invergordon bus tours prices

• Telephone: +44 (0)1349 852852
• Email: [email protected]
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Invergordon Bus Tours

Thistle Excursions offer the finest sightseeing tours of the Scottish Highlands. Our Invergordon based bus tours are available for both Invergordon cruise ship visitors and any person looking to find out more about the history of the local area.

Our tours are set to leave at 9.00 or 10.00 if ship docks later, however for ships arriving later, such as the Norwegian Getaway the departure will be 1 hour after ship docks.  This might show a 10.00 start on your itinerary, but it will be later, so check with us.  Similar for ship departure, we are aware of your leaving time and will have you back at least 1 hour before your ship leaves, so please be assured you are in safe hands. It is a common misconception that independent operators might make you late - this is not the case in reality, we have everything to lose if you miss your ship so you will be assured to be back on board in plenty of time.  We drop you as near to the ship as we can.

If you cannot find what you are looking for or your ship is missing please email us as we do offer bespoke tours on our 8 seater minibus. Email [email protected]

You can book onto any of ours tours using our online booking system . Or continue reading to find out more about Tour 1) Harry Potter, Madonna and Whisky Galore or Tour 2) Castles, Battles, Nessie and Outlander .

• Bus Tours from Invergordon
• Scottish Whisky and Ancient Scottish Castle with Loch Ness We aim to give you a full day of adventure and enjoyment, making you as comfortable as possible. We hope you will return again and again to visit the Scottish Highlands, as this is all but a taster session, although you will have plenty of time to experience every aspect of the Thistle tour. Tour v...
• Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness & Loch Ness We aim to give you a full day of adventure and enjoyment, making you as comfortable as possible. We hope you will return again and again to visit the Scottish Highlands, as this is all but a taster session, although you will have plenty of time to experience every aspect of the Thistle tour. What&#...
• Dunrobin Castle, Black Rock Gorge, Million Dollar Viewpoint What is the tour location: The tour heads north through Ross-shire and Sutherland - you will hear about the Scottish clearances and further history. What is included in the price? Adult £119, Child £90, Infant up to 2 FREE. Price includes entrance to castle and distillery. Tour ...
• Secret Loch Ness, Inverness Castle What's included in the tour price? Adult £125, Child £90. Infants under 2 FREE (includes entry to Cawdor castle and an audio guide for the castle in your own language).   What is different about this one and the Cawdor Castle tour? This tour takes you to the no...
• Urquhart Castle and Nessie Exhibition Centre Urquhart Castle, Inverness, Loch Ness Centre, Gin and the mystery of Nessie We aim to give you a full day of adventure and enjoyment, making you as comfortable as possible. We hope you will return again and again to visit the Scottish Highlands, as this is all but a taster session, a...
• Bus Tours from Inverness

During the winter months we plan to arrange tours where we can pick you up from your accommodation in and around Inverness. More info soon.

• Outlander Tour from Inverness - Clava What's included in the price? This tour can only take a minimum of 4 passengers: 4 passengers = £700 (£169 each), 5 passengers = £160, 6 passengers = £990 (£159 each), 7 passengers = £149, 8 passengers = £1,160 (£139 each). Tour includes en...

Private Tours of the Highlands

• Private Bespoke tour

How can I book these tours?

You may book online , which guarantees your place.

Are these tours only open to visitors from cruise ships?

Absolutely not. Although our tours have been designed to be perfect for visitors whose cruise ships stop at Invergordon , we welcome any tourist who wants to discover more about local history and the many local, iconic, Scottish sights.  Please contact us with your hotel details etc.

Will my Tour Guide be able to speak my language? 

All of tours are in English but we do have guides who speak German so they would be able to converse with passengers when being asked questions etc.   However, we will provide you with a written translation for you to read at your leisure whilst on your coach or minivan.  Brochures are in German, Italian and French, as well as English.  You may keep the brochure to remind you of your tour.

What constitutes a child price?

Children under 16 qualify for a child price.  Babies or toddlers under 3 can sit on your knee on a bus but in a miinvan we will give them a child seat and they will not be charged, if you are willing to accept this.

Will there be toilet stops?

The coach or vehicle will not be driving for more than 45 minutes at any one time, so toilet stops will be at our venues.

Will refreshments be provided?

Refreshments are available to purchase at our most locations.   There will be plenty of choice.

Where will I get onto my coach?

Your tour guides will meet you across from the port gates.   This is where the pedestrian crossing traffic lights are located.  It is signposted from your ship or just follow everyone else as many independent tour operators work from the port.  It will be a short walk or shuttle to the tour coach.  If you have booked a private tour in a car of 8 seater they are parked very nearby.  If you get lost ask anyone or you may walk to the Thistle Excursions booking office, located at 64 High Street, Invergordon IV18 0LN , the staff will advise you where to pick up your coach, which will be nearby.  You just head for the main town street or you can also ask someone or put the address into your satnav on your smart phone.

What if my ship arrives at the Saltburn pier or Quay West, further away from the main berth?

