to live here,grab your cameras.

   15 min

5. Wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history - Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall. A more comfortable view of the iconic ruins, against a backdrop of Loch Ness and the hills of the Great Glen, can be enjoyed from the café. Urquhart’s stories are also told through a remarkable collection of artefacts left by its residents, historic replicas, including a full-sized, working trebuchet siege engine, and a short film.

   1.1 h

6. We now stop at the Great Glen Distillery where you will have a chance to sample a free gin made from Loch Ness water. Learn the amazing story of two friends who stated this award winning adventure. Maybe grab a locally made ice cream and enjoy the freshly made flavours.NOTE: The Distillery will be closed during the winter months

   30 minAdmission included

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Reviews

Ratings come from 124 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.

Showing reviews written in English.

• 5Great tour!

  We had a wonderful trip. The visit to Cawdor Castle was a smart alternative option to a rainy, windy visit to the Urquhart ruins. Richie, our guide, was great and knowledgeable.

  Sheri_DSeptember 2026via Viator

• 5Great fun and learned a lot!

  Richie was the best guide and we had a fabulous time on the tour! He really took good care of us and we learned a lot of great history. I highly recommend booking this tour, it was the highlight of our trip.

  diannah743September 2026via Tripadvisor

• 5The tour was great!...

  The tour was great! Richie was very friendly and well informed, he adjusted things so that we arrived at the stops before the big cruise ship crowds arrived and offered excellent suggestions for additional sights to see and places to eat. Highly recommend!

  Christine_SJuly 2026via Viator

• 5Our tour guide, Richie,...

  Our tour guide, Richie, was phenomenal!! He did a fantastic job walking us throughout the Cairns explaining the history, before giving us time to explore on our own. At the battlefield, castle, and Caledonian canal he did a wonderful job giving us background information before letting us explore on our own pace. Throughout the drive Richie had a plethora of stories to tell and recommendations for our time in Inverness. This was a fantastic tour and gave us a ton of background information for the rest of our time in the highlands. Would highly recommend this tour!!!

  Jessica_AJune 2026via Viator

• 5Awesome tour

  Richie was a great tour guide and let us see everything we wanted to see. He tailored the experience to fit what we wanted to see. Would recommend to family and friends.

  Kathryn_TJune 2026via Viator

• 5Ancient Stones, Historic Battles, and Stunning Castle

  We had an incredible tour with Richie! His knowledge of Scotland's rich history brought every stop to life, from ancient sites to historic battlefields. Richie was extremely accommodating throughout the day and did a fantastic job navigating the crowds, allowing us to enjoy a much more personal and intimate experience. His passion, expertise, and friendly nature made this one of the highlights of our trip. Highly recommended!

  T_PJune 2026via Viator

Know before you go

How it compares in Inverness

• Its from-price is 77% below the median of the 173 day trips we list in Inverness.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• By number of reviews it ranks 21 of 173.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Inverness

Inverness is the Highland capital on the River Ness, close to Loch Ness, Culloden battlefield, ancient cairns and the dolphins of the Moray Firth.

Inverness stands where the River Ness meets the Moray Firth, with a red sandstone castle on a bluff above the river and the wooded Ness Islands, linked by footbridges, a short stroll upstream. The city is the capital of the Highlands and the northern end of the Great Glen, the fault valley that runs south-west to Fort William. The Victorian cathedral of St Andrew stands on the river bank.

Top-ranked sights in Inverness: Loch Ness, Fort Augustus, Isle of Skye.

See all 319 experiences in Inverness