Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Craigh na Dun & the mystery of Ness Monster
Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Craigh na Dun & the mystery of Ness Monster

Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Craigh na Dun 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 £149, Child £110, Infact under 2 years £50. (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 8.40am.  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)

Culloden Battlefield 

⚔️ Culloden Battlefield (16 April 1746)

The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the Jacobite Rising of 1745, fought on Drumossie Moor, near Inverness. It pitched the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart (“Bonnie Prince Charlie”)—seeking to restore the Stuart dynasty to the British throne—against the Government army of the Duke of Cumberland, loyal to King George II.

Castle Clava Cairns (Creag na Dun inspiration)

The site consists of passage graves, ring cairns, and standing stone circles. Three main cairns remain, aligned with the setting sun at the winter solstice, showing the builders’ astronomical knowledge.

Built as sacred burial and ritual sites, likely for important community leaders. Excavations revealed cremated remains, pottery, and tools.

Urquhart Castle (in Outlander)

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.  

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 - £149, Kids - £110

DateVesselTime
05 October 2025Regal Princess09:00Details
10 October 2025Artania09:00Details
17 October 2025AidaSol10:00Details
18 October 2025AidaSol09:00Details
30 October 2025Ambience09:00Details
06 April 2026AIDAmar09:00Details
13 April 2026Ambience09:00Details
23 April 2026CFC Renaissance09:00Details
24 April 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
29 April 2026AidaLuna09:00Details
04 May 2026Nieuw Statendam09:00Details
06 May 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
13 May 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
16 May 2026Mein schiff 209:00Details
18 May 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
19 May 2026Celebrity Eclipse09:00Details
20 May 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
21 May 2026Costa Favalosa09:00Details
22 May 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
26 May 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
27 May 2026Aidasol09:00Details
28 May 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
30 May 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
31 May 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
31 May 2026AidaLuna09:00Details
03 June 2026Norwegian Star08:30Details
04 June 2026Aidasol09:00Details
07 June 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
09 June 2026Ms Rotterdam09:00Details
11 June 2026Seabourne Ovation09:00Details
12 June 2026Queen Anne09:00Details
12 June 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
13 June 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
16 June 2026AidaSol09:00Details
18 June 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
19 June 2026Seven Seas Grandeur09:00Details
21 June 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
23 June 2026Ambience09:00Details
24 June 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
27 June 2026Mein Schiff 309:00Details
29 June 2026AIDAsol09:00Details
01 July 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
03 July 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
07 July 2026Oceania Sirena09:00Details
08 July 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
09 July 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
11 July 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
12 July 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
12 July 2026MS Europa09:00Details
13 July 2026Celebrity Eclipse09:00Details
14 July 2026MS Rotterdam08:30Details
15 July 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
15 July 2026Britannia10:00Details
16 July 2026AIDABella09:00Details
17 July 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
20 July 2026Costa Favalosa09:00Details
23 July 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
24 July 2026Azamara Quest09:00Details
27 July 2026Fred Olsen Borealis09:00Details
29 July 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
30 July 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
31 July 2026Azamara Quest09:00Details
02 August 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
03 August 2026Star Legend09:00Details
04 August 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
05 August 2026Oceania Marina09:00Details
06 August 2026Mein Schiff 309:00Details
07 August 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
12 August 2026Norwegian Sky09:00Details
12 August 2026Celebrity Eclipse09:00Details
15 August 2026Seven Seas Voyager09:00Details
16 August 2026Mein Schiff 309:00Details
17 August 2026Oceania Vista09:00Details
18 August 2026MS Nieuw Statendam09:00Details
20 August 2026AidaLuna09:00Details
22 August 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
24 August 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
25 August 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
26 August 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
26 August 2026MS Nieuw Statendam09:00Details
28 August 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
01 September 2026Valiant Lady09:00Details
04 September 2026Seven Seas Mariner09:00Details
07 September 2026Mein Schiff 209:00Details
09 September 2026Oceania Marina09:00Details
10 September 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
11 September 2026MSC Preziosa09:00Details
12 September 2026Spirit of Adventure09:00Details
15 September 2026Majestic Princess08:30Details
16 September 2026Norwegian Star09:00Details
24 September 2026Costa Favalosa09:00Details
29 September 2026Hanseatic Spirit09:00Details
05 October 2026AidaSol09:00Details
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