The Port Authority will provide you with a free shuttle to get into the town.  Your free shuttle bus stops at the High Street first then second stop is us so look for your Thistle guides wearing purple trouser suits or purple Thistle lanyard  If you get lost or cannot find us make your way along the High Street to so our offices at 64 High Street, Invergordon IV18 0LN.  Please allow 30 minutes to get from your ship to your coach if you are getting a shuttle, although it may be much quicker.  If you are running late please phone us and we will try and hold the coach for you. However, if you are more than 10 minutes late we will have to leave without you and there will be no refund. ( 07751 227367 or 01349 852852 )

What if I change my mind about the tour?

Refunds are only available on the day of the tour if the ship cancels its visit or cannot dock.  If you are ill or miss the ship, your travel insurance company might be able to reimburse you.  We cannot reimburse on the day of the tour if you have Covid, apologies.  If you cancel more than 2 weeks in advance, we will provide a full refund, or  if you cancel less than 2 weeks before the tour but up to 3 days, we will refund 50%.   If you cancel within 3 days we cannot refund you.  Just email us with an explanation.

Do your tours take disabled passengers or passengers in a wheelchair?

We can take you on the coach, but there are walking parts of some tours and also steps, so we would advise that disabled passengers either wait in the coach and listen to music on that particular part of the tour or they wait inside the venue – we will make you comfortable.   If passenger is in a wheelchair they can place it in the coach luggage hold and we will assist, but they need to be able to walk up onto the coach to take part.  The nature of the tours does mean they are less suitable for disabled passengers, but we will try out best to accommodate you.   We cannot take wheelchairs in our minivans, so please email to check that the tour is in a coach rather than a bus.  Thanks.

What happens if my cruise ship is cancelled or doesn't arrive on the scheduled day?

We will try to change your tour onto an alternative day when your cruise ship will arrive, however if this is cancelled completely, we will issue you with a full refund as it is not your fault.

How do I contact you?

Email us on [email protected]

Telephone us on 0044 7751 227367 (when in port 07751 227367 or 01349 852852 )

• Accessibility

Are our tours accessible?

All of our tours require some walking, some stairs and are not always disabled-friendly. Please email us to enquire about anything specific. We are happy to provide advice and information.

We can take you on the coach, but there are walking parts of some tours and also steps, so we would advise that disabled passengers either wait in the coach and listen to music on that particular part of the tour or they wait inside the venue – we will make you comfortable.   If passenger is in a wheelchair they can place it in the coach luggage hold and we will assist, but they need to be able to walk up onto the coach to take part.  The nature of the tours does mean they are less suitable for disabled passengers, but we will always try out best to accommodate you. 

Below is a selection of reviews from our customers. Please let us know about your tour via our Trip Advisor page or simply sending us an email .

Bus Tours for Cruise Ships Invergordon

Based in Invergordon, Thistle Excursions is perfectly placed to be able to provide tours to passengers from visiting cruise ships docking at Invergordon. So if you are a cruise ship passenger, looking for an Invergordon Bus Tour, look no further!

