invergordon shore excursions and tours

Fall in love with the place we call home on our award winning tour.

• ABOUT THIS TOUR
• ITINERARY & MAP

Tour Highlights

• Get off the beaten track on our unique shore tour
• See Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns and Inverness
• A world-class day out with the only VisitScotland 5 star-rated operator in Invergordon
• See the Highlands with the people who know it best; the highly experienced WOW team

Itinerary and Map +

Itinerary & map, invergordon and cromarty firth.

Upon arrival at the Port of Invergordon you will be warmly welcome by your kilt-clad WOW Scotland guide.  After taking your seats in our executive 30-seater mini-coach you will feel immediately at home as your highly experienced guide takes the reins and your long-awaited day in the Scottish Highlands begins. As we journey along the shores of the Cromarty Firth keep your eye out for seals, oystercatchers and herons as your guide enthrals you with stories of the area’s fascinating history including: Why the US Navy used a local distillery as their HQ during the WWI; and the mutiny which brought the British economy to its knees.

Cawdor Castle

Early records show that the castle dates back to at least 1454.  Although there have been many fortifications and additions over the last 640 years, the building has been remarkably well-preserved, and gives a wonderful impression of how the landed gentry would have lived back in the 15th Century.  To this day the castle remains in the Campbell family, with the Dowager Countess Cawdor, stepmother of the 7th Earl of Cawdor, residing there over the winter months.

You will be presented with an audio guide (available in 10 languages) which provides an interesting and entertaining overview of each room of the castle.  From the 16th Century Drawing Room with its splendid fireplace and portrait gallery, to the bedroom showcasing Flemish tapestries from the 17th Century, all of the magnificent rooms feature fine art and antique furniture, and every object has a story behind it.  This is no more so than in, “The Thorn Tree Room”, where you hear the story of the legendary tree which the castle was built around back in 1372 and which, remarkably, still exists there today!

After you have completed the audio tour we would recommend heading outside to the immaculate gardens: The Flower Garden is a formal garden designed in the 18th Century and featuring lavender borders and yew tree hedges;  The Walled Garden features exotic plants, a maze, a Knot Garden and a hidden Paradise Garden; The Wild Garden is a hidden delight which leads into 750 acres of woods and trails.  There is also a coffee shop, featuring home-baked scones and cakes, and three gift shops, one of which sells a wonderful selection of classic Scottish souvenirs unique to the castle.

Admission to the castle is £12 (£7.50 for children) if booked and paid with us in advance.

This will be your opportunity to pick up a packed lunch, with the castle offering a lunch deal exclusively for WOW guests.  Further information, include a menu and prices, can be found under the FAQs tab above.

We spend around 90 minutes at Cawdor Castle.

Inverness is the capital city of the Highlands, and one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. However, with a population of just 70,000, its compact city centre is easy to explore in an hour.

There are many notable historical sights in the centre and we would suggest making your way to the top of Inverness Castle hill to admire the surrounding views, as well as the statue of Highland heroine Flora MacDonald, who famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden.  From here, head into the city’s pedestrianised area to check out the Victorian gothic Town House, looking out for the Mercat Cross, which sits atop the legendary, “Clach Na Cuidden” stone, said to protect the city and its people. Before you head back pop in to St Andrew’s Cathedral, an imposing building situated in a picturesque location on the banks of the River Ness.

If the weather is kind to us and you fancy a river walk instead then Inverness can certainly deliver; approximately 10 minutes from the centre are the Ness Islands, wooded islands situated in the middle of the River Ness.  A walk from one side of the river to the other via this series of interlinked islands provides a delightful and relaxing nature break, and gives you a real feel for why Inverness was recently voted one of the happiest places in the UK!

For those who would like to indulge in some retail therapy you will have plenty of opportunities in Inverness; shops range from the kitsch souvenir emporiums selling all manner of tartan and woollen goods, to the traditional stores of the 1876 Victorian Market and the brand name outlets in the Eastgate Centre.

We will have approximately one hour in Inverness. (Note that, if your tour duration is 7 hours or less, Inverness will be a shorter stop of around 20 minutes only)

Our next stop is in the village of Dores on the lesser-visited south side of Loch Ness.  This beach was recently voted one of the top 10 views in the UK, so we are confident that this spot gives you the best experience of this legendary loch.  It’s a beautiful place to take photos, wander the beach in search of the elusive Nessie or, if you’d prefer, relax with a beer, whisky or coffee in the traditional loch-side pub (subject to opening times, closed Mon – Wed).  Here there is also the opportunity to buy a cute monster ornament from legendary Nessie Hunter Steve Feltham  (that’s if he’s not out hunting Nessie at the time!)

