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Private Highland Journey: Explore Scottish History, Mystical Sites And Spot The Loch Ness Monster
5.0
7 Ratings
Invergordon Cruise Port
Embark on a private Highland journey through Scottish history, mystical sites, and the search for the Loch Ness Monster. Explore Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, and meet Highland Cows at Robertson's farm.
Duration:
10 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Beauly - This picturesque village lies to the west of Inverness and boasts royal connections and intriguing attractions. According to legend, Mary, Queen of Scots, upon her visit, remarked, “C’est un beau lieu,” which translates to “It’s a beautiful place,” giving the town its name, “Beau Lieu.”
- Loch Ness - Tourists flock to Loch Ness, hoping to spot its legendary and namesake monster, Loch Ness. Located in the Scottish Highlands, this expansive lake is a must-visit, even for skeptics. Surrounded by breathtaking Scottish landscapes, Loch Ness is a favored spot for boating and sightseeing.
- Clava Cairns - The Clava Cairns, also known as the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Balnuaran of Clava, are remnants of a once extensive Bronze Age burial site. Dating back 4,000 years, this evocative cemetery retains its original features, including passage graves, standing stones, and ring cairns (stone circles).
- Culloden Battlefield - The Culloden Battlefield was the site of one of the last battles on British soil. On April 16, 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his 5,000 Jacobite Highlanders clashed with the Duke of Cumberland and 9,000 Hanoverian government troops. Despite their brave efforts, the Jacobites were defeated, leading to the dismantling of the Scottish clan system and the suppression of Highland culture. Today, the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Center recounts the events of that day with interactive exhibits that immerse visitors in the historical conflict.
- Cawdor Castle - A romantic, fairy-tale castle that has been home to the Thanes of Cawdor since 1370, Cawdor has transformed into a delightful family mansion and one of the most remarkable stately homes. The imposing medieval tower, dungeon, turrets, battlements, and drawbridge contrast with an enchanting interior filled with fine art, tapestries, and furniture, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere more akin to a home than a museum. The castle is set in stunning grounds with three beautiful and diverse gardens and is surrounded by the magnificent Cawdor Big Wood, one of Europe’s finest woodland areas, featuring color-coded nature trails for exploration.
(Alternative of Urquhart Castle in the winter of Oct-Apr)
What's Included
- Comfortable in-vehicle air conditioning
What's Not Included
- Lunch
- Gratuities
Additional Information
Embark on this private journey that lets you travel back 4000 years to the sacred site of Clava Cairns, a place of reverence, internment, and sacrifice, often compared to ‘Craig na Dun’.
At ‘Culloden Battlefield’, delve into the historical heart of the Highland culture and way of life. I’ll guide you through the rich and impactful history of Scotland, explaining its past, present, and the events that shaped it.
We next visit ‘Cawdor Castle’ where Lady Campbell graciously vacates her residence during the summer (April through October) for visitors to experience. This striking 15th-century fortress is also renowned for its reference in Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
(Please note, a substitute for Urquhart Castle will be arranged during the winter period from October to April.)
The latter part of the day is set for a leisurely ride along the famous Loch Ness, perfect for some monster spotting.
Lastly, we head to Robertson’s farm in Beauly, where you can admire the native Highland Cows.
- The tour itinerary does not include travel time between attractions. The day will last 8–9 hours, depending on the pick-up point.
Location
Invergordon Cruise Port
Shore Road
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
5.0
(7 Ratings)
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Abg3856yo
May 28, 2024
Fantastic - Great tour...great guide. Amy knows a lot and has some great stories!! Great value..we got a great understanding of Scottish history and culture!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fendley2017
Feb 24, 2024
The Perfect Guide for Us! - We had the most fun on a multi day custom tour with Amy. She embodies the perfect mix of knowledge, humor and flexibility which makes for an awesome experience. She is also a very conscientious driver. Very important quality for a guide to have on the crazy streets of Edinburgh and the back roads of the Highlands. Would highly recommend and if possible, go with a group of friends and let her customize your tour to make sure you get the most out of your time in Scotland.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Louisemx1929rt
Dec 11, 2023
Amazing Bespoke and Personal Touch - Amy, the owner of AtomTours had free rein to arrange a bespoke 5 day leisure experience for Myself and a small group of friends.
We toured Along Loch Ness south side towards Oban, ferry to Mull and Iona, food and accommodation arranged to our specifications.
Many inspiring lasting impressions were of the spectacular views of this beautiful area, the personal touch and peaceful experience, the satisfying nature and balanced pace of the tour.
As a professional guide and Driver she delivers an in-depth knowledge of the local history in a clear and soft spoken manner and according to the needs of her audience.
The transport was surprisingly spacious and comfortable regardless of the changing road surface.
This is our second trip with Amy and would highly recommend her Atom Tour experiences.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
237elizabethb
Dec 9, 2023
Bespoke Edinburgh Tour -
Privileged to have had a bespoke tour with ATom Tours around Leith and Edinburgh. Amy is clearly a very experienced guide with a great passion for Scotland which really helped me connect with the country's rich history and culture.
She knows the best places to stop and eat, whether for a quick coffee or more leisurely lunch. Not only is Amy very knowledgeable about the local area, but she accompanys the tour with great music to help set the scene for her stories.
I also loved all the little touches like Amy's resident highland cow and the story behind her kilt!
Amy was really easy to get along with and accommodated my timings for the day, including my specific requests of places I wanted to see. I would definitely do another tour with ATom Tours and highly recommend Amy as a guide.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
F3147vbdoreenm
Nov 29, 2023
A walk back in time, Doune Castle and Culross, Outlander country - Not your ordinary everyday tour with Amy, she managed to bring out a sense of connection to the places she took us, full of facts and insights that were more in depth and personal rather than just historical information. I finished the tour at Doune Castle, with a renewed sense of interest in my native country Scotland and feeling like I wanted to explore more of it, definitely would like to do another tour. The atmospheric Gaelic music on the way back just topped it off and rounded off the tour beautifully
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Veronicath8297of
Nov 1, 2023
A great insight to the highlands with a passionate native highland quine! - A super day out with Amy - a passionate native. She has just starting on her own as an independent tour operator after many years of working for other companies. She told us tourers all about the places we visited including Culloden moor, Clava cairns (standing stones) and Loch Ness. She is very clued up made it engaging and interesting to listen to. I discovered many new things about the the area where we visited. A great introduction to the highlands and for Outlander fans alike. Would highly recommend. 10 out of 10
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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