invergordon outlander tour

Discover the breathtaking beauty of Inverness and the Highlands with Seoras Outlander Tours. Our experienced guides and carefully curated tours offer an unforgettable experience with stunning scenery and rich history. Explore the majestic Loch Ness, the iconic Isle of Skye or dive into the world of Outlander with our informative tours. Get ready for a journey you will never forget!

Isle of Skye

Invergordon Ships

Winter Special

Seòras

Westbourne Huntly Street Inverness IV3 5HT

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07706435525

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Full-Day Outlander Experience (inc Invergordon Cruise Port)

During this full-day Outlander experience at Invergordon Cruise Port, travelers are transported to the past to uncover the secrets of a renowned TV series. The journey begins amidst the quaint charm of the port, but what lies ahead is a tale woven with historical richness and modern-day adventure.

From stepping into the shoes of beloved characters to exploring the landscapes that served as the backdrop for their epic sagas, participants are in for a treat. But, as the day unfolds, unexpected twists and surprises await, making this experience not just a tour but a memorable escapade into the fascinating world of Outlander.

• Explore Outlander filming locations for historical insights and behind-the-scenes stories.
• Immerse in the world of Outlander by following in character footsteps and admiring costume details.
• Indulge in local culinary experiences, from traditional cooking workshops to food tours.
• Plan transportation logistics for a hassle-free full-day Outlander adventure from Invergordon Cruise Port.

Here's some more nearby activities we've reviewed

• Isle of Skye Day Tour
• Inverness City Daily Walking Tour (11:30am, 2pm & 5:30pm)
• 3-Day Lewis, Harris and the Outer Hebrides Small-Group Tour From Inverness
• 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles

Itinerary Highlights

Indulge in a day full of captivating adventures and historic discoveries with the meticulously curated itinerary highlights of the Outlander Experience at Invergordon Cruise Port.

Explore the historical significance of the locations visited, where character interactions come to life. Witness the intricate details of costume design up close and gain insight into the behind-the-scenes magic of the hit TV series.

Engage with knowledgeable guides who provide fascinating anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, adding depth to your exploration. Enjoy the world of Outlander as you walk in the footsteps of your favorite characters, gaining a newfound appreciation for the effort and creativity that go into bringing this beloved series to life.

Invergordon Cruise Port Details

Nestled on the picturesque shores of the Scottish Highlands, Invergordon Cruise Port welcomes visitors with its charming blend of natural beauty and maritime allure. Travelers docking here can explore a variety of shopping options and visit numerous tourist attractions. Here’s a glimpse of what the port offers:

Visitors can enjoy the local culture through shopping excursions or explore the rich history by exploring these fascinating attractions at Invergordon Cruise Port.

Outlander Filming Locations

Visitors to Invergordon Cruise Port can explore the captivating Outlander filming locations scattered throughout the Scottish Highlands.

Historical Context : These sites offer a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Scottish history, providing a deeper understanding of the backdrop against which Outlander is set.

Iconic Landmarks : Fans of the show will recognize famous locations like Doune Castle, which serves as the fictional Castle Leoch.

Impeccable Design : Delight in the intricate costume design showcased in the series, with visits to venues like the Highland Folk Museum that bring these details to life.

Breathtaking Scenery : Experience the stunning landscapes that served as the backdrop for many memorable Outlander scenes, transporting visitors to the magical world of the show.

Local Culinary Experiences

Local culinary enthusiasts can embark on a flavorful journey through Invergordon’s diverse gastronomic offerings. From traditional Scottish dishes to international flavors, there’s something to satisfy every palate.

Culinary workshops provide a hands-on experience for those eager to delve deeper into the local cuisine, offering the chance to learn traditional cooking techniques and recipes firsthand.

Food tours are another exciting option, allowing visitors to explore the town’s hidden culinary gems while sampling a variety of delicious dishes along the way.

Whether it’s mastering the art of haggis-making or indulging in freshly caught seafood, these culinary experiences promise to be both educational and delicious, making them a must-do for food lovers visiting Invergordon.

Transportation and Logistics

For convenient access to and from Invergordon Cruise Port, travelers can explore various transportation options that cater to their logistical needs. When planning their Outlander experience, visitors should consider the following:

Parking Options : Invergordon Cruise Port provides parking facilities for those arriving by car. Travelers can park their vehicles securely while enjoying the full-day Outlander adventure.

Public Transportation : For those opting not to drive, public transportation is available near Invergordon Cruise Port. Buses and trains offer convenient and cost-effective ways to reach the starting point of the Outlander tour.

Shuttle Services : Some tour operators offer shuttle services to and from Invergordon Cruise Port for participants of the Outlander experience, ensuring a hassle-free journey.

