The Highland Shore Excursion
One day tour
Sample the delights of the Highlands in a single day, starting with a trip back in time to medieval Cawdor Castle. Enjoy lunch in Inverness and admire its many landmarks. Keep your eye peeled during our stop at Loch Ness – just in case! Soak up the atmosphere in stunning Beauly before sampling the finest malt during a guided tour of Glen Ord Distillery.
Price range: £49 - £49
Cawdor Castle - explore this charming castle, home to the Cawdor family for over 600 years
Inverness - discover the history of the Highland “Capital” during a panoramic tour then enjoy free-time for lunch
Loch Ness - stop by the banks of the loch for some “monster-spotting”
Beauly - view the ancient priory and see why the monks called this town “Beau Lieu” - beautiful place
Glen Ord Distillery - learn the traditional methods used to create Scotland’s national drink and enjoy a wee dram!
Nature - during the tour look out for local wildlife including seals, oyster catchers, herons and red kites
Movie locations - The BFG, The land that time forgot and Highlander
Full Tour Itinerary
After being welcomed ashore in Invergordon, we head south, hugging the shore of the Cromarty Firth until our adventure sees us head west.
Peaceful pines and rolling hills lead us to the conservation village of Cawdor and the delightful Cawdor Castle. Here, we stop while you learn more about its 700-year history and fascinating links to Macbeth. The lush gardens also provide plenty of opportunity to explore.
Lunch is next, and where better than the capital of the Highlands – Inverness. Food is not the only thing on the menu, as we enjoy a panoramic tour of city landmarks including the Tollbooth Steeple, with its three brass bells, and Inverness Castle, which dates back to the 12th century.
The murky waters of Loch Ness are next on our trip. No visit would be complete without a search for its most famous resident – so we’ll ensure there’s plenty of time for photos, just in case Nessie is feeling friendly.
Later, after driving through atmospheric Glen Convinth, enjoy a stroll around Beauly – literally ‘beautiful place’ – before our final stop at Glen Ord Distillery. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour and a dram of Scotland’s national drink – so you can toast the day before heading back to Invergordon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Shore Excursion Tour?
Maximise your time ashore by choosing one of our popular shore excursions, available from Invergordon, Edinburgh (South Queensferry) and Glasgow (Greenock). Each tour has been carefully planned to fit each ship’s itinerary so you can be confident that your guide will be waiting for you when you come ashore and at the end of the day you won’t miss the boat! Each tour is led by a local guide or driver/guide who will entertain you with an informative and entertaining commentary in English. As with all our tours these shore excursions have been carefully designed with stops and free time at all the key sights. If you’d like to up-grade your time ashore then select our “Classic” excursions which include admission fees in the tour price.
Can you tell me more about the optional extras on this tour?
To give you complete choice admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour. The tour itinerary has been designed to provide sufficient time for you to visit these attractions:
Cawdor Castle
Glen Ord Distillery
If you click on the links above they will provide you with more information on each attraction including current admission prices. In some cases a special discount is offered to tour passengers, your driver/guide will provide details if this applies.
Please note that credit/debit cards are not always accepted so it is recommended that you carry sufficient cash with you should you want to make a visit.
Tell me what the visit to a whisky distillery will be like?
A visit to a traditional whisky distillery is a feast for all the senses. After a warm welcome you’ll normally have a short audio/visual presentation on the the history of the distillery and the traditional methods used in the distilling process. Next is a tour of the distillery where you you will experience all stages of the whisky making process from mashing and fermenting to distilling and maturation. Your tour will end with a tutored tasting of a malt whisky and the opportunity to buy a souvenir of your visit in the distillery shop.
What should I bring with me?
As we like to give you as much time off the coach as possible with the opportunity for walks, we recommend you bring warm and/or waterproof clothing, wear comfortable walking shoes and take sun-block or a hat for sunny days. Don't forget your camera to capture all the lovely scenery and wildlife you'll encounter on your tour!
Inclusions
- Transport by luxury air-conditioned mini/midicoach
- Live commentary in English.
- Services of an experienced driver/guide
- Service charges and taxes
Exclusions
- Admission charges
- Meals, snacks or items of a personal nature
- Gratuity to your driver/guide
Departure information
From Port of Invergordon
Shore Road
Invergordon IV18 0RE
Check-in: 08:45 hrs
Tour Departs: 09:00 hrs
Tour Returns: 17:00 hrs
Child details
There is no child discount available on this tour.
We’re really sorry but children aged under 5 years cannot travel on this tour.
Price Notes
Admission Prices
In order to give you maximum flexibility admission fees are not included in the cost of this tour.
FAQ's
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Tour Duration
This shore excursion has been designed to complement the cruise itinerary of the following ships calling at Invergordon: Crown Princess, Mein Schiff 5 and Brilliance of the Seas.
The joining instructions including the tour departure and return times will be shown on the tour voucher.
Product code
TB 02929