We will spend around 30 minutes at Dores Beach.

Highland Scenery

The wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands are one of the region’s biggest draws, yet they are often missed on day tour itineraries, which focus only on key historical sights. The next part of our tour aims to give you a real taste of the Highlands on the 30 minute drive to Clava Cairns. As we head for the hills, and the altitude increases, the landscape changes from rolling farmland, to forests, to rugged mountain moorland. As we navigate the winding country lanes your guide will tell you all about the wonderful countryside, and the flora and fauna that thrive here. The chances of seeing other people from your ship on this route are slim to none!

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns which were built around 4000 years ago. This Bronze Age cemetery has a whole range of interesting historical structures to explore such as passage graves, ring cairns, a kerb cairn and standing stones.For Outlander fans, this is must-see stop. When Diana Gabaldon visited here after writing the first book she couldn’t believe there was a split standing stone so close to Culloden Battlefield.  Consequently, this is now viewed by many as the spiritual home of the fictional, ‘Craig na Dun’.

We will spend approximately 25 minutes here and there will be a guided tour.

Culloden Battlefield

The Battle of Culloden took place on 16th April 1746 and was the final chapter of the Jacobite Uprising, as well as the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Your guide will bring the poignant landscape to life as he enthrals you with a historical account of the bloody battle, the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the subsequent demise of the Gaelic language and clan culture in the Highlands.

At Culloden Battlefield your guide will provide a 30 minute walking tour of the site.  On most tours there will also be an opportunity to explore by yourself, buy a coffee to-go and/or visit the gift shop, as we will spend one hour here.

Highland Cows

If we see any Highland Cows along the way, we will do our best to stop and let you say hello.  We can’t guarantee to see them, but we will certainly do our best!

After a wonderful day exploring the historical, cultural and natural highlights of the Scottish Highlands we will return to Invergordon via the Black Isle peninsula and its traditional villages.  We will arrive back at the port in plenty of time for your ship’s departure.

Book a Tour

What dates/ships will this tour run from? +

29th April – Regal Princess  – 8.15am – 4.15pm

11th May – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

14th May – MS Rotterdam – 8.45am – 3.45pm

18th May – Jewel of the Seas – 9am – 4.30pm

21st May – Norwegian Star – 8.15am – 4.15pm

13th June – MS Nieuw Statendam – 8.45am – 3.45pm

14th June – Jewel of the Seas – 9am – 4.30pm

16th June – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

19th June – MS Rotterdam – 8.45am – 4.45pm

28th June – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

29th June – Norwegian Dawn – 10.45am – 5.45pm

2nd July – Jewel of the Seas – 8am – 3.45pm

10th July – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

17th July – Carnival Legend 9am – 3.45pm

21st July – Jewel of the Seas 9am – 4.30pm

22nd July – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

25th July – Caribbean Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

2nd Aug – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

6th Aug – MS Rotterdam – 9am – 3.45pm

12th Aug – Norwegian Dawn – 9am – 5pm

27th Aug – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

4th Sept – MS Nieuw Statendam – 9am – 3.45pm

7th Sept – Caribbean Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

8th Sept – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

20th Sept – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

2nd Oct – Norwegian Star – 8.15am – 4.15pm

If you do not see your ship listed above, please  contact us and we will do our best to schedule a tour for you. 

What size of vehicle do you use? +

We have two well-appointed 33-seater mini-coaches with panoramic windows, comfortable reclining seats, USB charging points and AC.  We will use these two vehicles for most of our shore tours, though on occasion may use our executive 16-seater.  You can rest assured that you will be able to relax and enjoy the majestic scenery in complete comfort and, with our smaller group size, you are guaranteed a more personal experience.

Can I reserve seats on the tour? +

Yes. Due to customer demand, we have a booking system for the following seats;

• 4 front row seats – these give you unparalleled views out of the front windows, and the opportunity to disembark first at every stop.  Our most popular seats.
• 4 second row seats – many guests prefer to sit near the front of the coach, or be reassured that you will be seated together if they are a couple/group, both of which you get with this option.  These seats also have a little more legroom than these front row seats.  These are available on some tours only.
• 2 extra legroom seats – these are situated near the back of the coach and have approximately 50% more legroom than regular seats.  They are particularly suited to those who are tall, or like to stretch out.

The price of the upgrades vary depending on which tour you are on, with prices between £5 and £20 per person.  If they are available, upgrades will be given as an option when booking.

