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- 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander
Please note that Urquhart Castle will be closed from 23 to 26 November 2026. During this time, the cruise will instead be a scenic round trip on Loch Ness.
Use code WINTER: save 15% on this trip if you book by 31 Oct and travel by 31 March 2027 (day tours excluding 20 Dec - 5 Jan).
Join us on a jam-packed Loch Ness tour from Inverness and enjoy many iconic Scottish experiences in just one day. Our adventure begins at the legendary Loch Ness, where you will take a cruise and visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle for ideal monster spotting opportunities. After lunch in beautiful Beauly, we visit a Highland whisky distillery, where the best way to learn about the ‘water of life’ is to taste it! Learn the true story which inspired Outlander at Culloden Battlefield and attempt your own journey through the stones at Clava Cairns. We return to Inverness in the early evening.
During winter, the route goes in reverse.
* Save 15% with code WINTER until 31 Oct 2026.
Tour Highlights
Loch Ness Boat Cruise
Look out for ‘Nessie’ as you explore the southern tip of Loch Ness by boat. Soak up the scenic surroundings and learn about the history of the area, as well as the famous legends of the Loch Ness Monster.
Urquhart Castle
Urquhart Castle, nestled on the shores of Loch Ness, stands as a testament to Scotland's rich history and offers breath-taking views of the legendary loch. Explore its ancient ruins and discover tales of battles, sieges, and the elusive monster “Nessie”.
Robertson's Farm
Stretch your legs at Robertson’s Farm & Larder, where you can meet Highland cows Jamie Mackenzie Fraser and Katie-Morag, as well as a friendly bunch of alpacas and goats. The family-run farm shop is also packed with local produce, Scottish treats and gifts to browse before continuing your journey.
Clava Cairns
Clava Cairns is a special place, from the peaceful setting to the arrangement of 4000 year old stones. The prehistoric structures include ring cairns, passage graves, and standing stones; perfect for staging your very own Outlander-inspired photo!
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden was the last battle fought on British soil in 1746. The Jacobite defeat against the Hanoverian army inspired the Outlander story, and was a pivotal point in Scottish history. Learn about the conflict, and visit the graves of the fallen clan.
Beauly
This pretty Highland village takes its name from the French for ‘beautiful place’, as described by Mary Queen of Scots during her visit. Beauly Priory, which dates back to the 13th century, was featured in Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' book series.
Loch Ness
Loch Ness is the most well-known loch in Scotland, thanks to tales of the Loch Ness Monster. Glaciers carved the deep cavity of the loch, which holds more water than all the lakes in England and Wales.
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Loch Ness Boat Cruise
Urquhart Castle Entry
Foreign Language Audio Guides Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
What Other Explorers Say
We had an absolutely wonderful day on the tour and a big part of this great experience was thanks to our guide, Sônia. From the very beginning, she was incredibly kind, cheerful, and polite, guiding the group with warmth, professionalism, and genuine care.
Samira
04/01/2026Amazing day trip! The Loch Ness, Outlander locations and whisky distillery was very well organized and enjoyable. The itinerary was excellent, with a perfect balance between travel time and stops. We felt very comfortable throughout the trip, and everything ran smoothly. Karen was a fantastic guide – friendly, knowledgeable, and engaging.
Cacencu
30/12/2025Sonia was our driver a co-guide for the trip (sorry, I forgot her coworkers name). Both guides were entertaining and offered insightful information and stories. The tour was perfect, getting to some great highlights, including a ride on Loch Ness. My wife was happy with the Outlander tie-ins (she's a big fan).
Nick
17/09/2025Torquil was an incredible tour guide through our amazing day trip across the Bonnie Highlands near Inverness. The itinerary included many key historic stops such as Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Clava Cairns, and Culloden Battlefield with ample time for exploration. Lunch in Beauly gave a glimpse into small town life in the Highlands and an opportunity to see a 13th century monastery.
Jake
14/09/2025One of the best parts of our Scottish adventure.Sonia was an absolute delight and extremely knowledgeable about so many aspects of Scottish history, culture, and nature. The tour was a perfect mix of activities and just the right amount of time. Book it, you won’t regret it!
Audra
11/09/2025This trip was fantastic, I'm so glad we took it. We saw so many different things but it really wasn't exhausting and the small group size was really helpful with that. But despite all the stops, it was just a really enjoyable day with our guide Sonia giving us history and making it fun the entire day. Her Glasgow accent and humor were fantastic! I can't imagine taking that tour with another guide. She was just so wonderful. She even made a secret stop, five stars!!
Mer
14/08/2025Emily was the absolute best! So fun, knowledgeable, welcoming, and an excellent story teller. With her funny banter, interesting fact and festive dress, she made our trip so memorable and we wish our next tour was with her too! Highly recommend this tour because of her.