Private Transfers : Travelers can also arrange private transfers for a more personalized and direct transportation option tailored to their schedule and preferences.

Here's a few more nearby tours and experiences we have reviewed.

• Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Tour From Inverness
• Loch Ness & Culloden Battlefield Private Tour From Inverness
• Torridon, Applecross and Eilean Donan Castle Small-Group Day Tour From Inverness
• Alternative Loch Ness Tour by Secret Highlands
• From Inverness to Loch Ness , Cawdor Castle , Culloden and More
• Inverness to Edinburgh Private Transfer With Tour on the Way

Common questions

Is There a Minimum Age Requirement for Participating in the Full-Day Outlander Experience?

There is a minimum age requirement for participating in the experience. It is essential to consider physical fitness levels as well. These factors ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure for all participants.

Are There Any Activities Included in the Tour That Require a Certain Level of Physical Fitness?

Physical requirements for certain tour activities may necessitate moderate fitness levels. Age restrictions may apply for safety reasons. Travelers should inquire about specific activities that may require physical exertion before booking to ensure suitability.

Are There Any Restroom Facilities Available at the Various Outlander Filming Locations Visited During the Tour?

Restroom facilities are available at the various Outlander filming locations visited during the tour. Visitors can expect accessible amenities. The experience caters to varying physical abilities. A minimum age requirement ensures a suitable environment for all participants.

Can Participants Bring Their Own Food and Drinks on the Tour, or Are Meals and Refreshments Provided?

Participants are encouraged to bring snacks and drinks on the tour. While meals and refreshments are not provided, having personal food options ensures everyone stays energized and satisfied throughout the full-day Outlander experience.

Is There Free Wi-Fi Available on the Transportation Used for the Tour?

Yes, free Wi-Fi is available on the transportation used for the tour. Participants can enjoy connectivity during the journey on the tour buses. This feature enhances the travel experience, allowing guests to stay connected while exploring.

Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• From Inverness: Private Speyside Whisky Trail Guided Tour
• From Inverness: Loch Ness Cruise and Urquhart Castle
• Inverness Whirl: Iconic Landmarks & Highland Highlights
• Inverness: Isle of Skye and Eilean Donan Castle Day Trip
• From Inverness: Torridon, Applecross, & Eilean Donan Castle
• From Inverness: Loch Ness and The Highlands Day Tour
• Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour From Inverness
• From Inverness: Speyside Whisky Tour With Tastings
• Inverness: 2-day Isle of Skye, Fairy Pools & Castles Tour
• From Inverness: The Loch Ness Centre
• Inverness: Whatsapp Murder Mystery Interactive City Tour

Join us for a full-day Outlander experience at Invergordon Cruise Port, where history and magic intertwine. Explore iconic filming locations, indulge in local culinary delights, and learn about the enchanting world of Outlander.

With a perfect blend of adventure and discovery, this excursion promises an unforgettable journey through time. Don’t miss this opportunity to step into the captivating universe of Outlander and create lasting memories.

Book your spot now and embark on a day filled with wonder and excitement!

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A DIY Outlander Shore Excursion From Invergordon, Scotland

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: August 27, 2022  - Last updated: September 3, 2022

Outlander fans cruising to Scotland will want to see some of the sites made famous by the books and the TV show. I did an amazing DIY Outlander shore excursion from Invergordon (Inverness)—and here’s how you can, too.

On our 12-day British Isles cruise on Royal Caribbean , I was so excited to visit the Inverness area in the heart of the Scottish Highlands!

As huge Outlander fans, Mr. SBC and I knew that our visit to Inverness (from the nearby port of Invergordon) needed to include as many sites from Diana Gabaldon’s books and the TV series as we could fit into our day in port.

The only other thing I wanted to see from the port of Invergordon was Loch Ness, but I was willing to give up a potential Nessie sighting for the chance to see ancient standing stones and visit Culloden Battlefield.

Disclaimer: I may receive a small commission when you make a purchase from a link on this site, at no added charge to you. For more info, please read my  Disclosure Policy .

Booking our DIY Outlander shore excursion

Royal Caribbean didn’t offer an Outlander shore excursion, so I decided to look for a local company that offered a group tour. But despite hours of digging online, all I could find were multi-day Outlander tours or nine-plus hour day trips that weren’t geared to cruise ship visitors.

I knew I could hire a private car and driver for the day, but that would be an expensive proposition for just the two of us.

Our original DIY Outlander tour idea

I finally decided on a completely DIY Outlander tour—we’d take an Uber from Invergordon cruise port to Clava Cairns (one of the inspirations for Craigh na Dun), which would be about a 40-minute drive. Then we’d either walk or take the bus for a mile and a half to Culloden Battlefield.

