Award-winning Scottish guided tours

Traveller's choice award 4 years running

£630

Pay a deposit of 20% per item

Tour Details

  • Duration 8 Hours
  • Departs from Inverness or Invergordon
  • Departs 9:00 am
  • Returns 5:00 pm (approx)

What’s included

Not included

  • Entrance to attractions

  • Lunch

  • Optional gratuitues

Our service

  • Over 400 5-star reviews

  • Book direct for the best rate

  • We’ll guide you through the places we visit

  • Guaranteed tour departure
  • Reschedule at any time if your plans change

  • Instant confirmation of your booking

  • Customisable itineraries and flexible routes
  • We support Trees For Life to help offset the carbon footprint of your tour

Experience the very best of the Scottish Highlands on this private Inverness and Loch Ness tour, combining dramatic scenery, ancient castles, and powerful Scottish history in one unforgettable day. Starting in Inverness, the capital of the Highlands or Invergordon Cruise Port, this luxury private tour explores iconic destinations including Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, and the spectacular ruins of Urquhart Castle.

Travel through some of Scotland’s most breathtaking landscapes with an experienced local guide, enjoying a flexible and personalised itinerary tailored to your interests. Along the way, uncover Jacobite history, Highland culture, and the myths of Loch Ness, with the option to enjoy a scenic boat cruise from Dochgarroch.

This tour is ideal for visitors seeking a premium private Highland tour, perfectly blending history, scenery, and authentic Scottish storytelling.


This bespoke luxury private tour of Scotland is hosted by your knowledgable, friendly local tour guide. We'll tell you the history, folklore and stories, really bringing the places and landscapes to life! We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.

All our tours are conducted in luxury Mercedes-Benz V Class minivans, with great personal space, sumptuous leather seats, A/C and panoramic windows.

RECOMMENDED SIGHTS ON THIS TOUR …
Inverness – The Capital of the Highlands

Your private tour begins in the cultural heart of the Scottish Highlands. Set along the banks of the River Ness, Inverness combines historic charm with a relaxed Highland atmosphere. Explore the compact city centre with your guide, taking in highlights such as Inverness Cathedral, the Victorian Market, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking Inverness Castle.

Learn about the city’s role as the gateway to the Highlands while discovering local stories, hidden corners, and recommendations known mainly to locals. There will also be time to enjoy the riverside scenery, browse local shops, or stop for refreshments before continuing into the wider Highland landscape.

Culloden Battlefield – The Last Jacobite Battle

Travel east of Inverness to the powerful and deeply moving site of Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite Rising came to its tragic conclusion in 1746. This windswept moor was the location of the final pitched battle fought on British soil and remains one of Scotland’s most significant historic landmarks.

Walk the battlefield trails among the clan markers while your guide explains the events leading up to the battle, the devastating aftermath, and the lasting impact on Highland culture and identity. The excellent visitor centre provides immersive exhibitions, artefacts, and insight into both the Jacobite and Government forces, creating a memorable and thought provoking experience.

Loch Ness – Legendary Waters and Highland Scenery

Continue through beautiful Highland countryside to the world-famous shores of Loch Ness. Stretching for over 20 miles through the Great Glen, the loch is renowned not only for its legendary monster tales but also for its dramatic scenery, dark waters, and peaceful atmosphere. Enjoy scenic viewpoints along the route and hear fascinating stories surrounding the mysteries and folklore of the loch.

Guests may also choose to join an optional boat cruise departing from Dochgarroch to Urquhart Castle, offering the chance to experience Loch Ness from the water while taking in panoramic Highland views and learning more about the geology and legends of the area.

Urquhart Castle – Ruins on the Shores of Loch Ness

One of Scotland’s most iconic castle ruins, Urquhart occupies a spectacular position overlooking Loch Ness. With origins dating back to the 13th century, the castle played an important role during the Wars of Scottish Independence and changed hands many times throughout its turbulent history.  The combination of dramatic scenery and rich history makes Urquhart Castle one of the true highlights of the Highlands and a perfect finale to your exploration of the region.

Suggested tour route

May 8, 2026 10:23 am
  • Distance Instructions

Tour Gallery

Places this tour visits

No two tours are the same, but these are popular places to see on the Inverness and surrounds private day tour from Inverness

Frequently Asked Questions

These are some of the frequently asked questions about our Inverness and surrounds private day tour from Inverness, however if you have a specific question please contact us

What about bathroom breaks?2025-05-28T23:43:36+01:00

Absolutely! Almost all of the places we visit have toilets / restrooms. Because this is a private tour, we can stop when you need us to.

When is the payment due for the tour2025-05-13T09:18:14+01:00

For day tours the final balance (plus any extras like admission tickets) is due 24 hours before the tour.