Please note that it does not make any difference which side of the coach you sit on, so we don’t take requests for specific sides.

The rest of our seats are allocated on arrival, as we feel that this is the fairest system of allocating seats. It is not possible to reserve window seats, or seats together if you are travelling as part of a group but, if you do wish to choose your seat, we would recommend arriving early at the bus stop (i.e. a few minutes before check-in closes). If you are unhappy with your seat please let your tour guide know and he will do his best to accommodate your requests, although obviously many guests would prefer a window seat so it is not possible for everyone to have these!

Note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable if you require to cancel your tour.

Where do we meet you in Invergordon? +

For all private and scheduled tours your guide or another member of the WOW team will be waiting at the entrance to the port.

The WOW team are easily identifiable in our branded WOW Scotland uniforms.

Due to parking restrictions at the Port of Invergordon you will need to walk around 0.2 – 0.3 miles (i.e. approx. 5 minutes for someone with reasonable fitness) up a very slight incline to the coach, which will be parked close-by.

Are there admission charges on this tour? +

Yes, there is one admission charge on this tour; Cawdor Castle. 

The admission price in 2024 is £12 for adults and £7.50 for children.  This is a special discounted price for WOW guests who purchase tickets in advance (regular price online/at the door is £15.50 for adults, £14 for concessions and £8.50 for children).  This price includes an excellent audio guide, which is available in 10 languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Dutch and Portugese).

The entrance fee for Cawdor Castle must be booked and paid when booking your tickets for this tour.  It is not an optional fee and, even if you just want to go the gardens/cafe/shop, you still require to pay the entrance fee.  We spend around 2 hours at the castle, and there is nothing else to do at this location.

There are no other admission charges payable on this tour.

What are the arrangements for lunch? +

We recommend that our guests pick up lunch to-go at the cafe in Cawdor Castle. 

The menu is as follows, and is exclusively for WOW guests.

• Filled roll and crisps (chips) – £6.20
• Filled roll, crisps (chips) and your choice of cake or traybake – £7.90

You can choose from the following fillings for your roll;

• Chicken, bacon and tarragon mayonnaise
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Cheddar cheese and tomato (vegetarian)

Vegan and gluten-free options are available in the cafe, upon request.

You can either eat this on the bus, or (weather permitting!) enjoy it at a scenic location en-route.

Will we have time to shop for souvenirs? +

Every tour has the opportunity to buy souvenirs (for those that like that sort of thing!).

There are two gift shops at Cawdor Castle, which stock an extensive range of high quality gifts.  These include Scottish wool and cashmere sweaters, local craft gins, single malt whiskies and a selection of sweet treats, toys and exclusive souvenirs.

The gift shop at Culloden Battlefield also stocks a wide selection of Scottish gifts and souvenirs, including Highland honey and shortbread, beautifully crafted silver jewellery and a range of history books and maps.

If you are looking for a unique souvenir from Scotland look no further..there will usually be a chance to buy handmade Nessie souvenirs from Steve Feltham (the legendary Nessie Hunter) at Loch Ness, as long as he is not out monster hunting at the time! 

Depending on the duration of your tour, you may have time to visit the plethora of brand name and independent shops in Inverness.

All of the above places accept debit/credit card payments.

Will you get us back to the ship in time? +

Yes, of course!!  This is the most common question we are asked by cruisers and we would like to state unequivocally that we have a 100% success record in ensuring that every single guest is returned to their ship in a timely fashion. 

We are aware that the cruise ships warn their guests against taking private tours as, if that tour is late, they say that they will not wait for you. In reality, if any of our tours had ever run late and our guests had missed their cruise departure, there is no way that we would still have a business, due to the terrible reviews we would receive! We have been running shore tours for 10 years and have shown thousands of guests the Scottish Highlands; each and every person has returned to their ship on time.  You can read reviews from hundreds of happy cruisers on Google and TripAdvisor .

We aim to get you back at least 1 1/4 hours prior to your ship’s scheduled departure time.  As all of our shore tours are exclusively for passengers of one ship only, if your ship changes its schedule we will of course alter our timings accordingly.

Is the tour suitable for disabled passengers? +

If you have mobility issues please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will do our utmost to assist you.

Please note that we cannot transport mobility scooters on any of our coaches, due to limited boot/trunk space.

Can children come on this tour? +

Yes – children are welcome on our shore tours. Please note that you must purchase a ticket for every child as, even if they sit on a parent’s lap, they officially take up one space on the coach.

