Ultimate Loch Ness Highland Tour

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Loch Ness, Scotland

The drive to Loch Ness is very picturesque taking you through rolling hills and farmland. Along the way you will have an opportunity hear about the history of the area and find out a little more about your guide and their experiences of living in the Scottish Highlands. Every tour is different - we get to know you and you get to now us and our aim is to make sure you have a truly unforgettable day in the Scottish Highlands.

You will take the north shore route stopping on Loch Ness and taking a walk down to its shores for photo opportunities and some even go for a swim (WARNING: this is not for the faint hearted!) The journey then winds through the fantastically named Drumnadrochit which is a great place to stop for reasonably priced Nessie souvenirs at one of the little gift shops in this quaint Scottish village.

On the way to Urquhart Castle there is the option to drop in by Divach Falls. The falls can be found down a little woodland path so it's a bit of an adventure (and one we only recommend to people who are good on their feet) but it's a great option for those who like to get off the beaten track.

Our next stop will be the ruins of Urquhart Castle, always arriving nice and early to beat the crowds as it becomes very busy as the day goes on. It's possible to just take pictures outside the ruins but we highly recommend visiting one of Scotland's most historic castles.

If you do decide to go in to the castle our recommendation is to take a 1hr cruise on the Jacobite Rebel from the castle's very own pier for the best views of the Great Glen and Loch Ness while hearing all about the famous loch from Jacobite's onboard Loch Ness expert. You might even get a wee song if you're lucky. Your guide will then meet you at Dochgarroch Locks where your cruise will end and your tour will continue. (We receive a special rate of £18.50 per person which we of course pass on to our guests. This includes entry to the castle and your Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness.) Without doubt this is definitely one of the very best ways to experience Loch Ness and is always a hit with our guests who decide to include it on their tour.

OPTION: Following this there's the option to stop in Inverness for shopping or maybe a wander around Inverness Cathedral otherwise the route takes you through the heart of Inverness past Inverness Castle, home to the Inverness Sheriff and Justice of the Peace Court.

Another popular stop on the tour is Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. There's a really good visitor centre here but it's also possible to just walk on to the battlefield and take in this very historic site. There's also a great example of a traditional thatched house, Leanach cottage.

From the battlefield it's only a short drive to the Culloden Viaduct and Clava Cairns which features a selection of standing stones and is an interesting example of a well preserved Bronze Age cemetery.

​There are a couple of places we recommend for lunch based on what you like to eat and how much time you would like to spend eating lunch. The options range from an traditional Scottish Tavern to a family owned restaurant which overlooks Inverness and serves lots of homemade sandwiches, soups, cakes and other delicious treats.
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Cawdor Castle is one of the very best examples of a castle which is still being lived in as a family home to this very day. We are very fortunate that the Dowager Countess moves out of the castle in to another house on the estate in the summertime to allow us to visit her beautiful highland home. If you would like to visit then this will take around an hour although some guests take longer here. It's also a good option for lunch if you want to hit two birds with one stone. Great coffees and home baking too!!

If military history is of interest to you then you would really enjoy a visit to Fort George one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe. Designed to halt any future Jacobite attempt on the throne it was completed in 1769 using the very latest military architecture, and was intended to be the base for 2,000 men with large amounts of artillery. Its might was never put to the test and it stands today as one of the best-preserved artillery fortresses of its period in the world. It also offers fantastic views over to the Black Isle and if you're lucky you might even spot some dolphins playing in the firth.

If whisky is of interest to you then the Glen Ord Distillery is only a short drive from Inverness, it's one of Scotland's most picturesque distilleries and a really good tour if you'd like to hear more about the ancient fire water and maybe have a wee taste from the excellent selection of Diageo whiskies from Oban to Lagavulin plus their own range of Singleton whiskies which unless you liv in Asia is pretty hard to come by!

The Black Isle Brewery is also close by and offers a short free tour and the Black Isle is another place we can highly recommend. Not a lot of our tours end up on the Black Isle which is a real shame as it is absolutely beautiful and has some great walks and an interesting history. The Fairy Glen is particularly stunning so if you feel like stretching your legs this is the place to go!! It's a gentle walk through the woodland with some beautiful sights including waterfalls. We also love Cromarty and if you'd like to include the Black Isle we would try to make it to Sutor Creek for either lunch or dinner as it is one of the best restaurants in the Highlands.

There are so many great places around Loch Ness we don't limit your tour to what we think is best we get to know you and we'll make suggestions based on your interests throughout the day.


Duration: 8 hours