• Private Tours
• Bespoke Bus Tours
• Cruise Ships
• Tour --Select Tour-- Cawdor Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness and Loch Ness Fairytale Dunrobin Castle (& Falconry Display), Million Dollar Viewpoint, Quaint Dornoch Village and Harry Potter’s film location - Black Rock Gorge. Scottish Whisky and Ancient Scottish Castle with Loch Ness Secret Loch Ness and Cawdor Castle Urquhart Castle & Nessie Exhibition Centre
• Month --Arrival Month-- May June July August September October
• Ship --Select Your Ship-- Mein Schiff 3 - 2 May 2024 AIDAsol - 3 May 2024 CFC Renaissance - 5 May 2024 Le Lyrial - 9 May 2024 Regal Princess - 11 May 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 12 May 2024 Viking Saturn - 12 May 2024 MS Rotterdam - 14 May 2024 AIDAsol - 15 May 2024 Viking sky - 17 May 2024 Jewel of the Seas - 18 May 2024 Ocean Albatros - 19 May 2024 Viking Neptune - 20 May 2024 Norwegian Star - 21 May 2024 AIDAsol - 22 May 2024 AIDABella - 23 May 2024 Ocean Albatros - 27 May 2024 MSC Preziosa - 28 May 2024 MS Nieuw Statendam - 29 May 2024 Queen Anne - 29 May 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 30 May 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 4 June 2024 CFC Renaissance - 6 June 2024 Viking Saturn - 9 June 2024 Britannia - 11 June 2024 MS Nieuw Statendam - 13 June 2024 Seven Seas Splendour - 13 June 2024 Jewel of the Seas - 14 June 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 15 June 2024 Regal Princess - 16 June 2024 MS Europa - 18 June 2024 MS Rotterdam - 19 June 2024 Viking Sky - 20 June 2024 Costa Favalosa - 21 June 2024 Sea Cloud Spirit - 23 June 2024 Viking Neptune - 23 June 2024 Sea Cloud Spirit - 24 June 2024 Spirit of Adventure - 24 June 2024 Azamara Onward - 25 June 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 25 June 2024 Aidasol - 26 June 2024 Regal Princess - 28 June 2024 Norwegian Dawn - 29 June 2024 Star Legend - 29 June 2024 Jewel of the Seas - 2 July 2024 MSC Preziosa - 3 July 2024 AIDABella - 4 July 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 7 July 2024 Regal Princess - 10 July 2024 Star Legend - 11 July 2024 Viking Sky - 12 July 2024 Viking Saturn - 13 July 2024 Artania - 14 July 2024 Viking Neptune - 15 July 2024 Queen Anne - 16 July 2024 Azamara Quest - 17 July 2024 Carnival Legend - 17 July 2024 Seven Seas Voyager - 18 July 2024 Viking Sky - 18 July 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 19 July 2024 Jewel of the Seas - 21 July 2024 Regal Princess - 22 July 2024 Ambassador Ambience - 24 July 2024 Caribbean Princess - 25 July 2024 Costa Favalosa - 26 July 2024 MSC Preziosa - 26 July 2024 AIDAsol - 29 July 2024 Seven Seas Navigator - 29 July 2024 MS Europa - 30 July 2024 Mein Schiff 3 - 31 July 2024 MS Nieuw Statendam - 1 August 2024 Regal Princess - 2 August 2024 Viking Saturn - 4 August 2024 Ms Rotterdam - 6 August 2024 Seven Seas Mariner - 9 August 2024 Viking Sky - 9 August 2024 CMV Vasco da Gama - 11 August 2024 Norwegian Dawn - 12 August 2024 Azamara Quest - 17 August 2024 Viking Neptune - 18 August 2024 AIDAsol - 19 August 2024 MS Nieuw Statendam - 20 August 2024 Oceania Nautica - 21 August 2024 Costa Favalosa - 22 August 2024 Viking Venus - 22 August 2024 Oceania Sirena - 23 August 2024 Star Legend - 24 August 2024 Seabourne Sojourn - 26 August 2024 Regal Princess - 27 August 2024 Crystal Symphony - 28 August 2024 AIDAsol - 29 August 2024 AidaLuna - 30 August 2024 Queen Mary 2 - 2 September 2024 AidaLuna - 3 September 2024 MS Nieuw Statendam - 4 September 2024 Ambassador Ambience - 5 September 2024 Caribbean Princess - 7 September 2024 Regal Princess - 8 September 2024 AIDAsol - 9 September 2024 Viking Neptune - 9 September 2024 Costa Favalosa - 11 September 2024 La dumont d’urville - 12 September 2024 Ms Rotterdam - 12 September 2024 Viking Venus - 13 September 2024 MSC Preziosa - 16 September 2024 Seven Seas Splendor - 16 September 2024 World Navigator - 17 September 2024 Regal Princess - 20 September 2024 Seven Seas Splendor - 26 September 2024 Mein Schiff 7 - 29 September 2024 AIDAsol - 30 September 2024 Norwegian Star - 2 October 2024 AIDAsol - 9 October 2024 Aidasol - 10 October 2024 I am not arriving by ship
• King St , Invergordon , IV18 0DH Scotland
• Tel: +44 (0) 1349 852852

Thistle Excursions are a bus tour operator which departs from Invergordon. This is the perfect location for visitors on touring cruise ships stopping in the Cromarty Firth at the port of Invergordon. Our Invergordon bus tours are the prefect way for tourists and sightseeers to get a true taste of the Highlands of Scotland. Our bus tours which leave from Invergordon feature some of the best Highland locations; Loch Ness , Culloden Battlefield , Inverness , Beauly Priory , Black Rock Gorge , Clava Cairns , Cawdor Castle , Urqhuart Castle , Carnegie Whisky Cellar and Balblair Distillery . Check out our Highland bus tour destinations page to choose which sights you want to see. Our bus tours have been chosen to allow you to see the most iconic destinations featured in numerous films, TV shows and rich Scottish History. So if you are looking for the perfect sightseeing tour of the Highlands, Thistle Excursions is your tour operator.

We also offer tailormade  bus tours of the Highlands from Invergordon and Inverness.

When booking your tour please choose carefully which castle you wish to visit. Either Cawdor, Urquhart or Dunrobin. You can visit one on your tour but when doing the Cawdor visit you will see Urquhart beside Loch Ness in the background, but you do not visit both.  Time does not allow. 

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• Invergordon Excursions
• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion S3192

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion

Invergordon, scotland (excursion id s3192).

• Free Cancellation Until 24 hours Before Excursion
• No Port - No Pay: Money Back Guarantee
• Free Unlimited Booking Changes 100% flexibility!
• Duration At leisure
• Activity Level Low
• Minimum Age All Ages
• Languages EN

Description

• Meeting Point
• Restrictions

Cancellation

• Round-trip route with on/off privileges in Inverness City!
• Comfortable double-decker open-top city shore excursion buses!
• Climate-controlled buses with wheelchair access!
• Easy to use system map of Inverness City!
• Audio narration on the bus!
• A total of 7 bus stops at the must-see sites!
• Optional family passes to save more money!
• Coupon book for discounts and other savings at select stores, restaurants, and attractions!