We’d next take a 15-minute Uber to Inverness to explore the city for a few hours, then head back to the ship—about a 30-minute drive.

But when we disembarked at Invergordon, Uber initially quoted us over £80 for just the first leg of our trip. Then my phone immediately said “no drivers available”. Drat.

We hurried past the two tour company kiosks at the port to the taxi stand. I flagged down the guy who looked to be in charge of the taxi operation and asked how much for a taxi to Clava Cairns.

“Aye, there are nae taxis available,” he said. “Unless you want a private taxi for the day. That’ll run ye about £45 an hour.”

I must have looked dejected (I’ll admit I have the worst poker face), so he directed us back to the tour company booths, explaining that we still had time to book a group shore excursion if we hurried.

Shore excursion options at Invergordon cruise port

Invergordon is a small port, so you won’t find lots of last-minute tour options like you often find at larger ports.

There were two shore excursion companies hawking their services at the port: Invergordon Bus Tours and Scotland Taxi Tours .

Invergordon Bus Tours looked to be the less expensive option of the two, with several group coach tour options in the £25-35 range per person.

They actually offer a tour that features several of the stops we wanted to see (and more), but one of the guides let me know it had already left—full of cruisers who had pre-booked.

I then chatted with the representative at Scotland Taxi Tours . They offer both set private tours and DIY options, but the cheapest rate is £45 per hour for a four-seater taxi with a tour guide.

Once we knew what our options were, we decided to have a quick “pros and cons” discussion about choosing between a very affordable (but not Outlander-centric) group coach tour, or splurging on a pricey private taxi for the day.

We find more frustrated Outlander fans

As we chatted (and Mr. SBC made it clear that my frugal but Outlander-loving self was going to have to make the final decision), I overheard another couple who seemed to be in a very similar situation.

I struck up a conversation and learned that they wanted to see many of the same Outlander sites that we did, and had actually spent several hundred dollars booking a day-long coach tour. But their tour company sent them a last-minute email while they were on the ship (without Wi-Fi access) changing the tour’s start time.

They missed their Outlander tour, and the tour company (which wasn’t one of those at the port) refused to refund their money.

I asked if they’d like to split a private tour through Scotland Taxi Tours, which would cut our price in half—much more affordable! Our new friends enthusiastically said yes, and we all piled into a comfy VW minivan to start our jaunt around the Inverness area.

Meeting our driver for the day

Our friendly driver had a quick chat with us to find out which stops we’d most like to see, and he came up with an itinerary that he estimated would take between six and seven hours.

He mentioned that we could stop wherever we wanted along the route for photo ops (or bathroom breaks), and we were soon on our way!

What sites did we visit on our Outlander tour from Invergordon?

The singleton distillery.

• Beauly Priory (location from Outlander novels)
• Urquhart Castle / Loch Ness (location from Outlander novels)
• Inverness (location from Outlander novels)
• Culloden Battlefield (location from Outlander novels)
• Clava Cairns (inspiration for the stones at Craigh na Dun)
• Cawdor Castle (example of a clan castle like those referenced in the novels)
• Invergordon High Street (back to the port)

Interactive map of our Outlander shore excursion

Our first stop on the tour had nothing to do with Outlander. But our guide asked if we were interested in picking up some very nice local whisky at a historic distillery.

Mr. SBC gave an enthusiastic yes, and our new friends had promised to bring back a bottle for a coworker, so we decided a short stop at the distillery was in order.

The Singleton of Glen Ord is the last single malt distillery in the Black Isle—the peninsula that includes Invergordon and Inverness.

Tip: If you’re planning on bringing back some whisky from Scotland, check how much alcohol you’re allowed to carry back into your home country tax-free. For visitors from the US, it’s one liter per person. For Canadians it’s 1.14 litres, and for Australians, it’s 2.25 litres per person.

We spent about 20 minutes at the distillery—not enough time for a full tour (you can pre-book a tour if you want to spend more time learning about their offerings). We had a full tour coming up at Glengoyne Distillery near Glasgow later in the cruise, so a quick visit was all we needed.

Our stop gave us enough time for Mr. SBC to sample some whisky and choose a bottle that isn’t available back home in the US.

Beauly Priory

Our next stop on the Outlander trail was to the gorgeous ruin of Beauly Priory, featured in Dragonfly in Amber (the second novel in the series) and also commonly touted as a filming location for season two of the TV series.

As we explored the ruins, we were all trying to remember which scene in the series was filmed at Beauly Priory. It’d been a few years since we’d watched season two!

