About this tour
This eight-hour guided tour sweeps through the Highlands around Inverness, connecting four centuries of Scottish history. You'll visit Beauly Priory, a 13th-century monastery with surviving stonework; explore Urquhart Castle's dramatic ruins overlooking Loch Ness; stop at Cawdor Castle and its gardens; and finish at Culloden Battlefield, where the 1745 Jacobite Rising ended in defeat. A private vehicle with air conditioning handles transport between sites, allowing you to absorb both landscape and storytelling.
Highlights
- Beauly Priory's 13th-century ruins founded by French monks
- Urquhart Castle perched above Loch Ness with extensive views
- Loch Ness shoreline—perfect for monster spotting
- Cawdor Castle gardens and grounds
- Clava Cairns, Bronze Age burial mounds 4000 years old
- Culloden Battlefield guided tour with historical context
- Beauly Firth scenery en route to Loch Ness
What to expect
You'll travel by private vehicle through rolling Highland scenery, stopping at each landmark for exploration and interpretation. At Beauly Priory, expect roofless walls and medieval masonry set against open countryside. Urquhart Castle requires climbing and descending stone stairs; allow time to wander the grounds and soak in loch views. Cawdor Castle offers formal gardens and castle interiors (entry separate). The Clava Cairns are modest Bronze Age structures set in grass. Culloden Battlefield is sobering—a moorland site with a visitor centre and guided walk explaining the 1746 clash. Most time is spent at Urquhart and Culloden.
Good to know
Admission fees to Urquhart Castle, Culloden, and Cawdor are separate and payable on-site. Wear sturdy footwear for uneven ground at ruins. The tour is flexible—tell the guide which sites interest you most and the itinerary can adjust. Prams and specialist infant seats are available. Service animals welcome.
Frequently asked
- How long does Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion take?
- Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion runs for approximately 8 hours.
- How much does Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion cost?
- Prices start from AUD $1641 per person. Final pricing varies by date, group size and any add-ons — confirmed at checkout via Viator.
- Where does Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion run?
- This tour operates around United Kingdom. Specific meeting points and pickup options are listed by the operator at checkout.
- Who runs Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion?
- The tour is sold and operated by its supplier through Viator. New Forest National Park earns a small commission on bookings made via the link, which keeps this site free for travellers.
- Is the tour confirmed at the listed price?
- The price shown is the operator's "from" price as of our last sync. Final price, currency conversion, group discounts and cancellation policy are confirmed at checkout — always review before paying.
Tour sold and operated by its supplier via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original New Forest National Park summaries, not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.