We only have one ticket price.  However, the admission charge to Cawdor Castle is £4.50 lower for children, so please be sure to select the child entrance ticket (listed at the foot of the optional extras page) when booking.

What is your cancellation policy? +

For “standard tickets” purchased for our scheduled shore tours, the following cancellation charges shall apply (depending on the effective date of cancellation):

a) Cancellation more than 7 days prior to the tour departure: You will be entitled to a full refund (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

b) Cancellation 72 hours to 7 days prior to the tour departure: You will be refunded 50% of the price paid (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

c) Cancellation less than 72 hours prior to the tour departure: You will not be entitled to a refund

d) If you need to cancel as your ship is unable to reach port we will refund the full cost of your tour.

For, “flex tickets” purchased for our scheduled shore tours, the following cancellation charge shall apply:

a) Cancellation more than 24 hours prior to the tour departure: You will be entitled to a full refund (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

b) Cancellation less than 24 hours prior to the tour departure: You will not be entitled to a refund

c) If you need to cancel as your ship is unable to reach port we will refund the full cost of your tour.

If you require to cancel or change your booking please just send us an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

View More FAQs

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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Tours from Invergordon Cruise Port – 2024

Our 2024 tours from Invergordon Cruise port – Invergordon is the premier cruise ship port in the Highlands. We feel priviliged, at Inverness Tours, as a result of being able to show the best of the Highlands to cruise ship passengers for nearly twenty years. You travel in comfort during our private group tours due to our roomy and air-conditioned seven-passenger vehicles.

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle Tour

Outlander Tour from Invergordon

Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour

Dunrobin Castle and Falconry Tour

How far is Invergordon Cruise Port from Inverness and Loch Ness

Invergordon Port is around twenty-five miles from Inverness. The distance from your ship to Loch Ness is just a little over thirty miles. Urquhart Castle lies a little farther along the loch, so as a result is about forty miles away from the port.

What to do with a day in Invergordon Port

We are not surprised that Invergordon is such a popular cruise port because there is the wealth of things to see and do within easy reach. We have a number of tours from Invergordon Cruise Port offering a wide range of options.

Outlander and Culloden Tour from Invergordon Cruise Port

Our Outlander Tour includes Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. It also visits a number of other locations. So we ensure you see the best of the city of Inverness with a chance for photos as we pass through. After another photostop at the side of Loch Ness, we head over the hill for the pretty village of Beauly. Our afternoon ends with tea and traybakes in a historic house, and a weapons demonstration.

Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle Tour from Invergordon Cruise Port

The Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle Tour from Invergordon Cruise Ship Port begins with a brief stop in the village of Beauly. Then it’s on over a hilltop road to the main highlights of the tour – Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Our afternoon is a simple choice. We can visit the pretty village of Fort Augustus and take a waterfall walk at Foyers. Or we can walk in the ancient Caledonian Forest and visit Glen Ord Whisky Distillery.

Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour (with Fort George) from Invergordon Cruise Port

The Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour goes firstly to Fort George, the largest military fort in northern Europe. Secondly we enjoy fairytale Cawdor Castle and Gardens. This castle was made famous as a result of Shakespeare’s play, Macbeth. This tour also allows us to enjoy some time in the Highland capital – Inverness. This could be taken as free time, or we are also happy to offer a guided walk for part of your visit. This can be your choice!

Dunrobin Castle and Falconry Tour from Invergordon Port

The Dunrobin Castle and Falconry Tour from Invergordon Cruise Ship Port begins with a stop in historic Tain. Our next visit is our main destination. We will enjoy Dunrobin Castle and Gardens, and the daily falconry demonstration. Returning south we visit the lovely town of Dornoch. It is known for good shops and is famous for the golf course and 13 th  century Cathedral. Finally we either visit Glenmorangie Distillery, or walk through the woods at the stunning Falls of Shin.

Invergordon History

The castleton on this site was originally called Inverbreakie. The name Invergordon did not appear until the castle was acquired by an outspoken Member of Parliament called Sir William Gordon. He built a planned town nearby and named it after himself. However, the gaelic prefix “Inver” means “at the mouth of”. So he named his town “At the mouth of Gordon”. We think that is so appropriate for an outspoken and immodest MP.

Invergordon Murals

A group calling themselves “Invergordon Off the Wall” launched a community project in 2002. They created about a dozen very large murals around the town in order to highlight the culture and heritage of the area. It has been very successful, creating a visual record of local life. We see local sports; local industry; the lifeboat service; the cultural life of the district; the night the Royal Hotel burned and the Pipe Band on the lawns of Invergordon Castle.