See the best highlights in Inverness aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Ride the loop or hop off to explore. This is the best way to get around and learn more about this interesting city.

Guests can catch the bus at any of the stops around Inverness. Those arriving on a cruise ship into Invergordon will need to take a shuttle/taxi from the port into Inverness (cost not included but some cruise lines provide this service). Please see the link below for the route map so you can plan your day. 9 stops along the route will take you to the best sites in Inverness. The entire loop takes approximately 60 minutes and the buses run every 60 minutes. Just stay on the bus for the full loop or you can hop off at any or all of the stops...then hop back on the next bus around.

When you get on the bus, you can put on headphones to listen to the commentary in English. You can learn about the sites and stops. The views from the bus allow guests to have a good view. Don't forget your camera!

The city of Inverness dates back to the 12th century so you can imagine the history it holds. The route will take you from Bank Street by River Ness to St. Andrews Cathedral, Castle Street, Inverness Bus Station, and many more! You'll be able to see the Queen's Park Stadium and Inverness Leisure before crossing Tomnahurich Bridge and Jacobite Cruises.

Scotland is the birthplace of golf and the route takes you past the Torvean Golf Club. Although some attractions are free, entrance fees are not included.

BUS SIGHTSEEING EXCURSION ROUTE

From 10:15 AM to 04:15 PM. The full circuit is 55 minutes and runs every 60 minutes.

1. Bus Station, Stance 6 2. Bridge Street 3. Bellfield Park War Memorial 4. Bishops Road, St Andrew's Cathedral 5. Bught Drive, Inverness Ice Rink 6. Dochgarroch Loch 7. Telford Street

Please download a copy of the route map here. You will receive another on the bus.

What is included?

• Round-trip route with on/off privileges in Inverness City.
• Comfortable double-decker open-top city shore excursion buses.
• Air-conditioned buses with wheelchair access.
• Easy-to-use system map of Inverness City.
• Audio narration on the bus.
• A total of 7 bus stops at the must-see sites.
• Optional family passes to save more money.
• Coupon book for discounts and other savings at select stores, restaurants, and attractions.

Excursion Notes

• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion prices shown are quoted in US dollars.
• As you may be visiting a religious or memorial site, shoulders and knees must be covered for men and women.
• We suggest you have cash (Euros) on hand for refreshments, excursion staff gratuities, shopping, etc.
• Sensible, rubber-soled walking shoes are highly recommended along with sun protection.
• Please note that admission or entrance fees to the attractions/museums, etc. are not included.
• Most of the buses are wheelchair accessible. The buses cannot safely accommodate two or more occupied wheelchairs, so if there is already a wheelchair user on the bus that you want to board, unfortunately, you’ll need to wait for the next bus. The wheelchair spaces accommodate wheelchairs measuring up to 70 cm wide, 120 cm long, and 135 cm high. If your wheelchair is larger than this it will not be possible to fit into our buses.
• A printed Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion ticket is required.

Where we meet

For the Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion, there are numerous starting locations all over Inverness City. All necessary details will be printed on your Electronic Shore Excursion Ticket.

Excursion Restrictions

• Fold-up wheelchairs can be accommodated on the lower level of the bus only.
• Many sites in the city are not wheelchair accessible.
• Guests must be able to navigate a narrow steep staircase to access the top deck of the bus.
• Guests must be able to walk on paved, gravel, and cobblestone surfaces, some on inclines at most stops.
• There are steps required to enter several of the sites as well as steep curbs in some areas.
• Seating on the bus is on a first come basis.
• Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Excursion tickets are only valid on City Sightseeing buses. Unused tickets or tickets presented to another operator are non-refundable.
• As there is no specific end time for the Invergordon sightseeing shore excursion, it is the guest's responsibility to know their ship's scheduled departure time and plan their day to be back on board at the appointed time.
• Only a printed ticket is necessary, mobile tickets are not accepted and may end up in service denial in which case are non-refundable.

Excursion FAQ

• Your ship arrives into port late and you cannot make it in time to the meeting location (we will verify with the tour operator).
• Your ship skips/misses the port.
• Weather conditions or equipment failure prevents the operator from running the excursion.
• A medical problem prevents you from safely participating in the excursion (we will verify with the excursion operator and the guest may send doctor's note). This applies to individuals only and not the remainder of the group.
• Cancellations/deposit refund requests that do not comply with the above may not be subject to refund.
• Refunds may be subject to a service charge fee as determined by the payment processor, please refer to Terms and Conditions for more information.

Book this Invergordon Excursion

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion Experiences

This excursion is available to everybody and specially designed to accommodate passengers of the following cruise lines.

Invergordon Hop-On Hop-Off Inverness City Sightseeing Bus Excursion Reviews

See the best highlights of Inverness city in this sightseeing shore excursion from Invergordon aboard the double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus. Ride the loop or hop off to explore. This is the best shore excursion to get around and learn more about this interesting city!

