HALF DAY TOUR: loch Ness, Coo's, Battles &Stones,from INVERNESS

HISTORIC AND SCENIC TOURS
Whether you are looking for half day tours from Inverness or simply trying to take in as many of the beautiful sights as possible on your Highland adventure, OUR HALF DAY TOUR: loch Ness, Coo's, Whisky, Battlefields & Stones, from INVERNESS is sure to captivate like no other. Our friendly guide will pick you up FROM 5/ 7 NESS WALK , IN FRONT OF THE COLUMBA HOTEL and take you on a tour to remember around some of the most famous, historic and culturally significant sites anywhere in Scotland.
From Inverness we will travel to Loch Ness, home of the romantic and brooding Urquhart Castle (as well as a certain legendary monster!) The tour then turns towards the historic Beauly Priory, Then on to the historic and dramatic Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns, Round off your tour in Inverness with St. Andrew’s Cathedral and Ness Islands, before being dropped off at the Columba hotel . What are you waiting for

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Pass By: Inverness Cathedral, dedicated to St Andrew, Ardross St, Inverness IV3 5NN, UK

St Andrews Cathedral
The tour starts in inverness we drive past the St. Andrew’s Cathedral, a beautiful cathedral church dating back to 1869 located near the centre of the city. The Anglican Cathedral is the most northerly in the UK, and is an excellent example of local architecture and the Gothic style. Take some time to admire the beautiful stained glass windows and intricately carved stonework.
and then on to the Ness Islands


Pass By: Ness Islands, Great Glen Way, Inverness IV63 6TU Scotland

The River Ness is the river that runs from the northern end of Loch Ness, through Loch Dochfour and through the heart of the City of Inverness – in fact the river is where Inverness gets it’s name, not from the famous Loch Ness as many think, but from the Scottish Gaelic: Inbhir Nis, meaning “Mouth of the River Ness”.

According to the legend the first-ever claimed sighting of the Loch Ness monster wasn’t in Loch Ness, but the River Ness; when Saint Columba is said to have banished a “water monster” back into the river after it tried to attack one of his disciples who was swimming across.

The river is a draw to visitors – many buildings sit attractively on its banks, including St. Andrew’s Cathedral (Inverness Cathedral), Eden Court Theatre and a number of popular restaurants and hotels. Nature-lovers should keep an eye out for common and grey seals, a number of bat species, and birds such as dippers, goosander and the occasional osprey.
and then on to loch ness

Stop At: Loch Ness Region, Loch Ness Region, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Inverness to Loch Ness
From your NESS ISLANDS in Inverness we will travel towards Loch Ness, with plenty of opportunities for photos at some of the most beautiful vantage points the loch has to offer on our Loch Ness tour from Inverness.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Urquhart Castle, A82, Drumnadrochit IV63 6XJ Scotland

Urquhart Castle and onwards to Beauly Priory
From there we move towards the famous Urquhart Castle and its visitor centre. The castle is a truly romantic ruin, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the loch, and surrounded on all sides by waters over 600-feet deep, where the legendary Loch Ness Monster is said to make her home. Take your time wandering the historic ruins and learn more about its amazing history, before the tour picks up again, this time towards Beauly Priory, a beautiful ancient monastery that now lies in ruins but retains an air of reverence and mystery.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Beauly Priory, Beauly IV4 7DY Beauly IV4, Beauly Scotland

Take your time wandering the historic ruins and learn more about its amazing history, before the tour picks up again, this time towards Beauly Priory, a beautiful ancient monastery that now lies in ruins but retains an air of reverence and mystery.

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Robertson’s Farm Shop Beauly, 11/13 Tomich, Beauly IV4 7AS Scotland

Highland Cows, goats and Alpacas can be seen here
The farm shop is packed with a wide range of treats to tempt all tastes as well as gifts and goodies for all the family! Open all year

Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Great Glen Distillery, Loch Ness Centre Drumnadrochit, Inverness IV63 6TU Scotland

FROM GRAIN TO GLASS
A true product of its place of birth, Great Glen balances the sweet herbal honeysuckle notes of Scottish heather with the subtle tartness of Red Sorrel and the aromatic pine tones of Frankincense. Elevated by the purity of our own base spirit, this complex and rewarding gin has deep, lasting flavours that stay with you like the tales that transcend generations. Pull up a chair, pour a glass and start your own story.

Duration: 10 minutes

Stop At: Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, Culloden Moor IV2 5EU Scotland

Culloden famously played host to the bloody Battle of Culloden, the outcome of which had ramifications far outside the local area and is intensively documented at the visitor centre. Get up close and personal with the history of the battle with artefacts, re-enactments and talks by local historians, before heading the short distance to Clava Cairns, an ancient bronze-age cemetery.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Clava Cairns, Balnuaran of Clava, IV2 5EU Scotland

Clava Cairns
This deeply sacred place within the landscape of the Highlands is steeped in history, with the first usage of the site thought to date back over 4000 years. Set within a beautiful forested area, there is evidence that ancient peoples returned here again and again; there are even the ruins of a medieval chapel here. The Clava Cairns serves as the inspiration for the fictitious Craigh na Dun standing stones in the book and TV series Outlander, in fact, the famous “cleft stone” that transports the main character Claire back in time . AND BACK TO INVERNESS

Duration: 20 minutes

You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start time of the experience.