Invergordon Castle

Invergordon Castle had a long history, originally dating from the 1300’s. Fire destroyed the old castle and a new mansionhouse replaced it in 1872. This new house, however, was demolished in 1928, once the owner found himself in financial difficulty.

Invergordon Naval Museum and Heritage Centre

Invergordon has a British Navy history stretching back to the early 19th century. The Naval Museum does a great job of telling this seafaring history. You’ll find the museum easily because of the wall of sea-themed murals. Here we can learn about the crucial role Invergordon played in both World Wars, and hear about the tragic loss of the ship “Natal” in 1915. She blew up in port, with the loss of nearly 400 crew and locals. Inspectors blamed unstable cordite. The famous Invergordon naval mutiny of 1931 is another of the museum’s fascinating stories. The navy base finally closed in 1956.

Invergordon Whisky

Invergordon has had a long relationship with whisky. Even legal stills have a two hundred year track record in the district because Teaninich Distillery was founded in 1817. It had plenty of illicit competition, but it would be the 1830’s before the next legal rival appeared on the scene.

Dalmore Distillery

Dalmore Distillery, established 1839, sits prettily on the shore of the Cromarty Firth, only a couple of miles from Invergordon. Mackenzies bought it in 1867 and as a result Dalmore began using the Mackenzie emblem and motto. So the bottles now carry the instantly recognisable 12-pointed Royal Stag and the perfect motto for a scotch whisky, Luceo non Uro meaning “I Shine not Burn!” We like the distillery tour Dalmore offers, so sometimes find ourselves there if our guests choose to craft a custom tour with us.

Invergordon Distillery

Invergordon distillery was built in 1961 in order to help tackle the unemployment caused by the navy leaving in 1956. It is one of only six grain distilleries in Scotland (as opposed to the malt distilleries). Their Coffey Stills produce some of the finest grain whisky in the world. A company called Whyte and Mackay acquired the distillery in 1993.

Whyte and Mackay

Whyte and Mackay are an old company, founded in 1844 and based in Glasgow. In 1993 the company was owned by “American Brands” but nowadays Whyte & Mackay is owned by Philipinnes-based Emperador Inc.

Invergordon Port Custom Tour

If you wish to see and do other things while in Invergordon we can accommodate that too. We can build custom tours from Invergordon Cruise Port adding any other places, activities or experiences for you.

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Why Inverness Tours

Local knowledge.

Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years. We have been working to make our exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland. Our solid (but constantly updated) knowledge is a tool for your use. As a result, you will enjoy the best eating places, the most rewarding visits, and the locals’ choice of “off the beaten track” walks and vistas. We strive to enthral, excite and entertain as we show you the real Scotland. 

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. We chose them because they are great storytellers, fun to be with, and uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We know you deserve the best team of guides available. See their individual profiles here

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We have a fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Over 98% of our hundreds of TripAdvisor reviews are five-star, so we have received their Certificate of Excellence every year, and a placement in their Hall of Fame!

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Best value Invergordon tours …

Original and leading…

Invergordon Bus Tours is the original and leading independent bus/coach tour operator providing shore excursions to independent minded cruise ship guests visiting the port of Invergordon on the northeast coast of the Scottish Highland mainland.

All major cruise lines…

Cruise ships from all of the world’s major cruise lines now visit the port of Invergordon, as demand grows from visitors from numerous countries and territories wishing to experience all that the Scottish Highlands has to offer.

Aspiring to raise standards…

Only the best tour buses/coaches, drivers, driver/guides and courier guides available to us are used to deliver all of the tours sold on this website.

Availability of tours…

On most dates at least one, and often four or more tours will be available to reserve seats on. Just use the easy to follow ‘Booking’ function to check availability, and to proceed to reservation.

Organisation is in our DNA…

No other tour operator/supplier serving the port of Invergordon’s cruise sector puts as much emphasis on organisation as we always do at Invergordon Bus Tours.

From finding us online, reserving, being met on the day of your visit, to the delivery of your tour, no other tour operator sets the bar higher.

Amazing value…

All of our tour prices represent the best value available to all guests visiting the port of Invergordon, across the whole season, when compared to prices quoted by all other operators that are offering seats on similar tours.

Accept no imitations…

Caution is advised where combinations of the trading name  Invergordon Bus Tours  wording can be seen in online search results, such as in marketing straplines. If a website domain other than https://www.invergordon-bustours.com  is seen, it is not the website for  Invergordon Bus Tours .

