Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 18 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness worth booking?
Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness is a 6-hour experience in Inverness, United Kingdom, from $49 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 18 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (18)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $49 per person
So you only have Half-of day and don't want the hassle of hiring a car. No problem jump on board and explore the true inspiration behind the famous Outlander books from the Magical stones to the gallant Jacobite's battle
What you get
- Bottled water
- local guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
About this experience
So you only have Half-of day and don't want the hassle of hiring a car. No problem jump on board and explore the true inspiration behind the famous Outlander books from the Magical stones to the gallant Jacobite's battle again King George II troops at Culloden moor 16th April 1746 . Then discover the only surviving Jacobite house Cawdor castle which escaped the destruction after Culloden.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- local guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Entrance fees
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Clava Cairns
Clava Cairns are a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves; ring cairns, kerb cairns and standing stones in a beautiful setting. 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. Clava Cairns is a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery near Inverness in the Scottish Highlands. For many years, it played second fiddle to its more famous neighbour, Culloden Battlefield. That all changed in 2014, with the release of the TV dramatization of Diana Gabaldon’s popular Outlander novel. Clava Cairns became a bucket list destination overnight, after it was suggested that Outlander’s fictitious stone circle, Craigh na Dun was inspired by the site.
45 minutes here
Culloden Viaduct
The massive red sandstone masonry viaduct is the longest of its kind in Scotland, at 1,800 ft. Built by the Highland Railway and engineered by Murdoch Paterson, Culloden Viaduct opened to rail traffic in November 1898. Today, it is still in use and is the largest structure on the Highland Main Line (scenic rail) between Perth and Inverness.
15 minutes here
Culloden Battlefield
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. The course of British, European and world history was changed at Culloden on 16 April 1746. A ferocious war had come to Scotland, dividing families and setting clan against clan. It was here that the Jacobite army took their last stand to reclaim the thrones of Britain from the Hanoverians for a Stuart king. The Jacobites fought to restore the exiled James VIII as king and were led by Prince Charles Edward Stuart, James’s son; George II’s government army (led by the Duke of Cumberland, George’s son) was equally determined to stop this happening.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Cawdor Castle
A romantic fairy-tale castle that has been the home of the Thanes of Cawdor since 1370, Cawdor has evolved into a charming family mansion and the most outstanding of stately homes. The dramatic medieval tower, dungeon, turrets, battlements and...more Cawdor Castle with its iron yet gate, moat & drawbridge, turrets, turnpike stairs and vaulted 16th century kitchen is steeped in intrigue and history. This ancient medieval tower house built for the 3rd Thane of Cawdor has been home to over 23 generations of the Cawdor family. Explore 12 principal rooms of this unique home containing collections of Rare Tapestries, Fine Art, Furniture, Ceramics and Sculpture spanning 3,500 years
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Inverness
Next to Inverness railway station meet outside royal Highland hotel
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Next to Inverness railway station meet outside royal Highland hotel
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- highland bucket list tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 18 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
18 verified traveler reviews for Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent
I loved the personal attention, the small group size, and the flexibility. I would book again with Richie without hesitation.
Response from the operator: Thank you so very much for your wonderful 5 star review guys and hope you return to Scotland again one day :)
via Tripadvisor
3 Cs of Inverness
Very enjoyable day seeing Clara Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, and Cawdor Cadtle. Ritchie, our tour guide presented facts and stories with an engaging manner.
Response from the operator: Thankyou so much ladies for your warm review Richie is a happy chappy :) safe travels in orkney
via Viator
We spent a lovely day...
We spent a lovely day with Ritchie learning about the Clava Cairns and the Culloden Battlefield. I would highly recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: Thankyou Geri for your fab review and it was our pleasure to share the beautiful Highlands with you all :)
via Viator
Family trip
Richie was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and friendly. We highly recommend him. His vehicle was clean and we felt safe,
Response from the operator: Thankyou for your kind words so happy we could share our part of the Highlands with your wonderful family :)
via Tripadvisor
Cawdor Castle and Culloden short-day tour with Ritchie
Our guide Ritchie was wonderful! He was knowledgeable, attentive and went out of his way to make sure we enjoyed every stop on the tour. We would highly recommend Ritchie and this tour.
Response from the operator: Thankyou for your fab review and it was our pleasure to share the beautiful Highlands with your party :)
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- 5+
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $49 to $119
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by highland bucket list tours, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 60.6.
See everything highland bucket list tours runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Inverness.
How much does Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness cost?
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Prices start at $49 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Inverness usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Inverness is not rushed.
Is Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 18 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Inverness, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness suitable for kids and families?
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The operator sets a minimum age of 5. Older children generally do well here, and families should factor in the 6-hour running time when deciding.
How far in advance should I book Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Inverness can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Inverness and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Cawdor Castle & Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns Inverness start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Inverness within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Inverness?
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On Outty we rank every Inverness experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include The Ultimate Isle of Skye Day Tour from Inverness, Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour from Inverness, Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Inverness?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Inverness?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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