Secret Loch Ness, Inverness Castle Experience, Creag na Dun, Culloden Battlefield 

What's included in the tour price?

Adult £155, Child £120  Infants under 2 £50 (includes entry to Cawdor castle and an audio guide for the castle in your own language).  

What is different about this one and the Cawdor Castle tour?

This tour takes you to the north side of Loch Ness, whereas the other tours take you to the main road on the south of the Loch where you cannot access the actual water.  On this tour you are level with the loch and stop right at it - you can even paddle if you wish!  It also aims to take you in a smaller vehicle - a 4, 8, 16 or 19 seater minibus where possible, so there are less people on this tour. If we have to use a larger bus we contain the numbers to around 30.  It also takes you into the Inverness castle experience  

Tour in luxury vehicle

This tour is often taken in 4 seater car or an 8 seater luxury vehicle.  Occasionally it might be  in a 16-33 seater small minibus, but ask if you wish to check. If only a large bus is available we will limit the number of guests to around 30.

Tour timings

You’ll leave over an hour after docking and return at least one hour before your ship sails. 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.

For our cancellation policy see FAQs https://www.thistleexcursions.co.uk/faqs

See the off the beaten track side of Loch Ness

This tour lets you see the unblemished parts of Loch Ness. You get to dip your toe in Loch Ness and take home a sample of the Loch.   It takes you the south side of the loch to a small village called Dores  

Culloden Battlefield

We visit Culloden Battlefield and visitor centre for at least 30/45 minutes. The last battle on British soil.

Clava Cairns (Creag na Dun)

We will visit Clava Cairns, the inspiration for the Outlander book and series by Diana Galaldon if time allows (15 minutes).

Inverness Castle Magical Experience 

Overlooking the River Ness in the centre of Inverness, the “Capital of the Highlands.”

Not a ruin like many Highland castles – this is a 19th-century red sandstone building still in use today. It long served as the Inverness Sheriff Court and has now been redeveloped into a major visitor attraction - costing around £40 million.

History in Short

The first castle on this site was built in the 11th century by King Malcolm III (Malcolm Canmore).

In 1307, during the Wars of Independence, Robert the Bruce captured and destroyed it to stop English occupation.

Later medieval fortresses stood here, and Mary, Queen of Scots, famously clashed with the castle’s governor in 1562 when he refused her entry.

The present castle was constructed in 1836, designed by architect William Burn, giving Inverness its iconic red-stone skyline.

Key Features - striking red sandstone towers above the river.

North and South Towers, with commanding views over Inverness and the Great Glen.

A statue of Flora MacDonald, heroine of the Jacobite Rising, stands outside, facing the River Ness. 

Robertson's Quaint Farm and Highland Cows - Beauly or An Talla highland cows

We visit here when time allows and you can shop in the farm shop if you wish, but more importantly get photos with Jamie or Katie-Morag - two friendly hairy highland cows (one black, one brown). 

Inverness

Browse the shops or bars or look at the historic buildings at your leisure  you'll have 3 hours at the castle or the town, depending on your preference or share you time between the two locations.

After having seen the city and enjoying the Highland culture you’ll head back to the port. 

The order of venues may change bit we will see all the places.