Exclusive guarantee…

No other private independent tour operator offers the range and availability of scheduled bus/coach tours from the port of Invergordon across the 2024 cruise ship season as is offered by ourselves at Invergordon Bus Tours.

To reserve…

Please click on SELECT DATE – BOOK NOW on the header and/or footer menus and enter the date of your ship’s scheduled arrival in the port of Invergordon, Scotland, UK into the reservation/booking system in order to see tour availability. Further details of tour availability can also be seen on the individual tour pages.

Invergordon Shore Excursions and Tours

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Invergordon Shore Excursions and Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Shore Excursions from Invergordon Cruise Ship Port | Go Scotland Tours

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Classic Highland Day Tour from Invergordon

• Tour ID: 1244
• Tour theme: Day Tours from the Highlands ,
• Duration: 1 Day - 8 hours approx.
• Starts from: Invergordon Cruise Ship Port

Join a PRIVATE Scotland guided tour of the Scottish Highlands. This tour departs from the Port of Invergordon and shows you the very best of the Highlands ...

Whisky Tour

Private Tour to Dunrobin Castle and Dalmore Distillery from Invergordon

• Tour ID: 1176
• Duration: 1 Day - 8 Hours approx.

This tour brings to life the highlights of Caithness. Heading north to The Royal Burgh of Dornoch, then Dunrobin Castle, Cromarty Firth, Dalmore distillery tour

Private Whisky Tour from Invergordon

• Tour ID: 1369
• Tour theme: Historic and Cultural Tours ,

Enjoy a whisky tour off your cruise ship at Invergordon. Northern Highlands hold some of the richest whiskies in Scotland; Dalmore, Glenmorangie, Old Pulteney..

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• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion S3192

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion

Invergordon, scotland (excursion id s3192).

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• Duration At leisure
• Activity Level Low
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• Restrictions

Cancellation

• Round-trip route with on/off privileges in Inverness City!
• Comfortable double-decker open-top city shore excursion buses!
• Climate-controlled buses with wheelchair access!
• Easy to use system map of Inverness City!
• Audio narration on the bus!
• A total of 7 bus stops at the must-see sites!
• Optional family passes to save more money!
• Coupon book for discounts and other savings at select stores, restaurants, and attractions!

See the best highlights in Inverness aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Ride the loop or hop off to explore. This is the best way to get around and learn more about this interesting city.

Guests can catch the bus at any of the stops around Inverness. Those arriving on a cruise ship into Invergordon will need to take a shuttle/taxi from the port into Inverness (cost not included but some cruise lines provide this service). Please see the link below for the route map so you can plan your day. 9 stops along the route will take you to the best sites in Inverness. The entire loop takes approximately 60 minutes and the buses run every 60 minutes. Just stay on the bus for the full loop or you can hop off at any or all of the stops...then hop back on the next bus around.

When you get on the bus, you can put on headphones to listen to the commentary in English. You can learn about the sites and stops. The views from the bus allow guests to have a good view. Don't forget your camera!

The city of Inverness dates back to the 12th century so you can imagine the history it holds. The route will take you from Bank Street by River Ness to St. Andrews Cathedral, Castle Street, Inverness Bus Station, and many more! You'll be able to see the Queen's Park Stadium and Inverness Leisure before crossing Tomnahurich Bridge and Jacobite Cruises.

Scotland is the birthplace of golf and the route takes you past the Torvean Golf Club. Although some attractions are free, entrance fees are not included.

BUS SIGHTSEEING EXCURSION ROUTE

From 10:15 AM to 04:15 PM. The full circuit is 55 minutes and runs every 60 minutes.

1. Bus Station, Stance 6 2. Bridge Street 3. Bellfield Park War Memorial 4. Bishops Road, St Andrew's Cathedral 5. Bught Drive, Inverness Ice Rink 6. Dochgarroch Loch 7. Telford Street

Please download a copy of the route map here. You will receive another on the bus.

What is included?

• Round-trip route with on/off privileges in Inverness City.
• Comfortable double-decker open-top city shore excursion buses.
• Air-conditioned buses with wheelchair access.
• Easy-to-use system map of Inverness City.
• Audio narration on the bus.
• A total of 7 bus stops at the must-see sites.
• Optional family passes to save more money.
• Coupon book for discounts and other savings at select stores, restaurants, and attractions.