In Dragonfly in Amber , Beauly Priory is where Claire meets Maisri (Lord Lovat’s seer) and they discuss Maisri’s visions about the Frasers.

Once I returned home, I rewatched the scene in the TV series (it’s season 2 episode 8) to find that Beauly isn’t the filming location for this scene—it was filmed in a chapel that definitely had an intact roof.

In another Outlander connection, the real-life Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat, was buried at Beauly Priory after he was killed at the Battle of the Shirts in 1544. Since Jamie’s grandfather in the series was the 11th Lord Lovat, Hugh Fraser would have been his 6th great-grandfather.

The thirteenth-century priory and its grounds are open to the public and free to enter. If you’re a fan of visiting old cemeteries, plan for a little extra time to wander in the walled burial yard outside of the priory—as well as the graves inside to see the final resting places of generations of Frasers and MacKenzies.

Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

Next we headed south, for a scenic drive along Loch Ness. Most famous for the legendary Nessie, picturesque Loch Ness is the second-largest lake in Scotland.

Near the village of Drumnadrochit sits the ruins of Urquhart Castle, overlooking the lake’s mysterious waters.

Although the scene didn’t make it into the TV show, fans of the Outlander novels might remember that Claire and Frank visited Urquhart Castle on a day trip.

We didn’t spot a water horse like Claire did, but we were able to enjoy a stunning view of the 13th-century castle ruins perched on the lake’s edge.

Urquhart Castle is open for tours, but when we visited it was so busy that the parking lot was full. With its long history it’s one of the most-visited castles in Scotland, so consider pre-buying tickets before your trip.

Castle admission is £12 for adults, £9.50 for seniors, £7 for kids, and under-5s are free.

In order to see all of the Outlander sites in the Inverness area, our driver let us know we’d only have time for a short driving tour through the city of Inverness.

I was a little disappointed, especially as walking around Inverness was part of my original plan for the day. I pictured the quaint Inverness street in the first episode of the series, where Claire and Frank stayed at Mrs. Baird’s B&B for their second honeymoon.

But once we started driving through Inverness, one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities, it was clear that my romantic 1940s vision of the place didn’t quite line up with today’s reality.

Midcentury-style buildings now stand side-by-side with charming stone structures from bygone eras. Today’s Inverness is far more bustling than the sleepy town you might have in mind!

The actual filming location for season one’s Inverness scenes was the village of Falkland, about an hour north of Edinburgh.

Culloden Battlefield

The third Outlander book, Voyager , and season three of the TV series both feature the Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745.

I won’t include any spoilers for anyone who hasn’t made it this far in the novels or the show, but the historic battle left between 1500 and 2000 Jacobite casualties. Many of the dead were buried in mass graves on the moor.

As Culloden Moor is considered a war grave, filming for the series actually occurred in a field at Greengairs, near Cumbernauld (about 315 miles / 507 km to the south).

We had about an hour to visit the battlefield, so we focused on finding the stone clan markers that serve as memorials to the dead. But looking out over the moor from the Visitors Centre, we spotted a tiny thatched-roof cottage we needed to check out first.

It was Leanach Cottage, the last remaining farmstead on the moor. The single-story structure dates to the early 18th century, and may have been used as a field hospital for government troops during the battle.

The rustic cottage was a private home until 1912, and after its restoration served as the battlefield’s first visitor center.

Following the footpaths to the next visible landmark on the sweeping moor, we made our way to the Memorial Cairn, a 16-foot high (5 m) beehive-shaped monument. Erected in 1881, the stone and mortar structure is dedicated to the Highlanders who died in the battle.

Nearby are many of the clan markers we were looking for (which were also added to the field the same year).

We spotted dozens of these markers, each inscribed with a clan name. Passing stones for clans MacIntosh, Cameron, Stewart, and several others, we finally found Clan Fraser—the only stone decorated with flowers due to the popularity of the Outlander series.

Heading back to the Visitor Centre, we realized we wouldn’t have time to tour the museum housed inside. But our driver had mentioned that the café on site was good, so we stopped for a quick cafeteria-style meal of hearty soup and fresh bread.

Oddly, although it was only 1:30 PM, the restaurant looked to be about to close with only a few food options left. So if you’re planning to eat here on your Outlander shore excursion, I’d suggest timing it to have an early lunch!

Culloden Battlefield is open to the public daily and is free to enter. If you’d like to also visit the museum , tickets are £14 for adults, £11 for students and seniors, and under-5s are free.

Clava Cairns

Not far from Culloden Battlefield are the Clava Cairns at Balnuaran of Clava, a Bronze Age burial site and ancient set of standing stones that may have inspired Diana Gabaldon’s fictional Craigh na Dun.