• No Port No Pay
• No Hidden Fees
• Deposit Payment Only
• Money Back Guarantee
• Back to Ship Guarantee
• Packages and Coupons
• Lowest Price Guarantees
• Free Last Minute Changes
• Small Personalized Groups
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• Extended Customer Service Hours
• Most Flexible Cancellation Policies

Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours

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Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour

Secret Loch Ness, Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour from Invergordon

Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness Centre, Gin, Outlander sites

Fairytale Dunrobin Castle, Million $ view, Dornoch, Harry Potter

Scottish Whisky & Ancient Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness from port

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Thistle Excursions - Invergordon Bus or Coach Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

THE 10 BEST Invergordon Bus Tours

Bus tours in invergordon.

• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Cultural Tours
• Ports of Call Tours
• Private Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Film & TV Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
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• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
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• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour

2. Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon

3. Secret Loch Ness, Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour from Invergordon

4. Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites

5. Scottish Whisky & Ancient Urquhart Castle & Loch Ness from port

6. The Ultimate Loch Ness Group Tour from Invergordon

7. Invergordon Shore Excursions: Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor & More

8. Invergordon Shore Excursion Highland Bucket List Tour

9. North Highland Tour ; Dunrobin Castle and more! from invergordon

10. Fairytale Dunrobin Castle, Million $ view, Dornoch, Harry Potter

11. From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour

12. Urquhart Castle, Culloden, Loch Ness Centre, Gin, Outlander sites

13. Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and more

14. Full-Day Private Tour to Urquhart Castle Loch Ness and Inverness

15. Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion

16. Invergordon Cruise Ship Tour Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch, Distillery

17. From Invergordon to Loch Ness , Inverness , Cawdor Castle + More

18. Invergordon Cruise Excursion PRIVATE Tour

19. Full-Day Tour of Scotland from Invergordon

20. Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour

21. Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Cawdor Castle and Gardens

22. Invergordon Shore Excursion Cawdor Castle & Stones & Culloden

23. Invergordon Port PRIVATE TOUR North or South 16 passengers MAXIMUM

24. Way Up North Invergordon Shore Excursion-Castle Tickets Included

25. Invergordon Port Loch Ness Tour

26. Loch Ness Shore Tour from Invergordon- Castle Admissions Included

27. Invergordon Cruise Tour Loch Ness and Culloden

28. Executive V Class Loch Ness Tour Invergordon Port

29. loch Ness, Inverness and outlander sites from Invergordon Port

30. Invergordon Shore Excursion Dunrobin Castle,Shin Falls, Dornoch & Loch Fleet

What travellers are saying.

• Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour
• Secret Loch Ness, Inverness & Cawdor Castle Tour from Invergordon
• Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon
• Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Invergordon Bus Tours Guide - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Fall in love with the place we call home on our award winning tour.

• ABOUT THIS TOUR
• ITINERARY & MAP

Tour Highlights

• Get off the beaten track on our unique shore tour
• See Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns and Inverness
• A world-class day out with the only VisitScotland 5 star-rated operator in Invergordon
• See the Highlands with the people who know it best; the highly experienced WOW team

Itinerary and Map +

Itinerary & map, invergordon and cromarty firth.

Upon arrival at the Port of Invergordon you will be warmly welcome by your kilt-clad WOW Scotland guide.  After taking your seats in our executive 30-seater mini-coach you will feel immediately at home as your highly experienced guide takes the reins and your long-awaited day in the Scottish Highlands begins. As we journey along the shores of the Cromarty Firth keep your eye out for seals, oystercatchers and herons as your guide enthrals you with stories of the area’s fascinating history including: Why the US Navy used a local distillery as their HQ during the WWI; and the mutiny which brought the British economy to its knees.

Cawdor Castle

Early records show that the castle dates back to at least 1454.  Although there have been many fortifications and additions over the last 640 years, the building has been remarkably well-preserved, and gives a wonderful impression of how the landed gentry would have lived back in the 15th Century.  To this day the castle remains in the Campbell family, with the Dowager Countess Cawdor, stepmother of the 7th Earl of Cawdor, residing there over the winter months.

You will be presented with an audio guide (available in 10 languages) which provides an interesting and entertaining overview of each room of the castle.  From the 16th Century Drawing Room with its splendid fireplace and portrait gallery, to the bedroom showcasing Flemish tapestries from the 17th Century, all of the magnificent rooms feature fine art and antique furniture, and every object has a story behind it.  This is no more so than in, “The Thorn Tree Room”, where you hear the story of the legendary tree which the castle was built around back in 1372 and which, remarkably, still exists there today!

After you have completed the audio tour we would recommend heading outside to the immaculate gardens: The Flower Garden is a formal garden designed in the 18th Century and featuring lavender borders and yew tree hedges;  The Walled Garden features exotic plants, a maze, a Knot Garden and a hidden Paradise Garden; The Wild Garden is a hidden delight which leads into 750 acres of woods and trails.  There is also a coffee shop, featuring home-baked scones and cakes, and three gift shops, one of which sells a wonderful selection of classic Scottish souvenirs unique to the castle.

Admission to the castle is £12 (£7.50 for children) if booked and paid with us in advance.

