Shore Tour from Invergordon Highland Highlights

With turreted towers, elegant interiors and fairytale gardens, this atmospheric 14th-century Scottish castle blends legend, history and breathtaking scenery. Set among ancient woodland, it’s a must-visit for guests exploring the Scottish Highlands.

On arrival, pick up an audio guide in your choice of language and tour at your own pace. Inside, step through centuries of aristocratic life—from the grand Drawing Room with Renaissance portraits and ornate plasterwork to the Tapestry Bedroom with striking 17th-century Flemish wall hangings. Don’t miss the famous Thorn Tree Room, where an ancient tree rises dramatically through the floorboards.

Outside, enjoy beautiful gardens: the formal Flower Garden, the Walled Garden with exotic plants and winding paths, and the Wild Garden leading into 750 acres of forest walks. You have around 90 minutes to explore, visit the café and browse the gift shops. WOW guests can also pick up a packed lunch.

Entrance & audio guide included in tour price.

Our first stop is at Culloden Battlefield, one of the most important battlefields in the UK. Here, your guide will bring the landscape to life on a 30-minute walking tour, as he enthralls you with the story of the last pitched battle on British soil; the Jacobite uprising of 1746. As you stand upon the windswept moor, it’s easy to imagine the bravery, sacrifice, and heartbreak that unfolded here, with echoes of the past lingering in the stillness. The haunting beauty of the landscape, combined with its tragic history, creates a deeply moving experience that will stay with you long after you leave.

Clava Cairns is a remarkably well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery, built around 4,000 years ago. Scattered across the site you’ll find an array of fascinating structures – passage graves, ring cairns, a kerb cairn, and atmospheric standing stones. While the history alone makes this a captivating stop, it’s also a must-see for Outlander fans. Diana Gabaldon has described Clava Cairns as the “spiritual home of Craigh na Dun”, and many visitors say it feels like stepping straight into the world of Claire and Jamie.

Our next stop is the beautiful Dores Beach, on the tranquil south shores of Loch Ness — home to one of the most breathtaking views in the whole of the UK! Take a stroll along the pebbled shore and soak up the stunning panorama or, if he’s not off on a Nessie-hunting mission, you might even meet resident monster hunter Steve Feltham, who has been searching for the Loch Ness Monster here for over 30 years and sells some very memorable souvenirs. There’s also a traditional Scottish pub right on the loch’s edge, where you may wish to enjoy a local beer or a wee dram of whisky (subject to opening hours).