
Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 2,017 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness worth booking?
Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness is a 9-hour experience in Inverness, United Kingdom, from $72 per person. It scores 93 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “90+ Club”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 2,017 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing. It sits in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
- Outty Ranking
- 93 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (2,017)
- Duration
- 9 hours
- From
- $72 per person
Depart central Inverness and journey to the world-famous Loch Ness, where you will join a cruise to view the ruins of the 13th century, Urquhart Castle. You will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; featured in the Outlander novel series. Enjoy a Highland whisky experience, where you have the option of sampling a wee dram. Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. Return to Inverness in the early evening.
What you get
About this experience
Depart central Inverness and journey to the world-famous Loch Ness, where you will join a cruise to view the ruins of the 13th century, Urquhart Castle. You will have free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; featured in the Outlander novel series. Enjoy a Highland whisky experience, where you have the option of sampling a wee dram. Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. Return to Inverness in the early evening.
What's included
Included
- Urquhart Castle Entrance (if option selected)
- Loch Ness Cruise (30mins) (if option selected)
- Local Scottish English Speaking Guide
- In-vehicle air conditioning
Not included
- Food and Drink
- Culloden Battlefield Exhibition (buy on site)
- Gratuities
- Highland Whisky Experience
What you'll see and do
Urquhart Castle
Take a cruise* on the Loch and explore the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle. *cruise time is approx 30mins and varies depending on weather conditions
70 minutes here · Admission included
Beauly
Free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; used in the filming of Outlander.
60 minutes here
The Singleton Distillery
Visit a Highland whisky distillery, where the best way to learn about the ‘water of life’ is to taste it!
45 minutes here · Admission not included
Clava Cairns
Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all!
30 minutes here
Culloden Battlefield
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden, on our visit to Culloden Battlefield.
90 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Inverness
Meet 15 minutes before departure, across from the Victorian Market entrance, for check-in. Look for a blue or yellow bus.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet 15 minutes before departure, across from the Victorian Market entrance, for check-in. Look for a blue or yellow bus.
Options you can book
Tour only
With Cruise & Urquhart Castle
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, cmn, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 10 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Highland Explorer Tours Ltd
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5.
- In cases of extreme weather, the Loch Ness boat cruise may be cancelled on short notice. If you have purchased ticket for this you will be refunded.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark.
- If downloading an audio guide, remember to bring your headset.
- Due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour runs on a bigger bus.
- The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 2,009 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
2,009 verified traveler reviews for Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great tour
Emily did a great job! She was so knowledgeable and a fantastic driver. I enjoyed the tour and would definitely recommend!
via Tripadvisor
Great day out!
Sonia, our guide, was brilliant! So knowledgeable with lots of great stories! A few stops that weren’t on the agenda, but were great additions. We would definitely book another tour with this Company.
via Tripadvisor
A little bit of everything: history, animals, whisky fun!
Tim was a great tour guide! Friendly, funny, and informative! I loved all the stops - especially a surprise Highland cow farm. Cruise was a nice experience to the castle the whisky spot was cool. I'm not super into battlefields and the stop here was a bit long for me, but if you're into it, the time is needed I suppose, though I would suggest a bit shorter :) A+ tour all around!
via Tripadvisor
Wonderful time in the highlands
Had a wonderful time on the tour! Right amount of both relaxation and activities. Beautiful sights the whole time. Our guide Tim was wonderful! Friendly and engaging
via Tripadvisor
Lovey tour
Martin was knowledgeable and kept us on time
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 9 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $72 to $105
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 706
- Verdict
- 90+ Club
Who runs this experience
Operated by Highland Explorer Tours Ltd, who run 24 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 81.9 and 6 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Highland Explorer Tours Ltd runsWhy this scores 93
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Inverness.
How much does Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness cost?
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Prices start at $72 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 Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness take?
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Plan for about 9 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 Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 93 out of 100, which we label "90+ Club". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 2,017 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Inverness, and how flexible the cancellation terms are. Scoring 90 or above puts it in the Outty 90+ Club, the top tier of everything we rank.
Can I cancel or reschedule Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from 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 Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 9-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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Around 706 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 9-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from 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, Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour 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.
What is included in Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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Included: Urquhart Castle Entrance (if option selected); Loch Ness Cruise (30mins) (if option selected); Local Scottish English Speaking Guide; and In-vehicle air conditioning. Not included: Food and Drink; Culloden Battlefield Exhibition (buy on site); Gratuities; and Highland Whisky Experience. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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Meet 15 minutes before departure, across from the Victorian Market entrance, for check-in. Look for a blue or yellow bus. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness offered in?
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It is offered in German, Portuguese, Chinese, English, Italian, French and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted; and Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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Across 2,017 reviews averaging 4.9 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Loch Ness, Outlander & Urquhart Castle from Inverness?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including Tour only, With Cruise & Urquhart Castle. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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