The Black Isle
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 2 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Black Isle worth booking?
The Black Isle is a 8-hour experience in Inverness, United Kingdom, from $885 per person. It scores 54 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 2 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 54 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (2)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $885 per person
The Black Isle The Bonnie Black Isle is, on a bright summer’s day, not black. Nor, on any other day is it an island. “Bonnie” (Scots for “beautiful”) however, it assuredly is and it affords the visitor many beautiful views, seascapes, wildlife and places of interest. The “Isle” is in fact a peninsula strategically lying between the broad expanses of two Firths, Moray and Cromarty.
What you get
About this experience
The Black Isle The Bonnie Black Isle is, on a bright summer’s day, not black. Nor, on any other day is it an island. “Bonnie” (Scots for “beautiful”) however, it assuredly is and it affords the visitor many beautiful views, seascapes, wildlife and places of interest. The “Isle” is in fact a peninsula strategically lying between the broad expanses of two Firths, Moray and Cromarty.
What's included
Included
- Private tour
- Hotel/port drop-off
- Hotel/port pickup
- Professional guide
- Live entertainment
- Driver/guide
- Live commentary on board
- Transport by private vehicle
Not included
- Gratuities
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Clootie Well
This ancient site is dedicated to St Boniface. The tradition of tying a cloth or "clootie" to a tree after dipping it in the well signifies that the patient, from whom the cloth has been taken, lying ill at home, will, as the cloot dries out, be relieved of the suffering from which he, or she, is afflicted.
60 minutes here
Fortrose Cathedral
The cathedral dates to around 1300. Not popular after the Reformation in 1560 services ceased at Fortrose. In the 1650s the stone from the now roofless and decaying nave and choir were removed. This, the Priory at Beauly, and other sacred sites were savaged, barges of stone transported to Inverness to build Oliver Cromwell's Citadel, reportedly costing £1,000 per barge, a huge amount of money in those times.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Chanonry Point
Chanonry Point is a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth between the villages Fortrose and Rosemarkie. It is regarded as probably the best viewpoint to see Bottle-Nosed Dolphins. They, who make these waters home is reputedly the biggest of their kind in the world. A Stevenson lighthouse stands guard over the narrows here and across the Firth, starkly visible, is the garrison Fortress of Fort George built after the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion to pacify the Highlands. It is still an active garrison today home to the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army.
60 minutes here
Groam House Museum
A museum of Celtic and Pictish Art, located in the village of Rosemarkie. Groam House is custodian, not only the Rosemarkie Stone, one of the major surviving examples of Pictish art in stone, but also, the Rosemarkie sculpture fragments, that are 14 stone fragments, the most well known being Daniels Stone. The museum also hosts the George Bain Collection. Bain, is considered the father of modern Celtic design, he spent many years working out the intricate mathematical designs found in Celtic art. In 2015 the museum organised a Celtic felt banner-making project to create banners for the Celtic Connections Festival 2016
60 minutes here
Fairy Glen Falls
Wild scenes and wild legends and some of the traditions connected with this romantic and solitary dell illustrate this remark. Till a comparatively late period, it was known at many a winter fireside as a favourite haunt of the fairies…I have conversed with an old woman…who, when a very little girl, had seen myriads of them dancing as the sun was setting on the further edge of the dell…' (Hugh Miller 1835)
60 minutes here
Cromarty
Cromarty and the sea are indivisible. Fishing was traditionally the major industry. Other trade was also by boat from an outstanding natural harbour, and was an important British naval base during the two World Wars. HMS Natal blew up close by on 30 December 1915 with a substantial loss of life. [ Cromarty gives its name to one of the sea areas of the British Shipping Forecast. In the nineteenth century, Cromarty was the birthplace and home of Hugh Miller, a geologist, writer, journalist. His cottage and the Old Courthouse are both open to the public. The Sutors of Cromarty are two opposing headlands which mark the entrance to the Cromarty Firth. They stand guard over the firth, and many stories have been told about them. Sutor is the Scots word for shoemaker, and one story tells of two giant shoemakers, the Sutors, who used the two cliffs as their workbenches.
60 minutes here
Cromarty Firth
Said to be the finest deep-water, natural harbour in Europe the Firth was home to the High Seas Fleet during World Wars 1 and 2. Even today the N.A.T.O fleet call in here and is an impressive sight. The port of Invergordon across the Firth is a significant base for visiting cruise liners and a service port for the oil industry.
60 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 10 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
The Black Isle (4-7)
The Bonnie Black Isle is, on a bright summers day, not black. Nor, on any other day is it an island. Bonnie (Scots for beautiful). Pickup included
The Black Isle (1-3)
The Bonnie Black Isle is, on a bright summers day, not black. Nor, on any other day is it an island. Bonnie (Scots for beautiful). 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
- Hame Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Driver will pick up from your location and drop off at your required final destination.
Photos
Traveler reviews
2 verified traveler reviews for The Black Isle. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Excellent guide
Andrew was excellent driver and guide. Very knowledgeable. Would highly recommend.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for taking the time to comment on your experience. Haste ye Back
via Tripadvisor
Go On donr miss out.
WOW dolphines to be seen at Cromnaty point and a ruined cathedral and very happy locals. An overlooked corner pf the nc 500 but you must go
Response from the operator: Wee bit puzzled about this one. but thanks anyway
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 1
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Hame Tours, who run 7 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 52.8.
See everything Hame Tours runsWhy this scores 54
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Black Isle: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Inverness.
How much does The Black Isle cost?
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Prices start at $885 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 The Black Isle take?
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Plan for about 8 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 The Black Isle worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 54 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 2 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 The Black Isle?
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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 The Black Isle suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Black Isle?
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Around 1 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 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Black Isle 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.
What is included in The Black Isle?
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Included: Private tour; Hotel/port drop-off; Hotel/port pickup; Professional guide; and Live entertainment. Not included: Gratuities; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does The Black Isle include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 128 listed pickup locations in and around Inverness. Be ready about 10 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is The Black Isle offered in?
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It runs in English. 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 The Black Isle?
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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 The Black Isle wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to The Black Isle if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Inverness. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What booking options are available for The Black Isle?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including The Black Isle (4-7), The Black Isle (1-3). Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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