Inverness: The Cairngorms, Culloden, and Speyside Whisky Tour

Departing in the morning, our day begins with a short tour of Inverness before continuing to our first stop: the Culloden Battlefield. One of the most emotive and important battlefields in Scotland's history, where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. Learn all about the history of the battlefield here, step onto it for yourself, and even explore any family ancestry and connections you may have to the area (optional extra).

Afterwards, we will head to the Clava Cairns – the preserved remains of a much larger complex used to house the dead. Dating back over 4000 years, the Cairns offer a fascinating insight into the society of Scotland in the Bronze Age. Fans of Outlander may want to explore the prehistoric stone circle, which served as the inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in the book and TV series.

We then travel to Fort George (optional extra), an imposing fort built in the wake of the Battle of Culloden that you will have already learned about at the previous stops. This massive fortification took over 22 years to build and is a must for any military history enthusiast, as it is home to the largest regimental museum outside of Edinburgh. Fort George is still in use as an active army base and home to the Black Watch, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland.

We’ll continue our journey through the beautiful Scottish Highlands, stopping for lunch at the iconic Brodie Countryfare, where you’ll have the opportunity to dine on local produce and browse their range of luxury goods.

After lunch, we’ll head to Cardhu Distillery. Founded in 1824 by a whisky smuggler and his wife, this Speyside Distillery now plays a key part in Johnnie Walker blended whiskies, with the name Cardhu deriving from the words for “Black Rock” in Gaelic.

You’ll have the opportunity to experience their Cardhu Flavour Journey (Optional Extra), where you’ll learn the history of the Distillery and its founders and get to sample 3 whiskies and a highball cocktail.

After enjoying Cardhu, we’ll begin our journey home to Inverness, taking time to drive through the stunning Cairngorms, the largest national park in Britain. You’ll be able to enjoy views of the lush greenery and some of Scotland’s most iconic hills and mountains as we pass through the charming towns of Grantown-on-Spey and Carrbridge.

After this final scenic stretch through the Highlands, we arrive back in Inverness early evening, where your tour comes to an end. The perfect time to head out for dinner or a relaxed evening in the city.