Meandering Through The Highlands of Scotland (West)

Inverness , Scotland

Meandering Through The Highlands of Scotland (West)

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(2 reviews)

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About this experience

Let's Meander! North, South, East, or West. You choose. We can create a fantastically memorable road trip by exploring the myriad of back roads here in The Highlands and Moray, with the secret highlights they reveal. AND/OR do you have a specific requirement or interest? Shall we head for the distilleries, or see how many golf courses we can find? How many Heilan Coos (Highland cattle) can we see in one day? The places we list below aren’t destinations but opportunities. We can decide during the day! All of these tours are available from Inverness. The North & East tours are also available from Invergordon. NORTH The Black Isle, Cromarty Ferry, Loch Fleet Nature Reserve, Dornoch Firth, Millionaire's View, Dunrobin Castle, Portmahomack, Balblair Distillery and Glenmorangie Distillery

Available options

Meandering Through The Highlands of Scotland (West)

Pickup included

What's included

Bottled water

Air-conditioned vehicle

Detailed itinerary

Stop 1

Did you know...? There's more water in Loch Ness than every other loch and lake combined in the whole UK; plenty of room for Nessie to hide!!

Phenomenal views here along the length of Loch Ness. You might not see the monster, but you'll probably meet Steve, our favourite monster hunter.

Stop 3

Pretty wee village at the western end of Loch Ness. A flight of locks takes The Caledonian Canal up from Loch Ness to the height of Loch Oich on it's way through to the West Coast.

Take a wander alongside the falls, see if you can find the wee folly. Also take a peak inside the quirky clog shop; all sorts of treasures in here...

Stop 5

In this location, at the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, Mrs Aldie MacKay reported seeing a 'whale-like fish' or 'water beast' in the waters of Loch Ness. Her sighting sparked the birth of a monster media frenzy and created a global legend.

Walk through 500 million years of history. Delve deeper into ancient Scottish myths, legends and scientific research. Uncover the mysteries of the loch and become part of the story in this unique tour.

Or just take a meander around the village; plenty shops and cafes to investigate

Beauly Priory is one of three priories founded in Scotland in about 1230 for monks of the Valliscaulian order. The Valliscaulians came from Val-des-Choux (‘Valley of the Cabbages’) near Dijon in France, and adhered to strict ideals of poverty, chastity and obedience. Beauly, meaning ‘beautiful place’, must have seemed to the monks a wonderful location in which to devote themselves to worship. Only the abbey church still stands today, housing some fine funerary monuments.

Take a full distillery tour if you wish, or just enjoy sampling a dram or two

Enjoy strolling through this fine Victorian Spa village

What's not included

The Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit; Adults £15.95 Children £12.95

Singleton Distillery tasting room. Let's sample a dram or two of their delightful whisky...

Available languages

Guide guide

Reviews breakdown

Tripadvisor 5.0

2 reviews

5★

4★

3★

2★

1★

Important information

Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Specialized infant seats are available

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Travel and transportation through our beautiful scenery is included in the total time duration of this tour

This tour IS available as a Shore Excursion for Cruise Ship Passengers at Invergordon Cruise Ship Port

About Inverness

Inverness is a historic city in the Scottish Highlands, known as the capital of the region. It offers a rich blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, with the iconic Loch Ness and the Culloden Battlefield nearby. The city is a gateway to some of Scotland's most stunning landscapes and ancient sites.

Top Attractions

Inverness Castle

A historic castle overlooking the River Ness, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape.

Historical 1-2 hours £5

Loch Ness

A famous freshwater loch known for its deep, dark waters and the legendary Loch Ness Monster.

Nature Half day to full day Free to visit the loch, attractions vary in price

Culloden Battlefield

The site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, the last pitched battle fought on British soil.

Historical 2-3 hours £14.50

Inverness Museum and Art Gallery

A museum showcasing the history, art, and culture of the Highlands.

Museum 1-2 hours Free

Must-Try Local Dishes

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties

A traditional Scottish dish made with haggis (a spiced sheep's offal pudding), mashed turnips (neeps), and mashed potatoes (tatties).

Dinner Contains meat and offal, not suitable for vegetarians or vegans.

Cullen Skink

A creamy smoked haddock soup, traditionally made with potatoes, onions, and milk.

Lunch Contains fish, not suitable for those with fish allergies.

Cranachan

A traditional Scottish dessert made with whipped cream, raspberries, honey, and toasted oats.

Dessert Vegetarian-friendly, but contains dairy.

Popular Activities

Hiking in the Highlands Boat tours on Loch Ness Visiting spas and wellness centers Strolling along the River Ness Exploring Inverness Museum and Art Gallery Attending local festivals and events Fishing in the River Ness Skiing and snowboarding in the Cairngorms

Best Time to Visit

June to August

This is the warmest and driest time of the year, with long daylight hours. It's ideal for outdoor activities and exploring the surrounding Highlands.

12°C to 18°C 54°F to 64°F

Practical Information

Language

Official: English
Widely spoken: Scottish Gaelic
English: Widely spoken

Currency

Pound Sterling (GBP)

Time Zone

GMT (UTC+0) or BST (UTC+1) during daylight saving time

Electricity

230VV, 50HzHz

Safety Information

Overall Safety Rating: Generally safe

Inverness is generally a safe city, with low crime rates and a welcoming atmosphere. However, as with any destination, it's important to take basic safety precautions.

Important Precautions:

• Keep valuables secure and out of sight, especially in crowded areas.
• Be cautious when using ATMs, and avoid using them in isolated areas.
• Use licensed taxis or ride-sharing services, and agree on a fare before starting your journey.

Getting there

By air

Inverness Airport • 13 km (8 miles) from city center

By train

Inverness Railway Station

By bus

Inverness Bus Station

Getting around

Public transport

The bus network covers the city and surrounding areas, with frequent services to major attractions.

Taxis

Available • Apps: Uber, FreeNow

Rentals

Car, Bike

Neighborhoods

City Center Ness Islands Leakey

Day trips

Culloden Battlefield

5 km (3 miles) • Half day

The site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, the last pitched battle fought on British soil. The visitors center offers interactive exhibits and a museum.

Loch Ness

24 km (15 miles) • Full day

A famous freshwater loch known for its deep, dark waters and the legendary Loch Ness Monster. The Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition offers insights into the loch's history and geology.

Cairngorms National Park

60 km (37 miles) • Full day

The largest national park in the UK, offering a diverse range of landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor activities.

Festivals

Inverness Highland Games • May Inverness Christmas Market • December

Pro tips

Visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery to learn about the history and culture of the Highlands.
Take a boat tour on Loch Ness to search for the legendary Loch Ness Monster and explore the loch's stunning scenery.
Explore the Culloden Battlefield and visitors center to learn about the history of the 1746 Battle of Culloden.
Stroll along the River Ness and visit the Ness Islands for a peaceful and scenic escape from the city.
Sample local whisky and cuisine at one of Inverness's many pubs, restaurants, or whisky bars.