OUTLANDER & THE JACOBITE TRAIL PRIVATE TOUR FROM INVERNESS

Outlander & The Jacobite Trail Private Tour from Inverness2022-11-15T20:43:21+00:00

The Jacobite movement to overthrow the rule of William of Orange and his wife Mary was strong in the highlands. Many Scots faced persecution from wealthy landowners and government oppression. The Jacobite movement recruited support from people who lived across the region.

Take a day trip from Inverness to learn the complicated story of the ’45 and see where the Jacobite movement came to an end in 1746.

Each private tour is conducted in our premium Mercedes minivans, ensuring your comfort as we venture along the narrow country lanes of the highlands.

Your knowledgable kilt-wearing private tour guide will tell you the stories and show you the sights on this tour. We offer flexibility and your time inside and outside the vehicle is up to you.

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Tour duration
1 day (9am – 5pm)

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We pick you up
We’ll collect & return you from your Inverness hotel, cruise port or airport

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Receipt for your booking immediately

Inclusions:

Exclusions:

  • Lunch (we can recommend a place)
  • Entrance into attractions & sites
  • Gratuities (optional)
KEY SIGHTS ON THIS TOUR…

Fear of Catholic tyranny led to King James II being deposed during the Glorious Revolution of 1688, when his Protestant daughter Mary and her Dutch husband, William of Orange, took control of the nation. Supporters of the ousted king, and their descendants, became known as Jacobites and their legacy in Scotland lasted hundreds of years. The region around Inverness is strongly connected to the Jacobite movement and this tour will give you a fantastic insight into events that almost changed Britain forever.

Culloden Battlefield

The windswept moorland of Culloden could on first glance look like any Scottish hillside. However it soon becomes clear that this is a pivotal place the Jacobite story and the final battle to be fought on British soil.

We first pay a visit to the low-lying visitors centre that tells the story of the build up to The Battle of Culloden that took place at this location on the 16th of April 1746. The visitor experience is excellent and once we have learnt about the context and seen the treasure trove of artefacts on display your guide will take you onto the battle site.

It’s an evocative place which gives a true appreciation of the landscape and conditions that the Jacobites faced that day. The cairn that marks the location stands in the middle of the battlefield, surrounded by the mass graves of the fallen, marked with basic tombstones. You’ll also visit the Leanach Cottage, a small croft building that doubled as a field hospital nearby.

Fort George

After the Battle of Culloden there was a significant strengthening of the military in Scotland. One of four new barracks (and the largest) was built a short drive from Culloden at Fort George. Strategically located jutting into the waters of the Moray Firth, Fort George was built on a monumental scale, making use of modern defence standards, with heavy guns covering every angle.

Today it is a fascinating living museum. Stepping inside the ramparts is like stepping back in history almost 300 years. You’ll visit the Grand Magazine, Barracks, Highlanders’ Museum and the Chapel.

Cawdor Castle

Cawdor castle is a fantastic visit and insight into the life of highland aristocracy of the region. Explore 15th-century Cawdor Castle, a great example of the changes culture, society and architecture over the course of time. In the 18th century the Thanes of Cawdor chose to follow Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobite cause. After the Jacobite Rising of 1745 ended in defeat at Culloden, the family thought it prudent to excite to Wales and live on their lavish Welsh estates. And that proved to be prudent for the family as many Jacobites and Jacobite sympathisers faced arrest and deportation but it also meant that Cawdor was spared Victorian modification and thus remains a fascinating combination of an authentic medieval castle and a comfortable Jacobean house.

Cawdor is still used as a family home and its lavish interiors showcase a fascinating collection of heirlooms, portraits and memorabilia.

Urquhart Castle

Though it was originally one of the largest castles in Scotland, only parts of Urquhart Castle are still standing. Built around the middle of the 13th century, there may have been an earlier large fort on the site. During the 1688 Glorious revolution the Grants opposed the rebellious Jacobites but after their defeat the castle was occupied by government forces. When they left in 1692 Urquhart was blown up to prevent  Jacobite occupation. We explore Urquhart Castle and take in the stunning views across Loch Ness.

Optional: Take a 30 minute boat trip from the banks of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle and learn the legend of the loch from the water. Perhaps even catch a glimpse of Nessie!

Wardlaw Mausoleum 

Wardlaw Mausoleum became the subject of intense media speculation when experts attempted to solve the mystery of infamous Jacobite Simon Fraser, who was the 11th Lord Lovat, known locally as ‘The Old Fox’. His story brought historians to this sleepy burial site in the small village of Kirkhill near Inverness.