The filming location for the Craigh na Dun scenes is on private property in Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, and they used painted styrofoam to create the stones, so you won’t find an Outlander tour that takes you there!

Rumor has it that the appearance of Craigh na Dun was based on the Callanish Stones, which are located on the Isle of Lewis. But the closest ancient standing stones to the fictional location are at Clava Cairns.

Although we had come to see the standing stones and of course (maybe only half-jokingly) attempt to pass through them à la Claire, we were also drawn to the large ring cairns on the site.

These chamber tombs may have once held the remains of chieftains or other notable people who died 4000 years ago, although those remains have since been removed.

Archaeologists have discovered that about a thousand years later, there were new burials interred and additional monuments erected, possibly reusing some of the original stone material. 

Two of the ring cairns have an opening, letting us walk right into the central burial chambers, perhaps just as Neolithic people once did to honor their dead.

At Clava Cairns, the standing stones and ring cairns all align precisely with the midwinter sunset. But the actual purpose of the standing stones is a mystery that might never be solved.

The Clava Cairns site is free to visit, and is open year-round.

Cawdor Castle

If you’re as intrigued with Scottish clan life as I am, don’t miss a chance to tour the lovely Cawdor Castle and its breathtaking gardens.

I thoroughly enjoyed the scenes in the TV series in Castle Leoch (well, at least the ones without Laoghaire lurking about). Filming for the fictional seat of Clan MacKenzie was at Doune Castle, about a 2.5-hour drive south of Inverness—too long of a hike from Invergordon for our Outlander tour.

But Cawdor Castle, with the oldest portion dating to about 1380, has been owned by the Campbell family since the 16th century.

Plus, Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Graham McTavish (Dougal McKenzie) visited the castle for their road trip book Clanlands , so we felt like we were still walking in Jamie’s footsteps!

We had about 90 minutes to tour the castle and grounds, although I wish we’d had more time to discover all of its treasures without rushing.

Cawdor Castle is lived in today by the dowager countess Lady Angelika Cawdor, widow of the sixth Earl of Cawdor, and has been open to the public since 1976. The castle closes between October and May each year, when Lady Cawdor is in residence.

Since the property is still a private home, its furnishings don’t just reflect one specific time period in its history. I spotted pieces dating from throughout its 600+ year history (and even earlier!)—ranging from ancient artifacts to 17th-century Flemish tapestries to a collection of modern art.

It might sound like a hodgepodge, but somehow it all works. I imagined what the fictional Castle Leoch might look like today if a slightly-eccentric Lady Leoch lived there, and I think Cawdor Castle is it.

Moving out to the gardens, I expected a quick jaunt through some typical plantings. Although I love a garden, I’ve seen my fair share of them on tours of historic homes and castles.

But once we started exploring the grounds and the three separate garden spaces, I wished we had more time.

We discovered neatly manicured formal gardens, an exceptionally well-tended cottage garden (I could just imagine Claire sourcing medicinals for her remedies here), and even a labyrinth with a bronze minotaur at its center!

Dotted throughout are contemporary sculptures and tranquil nooks for visitors to sit and enjoy the peaceful views.

Cawdor Castle and Gardens is open daily from the beginning of May until the beginning of October, from 10 AM to 5:30 PM.

Admission to the castle and grounds is £13.50 for adults, £12.50 for seniors, and £7.50 for kids 15 and under. Under 5s are free.

Invergordon High Street

Approaching the cruise port again, we were able to enjoy a short drive-by of the town of Invergordon and its High Street.

If we hadn’t booked a tour, Invergordon High Street would’ve been the only place within walking distance of the cruise port for us to visit.

The high street didn’t look all that exciting—just a few shops and an art gallery, along with some casual restaurants and cafés.

But what really impressed me were the beautiful murals painted on the sides of many of the buildings. If you’re a fan of street art, consider taking a stroll in Invergordon. The half-mile-long “Mural Trail” tells the story of this small town, depicting historical events and showcasing local scenery and wildlife.

Back to the ship at Invergordon

Our seven-hour whirlwind Outlander tour didn’t leave much time for souvenir shopping! Although the gift shop at Cawdor Castle was very nice, we wanted to maximize our sightseeing time.

So we were pleasantly surprised that there was also a nice gift shop right at the port when we returned, and we had just enough time to browse for some Scottish souvenirs before we had to reboard the ship.

Final thoughts on our DIY Outlander shore excursion from Invergordon

As a die-hard do-it-yourself shore excursion fan, I generally enjoy doing my own research about where I want to go in port. Then I’ll walk to a location, hop on a local bus, or use a rideshare service to explore the area on my own schedule.