This will be your opportunity to pick up a packed lunch, with the castle offering a lunch deal exclusively for WOW guests.  Further information, include a menu and prices, can be found under the FAQs tab above.

We spend around 90 minutes at Cawdor Castle.

Inverness is the capital city of the Highlands, and one of Europe’s fastest growing cities. However, with a population of just 70,000, its compact city centre is easy to explore in an hour.

There are many notable historical sights in the centre and we would suggest making your way to the top of Inverness Castle hill to admire the surrounding views, as well as the statue of Highland heroine Flora MacDonald, who famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after the Battle of Culloden.  From here, head into the city’s pedestrianised area to check out the Victorian gothic Town House, looking out for the Mercat Cross, which sits atop the legendary, “Clach Na Cuidden” stone, said to protect the city and its people. Before you head back pop in to St Andrew’s Cathedral, an imposing building situated in a picturesque location on the banks of the River Ness.

If the weather is kind to us and you fancy a river walk instead then Inverness can certainly deliver; approximately 10 minutes from the centre are the Ness Islands, wooded islands situated in the middle of the River Ness.  A walk from one side of the river to the other via this series of interlinked islands provides a delightful and relaxing nature break, and gives you a real feel for why Inverness was recently voted one of the happiest places in the UK!

For those who would like to indulge in some retail therapy you will have plenty of opportunities in Inverness; shops range from the kitsch souvenir emporiums selling all manner of tartan and woollen goods, to the traditional stores of the 1876 Victorian Market and the brand name outlets in the Eastgate Centre.

We will have approximately one hour in Inverness. (Note that, if your tour duration is 7 hours or less, Inverness will be a shorter stop of around 20 minutes only)

Our next stop is in the village of Dores on the lesser-visited south side of Loch Ness.  This beach was recently voted one of the top 10 views in the UK, so we are confident that this spot gives you the best experience of this legendary loch.  It’s a beautiful place to take photos, wander the beach in search of the elusive Nessie or, if you’d prefer, relax with a beer, whisky or coffee in the traditional loch-side pub (subject to opening times, closed Mon – Wed).  Here there is also the opportunity to buy a cute monster ornament from legendary Nessie Hunter Steve Feltham  (that’s if he’s not out hunting Nessie at the time!)

We will spend around 30 minutes at Dores Beach.

Highland Scenery

The wild landscapes of the Scottish Highlands are one of the region’s biggest draws, yet they are often missed on day tour itineraries, which focus only on key historical sights. The next part of our tour aims to give you a real taste of the Highlands on the 30 minute drive to Clava Cairns. As we head for the hills, and the altitude increases, the landscape changes from rolling farmland, to forests, to rugged mountain moorland. As we navigate the winding country lanes your guide will tell you all about the wonderful countryside, and the flora and fauna that thrive here. The chances of seeing other people from your ship on this route are slim to none!

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is an exceptionally well-preserved group of prehistoric burial cairns which were built around 4000 years ago. This Bronze Age cemetery has a whole range of interesting historical structures to explore such as passage graves, ring cairns, a kerb cairn and standing stones.For Outlander fans, this is must-see stop. When Diana Gabaldon visited here after writing the first book she couldn’t believe there was a split standing stone so close to Culloden Battlefield.  Consequently, this is now viewed by many as the spiritual home of the fictional, ‘Craig na Dun’.

We will spend approximately 25 minutes here and there will be a guided tour.

Culloden Battlefield

The Battle of Culloden took place on 16th April 1746 and was the final chapter of the Jacobite Uprising, as well as the last pitched battle to be fought on British soil. Your guide will bring the poignant landscape to life as he enthrals you with a historical account of the bloody battle, the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the subsequent demise of the Gaelic language and clan culture in the Highlands.

At Culloden Battlefield your guide will provide a 30 minute walking tour of the site.  On most tours there will also be an opportunity to explore by yourself, buy a coffee to-go and/or visit the gift shop, as we will spend one hour here.

Highland Cows

If we see any Highland Cows along the way, we will do our best to stop and let you say hello.  We can’t guarantee to see them, but we will certainly do our best!

After a wonderful day exploring the historical, cultural and natural highlights of the Scottish Highlands we will return to Invergordon via the Black Isle peninsula and its traditional villages.  We will arrive back at the port in plenty of time for your ship’s departure.

Book a Tour

What dates/ships will this tour run from? +

29th April – Regal Princess  – 8.15am – 4.15pm

11th May – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

14th May – MS Rotterdam – 8.45am – 3.45pm

18th May – Jewel of the Seas – 9am – 4.30pm

21st May – Norwegian Star – 8.15am – 4.15pm

13th June – MS Nieuw Statendam – 8.45am – 3.45pm

14th June – Jewel of the Seas – 9am – 4.30pm

16th June – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

19th June – MS Rotterdam – 8.45am – 4.45pm

28th June – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

29th June – Norwegian Dawn – 10.45am – 5.45pm

2nd July – Jewel of the Seas – 8am – 3.45pm

10th July – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

17th July – Carnival Legend 9am – 3.45pm

21st July – Jewel of the Seas 9am – 4.30pm

22nd July – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

25th July – Caribbean Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

2nd Aug – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

6th Aug – MS Rotterdam – 9am – 3.45pm

12th Aug – Norwegian Dawn – 9am – 5pm

27th Aug – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

4th Sept – MS Nieuw Statendam – 9am – 3.45pm

7th Sept – Caribbean Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

8th Sept – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

20th Sept – Regal Princess – 8.15am – 4.15pm

2nd Oct – Norwegian Star – 8.15am – 4.15pm

If you do not see your ship listed above, please  contact us and we will do our best to schedule a tour for you. 

