Inverness History: Saint Columba's Pilgrimage

Discover a bit of its intriguing past and check out the mound where Saint Columba paid homage to the King of the Picts, sharing the philosophy of the “new Christianity” with the fighter Brude in his mountaintop stronghold circa 550AD.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights

Explore the Highland Capital, its Castle, and Cathedral.
Discover its intriguing history and visit the hill where Saint Columba journeyed to meet the Pictish King, sharing the “new Christianity” with the warrior Brude in his hilltop fortress around 550 AD.
Recognize the town’s strategic importance to the sea and learn about the various fortifications by…

What's Included
  • Exclusive private tour for a personalized experience
  • Hassle-free hotel or port pick-up and drop-off included
  • Insightful commentary from a professional guide
  • Engaging live entertainment included
  • Knowledgeable driver doubles as a guide
  • Live commentary on board for an immersive experience
  • Comfortable travel in a private vehicle
What's Not Included
  • Gratuities
Additional Information
  • Driver will pick up from your location and drop off at your required final destination.
Location
Hame Tours
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(15 Ratings)
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B3389ugleighs
Oct 9, 2025
Best trip ever!!! - We had a wonderful time with Michael. We toured through the highlands for several days with Michael as our guide. He is so knowledgeable about the area and brings his wit and Scottish charm Along for the ride!! I cannot say enough about what a great trip it was bc of him. He will get you into attractions quickly that would take everyone else hours!!! He knows all the good places to eat and drink!!! If you want a real Scottish experience then go with Michael!!$
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danny
Oct 3, 2025
Wonderful Experience in Scotland - We had a wonderful experience with Michael Kern as our guide. We toured Scotland for several days. Michael's knowledge, thoughtfulness and wit made it an unforgettable experience. All of us learned alot as the tour was very informative. And, even better, we laughed and laughed. Michael added some special treats and a unique concoction or Ardberg whiskey, Black Aisle beer and baked goods from Goo Cow (as best I recall) really hit the spot. We have recommended that our daughter book a tour with Michael and Hames Touring and we would make that recommendation to anyone
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephaniew4190
Sep 25, 2025
A MUST in the Scottish Highlands - Andrew was the BEST! We booked Hame tours for 3 nights to tour the Scottish Highlands. Andrew was knowledgeable about everything - the history, the landscape, the food and culture. He was the cherry on the top of this incredible trip. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Patricia_u
Aug 24, 2025
A Lovely Day - Anka freestyled with us. We had cruised Loch Ness the day before, so she came up with a trip filled with other sights. She was so knowledgeable of the castles and shared our enthusiasm for trees and flowers. The animals in the countryside were cute, and the Victorian spa town was stinkin cute.
Review provided by Viator
Leaann_c
Jul 23, 2025
Private tour of Inverness... - Private tour of Inverness and Highlands sites. Can customize to include specific sites that you want to see. Andrew McDonald was extremely knowledgable and accommodating.
Review provided by Viator
Johnbs9664fa
Jun 17, 2025
Awesome Unexpected Surprise - First morning in Inverness we met Michael in full kilt at our hotel. Off to Urquhart castle for first stop with a great view of Loch Ness. As we left, Michael advised that he had a surprise in store. He had discovered a memorial to my Clan MacBean that I had no idea even existed. What an amazing opportunity to visit the site of my ancestors. We spent the next 2 days with Michael as we traversed through the Cairngorms, hiking and visiting Balmoral Castle. Micheal proved to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Scotland and combined with his great sense of humor, we thoroughly enjoyed our time with him.We look forward to meeting him again in the future.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Scwoods
Apr 8, 2025
Fantastic Customized Tour-North West of Inverness - Highly recommended by Ness Walk where we stayed, couldn’t agree more. I had a rough idea of visiting some highland distilleries west of Inverness and Andrew took care of the rest. Friendly and informative from the jump, he gave suggestions and ideas to make our day perfect. Visited Balblair, Glenmorangie and Glen Ord for tastings and with a stop along the way for lunch at the Storehouse along the water. Stopped off to see some hairy coo’s towards the end of the trip to top off our 6 hour customized tour. Andrew is a font of knowledge on the highlands and Scotland in general. Can’t wait to come back and will definitely use Andrew’s services again when we do.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
J7075bjmichaelm
Mar 28, 2025
Michael Kerr and Hame Tours were wonderful - We toured the Scottish Highlands with Hame Tours, guided by Michael Kerr, and it was a highlight of our trip. Michael’s expertise and flexibility shone from the start, customizing every detail to our interests. His deep local knowledge and passion brought history and folklore alive. Michael expertly navigated winding roads, revealing hidden gems and breathtaking overlooks. Traveling with him was seamless, stress-free, and enriching. If you want a personal, immersive Highlands experience we recommend traveling with Michael for an authentic taste of Scotland!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
88pamo
Jul 27, 2024
Breathtaking tour and awesome guide - Incredible experience made very special and memorable by our guide Michael. They did a great job working with our wish list and building a phenomenal itinerary, from Glasgow to Isle of Skye and Edinburgh. The Highlands were breathtaking and Michael knew the country, the detailed history and special spots, and was hilarious all the time. Highly, highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Susanls4209xx
Oct 11, 2023
Lovely trip! - Thank you, Andrew MacDonald & drivers Jim, Les & Ryan, for making our family trip to Inverness, Edinburgh and the Isle of Skye an absolute delight. Our travels to Scotland centered on my daughter's wedding, so the logistics of getting everybody there and back were complicated. But, Andrew was on-top of everything. The crew's professional, good humor, attention to detail and intimate knowledge of the area made for a perfect trip. The Scotland landscape is beautiful and the people are equally so. I've never written a review but am compelled to do so because of the excellent service and kindness of Andrew and his crew. Amazing experience!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $838 (Per Vehicle)
up to 7 guests
1 - Traveler
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).