But when foot travel or public transportation don’t make sense with the distance you need to cover or the time constraints of cruise travel, sometimes a group coach tour really is your best option.

Without either option available to us at Invergordon, putting together a DIY Outlander shore excursion using a private driver was the best way to see everything without feeling too rushed.

I loved that we could choose exactly how long we wanted to hire our van and driver for, and we didn’t have to make pointless stops at tacky souvenir shops (one of my least favorite parts of many coach tours).

Our driver offered helpful suggestions on places we could go and how long we should spend at each location, but the decisions were ultimately up to us.

However, (unlike on many group tours) buying admission tickets and lunch were on us. Thankfully many of the sites we visited were free!

Our driver was very knowledgeable about the area and its history, and kept the commentary going as we drove from place to place.

But, we were on our own once we reached each site. I prefer exploring on my own, but if you enjoy having a guide walk you through historic locations, a coach tour might be a better fit.

Cruise pro tip: Looking to share the costs of a private van tour on your next cruise? Join a roll call for your sailing (you can find them on Facebook and Cruise Critic) and ask if anyone’s interested in your planned itinerary.

Have you done an Outlander shore excursion from Invergordon or Inverness, Scotland? Or are you planning an Outlander tour? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!

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A must for avid fans of Diana Gabaldon’s books and TV series, this Outlander-inspired tour takes you to some of the beautiful places depicted in the book, as well as some associated Fraser and Mackenzie Clan sights which we know you’ll love!

• ABOUT THIS TOUR
• ITINERARY & MAP

Interested in this tour?

This tour is available on a private basis only. Please get in touch to get a quote for your group.

This tour is only available as a private tour in 2023. Our private tours are conducted in our 16 and 30 seater mini-coaches and as such are best suited to groups of 8+. Prices starts from £1195 per day per group.

Tour Highlights

• Guided tour of Culloden Battlefield
• Discover the 'real' Craighe na Dun
• Explore an ancient pagan wishing well
• Go inside Beauly Priory where Claire meets a seer
• Visit Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle
• Great for non-Outlander fans too!

Itinerary and Map +

Itinerary & map, culloden battlefield.

The tour starts off in Inverness before heading up to Culloden Battlefield, where the last pitched battle was fought on British soil. Your guide will give you a tour of the battlefield and lead you to the Fraser Stone, which commemorates all of the Frasers who tragically fell on April 16th 1746

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns and standing stones which were built around 4000 years ago. Best of all for Outlander fans there is a large ‘split stone’ so, if you come here on the Beltane and hear the stones begin to buzz, step back!!

Clootie Well

Another popular location associated with Beltane is the Clootie Well, a sight of ancient Celtic pilgrimage. Be sure to bring a ‘cloot’ (rag or item of clothing) so that you can tie it to the branches of the tree, enabling you to partake in a Celtic healing ritual which still holds strong today.

Beauly Priory

Beauly Priory is a beautiful 13th Century ruin and, according to the Outlander books, it is where the Lovat Frasers are buried. There are certainly lots of Frasers buried here, although we’ll show you where the Lovat Frasers are really buried later in the tour! Afterwards we will enjoy some lunch in the historic town of Beauly, which lies in the heart of Fraser country.

Wardlaw Mausoleum

Our next stop is the Wardlaw Mausoleum, the supposed final resting place of the real life ‘Red Fox’ (Jamie Fraser’s grandfather in the books). This really is a gem of a place and we will visit the secret underground chamber that was thought to contain the 11th Lord Lovat’s headless body (it doesn’t and the mystery deepens!), following his execution at the Tower of London!

Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness

Urquhart Castle should be a ‘must’ on anyone’s itinerary to the Scottish Highlands! Here you will also get fabulous views of Loch Ness and have a chance to go down to it’s banks in the hope of seeing the ‘Water horse’ which so entranced Claire Randall (or Nessie, as she’s better known around these parts!)

Discover the Factor

Meet your guides, gordon pearson.

Founder & Tour Guide

  730 Reviews

Gordon founded WOW Scotland in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since. He is passionate about showcasing his homeland, and is continually striving to create the best possible experiences for every guest.

Robert Carr

  137 Reviews

Prior to being a tour guide, Rob ran successful food and tourism businesses in Edinburgh and Perthshire. He has now been in the Highlands for 16 years, where he loves to indulge in his joint passions of golf and hiking.

Andrew Jones

  210 Reviews

With over 10 years of experience as a tour director and guide, Andrew prefers to consider himself as a storyteller, amateur historian and, above all, an ambassador for Scotland

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Highland Discovery Tours

A Highland Ready To Explore

Highland Discovery Tours & Travel

 private sightseeing tours from inverness.