What size of vehicle do you use? +

We have two well-appointed 33-seater mini-coaches with panoramic windows, comfortable reclining seats, USB charging points and AC.  We will use these two vehicles for most of our shore tours, though on occasion may use our executive 16-seater.  You can rest assured that you will be able to relax and enjoy the majestic scenery in complete comfort and, with our smaller group size, you are guaranteed a more personal experience.

Can I reserve seats on the tour? +

Yes. Due to customer demand, we have a booking system for the following seats;

• 4 front row seats – these give you unparalleled views out of the front windows, and the opportunity to disembark first at every stop.  Our most popular seats.
• 4 second row seats – many guests prefer to sit near the front of the coach, or be reassured that you will be seated together if they are a couple/group, both of which you get with this option.  These seats also have a little more legroom than these front row seats.  These are available on some tours only.
• 2 extra legroom seats – these are situated near the back of the coach and have approximately 50% more legroom than regular seats.  They are particularly suited to those who are tall, or like to stretch out.

The price of the upgrades vary depending on which tour you are on, with prices between £5 and £20 per person.  If they are available, upgrades will be given as an option when booking.

Please note that it does not make any difference which side of the coach you sit on, so we don’t take requests for specific sides.

The rest of our seats are allocated on arrival, as we feel that this is the fairest system of allocating seats. It is not possible to reserve window seats, or seats together if you are travelling as part of a group but, if you do wish to choose your seat, we would recommend arriving early at the bus stop (i.e. a few minutes before check-in closes). If you are unhappy with your seat please let your tour guide know and he will do his best to accommodate your requests, although obviously many guests would prefer a window seat so it is not possible for everyone to have these!

Note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable if you require to cancel your tour.

Where do we meet you in Invergordon? +

For all private and scheduled tours your guide or another member of the WOW team will be waiting at the entrance to the port.

The WOW team are easily identifiable in our branded WOW Scotland uniforms.

Due to parking restrictions at the Port of Invergordon you will need to walk around 0.2 – 0.3 miles (i.e. approx. 5 minutes for someone with reasonable fitness) up a very slight incline to the coach, which will be parked close-by.

Are there admission charges on this tour? +

Yes, there is one admission charge on this tour; Cawdor Castle. 

The admission price in 2024 is £12 for adults and £7.50 for children.  This is a special discounted price for WOW guests who purchase tickets in advance (regular price online/at the door is £15.50 for adults, £14 for concessions and £8.50 for children).  This price includes an excellent audio guide, which is available in 10 languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Dutch and Portugese).

The entrance fee for Cawdor Castle must be booked and paid when booking your tickets for this tour.  It is not an optional fee and, even if you just want to go the gardens/cafe/shop, you still require to pay the entrance fee.  We spend around 2 hours at the castle, and there is nothing else to do at this location.

There are no other admission charges payable on this tour.

What are the arrangements for lunch? +

We recommend that our guests pick up lunch to-go at the cafe in Cawdor Castle. 

The menu is as follows, and is exclusively for WOW guests.

• Filled roll and crisps (chips) – £6.20
• Filled roll, crisps (chips) and your choice of cake or traybake – £7.90

You can choose from the following fillings for your roll;

• Chicken, bacon and tarragon mayonnaise
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Cheddar cheese and tomato (vegetarian)

Vegan and gluten-free options are available in the cafe, upon request.

You can either eat this on the bus, or (weather permitting!) enjoy it at a scenic location en-route.

Will we have time to shop for souvenirs? +

Every tour has the opportunity to buy souvenirs (for those that like that sort of thing!).

There are two gift shops at Cawdor Castle, which stock an extensive range of high quality gifts.  These include Scottish wool and cashmere sweaters, local craft gins, single malt whiskies and a selection of sweet treats, toys and exclusive souvenirs.

The gift shop at Culloden Battlefield also stocks a wide selection of Scottish gifts and souvenirs, including Highland honey and shortbread, beautifully crafted silver jewellery and a range of history books and maps.

If you are looking for a unique souvenir from Scotland look no further..there will usually be a chance to buy handmade Nessie souvenirs from Steve Feltham (the legendary Nessie Hunter) at Loch Ness, as long as he is not out monster hunting at the time! 

Depending on the duration of your tour, you may have time to visit the plethora of brand name and independent shops in Inverness.

All of the above places accept debit/credit card payments.