Excursion Notes

• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion prices shown are quoted in US dollars.
• As you may be visiting a religious or memorial site, shoulders and knees must be covered for men and women.
• We suggest you have cash (Euros) on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
• Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended along with sun protection.
• Please note that admission or entrance fees to the attractions/museums, etc. are not included.
• Most of the buses are wheelchair accessible. The buses cannot safely accommodate two or more occupied wheelchairs, so if there is already a wheelchair user on the bus that you want to board, unfortunately, you’ll need to wait for the next bus. The wheelchair spaces accommodate wheelchairs measuring up to 70 cm wide, 120 cm long, and 135 cm high. If your wheelchair is larger than this it will not be possible to fit into our buses.
• A printed Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion ticket is required.

Where we meet

For the Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion, there are numerous starting locations all over Inverness City. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• Fold-up wheelchairs can be accommodated on the lower level of the bus only.
• Many sites in the city are not wheelchair accessible.
• Guests must be able to navigate a narrow steep staircase to access the top deck of the bus.
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines at most stops.
• There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.
• Seating on the bus is on a first come basis.
• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion tickets are only valid on City Sightseeing buses. Unused tickets or tickets presented to another operator are non-refundable.
• As there is no specific end time for the Invergordon sightseeing shore excursion, it is the guest's responsibility to know their ship's scheduled departure time and plan their day to be back on board at the appointed time.
• Only a printed ticket is necessary, mobile tickets are not accepted and may end up in service denial in which case are non-refundable.

Excursion FAQ

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.

Book this Invergordon Excursion

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion Experiences

This excursion is available to everybody and specially designed to accommodate passengers of the following cruise lines.

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion Reviews

See the best highlights of Inverness city in this sightseeing shore excursion from Invergordon aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Ride the loop or hop off to explore. This is the best shore excursion to get around and learn more about this interesting city!

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Invergordon Shore Excursions

Scottish highland day tours from invergordon.

Invergordon Shore Excursions with Highland Tours Inverness.

A warm Scottish Highland welcome to the passengers of the visiting cruise liners at Invergordon. To ensure something for everyone, I provide various private Invergordon shore excursions and Scottish Highland day tours from the port of Invergordon.

The port of Invergordon is an ideal location to explore the Scottish Highlands for the day, it’s location ensures a large number of attractions and hidden gems are within close proximity in all directions.

These scenic, sightseeing and historical tours ensure you’ll experience the very best of the Scottish Highlands including the hidden gems! Being an experienced, passionate tour guide I will ensure you have a fun filled and informative day during your short stay here.

Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield & Cawdor Castle Tour

Beauly Priory City of Inverness Loch Ness Dores Beach Culloden Battlefield Clava Cairns Cawdor Castle & Gardens The Clootie Well

The Quintessential Highland Tour

Royal Burgh of Dornoch Loch Fleet Clynelish Distillery Dunrobin Castle Falconry & Gardens Millionaires View Alness In Bloom Invergordon Murals

Invergordon Whisky Tour and Falconry

Visit several distilleries Enjoy a full tour Taste a variety of great single malts Bottle your own whisky Buy a special bottle Millionaires View

Something Different From Above? – No Problem!

What interests you? Specific clan history? A historical event? A special location? Get in touch, let me know I’ll arrange a tour just for you!

The tours are flexible and adaptable, it is your day in the Scottish Highlands! Please get in touch to let me know your individual requirements.

The latest timetable for cruise liners arriving at Invergordon can be found here

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Inverness, Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle

• Cruise on the world-famous Loch Ness during our Inverness, Loch Ness, and Urquhart Castle Tour
• Discover historic Urquhart Castle's role in the Wars of Scottish Independence
• Explore the beautiful city of Inverness on foot, including the impressive Inverness Castle and Cathedral
• Book now for a rich taste of Scottish history and captivating landscapes

Inverness, Loch Ness, and Urquhart Castle

Regarded as the capital of the Scottish Highlands, Inverness has been a strategically important area for centuries and today is one of Europe's fastest-growing cities.

Your 6-hour Inverness Loch Ness tour starts as you board a boat for a relaxing cruise on the world-famous Loch Ness. This loch (lake) has a depth of 755 feet, making it the largest loch by volume in the British Isles. It is also home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster.

Pass by Urquhart Castle and discover its role in the Wars of Scottish Independence. This 13th-century structure went on to house royalty and then was partially destroyed to prevent its use by opposing forces.

Your tour continues on a coach trip back to Inverness with spectacular views of Loch Ness along the way. Upon arrival, you will explore Inverness on foot and hear some history, secrets, and stories of this fascinating city at the mouth of Loch Ness.

