Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More worth booking?
Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More is a 7-hour experience in Inverness, United Kingdom, from $550 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (17)
- Duration
- 7 hours
- From
- $550 per person
Discover top Highlands attractions, including Loch Ness and sites featured in the Outlander series, with this private guided tour from Inverness or Invergordon. Visit the local sites with your local guide around the Inve
What you get
- Private Comfortable Vehicle
- Bottled water
- Umbrella's Just in-case we are in Scotland
- Fridge On-Board
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local Guide
About this experience
Discover top Highlands attractions, including Loch Ness and sites featured in the Outlander series, with this private guided tour from Inverness or Invergordon. Visit the local sites with your local guide around the Inverness area, from the famous Loch Ness to Outlander sites Clava Cairns, Culloden and more and learn the history of the Scottish Clans. Try our world award winning local Gin and Whisky. A fun full day of things to see and try all in one day for guests wanting a full taste of the highlands with a short time frame. Local Guide Private Tour Comfortable Air Conditioned Vehicle Customisable to your Taste (within reasonable distance) Please Note: Cawdor Castle Open April 20th - October 5th.
What's included
Included
- Private Comfortable Vehicle
- Bottled water
- Umbrella's Just in-case we are in Scotland
- Fridge On-Board
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Local Guide
- Free Gin Tasting
Not included
- Whisky Tours & Tasting’s
- Lunch
- Admission fees
- Admission fees
What you'll see and do
Urquhart Castle
The present ruins date from the 13th to the 16th centuries, though built on the site of an early medieval fortification. Founded in the 13th century, Urquhart played a role in the wars of Scottish independence in the 14th century. It was subsequently held as a royal castle and was raided on several occasions by the MacDonald Clan. The castle was granted to the Clan Grant in 1509, though conflict with the MacDonalds continued. Despite a series of further raids the castle was strengthened, only to be largely abandoned by the middle of the 17th century. Urquhart was partially destroyed in 1692 to prevent its use by Jacobite forces, and subsequently decayed. The castle, situated on a headland overlooking Loch Ness, is one of the largest in Scotland in size of area.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Clava Cairns
The Clava Cairn is a type of Bronze-age circular chamber tomb cairn, named after the group of three cairns at Balnuaran of Clava. They fall into two sub-types, one typically consisting of a corbelled passage grave with a single burial chamber linked to the entrance by a short passage and covered with a cairn of stones, with the entrances oriented southwest towards midwinter sunset. In the other sub-type an annular ring cairn encloses an apparently unroofed area with no formal means of access from the outside. The Clava Cairns serves as inspiration for the fictitious Craigh na Dun standing stones in the book and TV series Outlander. the famous “Cleft stone” that transports the main character Claire back in time can be found here at Clava Cairns.
30 minutes here
Culloden Battlefield
The Battle of Culloden took place on 16 April 1746, outside Inverness. A Jacobite army under Charles Edward Stuart was decisively defeated by a British government force commanded by the Duke of Cumberland, ending the Jacobite rising of 1745. Culloden Marks the spot of the last major battle on British soil, the wild moor at Culloden is the resting place of 1,500 Jacobite and 50 Government soldiers who fought and died here. Today, you can walk along the battle lines and see the graves of the soldiers beside the memorial cairn in the centre of the battlefield.
60 minutes here
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor Castle is a castle in the parish of Cawdor. It is built around a 15th-century tower house, with substantial additions in later centuries. Originally a property of the Calder family, it passed to the Campbells in the 16th century and today is still owned by the Campbells which is now home to the Dowager Countess Cawdor, The earliest documented date for the castle is 1454, the date a licence to fortify was granted to William Calder, 6th Thane of Cawdor. However, some portions of the 15th-century tower house or keep may precede that date. Architectural historians have dated the style of stonework in the oldest portion of the castle to approximately 1380. Along with its Beautiful Gardens is a must see and popular stop for visitors.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Culloden Viaduct
Designed by Murdoch Paterson, Chief Engineer of the Highland Railway, the bridge was built between 1893 and 1898 and is still in use today. The curved stone structure with concrete foundations is 1800 feet in length. This makes it the longest masonry railway viaduct in Scotland. It has 29 arches in total. One wider central arch over the river, with 14 on each side. It was built using local red sandstone from the Leanach Quarry on Culloden Moor. As a place of special architectural interest.
30 minutes here
Great Glen Distillery
Drumnadrochit is a village on the shores of Loch Ness, known famously as the home to the Loch Ness Monster. Drumnadrochit is filled with novelty shops where Scottish clan items and other Scottish staples can be enjoyed. We also visit Great Glen Gin Distillery, Scotland’s smallest distillery where they offer world award winning free Gin tastings made from the waters of Loch Ness so you get a true taste of Nessie.
30 minutes here
The Singleton Distillery
Glen Ord Distillery was founded in 1838 and is currently owned by the large brand Diageo. Glen Ord is the last remaining distillery on the Black Isle and are one of the very few that still malt their own barley on site. Enjoy cheeseboards and a massive range of their tastings on offer in their newly 6-million-pound internal refurb where a few of their whisky’s can only be tried in certain regions of the world or right here at this distillery. For any guests that don’t like Whisky they offer other alternative refreshments.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Inverness
Across from the Exit Gate of the Port for the Cruise Ships
Meeting point
Inverness
Meeting point outside Inverness Town Hall, location is in city centre.
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations.
Ends at
Across from the Exit Gate of the Port for the Cruise Ships
Ends at
Meeting point outside Inverness Town Hall, location is in city centre.
Options you can book
Private Vehicle 1-4, 2nd Car
Private Vehicle 1-4 Passengers Pickup included
Private Group Vehicle Tour 5-7
Minibus Pickup included
Private Group Vehicle Tour 1-4
Car/Minibus Pickup included
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Highland Guided Tours
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Time for any Lunch period guests may want has been time managed into the tour.
- Total travelling time has been included in total time
Photos
Good to know
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $550 to $650
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Highland Guided Tours, who run 11 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.1.
See everything Highland Guided Tours runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Inverness.
How much does Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More cost?
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Prices start at $550 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 Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More take?
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Plan for about 7 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 Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 17 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 Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More?
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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 Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More?
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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 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Loch Ness Tour: Day Trip to Loch Ness, Outlander Sites and More 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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