Loch Ness Tour from Inverness: Culloden, Clava Cairns & Outlander Day Trip
Loch Ness Tour from Inverness: Culloden, Clava Cairns & Outlander Day Trip
A Loch Ness tour from Inverness with a small group, from £88 per adult. Walk Culloden Battlefield, stand among the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns and cruise Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle.
New for 2027 · Tue, Thu, Sat & Sun, April to October
Loch Ness, Culloden and the Clava Cairns in one day from Inverness
Loch Ness is only half the story around Inverness. On this small-group day tour you’ll walk Culloden Battlefield, where the last Jacobite Rising ended in 1746, and stand among the 4,000-year-old Clava Cairns, the kind of standing stones Outlander fans picture at Craigh na Dun. Then head to Loch Ness, with the chance to cruise to Urquhart Castle on its point above the water.
It’s a relaxed day with only about two hours on the road, so more of it is spent on your feet. Entry to the Culloden visitor centre and the cruise ticket are paid on the day, so you only pay for what you want to do. Finish in Beauly, in the heart of Fraser clan country, before heading back to Inverness. With no more than 16 travellers, there’s room to ask questions, and your guide brings the history, the folklore and the Outlander connections to life.
- Duration1 dayapprox. 7½ hours
- DepartsInverness, 9:00amback approx. 4:35pm
- Group sizeMax 16small scheduled group
- Ages12+younger? ask about a private tour
- WalkingShort walksbattlefield paths, castle steps
- GuideExpert local guidestories, history, folklore
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Your Loch Ness tour from Inverness: the itinerary
Your route: Inverness → Culloden Battlefield → Clava Cairns → Loch Ness (Clansman Harbour) → optional cruise to Urquhart Castle → Beauly → Inverness · about 95 km (60 miles) by road
Stop 1Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Moor · Visitor centre · Clan graves
A short drive east of Inverness brings you to Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army was defeated on 16 April 1746.
Walk the battlefield past the clan grave stones and the flags that mark the two front lines. The visitor centre’s exhibition is well worth the entry fee (paid on the day, not included).
Stop 2Clava Cairns
Bronze Age cairns · Standing stones · Outlander’s Craigh na Dun
A few minutes away, the Clava Cairns are around 4,000 years old: stone burial cairns, each ringed by standing stones, in a quiet grove of trees.
Outlander fans will know the idea: stones like these are what people picture at Craigh na Dun, where Claire’s journey begins.
Stop 3Loch Ness & Clansman Harbour
Lunch by the loch · Board your cruise
Drive west to the shore of Loch Ness at Clansman Harbour.
There’s time for lunch by the loch before the cruise. Lunch isn’t included.
Stop 4Loch Ness cruise & Urquhart Castle
Cruise · Urquhart Castle · Nessie stories
Sail down Loch Ness, the largest body of fresh water in Britain by volume, keeping an eye out for Nessie.
Step ashore at Urquhart Castle and spend about an hour exploring the ruins and the Grant Tower on their point above the water. The cruise ticket, which includes castle entry, is optional and not included; if you’d rather stay ashore, relax by the loch until the boat returns.
Stop 5Beauly & the road home
Beauly Priory · Fraser clan country · Inverness
Finish in Beauly, in the heart of Fraser clan country (Jamie Fraser’s clan in Outlander), with time to see the ruins of the 13th-century priory.
Back at Rose Street at approximately 4:35pm. Traffic can affect this, so avoid tightly timed onward travel.
The itinerary is a guide and may change because of weather, loch conditions, cruise timetables, road conditions, attraction availability or circumstances beyond our control.
What travellers say about our Loch Ness and Outlander tours
What truly made this tour exceptional was our guide, Pete. He was knowledgeable, engaging, and had a fantastic sense of humor. His storytelling brought Scotland’s history and legends to life.
Their knowledge and insights about the show and locations were fascinating, and they took us to some incredible spots. As Outlander fans, this was a dream come true—and they even took great photos for us throughout the day.
The Loch Ness, Glencoe and Highlands tour with Ritchie was fabulous! He was very knowledgeable and fun to chat with in the van… The small group tour, just eight of us, is so much nicer than a big bus of 50+ people; so much more personal.
Why travellers choose Scotland's Wild
The history around Inverness is some of the most dramatic in Scotland. Your guide ties it together, from the clans at Culloden to the monster in the loch.
- A guide worth getting to knowHistory, folklore, local recommendations and plenty of personality.
- A group small enough to feel personalWith no more than 16 travellers, there's time for questions and to get to know the group.
- More time on your feetAbout two hours on the road all day, and you choose which paid visits you want.