Lovat did nothing to hide his Jacobean allegiance and as a result was executed for treason at The Tower of London in 1747. It was claimed that he was buried at the Tower of London, but that men from clan Fraser returned his headless remains to Scotland where he was buried in the family mausoleum. Learn the full story and twist in the plot when we visit.

Abertaff House

At the end of the day we pay a quick visit to Abertaff House in central Inverness. This stop is a ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ location hidden down a small street in the town. It’s Inverness’ oldest building and was purchased by The Old Fox’s son Colonel Archibald Fraser in the early 1800s. In 1815 the property went to his grandson Archibald Thomas Frederick Fraser and was sold to the Commercial Bank (which became the Royal Bank of Scotland) in the mid-1800s.

SUGGESTED TOUR ROUTE…

Each tour we operate is unique and designed to your requirements. Here is an example of this tours route

March 22, 2021 3:35 pm
  • Distance Instructions
Label
  • Distance 79 miles
  • Time 2 h 23 min
  • Speed 33 mph
  • Min altitude 0 ft
  • Peak 0 ft
  • Climb 0 ft
  • Descent 0 ft

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

These are some of the frequently asked questions about our Outlander & The Jacobite Trail Private Tour from Inverness, however if you have a specific question please contact us

Can I customise the tour?2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, we can customise any itinerary. We’ll email you shortly after booking to ask if you have any customisation requests and suggest additions you may wish to make.

Can the tour start at the airport / cruise port2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, we regularly pick up guests from the airport or cruise port. Read more about shore excursions from cruise ships

Do I need to bring anything with me?2022-11-15T14:45:22+00:00

We recommend bringing a jacket (even if the forecast is good!) and comfortable shoes. We’ll provide everything else including umbrellas, binoculars refreshments and a wee treat or two!

Do you provide car seats for children?2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Yes, by law children under 135cm (4.4 foot) must travel in a booster seat. We can also provide baby seats. Please advise us if you need this.

How do I pay for the tour2022-11-15T14:42:58+00:00

When you book you pay a 20% deposit. The final payment is due on the date of departure and is taken from your card automatically. We don’t accept cash for your tour payment.

I need to change my tour date2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

No problem, as long as we have availability we can change the tour date. The deposit is transferable to your new date

What about ‘comfort stops’2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

There are plenty of toilet opportunities! Each of our tours is designed to have regular breaks and tour guide can accommodate most requests for bathroom stops.

What about lunch on tour2022-11-15T14:41:55+00:00

Scotland is full of amazing places to eat and we’ll recommend stops that champion the best in Scottish quality and make the most of your time.

What is the maximum number of guests2022-11-15T14:41:56+00:00

We have two versions of our minivan; either 6 or 7 passengers. Find out more about our premium minivans

Where do I meet the tour2022-11-15T14:41:56+00:00

We pick you up from your hotel or accommodation. In some instances parking in the city centre is restricted so there might be a short walk to your vehicle, but your guide will walk with you to the vehicle.

ALL OF OUR TOURS COME COMPLETE WITH…

KILT WEARING TOUR GUIDE

We are passionate, professional and full of personality. Let us share our knowledge of Scotland

HOTEL / CRUISE BERTH PICK UP

We’ll collect & return you at the start and end of the tour

BOTTLED SCOTTISH WATER

`Chilled, premium still and sparkling Scottish water is provided

PREMIUM MERCEDES MINIVAN

Our minivans offer luxury interiors and excellent legroom for up to 7 guests and their bags

ONBOARD WIFI

Stay connected to friends and family on tour with unlimited super-fast wifi

RECENT CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS

  • Thomas W

    Guide picked us up and dropped us off on time (very important since we were coming from a cruise ship) and was very friendly and knowledgeable. Drove us to all the key points of interest, and the van was very clean and comfortable. Communication from [...]

    Published On: October, 2023
  • T Miller

    From the moment Sandy picked us up, we knew we were in for a wonderful day trip experience around Edinburgh. His historical knowledge of the city and surrounding area is top notch! He tailored our day to take in some hidden gems and provided us [...]

    Published On: October, 2023
  • Annemarie D

    We had so much fun with Andy! He was a pleasure to spend an afternoon with. We visited Rosslyn Chapel and some other places that were in keeping with our interests, like the oldest pub in Scotland (I know, many make the claim, but I'm [...]

    Published On: September, 2023
  • Mary Carol S

    Fantastic day with Michael! Great views of Loch Lamond. A nice hike and lunch there as well. Michael was really informative about Sterling Castle and all of Glasgow. I would highly recommend this tour and Michael.

    Published On: September, 2023
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