Inverness Castle, Clava, Culloden Battlefield and Loch Ness

Clava Cairns. Our first stop will be to the Clava cairns. Clava Cairns are a well-preserved Bronze Age cemetery complex of passage graves; ring cairns, kerb cairns and standing stones in a beautiful setting. Clava Cairns or the Prehistoric Burial Cairns of Bulnuaran of Clava are a group of three Bronze Age cairns located near Inverness. A hugely significant and exceptionally well preserved prehistoric site, Clava Cairns is a fantastic example of the distant history of Highland Scotland, dating back about 4,000 years.

Culloden Battlefield. Our second stop... is a visit to the powerfully moving site of the final Jacobite Rising – the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on British soil between Scotland and England. Explore the interactive visitor centre, view fascinating artefacts from both sides of the confrontation, and experience the battle in our immersive surround cinema. On 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head. Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British thrones, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland's government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,500 men were slain – more than 1,000 of them Jacobites.

Dochgarroch. We now travel to Dochgarroch Locks, fascinating to see the boats as they climb up through the Caledonian Canal to gain entry on to Loch Ness. There is also the opportunity if you wish to board one of the Jacobite Cruises onto Castle Urquhart where I can collect you.

Loch Ness. The Loch Ness Monster, often affectionately referred to as “Nessie,” is one of the most enduring and captivating mysteries of the natural world. Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, Loch Ness is a stunningly beautiful, deep freshwater lake that stretches for about 23 miles and plunges to depths of over 700 feet. Its inky waters have been the setting for countless tales of a mysterious creature lurking beneath the surface, and the legend of Nessie has captured the imaginations of people around the world for centuries.

Urquhart Castle. Now we make our way to a Castle full of Wild natural beauty and 1,000 years of history - Urquhart Castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. Discover 1,000 years of drama, experience a glimpse of medieval life and enjoy stunning views over Loch Ness from the ruins of the greatest castle in the Highlands. Climb the Grant Tower that watches over the iconic loch, peer into a miserable prison cell, said to have held the legendary Gaelic bard Domhnall Donn, and imagine the splendid banquets staged in the great hall.