Be sure to bring your camera for photos of the massive Inverness Castle. This red sandstone structure is the latest in a succession of castles that have stood on this site throughout the centuries. You will also see Inverness Cathedral, a large Episcopal church that evolved from a humble mission effort in 1853.

Conclude your time in Inverness by picking up a souvenir or two in one of the shops before your return trip back to port. Sign up today for a glimpse into Scottish history that you will remember for years to come.

South Queensferry Shore Excursion (Edinburgh)

Cruise Ship Shore Excursions from South Queensferry   Traditional Tourist Trip This tour has the itinerary that many visitors to our country associate with Scotland when wishing to explore as much as they can in one day. We begin the excursion by you being greeted with your tour guide, the Kilted Piper at South Queensferry port. We proceed on to the historic and stunning Stirling Castle , with breathtaking surroundings and highland cattle grazing in a nearby field. You can explore the castle at your leisure and take part in the tours of the castle, offered by the custodians.  From there, you are free to enjoy lunch in many of the city’s recommended restaurants and cafes, then have some retail therapy time if you wish. Alternatively, we can proceed on to Deanston Whisky distillery, boasting some of the country’s finest whisky. You may also lunch here if that is more to your liking than in the city. There will also be the opportunity of a tour and to sample the whisky distilled here. We conclude the excursion with a visit to one of our most famous battlegrounds, Bannockburn. This was the site of Scotland’s most famous victory in the war of independence in 1314, led by Robert the Bruce. There is a visitors centre   on site also, which offers the opportunity of participating in battle re-enactments and an impressive walk through 3-D tour of the battle itself.   You shall then be returned to your ship, stopping off for any photo opportunities you may wish on the way.

Invergordon, Scotland

Description.

In 1933, an enterprising editor in Inverness enlivened a slow news week with the story of an odd sighting in Loch Ness. The legend grew overnight - and today individuals still scan the dark waters of the Loch for a sight of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Legend goes back as far as the 6th century and insists that the celebrated Loch Ness Monster inhabits a cave beneath the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle. Welcome to Invergordon, your gateway to Loch Ness and that area of the Highlands known as the "Great Glen."

Points of Interest

• Urquhart Castle
• Culloden Moor
• Cawdor Castle

Dunrobin Castle

• Castle of Mey

More about Invergordon, Scotland Points of Interest

The jagged ruins of Urquhart Castle, once one of the largest strongholds of medieval Scotland, is an impressive structure overlooking Loch Ness.

Loch Ness is rumored home of the legendary "Nessie."

This northernmost city in the United Kingdom dates back to the 6th century. The early 19th-century castle, built on the same site of its medieval predecessor, is now a sheriff court.

The Culloden Visitor Centre features a state of the art exhibition bringing the battle alive in an immersion film and accounts from genuine characters involved in the events when the British troops defeated Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Highland clans in 1746.

This fine medieval tower house is still the seat of the Earls of Cawdor. Famous as the setting for Duncan's murder in Shakespeare's Macbeth, it offers elegant rooms and magnificent gardens.

This majestic Castle is one of Britain's oldest continuously inhabited houses, dating back to the early 1300s. Tour the home and its gardens and get a glimpse of the Earls' and Dukes' lives.

The late Queen Mother purchased what was Barrogill Castle in 1952. The restored 16th-century estate was her home until 1996. Today, you can tour the gardens, the animal farm and visitor's center.

This seaside resort town boasts the 13th-century Dornoch Cathedral, the Old Town Jail, and the Bishop's Palace, which is now the well-known hotel. It's also home to a world-class golf course.

15 Excursions

The best of the scottish highlands.

Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From $ 239.95

Ultimate Scottish Highlands & Loch Ness Cruise

Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From $ 254.95

Highlights of Culloden & Loch Ness

Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal

From $ 224.95

The Queen Mother's Castle of Mey

From $ 219.95

Inverness On Your Own

Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity

From $ 59.95

Highlights of Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Ruins

From $ 139.95

From $ 129.95

Cawdor Castle & Culloden Moor

Moderate Activity

From $ 109.95

Local Connections: Meet the Gardener at Cawdor Castle

From $ 114.95

Easy Scottish Highlands Drive

Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity

Easy Loch Ness Scenic Cruise

From $ 119.95

Invergordon by Private Vehicle - Van Class Full Day (With Guide)

Easy Activity

From $ 1899.95

Invergordon by Private Vehicle - Car Class Full Day (With Guide)

From $ 1799.95

Invergordon by Private Vehicle - Van Class Half Day (With Guide)

From $ 1399.95

Invergordon by Private Vehicle - Car Class Half Day (With Guide)

From $ 1299.95