Highland Discovery Private Sightseeing Tours Around the Highlands of Scotland From Inverness

We offer many different Highland tours from Inverness with hotel and port collection

we also offer golfing transfers, hotel and airport transfers

Loch Ness - Urquhart castle - Culloden Battlefield - Eilean Donan Castle - Dunrobin Castle - Distillery tours 

Fort William and Glencoe - The Isle of Skye

All of our tours are with a private driver  for your day out with us

offering you some of the best routes of the local area 

Wether your a Individual or a group of 6 people we have a private tour to suit your desire to see the beauty of the Highland's of Scotland. 

Our tours are now bookable by the vehicle size rather than by per person 

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The Clava Cairns

© The Clava Cairns

Inverness Outlander Tour

Start your own Outlander Story taking you back 200 years just before the time of the battle of culloden, follow the story of our hero's and see true scottish history ( this is the true history not filming locations )

The Clava Stones Inverness were the story starts for Claire and Jamie Fraser. Lets take you back 200 years to 1743 before the time of the battle of culloden .

Let us take you on a tour that migrates Inverness into your outlander series.

Starting your day at 8.30am to 9am we will collect you from your hotel

Your first stop will be the clava cairns you will be able to touch the stone and go back 200 years to the time of Jamie Fraser

next will be Fort george showing you history from the time of the jacobites and the only remaining fort now in the highlands

 From here you will go on to 

-The culloden Battlefield spend upto 1 hour here walking the battlefield visitors experiece not included battlefield is free to walk around

-Passing the culloden house hotel for pics

-Lochness & Urquhart castle upto 1 hour

-Beauly Priory 

-Glen ord Singleton Distillery - Taste of Scotland included in the tour

To Arrive back at inverness between 4 - 5 PM

Start your own outlander story with us

Price on Request

Departure days.

• W Wednesday

January — December

Contact details

• +44 (7572) 817097
• View tour details
• [email protected]

Tour information

• Inverness Airport
• Inverness City Centre
• Inverness, Loch Ness & Nairn

½ Day

• Small Group (1-16)

Tour company information

Highland discovery tours and travel.

Highland Discovery Tours and Travel collecting from Inverness and Invergordon. Offering Multiple day tours in our comfortable and luxury vehicles. All our tours are private tours with just your group or even yourself and your driver guide who will have knowledge and expertise in your chosen tour available tours Isle of Skye from Inverness Glencoe from Inverness Outlander and history tour Distillery tours golfing transfers to all scottish golf courses Lochness tours Dunrobin Castle tours

Social Channels

Visit Highland Discovery Tours and Travel

Opening times

everyday from 9am to 6pm for bookings and enquires email for out of hours and late bookings

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• Isle of Skye
• North East 250
• North Coast 500
• Glencoe and West Highlands
• Outlander Tours
• Whisky Tours
• Custom Tour
• Invergordon Shore Excursions
• Ullapool Shore Excursions
• Edinburgh Shore Excursions
• Greenock Shore Excursions
• from Inverness
• from Edinburgh & Glasgow

Outlander Film Locations Tour

Enjoy the Private Group Outlander Film Locations Day Tour from Edinburgh Cruise Ship Port. The Tour Guides entertain and share local knowledge while you travel in style and comfort in our air conditioned vehicles. Tours priced for up to 7 passengers.

Visit amazing locations; Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Doune Castle and Culross while enjoying the stories along the way.

Book now! Get instant confirmation of your calendar appointment.

£ 610.00 1 day

Scroll calendar to select your date & time or pick a guide to check their availability. — No Preference — Scott

• Description

Why Choose Us

Outlander film locations tour from edinburgh cruise ship port – itinerary.

The Outlander Film Locations Tour begins with a visit to Jamie’s home, Lallybroch. The film location for Fort William is next, and then Castle Leoch, home to the Mackenzies. Our final stop is the village of Cranesmuir, before returning to the ship.

Lallybroch (Midhope Castle)

Starz filmed Lallybroch at the 16 th Century tower-house of Midhope Castle. They only filmed the exteriors here, and there is no access to the interior of the building. It’s a great place to have a wander, though, and take photographs on the steps of the house.

Fort William (Blackness Castle)

Fort William, and Jamie’s flogging, was filmed at the grim old castle-keep of Blackness Castle. George Crichton, a man later sentenced as a traitor, built this castle in the 1400’s. The government seized the castle when Crichton was sentenced.. They used it firstly as a state-prison, and later as a garrisoned ammunition-store so we can think of no better place to double as Fort William. The views from the walls and towers are amazing!

