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Loch Ness Tour: Urquhart Castle, Inverness
4.8
100 Ratings
Highland Council
Embark on a luxury tour of Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness, Inverness, and Outlander sites. Experience local knowledge, expert guides, and personalized service.
Embark on a luxury tour of Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness, Inverness, and Outlander sites. Experience local knowledge, expert guides, and personalized service.
Duration:
8 hours
Cancellation:
24 hours
Highlights
- Inverness - Arrive in the heart of Inverness where your entry to the new viewing gallery at Inverness Castle is included. Enjoy panoramic views of the city. Visit the statue of Flora MacDonald outside the castle and explore the shops and cafes in Inverness. Perhaps sample a local beer at the Gellions, the oldest bar in Inverness, established in…
- Inverness - Arrive in the heart of Inverness where your entry to the new viewing gallery at Inverness Castle is included. Enjoy panoramic views of the city. Visit the statue of Flora MacDonald outside the castle and explore the shops and cafes in Inverness. Perhaps sample a local beer at the Gellions, the oldest bar in Inverness, established in 1841.
Unfortunately, only photos are allowed until 2024 as the area is undergoing extensive renovations.
- Beauly Priory - Depart from the village of Drumnadrochit and return to the ship via wild terrain, ascending 1000 feet up a mountain before descending into the village of Beauly, passing the ancient Priory along the way.
- Urquhart Castle - Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle and visit the video centre. Watch a 6-minute historical video with subtitles in your language. Stroll down to the ruins or browse the shop and cafe.
- Drumnadrochit - Pass through this charming village, stopping to visit the Nessie Centre and a gin shop.
- Loch Ness - Travel alongside Loch Ness for 15 miles, pausing for photos of Nessie (if you’re very lucky).
- Great Glen Distillery - Visit the smallest gin distillery in the UK. Enjoy free gin samples after your visit to the Nessie Centre.
- The Loch Ness Centre - Explore the newly refurbished Nessie exhibition centre, which offers 50 minutes of history and insights into the legend of the Loch Ness Monster. A must-see attraction.
- Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly - Meet real-life Highland cows and alpacas at Robertson’s Farm on the outskirts of Beauly.
What's Included
- Parking fees
- Parking fees
What's Not Included
- Snacks
- Snacks
Additional Information
This tour includes a visit to Loch Ness and the visitor centre to learn all about Nessie, as well as a tour of Urquhart Castle. You’ll also get to see Inverness and highland cows.
Our tour is designed based on quality feedback from our customers in 2019. As a new company, we strive to please, and our guides will provide you with local knowledge and…
This tour includes a visit to Loch Ness and the visitor centre to learn all about Nessie, as well as a tour of Urquhart Castle. You’ll also get to see Inverness and highland cows.
Our tour is designed based on quality feedback from our customers in 2019. As a new company, we strive to please, and our guides will provide you with local knowledge and answer all your questions.
The tour will depart 30 minutes to 1.5 hours after the ship’s arrival.
Depending on the number of participants, the tour can be conducted in vehicles ranging from 8-seaters to 49-seaters.
Location
Port Office
Shore Road
In 2025 the cruise ships will dock at Quay West. Passengers disembark and get onto a shuttle bus which takes them to our meeting location on Shore Road. We are the first stop. All the independent tour guides wait there so look for our Thistle Guides.
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
4.8
(100 Ratings)
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Karench1161fh
Jul 17, 2025
Loch Ness, Uruquart Castle, Inverness - We had a special , fun filled day on this excision guided by Eleanor. She was entertaining and informative, easy to understand. The scenery and beauty of the castle and Loch Ness was stunning. We had adequate time at each stop and this was a great day!!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shannon_w
Jul 16, 2025
This was a wonderful tour... - This was a wonderful tour of the Highlands in Scotland. We started with walking around Inverness, a very cute little city. We then went through the countryside to the Loch Ness Center, which was interesting. Then toured around Urquhart castle and finish the day at a farm with Highland cows. Eleanor was a wonderful tour guide and gave us lots of fun facts about the Highlands. I would recommend.
Review provided by Viator
Marc_d
Jun 25, 2025
Our family had a great... - Our family had a great experience with Chas. We were able to learn about Loch Ness and Nessie, visit the Urquhart Castle, do a little shopping in Inverness, and meet some “Harry Coos”. I only wish we had more time in port.
Review provided by Viator
Nm1724
Jun 2, 2025
Wonderful Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle - Recently visited on the Queen Anne and booked our tour well in advance. We were met by June where the port shuttle buses stop and on that particular day we were her only two travellers.
We were soon on our way and June's knowledge of the local area was soon evident as we travelled through the wonderful scenic countryside. Our first stop was Inverness where we had a drive around with an interesting commentary. A photo opportunity was offered.
We then travelled along to Loch Ness and enroute we stopped for photos and a quick feel of the water temperature. Our next stop was the visitor centre which we really enjoyed, here there is an opportunity for a coffee. The gin distillery is also located there.
Following this we visited Urquhart Castle which on a lovely sunny day was just wonderful and the highlight of our trip.
Our return route was just as picturesque and June also added an extra location, which was really good although is not always possible.
I will say nothing else about this as I don't want to spoil it for other travellers!
June was just lovely and we would thoroughly recommend Thistle.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Becky_d
Oct 18, 2024
Urquhart castle and Loch Ness - This was our favorite part of our trip Mike was a wonderful guide even the breakdown of or ride was a fun experience couldn't have asked for a more beautiful experience
Review provided by Viator
Cardiganweather1788
Sep 16, 2024
Highland Staple - Mike gave us an excellent tour of Inverness, Urquart Castle and Loch Ness. We learned a lot about local history and saw some incredible scenery. The car ride and Mike's personable nature really made the trip special. He was able to customize some of our stops based on requests and interests. All stops were timed perfectly to avoid crowds and the conversation was genuine rather than uncomfortably forced for 8 hours. Highly recommend this tour company and request Mike as your guide if you can.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_m
Aug 15, 2024
A fabulous way to visit and learn about the area! - We had a great day! Our tour guide Chaz was so knowledgeable and accommodating. Chaz shared his extensive knowledge of the area and offered some insight that can only come from someone who is from the area. We learned a lot and were completely enamoured. We highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Sandy_j
Jul 13, 2024
You need to take this excursion! - Lorraine was a wonderful guide, very knowledgeable and fun to be with! She made Scotland and Outlander very real!
Review provided by Viator
Cgass1
Jul 13, 2024
I love Scotland! - Amazing views, top notch Viator guide -Lorraine made this excursion exceptional. Can’t miss Culladon and Clava Cairns if you are an Outlander fan! We traveled in a group of 6 and truly enjoyed the personalized experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
516malcolmg
Jun 18, 2025
if you are after an historical account of Loch Ness this is a must see tour. it will answer all of your questions. - The excursion was informative and the pace of the day was fine. i especially liked the lock Ness tour and all the theories that has made this a legend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