Will you get us back to the ship in time? +

Yes, of course!!  This is the most common question we are asked by cruisers and we would like to state unequivocally that we have a 100% success record in ensuring that every single guest is returned to their ship in a timely fashion. 

We are aware that the cruise ships warn their guests against taking private tours as, if that tour is late, they say that they will not wait for you. In reality, if any of our tours had ever run late and our guests had missed their cruise departure, there is no way that we would still have a business, due to the terrible reviews we would receive! We have been running shore tours for 10 years and have shown thousands of guests the Scottish Highlands; each and every person has returned to their ship on time.  You can read reviews from hundreds of happy cruisers on Google and TripAdvisor .

We aim to get you back at least 1 1/4 hours prior to your ship’s scheduled departure time.  As all of our shore tours are exclusively for passengers of one ship only, if your ship changes its schedule we will of course alter our timings accordingly.

Is the tour suitable for disabled passengers? +

If you have mobility issues please contact us to discuss your requirements and we will do our utmost to assist you.

Please note that we cannot transport mobility scooters on any of our coaches, due to limited boot/trunk space.

Can children come on this tour? +

Yes – children are welcome on our shore tours. Please note that you must purchase a ticket for every child as, even if they sit on a parent’s lap, they officially take up one space on the coach.

We only have one ticket price.  However, the admission charge to Cawdor Castle is £4.50 lower for children, so please be sure to select the child entrance ticket (listed at the foot of the optional extras page) when booking.

What is your cancellation policy? +

For “standard tickets” purchased for our scheduled shore tours, the following cancellation charges shall apply (depending on the effective date of cancellation):

a) Cancellation more than 7 days prior to the tour departure: You will be entitled to a full refund (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

b) Cancellation 72 hours to 7 days prior to the tour departure: You will be refunded 50% of the price paid (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

c) Cancellation less than 72 hours prior to the tour departure: You will not be entitled to a refund

d) If you need to cancel as your ship is unable to reach port we will refund the full cost of your tour.

For, “flex tickets” purchased for our scheduled shore tours, the following cancellation charge shall apply:

a) Cancellation more than 24 hours prior to the tour departure: You will be entitled to a full refund (note that any fees paid for seat upgrades are non-refundable)

b) Cancellation less than 24 hours prior to the tour departure: You will not be entitled to a refund

c) If you need to cancel as your ship is unable to reach port we will refund the full cost of your tour.

If you require to cancel or change your booking please just send us an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to assist you.

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Discover the Factor

Meet your guides, gordon pearson.

Founder & Tour Guide

  730 Reviews

Gordon founded WOW Scotland in 2010 and hasn’t looked back since. He is passionate about showcasing his homeland, and is continually striving to create the best possible experiences for every guest.

Robert Carr

  137 Reviews

Prior to being a tour guide, Rob ran successful food and tourism businesses in Edinburgh and Perthshire. He has now been in the Highlands for 16 years, where he loves to indulge in his joint passions of golf and hiking.

Andrew Jones

  210 Reviews

With over 10 years of experience as a tour director and guide, Andrew prefers to consider himself as a storyteller, amateur historian and, above all, an ambassador for Scotland

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Tour 2) Taste of the North

While most visitors leaving cruise ships berthed in Invergordon looking to explore what this part of the Scottish Highlands has to offer will head south towards the regional capital city of Inverness and legendary Loch Ness, those open to a quieter, slower paced alternative now have the option to join this  adults only  small group guided coach tour.

On leaving Invergordon this tour will take the main route north alongside the Cromarty Firth, across the Fearn peninsula and Dornoch Firth, before arriving in the picturesque Sutherland coastal county town of Dornoch.

While here guests will have ample time to seek out places like Dornoch Cathedral, the fascinating Historylinks Museum, and the world renowned Royal Dornoch Golf Club that sweeps down to the town’s extensive sandy beach.

An opportunity to check out the exclusive local shops shouldn’t be missed. There are adequate options around the town centre to find something to eat and drink, and to ‘spend a penny’.

Once everyone’s checked back on to the coach the tour will continue north to take a tour of the Highland home of infamous Johnnie Walker whisky, the Clynelish Distillery at Brora. Here you’ll be immersed in the story behind the biggest name in Scotch Whisky worldwide, finished off with a fine dram of the sought after spirit.

On reboarding the coach the tour will travel the short distance to the final stop at historic and dramatic Dunrobin Castle, origins of which date back to the middle ages, its current guise having been completed in the early nineteenth century.

The intact castle, the home of Clan Sutherland, and seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland, is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses.

Visitors will have plenty of time to explore the castle that has ample guest facilities on site, including an opportunity to grab a snack in the fine cafe restaurant.

Last but, for sure, not least, a visit to Dunrobin Castle is not complete without gathering in the extensive castle gardens for the falconry display, a marriage of minds between a man and his majestic wild birds.

Finally, once all guests have returned to the coach, the tour will return south to Invergordon with time to spare before departure.

Adult seat :  £99.50 GBP *

* Including whisky distillery tour, and fee to access Dunrobin Castle only.

Midi touring coach. 24 seats maximum. Courier guide or driver/guide.