Artemis
13/08/2025Emily was absolutely wonderful. So funny and so lively. She clearly knows her history and I was grateful for it. Truly a wonderful day and I know my boyfriend and his family loved the tour too! Cheers x
Robin
08/08/2025The trip was absolutely outstanding. Thank you Emily for your amazing tour guiding skills. There were lots of amazing views and experiences on the tour. We especially enjoyed seeing the history behind the battle of Culloden and the castle.
Dan
19/07/2025We had a great time! Karen was a superb guide, she made sure to check on each one of us every time we hopped on the bus again, and she was visibly enthusiastic about everything she was telling us. The tour itself was a day full of emotions: amazement at Loch Ness, curiosity while exploring Urquhart Castle, and sadness and reverence in Culloden's Battlefield. We recommend it for sure, it's a great 1-day overview of the Highlands if you have little time in Inverness.
Malena
15/07/2025Such a fun tour! Harrison was a great tour guide and made every thing extra fun. We enjoyed all stops and if you are an Outlander fan you will especially enjoy it.
Jenine
14/07/2025Don’t miss this trip to see the best that Inverness has to offer. Sonia led our small group on a fabulous tour with humor, knowledge and passion for her job, the places we visited, Scottish music and even Scotland’s love for mystical creatures! We even petted a coo!
Glenn
15/06/2025Great day out with King Torquin, lots of fun, very entertaining with many interesting facts. Mini bus was clean and comfortable. Would highly recommend.
Jane
15/06/2025Iain expert tour guide. Wealth of knowledge. Provides great insight into Scottish history and the related battles. Very personable chap.
Fermo
14/06/2025Awesome day with plenty to see and do. Craig was our very good and funny guide! The road to Clava Cairns was blocked, byt Craig found a workaround, and we got to touch the stones! Didn't take me through the time portal though LOL
Robin
15/05/2025We booked this tour because we only had one day to explore the Inverness area; it turned out to be a very good choice. With 15 people and great driver, also enthusiastic, cheerful guide Karen, we saw the highlights in these Highlands. The Culloden Moor made a big impression, as did the cemetery at Clava Crains (Outlander stone). A very nice day and well organized! Thanks to Karen.
Ina
14/05/2025We had a wonderful day today with Karen as our guide as we went to Urquart Castle, took the boat ride looking for "Nellie" the Lochness monster. Our guide Karen was extremely knowledgeable, answering all questions about each of the places we visited, as well as pointing out landmarks on our way. She told us about all of the different types of trees & flowers we might see along our tour.
Julie
12/05/2025Emma is absolutely a wonderful guide! She's very knowledgeable. She gives enough time and wonderful suggestions of things to do at each stop.
Lindsey
14/04/2025This was an absolutely perfect day, on which we were able to take a couple of beautiful spots off of our bucket list. Our guide Emma was amazing.
Mario
14/04/2025Donnie was so much fun! He not only knew a lot about history in general, and shared all his knowledge, but he also shared some amazing personal stories that made us laugh all the way. He's a wonderful guide, and we hope we get to have another tour with him in the future when we come back!
Anahi
13/04/2025A GREAT adventure!! We packed so many great things into this day trip. Our guide Harrison was awesome. They had brand-new tour buses, so nice and clean and comfortable! You did have to pay for a couple of things (whisky at the distillery, museum at the battlegrounds, etc), but we could use contactless payment everywhere.
Dan Kelsey
17/03/2025Such a wonderful tour, for me and my couple it was a complete tour. Iain (the driver and guide) make the tour magic, he is a wonderful person and you can see that he really knows about Scotland, he give a special plus to the tour, you can see the dedication of him. Absolutely recommend, I great and lovely experience.
Compass
21/03/2025Fantastic day taking on the sights and culture around the Highlands. Emily our guide was really knowledgeable and her enthusiasm shone through from start to finish. I wondered if It may be a lot to take in for just one day but I actually felt that there was ample time at every location although I could happily have stayed longer at Culloden Battlefield. Great tour worth every penny. Wouldn’t hesitate to do it again!
Terri
15/03/2025Harrison our guide is masterclass. He took his time diving into every detail and answered every question for the group. Very well knowledgeable, a true historian. He made me better today! Thank you Harrison!
Dan
19/03/2025The most efficient way to some of the wonders Inverness has to offer without hiring a car! Amber was a great tour guide with a wealth of knowledge, thank you!
Danielle
12/02/2025Such a great tour! We got to see and do so much! We spent very little time in the actual bus, which was great. Amber was amazing and I learned so much about everything! She was incredibly knowledgeable about so many different subjects.
Kerry
12/02/2025It was an incredible tour thanks to Amber, our guide, who told us about the history of this place in a very detailed way and also told us the legends that surround this island. We were totally impressed with the landscapes. We also discovered that Scotland is not always rainy!
