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1 day tour
Cawdor Castle and the Cairngorms National Park Small Group Tour
From
£50.00
Tour Summary
Cawdor Castle and the Cairngorms National Park
One Day Tour
From the ancient Clava Cairns stones to the legendary Cawdor Castle, each destination on this journey provides a unique window into Scotland’s rich history. Along the way, encounter local wildlife, meet a Hairy Coo and explore ancient Scots Pine forests. Enjoy a lunch break in Aviemore before visiting the Cairngorms National Park to admire its breathtaking mountain landscapes. A perfect day filled with history, nature, and Scottish culture!
Clava Cairns - walk amongst the ancient standing stones that inspired Outlander author Diana Gabaldon
Cawdor Castle - explore this fairytale castle with 600 years of family history
Hairy Coo’s - say hello to some local residents
Aviemore - enjoy free time in this bustling outdoor leisure resort
Cairngorms National Park - tour through the UK’s largest National Park, famous for its outstanding natural beauty
Loch Morlich - follow the network of walking trails to experience wonderful loch-side views
Movie Locations – Monarch of the Glen, The Outlaw King and Centurion
Full Tour Itinerary
Your journey begins at the ancient Clava Cairns stones, one of Scotland's best-preserved Bronze Age burial sites. It is said that this atmospheric site may have been the inspiration for Craigh Na Dun in the Outlander novel and hit TV series.
Next, we explore the fairytale Cawdor Castle, forever linked to Shakespeare's Macbeth. Built around a 15th-century tower house, it features stunning gardens and medieval architecture. This legendary stronghold has been the home of the Cawdor family for more than 23 generations.
Say hello to some Hairy Coos and see local wildlife before strolling through the rare Scots Pine Forest, home to Scotland's majestic native trees.
Enjoy lunch in the lively town of Aviemore. Then, continue through the stunning landscapes of Cairngorms National Park, where wildlife sightings are often possible.
Finally, we head to Loch Morlich, a large freshwater loch surrounded by the ancient Caledonian Pine Forest with the peaks of the Cairngorm Mountains as a backdrop. With beautiful sandy beaches and a network of nature trails, it's the perfect place to relax and enjoy the area's natural beauty.
Our return to Inverness takes us over the Slochd Summit, then passes Tomatin, famed for its whisky distillery. As we descend through Drumossie Moor, we will enjoy panoramic views of Inverness and beyond before our tour ends in the city centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Small Group Tour?
With a maximum of just 16 passengers, a Small Group Tour provides a more personal and flexible travelling experience. You’ll enjoy more time off the bus, with freedom to explore free from the crowds.
While you will see all the highlights, these tours are carefully planned to travel off the highways, so you’ll discover quaint villages and picturesque vistas that other tours cannot reach.
Small group tours are operated by purpose-built mini-coaches with air-conditioning, panoramic windows and comfortable seating.
Each group is led by an experienced driver/guide who will entertain and inform you with stories of our history, nature and folklore.
Many travellers prefer small group touring as it’s considered more authentic and there is a better chance to connect with locals as well as their fellow explorers.
What are the optional extras on this tour?
To give you maximum flexibility, the cost of admission fees and other optional extras are not included in the tour price. This gives you complete freedom to choose as the mood takes you. On this tour, there are optional visits to:
The links above will give you more information on these attractions, including current admission prices. At some locations a special discount is offered to tour participants, your driver/guide will give you more information if this applies. Credit/debit cards are not always accepted, so you should plan to have sufficient cash with you should you wish to make any visits.
What sort of clothing should I bring with me?
We recommend bringing comfortable waterproof shoes and layered clothing that you can remove or add as conditions change.
If your tour involves travel by ferry or cruise boat you might want to bring a light jacket if you plan to sit out on deck.
Will there be stops for meals and are they included in the price of the tour?
Meals are not included in the tour price, but we will make stops where you can get refreshments and something to eat.
If you wish, you can bring a packed lunch or pick up lunch items at a previous stop.
Vegetarian food is widely available in Scotland.
Can I book seats on the coach?
The seating on the coach is not allocated so you are free to sit in any vacant seat.
We recommend that you and your party arrive at the boarding point together so that you can be seated in the same part of the coach.
Blogs and Guides
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Customer Reviews Overall Rating:
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Rating: (4 /5) 24 Sep 2025
Good tour. Wish we had just a little bit more time at Clava Cairns. The time at Cawdor Castle was wonderful... what a great location! Also wish for just a bit more time at Aviemore... with getting lunch, even close by, there was no time to explore at all. The hike in the Cairngorms was a trip highlight... what a fantastic area! Loved it so much! Donnie was a good guide, but I don't think he ever stopped talking. Very nice tour and good value for the money.
Tamara from Dayton, US
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Rating: (4 /5) 05 Sep 2025
Sonia was an excellent guide, knowledgeable about the area, its history, and especially the environment/plants. She was lively and funny, shared her passion for the places we visited, and played some lovely Scottish music on the drive back. Less time at Aviemore and more at Loch Garten would have been better as after a very short forest walk we had no time to visit the osprey centre. Tours on small 16 seater buses are much more enjoyable than large coaches, giving more time to chat with the guide.
Irene from Bingley, GB
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