East Tour: Inverness-shire and Moray-Shire Highlights

Highland Council

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Explore Brodie Castle, Fort George, and more on a private day trip with a local guide. Discover Scotland’s history and Outlander sites.

Duration: 8 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Fort George - In 1726, the initial fortification known as Fort George was completed in Inverness. During the 1745 uprising, the fort was besieged by three thousand Jacobites. Isolated and unable to receive aid from Crown forces, Fort George was surrendered in February 1746 after mines reached the outer walls. The victorious Jacobites demolished Old Fort George to prevent its reuse as a military base by the British Army. In 1747, following the Crown’s victory at the Battle of Culloden, Colonel William Skinner, the King’s Military Engineer for northern Britain, was contracted to rebuild Fort George. The decision was made to construct the new Fort George 10 miles (16 km) away from Inverness at the mouth of the Moray Firth. The site of Old Fort George remained abandoned for nearly 70 years until the mid-19th century when a red sandstone castellated building called Inverness Castle was built on the former site of the fort. Fort George is still operated by the British Army today.
Brodie Castle - The original Z-plan castle was built in 1567 by Clan Brodie but was destroyed by fire in 1645 by Lewis Gordon of Clan Gordon, the 3rd Marquis of Huntly. In 1824, architect William Burn was commissioned to convert it into a mansion house in the Scots Baronial style, but these additions were never completed and were later remodeled by James Wylson. The Brodie family called the castle home until the early 21st century. It is widely accepted that the family has been associated with the land on which the castle stands since around 1160, when it is believed that King Malcolm IV granted the land to the family. Architecturally, the castle has a well-preserved 16th-century central keep with two 5-storey towers on opposing corners. The interior of the castle is also well-preserved, containing fine antique furniture, oriental artifacts, and painted ceilings, largely dating from the 17th–19th centuries.
Pluscarden Abbey - The phrase written around the site “From Priory to Abbey” reflects its history of changing hands. The Valliscaulian priory of Pluscarden was founded by King Alexander II. The now-defunct Valliscaulian Order was small compared to the great medieval religious houses and emerged at a time when austere monasticism had spread across Europe c.1075–1200. By the 15th century, the state of the Priory, both physically and politically, had become serious with regular disputes over who should be Prior. Falling income and disrupted contact with France due to the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453) exacerbated the situation. During the 17th century, the priory became ruinous and was used as a quarry for the rebuilding of St Giles Kirk in Elgin. The payments made to haulers imply that the dismantling of the building must have been on a large scale.
Rait Castle - Rait Castle is a ruined hall-house castle dating from the thirteenth century. The castle was originally a property of the Comyn family who took the name of de Rait. Sir Alexander Rait killed the third Thane of Cawdor (chief of Clan Calder) and then fled south where he married the heiress of Hallgreen. The castle later passed from the de Raits to the Mackintosh family and then to the Campbell family. In 1442, when the castle passed to the Mackintoshes from the de Rait family, a feast was held at the castle between the two families which ended in the slaughter of most of the Comyns and de Raits. The laird blamed his daughter, whom he chased around the castle. She climbed out of a window and as she hung out the window he chopped off her hands and she fell to her death. The castle is said to be haunted by her ghost, with no hands.
Benromach - Benromach distillery is a Speyside distillery founded by Duncan McCallum and F.W. Brickman in 1898 and is currently owned and operated by Gordon and MacPhail of Elgin. It is situated near Forres in Morayshire and is fed with spring water from the Chapelton Springs in the Romach Hills beside Forres. Enjoy a tasting of gin as well as their whisky in their comfortable tasting lounge.
Culloden Viaduct - Designed by Chief Engineer Murdoch Paterson and built by the Highland Railway in 1889, the impressive 29 arches of the Culloden Viaduct stretch over the valley and River Nairn. The imposing structure built in sandstone is similar to the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter) but on a much larger scale.
Clava Cairns - Clava Cairns or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava are a group of three Bronze Age cairns located near Inverness. A hugely significant and exceptionally well-preserved prehistoric site, Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, dating back about 4,000 years. The Clava Cairns provided inspiration for the Craigh na Dun standing stones in the book and TV series Outlander. Most observed is the famous “Cleft Stone” that transports the main character Claire back in time is located here.
Culloden Battlefield - On 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head. Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain, 1,500 of them Jacobites. The Visitor Museum contains artifacts from both sides of the bloody battle that day.

What's Included

Private Comfortable Vehicle
Local Guide
Snacks & Water
Child Seats
Umbrella’s

What's Not Included

Castle Admissions £12-£15
Whisky Tours & Tasting’s
Lunch

Additional Information

Our East Tour showcases the regions of Inverness-shire and Moray-Shire. Explore the historic Brodie Castle, the medieval Pluscarden Abbey, the 250-year-old Fort George, and more with your private vehicle and local tour guide. This tour is rich in Scottish history and includes sites from the famous Outlander series. Travel time between stops is included in the total tour duration, and there’s a lunch break if guests wish to grab a bite.