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Highlands Tour: Loch Ness & Outlander Sites
3.1
14 Ratings
Invergordon Cruise Port
Explore Loch Ness, Outlander sites, and Highland history on a private tour. Taste award-winning gin and whisky. Book your adventure today.
Explore Loch Ness, Outlander sites, and Highland history on a private tour. Taste award-winning gin and whisky. Book your adventure today.
Duration:
7 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Invergordon - Invergordon is a delightful port town situated on the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands. Renowned for its rich maritime heritage, it acts as a gateway to the stunning natural beauty of the Highlands. The town is celebrated for its murals that illustrate local history and culture, and it offers a variety of activities, from…
- Invergordon - Invergordon is a delightful port town situated on the Cromarty Firth in the Scottish Highlands. Renowned for its rich maritime heritage, it acts as a gateway to the stunning natural beauty of the Highlands. The town is celebrated for its murals that illustrate local history and culture, and it offers a variety of activities, from scenic coastal walks to visits to nearby castles and distilleries. Invergordon is also a favored stop for cruise ships, providing visitors with a serene and picturesque introduction to the Highlands’ rugged landscapes.
- Cawdor Castle - Your guide will meet you at the port, marking the start of your Invergordon shore excursion. Relax in your vehicle as you journey through the peaceful port city towards the historic Cawdor Castle. Dating back to the 14th century, the castle captivates with its fairytale architecture and gardens and is famously associated with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Continue to a traditional whisky distillery, where you’ll learn about Scotland’s national drink and enjoy a tasting (note: under-18s may not participate).
- Loch Ness Region - Next, travel through the scenic Highlands to the legendary Loch Ness. Enjoy a photo stop on its picturesque shore and keep your camera ready for the best views.
- Inverness - If time permits, visit Inverness, the “Capital of the Highlands,” for some leisure or a quick snack. After an unforgettable day exploring Scotland’s beauty and heritage, return comfortably to Invergordon and your cruise port.
What's Included
- Pick up from your Cruise Ship
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local Guide
- Pick up from your Cruise Ship
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local Guide
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Optional entrance fee to Cawdor Castle approx £14
- Optional entry to Urquhart castle approx £14
- Snacks
- Optional entrance fee to Cawdor Castle approx £14
- Optional entry to Urquhart castle approx £14
Additional Information
Your guide will greet you at the port, marking the start of your Invergordon shore excursion. Sit back and relax in your vehicle as you journey through the serene port city towards the historic Cawdor Castle. This 14th-century castle captivates with its enchanting architecture and gardens and is famously associated with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Proceed…
Your guide will greet you at the port, marking the start of your Invergordon shore excursion. Sit back and relax in your vehicle as you journey through the serene port city towards the historic Cawdor Castle. This 14th-century castle captivates with its enchanting architecture and gardens and is famously associated with Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” Proceed to a traditional whisky distillery, where you’ll discover the secrets of Scotland’s national drink and enjoy a tasting (note: under-18s are not permitted to participate). Then, travel through the breathtaking Highlands to the legendary Loch Ness. Take advantage of a photo stop on its stunning shore and keep your camera ready for the most spectacular views. If time permits, visit Inverness, known as the “Capital of the Highlands,” for some leisure or a quick snack. After a memorable day exploring Scotland’s beauty and heritage, return comfortably to Invergordon and your cruise port.
- After dis-embarking take the shuttle bus for a short ride to the 1ST STOP - West Harbour - Shore Street. Your guide will meet you displaying a sign with ‘YOUR SHORE TIME’ and will direct you to your awaiting coach
Location
Invergordon Cruise Port
Shore Road
After dis-embarking take the shuttle bus for a short ride to the 1ST STOP - West Harbour - Shore Street. Your guide will meet you displaying a sign with ‘YOUR SHORE TIME’ and will direct you to your awaiting coach
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
3.1
(14 Ratings)
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1 star
Heidrun_m
Jul 24, 2025
Greatest tour - It was a great tour, we learned so much about this part of the Highlands. The visit of the whisky distillery was so interesting (and tasty), the castles beautiful. The bus was so comfortable! The guide Ian and the driver Emma were so nice and friendly! Absolutely recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Alansherrill
Jul 21, 2025
Great excursion! - Ian, our guide and Emma, our driver, did an outstanding job. The coach was very comfortable and the itinerary was a good one.
