Secret Loch Ness with Cawdor Castle and Clava Cairns

Secret Loch Ness with Cawdor Castle and Clava Cairns

By Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours

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Free cancellation available

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Free cancellation available
8h
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Overview

This carefully curated one-day Highland tour takes you beyond the obvious and into the soul of the Highlands. Departing from Inverness, you’ll experience the quieter north side of Loch Ness — a more remote and atmospheric stretch of the loch, rich in history, legend, and raw Highland beauty.

The journey continues to the enchanting Cawdor Castle, tucked away in woodland and famed for its ancient past and romantic gardens. Step into powerful Scottish history at Culloden Battlefield, then visit the mysterious Clava Cairns, made famous by Outlander and steeped in ancient myth.

Along the way, enjoy classic Highland scenery — rolling moorland, forest glens, and the chance to meet iconic Highland cows up close.

A unique blend of legend, history, scenery, and Highland character — all in one unforgettable day.

As a general rule tours leave 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the arrival of the ship and return at least 1 hour before ship departure time.

Activity location

Culloden Battlefield
- Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
- IV2 5EU, Culloden Moor, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

Invergordon Tours
- King Street
- IV18 0LL, Invergordon, Scotland, United Kingdom

Check availability

Tour from 2 persons upwards

8h
English

Add things to your tour : You may add things to your tour if time allows and if you wish to travel in a smaller vehicle, but they cost more on the day.
Duration: 8 hours: Depending on what time your ship leaves we can add time or leave earlier depending what time it docks.
You may add venues if time.
4 seater or 8 seater or coach : For privacy or comfort you may select a smaller vehicle other than a bus but it will cost more on some occasions.

Travellers

Language options: English

Starting time: 8:30 AM

Price details

NZ$334.03 x 1 AdultNZ$334.03

Total

Until Sun, 10 May

What's included, what's not

All Fees and Taxes
Lunch

Know before you book

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transport options are available nearby
Specialised infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair travellers difficult

Activity itinerary

Culloden Battlefield

Culloden Battlefield is where the final Jacobite Rising ended on 16 April 1746. In under an hour, the Jacobite army led by Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was decisively defeated by government forces under the Duke of Cumberland. The battle marked the end of Jacobite hopes to restore the Stuart monarchy and led to brutal reprisals across the Highlands, including bans on tartan, weapons, and the speaking of Gaelic.

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is a beautifully preserved 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial site, made up of ring cairns, passage graves, and standing stones. It’s best known for its winter solstice alignment, when the setting sun shines directly into the central cairn — showing just how advanced prehistoric astronomy was. Fans of Outlander will recognise Clava Cairns as the real-world inspiration for “Creag na Dun,” the mystical stone circle where Claire travels through time. While the TV stones were a set, Clava perfectly captures the same atmosphere — ancient, powerful, and quietly haunting.

Cawdor Castle

1h 40m
Admission ticket included

Cawdor Castle is a 15th-century Highland castle still lived in by the Cawdor family. It’s famously linked to Shakespeare’s Macbeth through the title Thane of Cawdor, although the real castle was built centuries after the historical Macbeth. The castle grew around a hollow oak tree, once believed to bring good fortune, and today features richly furnished rooms, tapestries, and family heirlooms. Outside, the formal gardens, woodland walks, and riverside paths are a major highlight — especially in spring and summer. It’s one of the most romantic and well-preserved castles in the Highlands, blending history, legend, and beautiful scenery.

Inverness (Pass by)

As we drive through Inverness, you’re passing the capital of the Highlands, set along the River Ness where it flows out of Loch Ness towards the Moray Firth. It’s a small city, but historically important — once a key stronghold controlling the Highlands. On the riverbank you’ll see Inverness Castle, standing on a sandstone cliff. While the current building is 19th-century, the site has been fortified for over a thousand years. Nearby is Inverness Cathedral and Eden Court Theatre, the cultural heart of the city. Inverness is known as the gateway to the Highlands — a last stop for supplies and civilisation before heading into the wilder landscapes beyond.

Inverness Castle Viewpoint (Pass by)

As we pass Inverness Castle, this is one of the best photo opportunities in the city. The castle sits high above the River Ness, giving great views from the road and especially from the bridges. For photos, look towards the castle on the hill with the river in the foreground — it’s particularly striking in good light or early evening. If you’re quick with cameras, you’ll get classic shots of castle, river, and city skyline all in one frame. The building itself is 19th-century, but the viewpoint has been strategic for over a thousand years — which is exactly why it still dominates Inverness today.

Dores Beach

Dores Beach sits at the northern end of Loch Ness, just outside Inverness, and offers one of the best shoreline views of the loch. The long shingle beach gives wide, open vistas straight down the water — perfect for photos and a real sense of Loch Ness scale. This is a favourite local spot for walks, wildlife watching, and of course Nessie-spotting. On clear days you can see far down the loch, and sunsets here are especially beautiful.

Beauly Priory (Pass by)

As we pass Beauly Priory, you’re seeing the remains of a 13th-century Valliscaulian monastery, founded around 1230. It was an important religious centre until the Scottish Reformation, after which it gradually fell into ruin. Even from the road you can spot the fine stone carvings and the tall west gable — a reminder of how grand the priory once was. Today it’s a peaceful historic site right in the heart of the village. A quick glimpse, but a lovely example of medieval Highland history tucked into everyday life.

Loch Ness Region

This is the north end of Loch Ness, at Dores, where the loch begins and the River Ness flows out towards Inverness. From here you get one of the widest, clearest views straight down the loch, giving a real sense of its length and depth. Dores Beach is a favourite local spot — peaceful, open, and ideal for photos. On calm days the water can look deceptively gentle, but Loch Ness is deep, dark, and cold, even close to shore.

Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly

As we stop at Robertson’s Farm, keep an eye out for the Highland cows — the long-haired, horned cattle, Katie-Morag and Jamie, that have become one of Scotland’s most iconic sights. They’re well suited to the Highland climate and often graze close to the roadside here. The farm is part of the rich agricultural landscape around Beauly and the Black Isle, known for fertile land and traditional farming. It’s a great quick photo moment, especially when the cattle are nearby.

Location

Activity location

Culloden Battlefield
- Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
- IV2 5EU, Culloden Moor, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

Invergordon Tours
- King Street
- IV18 0LL, Invergordon, Scotland, United Kingdom

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