Sansasav
07/02/2025Best tour we’ve done in Scotland! Full of various activities, and all short bus rides in tween. Had a fantastic lunch in Beuly at “Corner on the Square”. Whisky distillery was very cool, with non-alcoholic options too. Loch Ness Cruise was gorgeous, ending with a very cool walk through of Urquhart Castle. Would definitely recommend!
Daniel
30/12/2024It was such an amazing tour! Even though it was super snowy and we had to improvise a bit, Sonia did a great job of making the experience special, coming up with great alternative plans when needed. She was an amazing guide, providing so much interesting and fun information without being too "cheesy-touristy". Thanks Sonia!
Linda
09/01/2025We had the pleasure of exploring the Inverness area with Willie, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Willie is not only a highly knowledgeable guide but also a passionate storyteller who brings history to life.
Gonzalo
06/01/2025Great tour. The guide Wlliam was funny and knowledgeable. The whisky distillery was great and Culloden was stunning too.
Bruno
27/12/2024Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour depart from?
Your Loch Ness tour departs from the city centre in Inverness. For more details on your pick-up location, please visit our Departure Info page.
How long is the tour?
In total, your Loch Ness tour from Inverness spans approximately 9 hours*. With a perfect balance between driving and time spent off the coach, you will have ample time in to experience beautiful highland sites around the loch.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Is the Loch Ness boat tour to Urquhart Castle included in the tour price?
Yes, the Loch Ness boat tour and entry to Urquhart Castle are included in the price.
Will I see Nessie?
Trying to snap a selfie with Nessie is a tough task, but your Loch Ness boat tour to Urquhart Castle might increase your likelihood of seeing her!
Are there toilet facilities on the coach?
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Are your tours accessible?
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Can I purchase snacks or souvenirs at the stops along the way?
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Where can I get a more detailed itinerary?
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
I have more questions. How can you help?
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
- Home
- Tours from Inverness
- 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander
Highland Explorer Tours
Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander Explorer (incl. Castle & Cruise)
1-Day Itinerary
Tour Route
Day 1
Loch Ness, Whisky and Outlander Explorer
Day 1 | Loch Ness, Whisky and Outlander Explorer
Your tour departs from central Inverness and journeys to world-famous Loch Ness, where you will join a cruise to the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle. Then, there’s free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; featured in the Outlander book 'Dragonfly in Amber'. Our next stop is a Highland whisky distillery, where you can learn about whisky and have the option to sample a wee dram in the bar.
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all! Your Loch Ness tour comes to an end as we return to Inverness in the early evening.
Please note that during winter the tour route goes in reverse.
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all! Your Loch Ness tour comes to an end as we return to Inverness in the early evening.
Please note that during winter the tour route goes in reverse.
HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS
highlandexplorertours.com
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
Itinerary
Loch Ness, Whisky and Outlander Explorer
Your tour departs from central Inverness and journeys to world-famous Loch Ness, where you will join a cruise to the ruins of the 13th century Urquhart Castle. Then, there’s free time to enjoy lunch in one of the charming local cafés in beautiful Beauly and walk it off exploring Beauly Priory; featured in the Outlander book 'Dragonfly in Amber'. Our next stop is a Highland whisky distillery, where you can learn about whisky and have the option to sample a wee dram in the bar.
Listen to tales of the Jacobite rebellions and the brutal Battle of Culloden on our visit to Culloden Battlefield. Outlander fans will love the mysterious burial chambers and standing stones at Clava Cairns. When you’ve heard the harrowing history behind the Outlander story, you might not want to travel back in time to meet Jamie Fraser after all! Your Loch Ness tour comes to an end as we return to Inverness in the early evening.
Please note that during winter the tour route goes in reverse.
Day Highlights
Route Map
Click map to enlarge
Departure Point
Inverness City Centre
15 Union St Inverness*, IV1 1PP *Across from the entrance to the Victorian Market. Look out for a blue or yellow coach bus. For parking, we recommend the Old Town Rose Street Multi-Storey – less than a 10-minute walk from our departure point.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Check-In Closes
8:00 AM
Departs
8:15 AM
Returns
5:00 PM
We are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals. Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
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- Tours from Inverness
- 1 Day Loch Ness, Whisky & Outlander
Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre
Pay locallyYou can explore the historic site of the intense Battle of Culloden for free. It's where the Jacobite clansmen faced their final defeat. This visit offers a profound glimpse into the dramatic end of the Jacobite uprising and the heritage of the Scottish clans. Entry to the visitor centre is from £12.50. Tickets are subject to availability.
Highland Whisky Distillery Experience
Pay locallyDiscover at your leisure how 'uisge beatha' (the 'water of life') is made and explore the history behind one of Scotland's most iconic exports. Local whisky experts are on hand to share their in-depth knowledge and suggest rare drams to sample. Whisky dram flights from £12 and whisky cocktails from £8.
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