For multi-day tours the final balance is due 30 days before the tour.

What if the weather is bad?2025-05-13T09:18:14+01:00

Our climate is famous for being unpredictable. We provide umbrellas in our vans but if the weather isn’t working in our favour, just wait 5 minutes and it will change! Please don’t rely on the forecast either, it is invariably wrong!

What should I wear during my tour2025-05-13T09:18:17+01:00

We recommend that you bring a waterproof jacket and shoes suitable for walking over rough ground / cobbles, especially if visiting rural locations! Other than that, just bring yourself!

Can I amend the tour itinerary2025-05-14T22:57:51+01:00

Absolutely! Please contact us if you’d like to make an amendment to one of our suggested itineraries or would like a customised tour.

Is it possible to end my tour in any another location2026-08-17T09:01:27+01:00

Yes, we can end the tour in a different location from the start point. Please let us know if this is what you need. For locations further than 50 miles from the start point there maybe a charge.

What Vehicle do you use?2025-12-18T00:22:29+00:00

We use Mercedes-Benz V Class minivans. They are modern, luxurious and safe vehicles with a Euro N-Cap rating of 5 stars. They come with privacy glass, a panoramic sunroof, reclining leather seats, dual-zone air conditioning and unlimited high-speed WiFi. Learn more about our vehicles.

How many people can go on tour?2025-05-13T09:18:22+01:00

Our Mercedes V Class minivans come in two configurations, a 6 passenger version and a 7 passenger version.

Do you pick up from the Airport2025-05-13T09:18:22+01:00

Yes, we can meet you at the airport and have plenty of space for baggage.

Do you pick up from cruise ships2025-05-13T09:35:21+01:00

Yes, most of our tours are suitable for cruise ship shore excursions and we’ll meet you at the quayside.

Can I bring a mobility scooter / wheelchair?2025-05-13T09:35:18+01:00

Yes, our vehicle can accommodate most mobility scoters and wheelchairs. They normally require two people to lift in and out of the vehicle so one of your party will be needed to help. Note that if there is a scooter then the baggage space is limited.

Can I bring pets?2025-05-13T09:35:14+01:00

Support animals are welcome onboard however we typically ask for them to stay on the floor of the vehicle.

What is included in the price of the tour?2025-05-13T09:35:12+01:00

The total price of your tour includes your tour guide, use of our luxury minivans, the fuel, tolls and parking charges and insurances. Entrance to attractions etc is on top but we can manage that for you and add it to the invoice.

What language is the tour in?2025-05-13T09:35:10+01:00

All tours are conducted in English

Do we stop for lunch on tour?2025-05-13T09:35:07+01:00

Yes, there are a range of different options on each trip, from a historic tavern to a quaint cafe or bakery. We’ll make reservations to ensure that our lunch stop is quick and tasty!

How do I contact my guide?2025-05-13T09:35:04+01:00

A few days before the trip we’ll provide the guides contact details encase you need to contact them on the day of your tour

Will other people join the tour?2025-05-13T09:34:59+01:00

No, all of our tours are private so your party will be the only people on the tour.

Does the guide take us into attractions?2025-05-14T08:49:13+01:00

Yes, we will guide you through attractions and monuments as part of our service. This is not possible at The Royal Yacht Britannia or Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Recent Customer Testimonials

  • Peter C

    5 star review

    A wonderful day touring the Forth Valley with Calais, our amazing local guide. In addition to the landscape and attractions we were entertained by Calais with his knowledge and insight.

    Feedback from April 2026

  • Trip10642911480

    5 star review

    We had a fantastic and informative tour with Calais to Lindisfarne and Alnwick Castle. Calais was knowledgeable, engaging, and made the experience both fun and memorable. The scenery and history were incredible—definitely a highlight of our trip.

    Feedback from April 2026

  • Will W

    5 star review

    We booked this tour based on the recommendation of an Edinburgh local. It was easily one of the biggest highlights of our trip. Sandy was extremely helpful and crafted a personalized tour based specifically on our group (2 adults, 3 kids, 2 grandparents). He was very responsive via email and [...]

    Feedback from March 2026

  • Heather

    5 star review

    We had a lovely time with our tour. The tour was so informative, and very well suited to our group. The vans were very comfortable. I had trouble walking, and they were fantastic getting us up to each location, ensuring I could see everything. I highly recommend this company.

    Feedback from March 2026

Our service

We’re a luxury private tour company, with passionate local guides, Mercedes minivans and customised itineraries

Professional, local tour guides

We are a small team of SITOA accredited professional tour guides. We are passionate about Scotland and your experience.

Luxury Mercedes minivans

Our premium Mercedes-Benz V Class minivans come with reclining leather seats, AC, Panoramic sunroofs and WiFi.

Go to Top