What's included, and what the day costs
Included
- Expert Scotland's Wild guide and storyteller for the day
- Transport in a comfortable, air-conditioned touring vehicle
- Time at Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns, Loch Ness and Beauly
- Loch Ness stop at Clansman Harbour for the cruise to Urquhart Castle
- Small group, maximum 16 travellers
Not included
- Culloden visitor centre entry (optional)
- Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle ticket (optional)
- Lunch, snacks and drinks
Your day at a glance
- Tour
- From £88 per adult (£98 from 16 April to 30 September). Youth 12–17 from £78.
- Pay today
- From £44 per person (50% deposit). The balance is taken 8 days before departure.
- Optional extras
- Culloden visitor centre entry, the Loch Ness cruise and Urquhart Castle ticket, lunch, snacks and drinks, paid on the day only if you want them.
- Timing
- Check-in 8:45am, depart 9:00am, back approx. 4:35pm.
Where to meet your guide in Inverness
Outside Starbucks, Rose Street Car Park
Rose Street, Inverness, IV1 1NQ
Please arrive by 8:45am so your guide can check everyone in before the 9:00am departure. Scheduled tours can't wait for late guests. The tour returns to the same meeting point at approximately 4:35pm. Paid multi-storey parking is available around Rose Street.
- Check-in8:45amplease arrive by then
- Departs9:00amtours leave on time
- Backapprox. 4:35pmsame meeting point
Before your adventure
Can I take a Loch Ness tour from Inverness?
Yes. This small-group day tour leaves Inverness at 9:00am and is back at approximately 4:35pm. It visits Culloden Battlefield, the Clava Cairns and Loch Ness, with the chance to cruise to Urquhart Castle, and finishes in Beauly.
How far is Loch Ness from Inverness?
The northern end of Loch Ness is about 6 miles (10 km) from Inverness. Clansman Harbour, where your cruise starts, is about 9 miles (15 km) from the city centre, around 20 minutes’ drive, and Urquhart Castle is about 15 miles (25 km) away.
Is the Loch Ness cruise included?
No. The cruise is optional and paid by you; the ticket includes entry to Urquhart Castle, with about an hour ashore to explore it. If you’d rather not cruise, you can relax by the loch until the boat returns.
Is Culloden entry included?
No. Walking the battlefield is free; entry to the visitor centre and its exhibition is optional and paid on the day. You’ll have about an hour and a half at Culloden either way.
Is this an Outlander tour?
It visits the real places behind Outlander’s story: Culloden, where the Jacobite Rising ended, the standing stones at Clava that fans link with Craigh na Dun, and Beauly in Fraser clan country. The TV series itself was mostly filmed in central Scotland; to see those filming locations, take our Outlander tour from Edinburgh.
How big is the group?
No more than 16 travellers on scheduled tours, in a modern touring vehicle, so every stop is quick to get off and on.
How do I secure my place, and what is the cancellation policy?
A 50% deposit is taken when you book; the balance is collected automatically 8 days before departure. Cancellations 8 or more days before departure: full refund. 3–7 days before: 50% refund. Less than 3 days before, or no-show: no refund. Full terms & conditions →
Are there age restrictions?
The minimum age is 12. If you're travelling with younger children, ask us about a private tour.
Where and when does the tour depart, and when is it back?
Check in at 8:45am outside Starbucks, Rose Street Car Park, Rose Street, Inverness, IV1 1NQ, for a 9:00am departure. We’re back at the same place at approximately 4:35pm; traffic can affect this, so avoid tightly timed onward travel. Paid multi-storey parking is available around Rose Street.
When does this tour run?
It’s new for 2027 and runs every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 April to 31 October 2027. Every date is on sale now: pick one in the booking calendar. Prices are from £88 per adult in early April and October, and £98 from 16 April to 30 September.
What should I wear and bring?
Waterproof clothing, warm layers and comfortable walking shoes: it can be breezy on the battlefield and on the boat. Midge repellent in summer and sun cream on brighter days are worth packing. Please bring only a small day bag; contact us first if you need to travel with larger luggage.
Are food and drinks included?
No. There's time for lunch by Loch Ness before the cruise; your guide will point you to places to eat, or you can bring a packed lunch. For strict gluten-free or complex dietary needs, a packed lunch is recommended.
Will there be bathroom breaks?
Yes. There are toilets at the Culloden visitor centre and at Urquhart Castle, and your guide will let you know when the next stop is.
What if the weather is bad?
The tour runs in Scotland's changeable weather, and rain alone won't cancel it. If the loch is too rough for the cruise, your guide will adjust the plan, for example by driving to Urquhart Castle instead.
Ready for Loch Ness?
Check live dates and prices, secure your place from £44 per person, and we’ll see you on Rose Street at 8:45am.
Comparing Loch Ness tours? See all our Loch Ness tours →
Staying in Inverness a while? See all our tours from Inverness →