The tour got started a bit late, as there was a discrepancy with the start time, but we got everything in and it did not feel rushed. Ian was a wealth of information. It was a great way to see and enjoy the Scottish countryside.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rosa_w
Jul 18, 2025
Great trip, good use of time - Fortunately, we have a very comfortable and luxurious coach with only 28 people. We have a table between sets of seats, and almost every couple or family has their own sets of seats and tables. The bus has a toilet, too. The only drawback is that the microphone volume is very low
We can barely hear the guide talking.
The Whiskey tour and two castles are wonderful. We had a good time. But if you want to see them all, there will be no time for lunch. Be sure to bring your own lunch and eat on the bus.
Review provided by Viator
Alberto_p
Jul 27, 2025
A nice trip - The tour was good overall. The only drawback, in my opinion, was the time spent exploring the whisky factory.
Review provided by Viator
Alexandra_h
Jul 8, 2025
Pleasant day trip - It was known that the locksmiths and castles charge an extra entrance fee, but you could not even enter the outdoor facilities without an entrance ticket or even at the ruins/ Loch Ness a toilet.
Review provided by Viator
Jennifer_e
Jul 16, 2025
Too much to fit into one... - Too much to fit into one day. Entrance fees to castles should be included in cost, OR, option for those guests not wanting to go into castles (and not pay for entrance) to be dropped in nearby town with agreed pick up time and location.
Review provided by Viator
Bill_s
Sep 7, 2025
Left us stranded - We were left stranded because all other excursions were booked. Cancelled just hours before with little options.
Review provided by Viator
David_f
Aug 2, 2025
Good value for money but ... - Overall, good value for money but ... Firstly, Ian & Emma were great. The coach however was not. The speakers for the first four rows were not working, so any commentary could not be heard. The lack of information detracted greatly from the overall experience. Also, we were in a seat that faced backwards over a table, so even if we were able to hear any commentary, we wuld not be able to see what was being spoken about until it was too late! And as for the table itself, a great idea but it vibrated horribly and things were sliding off as a result everywhere!!
Would have rated higher if we had had a forward facing seat and, more importantly, been able to hear the/any commentary. An appropriate refund for this would be welcomed as service not provided as advertised.
Review provided by Viator
Kevin_s
Jul 21, 2025
I feel cheated - This was the worst excursion I have taken in 20 years of cruising. We started off by having multiple participants being given different start times. We were told 8:00 am. Other guests were told 9:00 am. So we stood around and waited for an hour. After the full group was gathered, we got to walk 1/2 a mile to where the bus was parked, nowhere near to the cruise ship. Upon entering the bus, we were told by our tour director that she was just filling in and was normally a driver. We began our drive to the scotch distillery and were treated to an hour of inane information. Mostly she just pointed out common everday locations like dog parks, sporting good stores, auto dealerships and bowling alleys. Occasionally she would point out churches and other building that looked historical, but provided no further information. She provided no history of the area or any buildings we saw.
The tour of the distillery was the one redeeming stop. And it is the only reason this review is 2 stars.
Our other 2 stops were Cawdor Castle and Urquhart Castle. We were told that we would need to pay additional ticket fees to enter each of the buildings. Because we had limited time, we opted to not purchase these entrance tickets in advance. But when we arrived at both locations, it became evident that we could not even see the outside of the castles without paying the entrance fees. If the entrance to the grounds is essential to a sightseeing tour, why are those prices not included in the booking cost?
Do yourself a favor and book with another Viator partner.
Review provided by Viator
Evangelina_g
Aug 22, 2025
Look for another agency that does respect the itinerary - When I bought the tour, I bought it because we were going to Inverness. The tour didn't arrive; the guide had a different itinerary than the one I had. I feel really bad for not following the itinerary they sell.
Review provided by Viator