Wentworth Prison (Linlithgow Palace)

The Wentworth prison photostop is in the forecourt of Linlithgow Palace; the summer palace of the Stuart dynasty. We will not stop here for long because only a little of Wentworth was filmed at the palace. The production team chose to create the prison from scenes shot in several castles both in Scotland and in England. You will, however, enjoy the views from this impressive ruin on its hill above Linlithgow Loch.

Castle Leoch (Doune Castle)

Doune Castle is a perfect choice as Castle Leoch. It has provided the perfect setting for two important time periods. Filming of Frank and Claire’s twentieth century visit took place there, and it also starred as the home of Colum and Dougal Mackenzie in the 1700’s. Eager visitors also get the chance to listen to Sam Heughan (Jamie) on the audio guide.

Cranesmuir (Culross)

Cranesmuir is our next stop. This is the village of Culross, in Fife. Probably one of Scotland’s most perfectly preserved towns dating from the 1500’s and 1600’s. You’ll see Geilis Duncan’s House, the Mercat Square and Claire’s Herb Garden from Castle Leoch (actually filmed here) along with many other film locations.

Outlander Film Locations Tour – Price

Outlander film locations tour – departure edinburgh cruise ship port.

The tour departs from just outside the harbour gates. We will always inform you directly if there is any alteration of departure point.

St Andrews, Castles and Golf Tour

Scottish Borders and Rosslyn Chapel Tour

Doune Castle and Highlands Tour

Can each person in the party pay separately?

Driver/Guide licencing in Scotland will only allow us to take one payment per tour, so if people in a party wish to split the cost then they arrange that amongst themselves and make one tour payment to us.

Are entries to the various visitor attractions included?

We don’t include entry to the attractions – and that way we leave the day as flexible as possible for you.

Will I need cash with me?

Most places will accept Visa or MasterCard and some will accept American Express. It is always prudent, though, to bring a little cash with you for unexpected eventualities. You will need GBP, not Euros or Dollars.

What will we be doing for lunch?

You are responsible for paying for your own food & drink during your tour. Lunch could be in a café, pub, restaurant or even a picnic at a beauty spot. Your guide can discuss and advise on options when you meet them.

Find all of our other FAQ’s here

Why Choose Inverness Tour Guides?

Our Inverness Tour Guides are a hand-picked team. As well as being accredited members of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association, they are all well-recognised as being at the top of their fields. They were chosen because they are great storytellers, are fun to be with, and are uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We are convinced that there is no better team of guides to be found. See their individual profiles here

Performance

Here at Inverness Tours we continually monitor performance. As a result we are confident that we offer long experience and expertise in providing quality, value and enjoyment.

Our Vehicles

Our vehicles are spacious and air conditioned, easily accommodating up to seven passengers. The reclining seats and tinted windows ensure touring in comfort and style.

Our Track Record

Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years and has been striving to make its exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland.

Our Customer Care

The Inverness Tours admin team are frequently complimented on responsiveness, flexibility and care.

Our Environment

Inverness Tours have offset the impact of visitor footfall in the Highlands by contributing financially to environmental and community projects.

Our Precautions

Our COVID19 precautions – Inverness Tours has always carried bacteriological and virucidal disinfectant sprays, disposable gloves and the necessary wipes etc. The vehicles are cleaned on a daily basis. We are investigating and instituting further measures to keep you safe at this current time and into the future.

Our Reviews

All the above contribute to our fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here . You will find that over 98% of our reviews are five-star and as a result we have achieved TripAdvisor’s annual Certificate of Excellence and placement in their Hall of Fame!

What’s included?

The 7-passenger vehicle together with qualified driver/guide is included.

Summary terms and conditions:-

• All tours are exclusive and the same price for between one and seven people. Your booking is considered confirmed once we send out your confirmation.
• While Inverness Tours shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and/or services as planned, we reserve the right to alter itineraries, guide, transport or accommodation if circumstances require us to do so. If we have to cancel a tour you receive a full refund of the amount paid and that is the extent of our obligation.
• Our normal Cancellation Terms as outlined in the point below have been temporarily relaxed. The relaxation is in relation to any booking which requires to cancel due to COVID-19. Our COVID-19 cancellation terms are outlined here .
• If you wish to change any part of your confirmed booking you should inform us in writing as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request. If you cancel a booking up to 30 days in advance you receive a 75% refund of the total paid. Cancellations between 30 and 10 days before the tour receive a 50% refund. There is no refund if you cancel within 10 days of the tour or are not at the organised departure or pick-up point.
• We are happy for you to enjoy bottled water and hard candies while we travel. Other types of food and drink have proved previously to be quite hazardous (on Highland roads) both to yourselves and seat upholstery.

See our full terms and conditions here

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