This Ten Day Tour is a deeply educational experience – an immersion into the history and culture of the Highland people. We will take you on a breath-taking journey through more than 1100 miles of some of the most spectacular scenery in the world, showcasing the beauty of the Scottish Highlands, whilst taking your understanding and knowledge of the Highlands and her people to a whole new level.
Each day we set off in a different direction from the very Heart of the Highlands – Inverness – as we share with you the many wonders and the wealth of history, culture and heritage that the Highlands has to offer. We will personally guide you around each location, sharing all the nuggets of gold as we do. All you need to do is turn up each day, then let us do the rest…
Each Tour has a maximum of six guests, plus us two guides – husband and wife team, Andy and Diane Nicholson. So this is a small group experience, allowing us all to bond as friends over the duration.
It has taken many years of research, and a great deal of love and passion, to put this tour experience together. We cannot stress enough, that this is not simply a drive around the Highlands with several stops to explore on your own and return to the minibus by a certain time. This ten day immersion into the history and culture of the Highlands is vastly more than that.
Our aim is for you to remember this journey as having been an incredibly educational and special experience of Scotland, for the rest of your life…
We will take very good care of you…
INCLUDED – This tour price includes all location entry fees, a special Gin Tasting Experience, your transportation for ten full touring days through more than 1100 miles of the Highlands in our comfortable, eight seater Mercedes minibus. Also included of course, is our substantial knowledge and insight of the Highlands as your experienced Tour Guides. A large selection of teas, coffee, water and shortbread are also included as standard in the minibus, along with wonderful Scottish and Highland music, and of course, a few drams of whisky along the journey…
Traditional Celtic Handfasting and Vow Renewal – if you’re coming with your spouse and would like to include a Vow Renewal and Traditional Celtic Handfasting on this Tour, then please let us know. We do not charge any extra for this.
The dates of each Tour are listed below:
IMPORTANT – This Ten Day Tour runs over an 11 day period – we tour for 5 days, then you have a day for yourself in Inverness mid-way through, then we tour for another 5 days. The Tour begins and ends in the Highland capital of Inverness. We recommend staying on for a few additional days at either end of our Tour, as there is so much to see and enjoy in and around Inverness.
7 May 2026 – 17 May 2026. You will require accommodation in Inverness from 6 May to the morning of 18 May 2026 minimum. (SIX PLACES AVAILABLE)
28 May 2026 – 7 June 2026. You will require accommodation in Inverness from 27 May to the morning of 8 June 2026 minimum. (SIX PLACES AVAILABLE)
2 July 2026 – 12 July 2026. You will require accommodation in Inverness from 1 July to the morning of 13 July 2026 minimum. (SIX PLACES AVAILABLE)
6 August 2026 – 16 August 2026. You will require accommodation in Inverness from 5 August to the morning of 17 August 2026 minimum. (SIX PLACES AVAILABLE)
17 September 2026 – 27 September 2026. You will require accommodation in Inverness from 16 September to the morning of 28 September minimum. (SIX PLACES AVAILABLE)
The Tour is £3450 per person
DAY ONE – THURSDAY – THE GREAT GLEN ADVENTURE
On our first day of the Tour, we’ll take the breath-taking journey south through the Great Glen to visit the historic town of Fort William, the second-largest settlement in the Scottish Highlands. We’ll personally guide you around the relics in the West Highland Museum, then take a shopping trip down Fort William High Street.
As we guide you around the town, we’ll recount ghostly tales and stories of murders and robberies past, and show you where these gruesome events took place. One of these places will be a visit to a venue with a very active ghost, where you can even talk to the staff about what they’ve experienced.
You’ll see the grave of one of Scotland’s most skilled swordsmen from the 17th and 18th centuries, as we share his life story with you and show you the legacy he left behind.
You’ll visit the remains of the old Fort at Fort William, as we share with you the history of the Fort. We’ll then take you to wander through a medieval stronghold dating back to the 13th century, which dominated the southern end of the Great Glen.
We’ll stop by an old ship ruin in the shadow of Ben Nevis to enjoy lunch,
Then we’ll take a journey back through time to very place the Jacobite Rising of 1745 began (photo above). As we recount the story behind how it all unfolded, we’ll be stopping by a few other special places of significance to the uprising on our way. As we journey through these mountains, you’ll learn about one of the most powerful Clans in Lochaber and the part they played in the ’45.
You’ll have spectacular views over the Glenfinnan Viaduct (the ‘Harry Potter’ Viaduct, although we won’t be there when the steam train is passing).
As we travel north through Lochaber back towards Inverness, we’ll stop at several historic locations on our way, including the ruins of a castle which was involved in the ’45.
You’ll also visit a very unusual place which tells a rather gory tale of revenge. It’s a story which is not likely to be forgotten anytime soon!
We’ll visit the beautiful Highland town of Fort Augustus at the southern end of Loch Ness, to enjoy some local shopping and see the five lock gates of the Caledonian Canal.
DAY TWO – FRIDAY – THE BLACK ISLE ADVENTURE
One of our many favourite places in the Highlands, join us as we take you on an educational journey around the historic Highland Fishing Villages of the Black Isle. You’ll learn about the famous people who lived here in centuries gone by, each of whom left an extraordinary legacy. It is rare that so many notable people lived in such a relatively small area of the Highlands. We have weaved their stories together, so you can walk in their footsteps as you learn about their lives, stand in front of their homes, see the places they frequented, and experience the Highlands through their eyes.
This day includes all of our favourite places on the Black Isle, including three museums, all of which we will personally guide you around, a wonderful antique shop, one of Europe’s most popular places to watch dolphins, ancient graveyards, historic churches, an old Court House, all of which have a story to tell… and so much more…
This day also includes a very special private viewing of the incredible legacy left by one very special man (his name and story will be revealed on the tour itself) – this is definitely an experience not to be missed!
This unique day includes not only beautiful Highland scenery, but a deeply memorable and inspirational insight into the lives and culture of the Highland people from the small parishes of the Black Isle. We feel deeply honoured to share their legacies and lives with you on this tour.
DAY THREE – SATURDAY – THE CAIRNGORM ADVENTURE
As we journey south through the Cairngorm National Park, we’ll stop at several remarkable places, including two beautiful and unusual Lochs at the foot of Cairngorm Mountain.
We’ll visit a Highland Museum where you can step back in time and experience life in the Highlands from 1700s to the 1950s. The museum has over 35 historical buildings to explore. If you had Scottish ancestors from the Highlands, then you’ll learn how they lived, built their homes, farmed, dressed and spent their leisure time (part of this Museum was the Township used as an Outlander Filming location for the ‘Rent’ episode).
This will be followed by a visit to explore a Clan Museum which shares the story of family and belonging, loyalty and rebellion, where the history of the Clan is told by tradition-bearers and storytellers. Here you will find fascinating treasures dating back through many centuries.
Towards the end of the day, you’ll enjoy a truly unique Gin Tasting led by a member of the Distillery Team, who will teach you about the local botanics infused into each type of gin as you taste each one. This place is so special, because they embrace the very essence of the Highlands into their whole distillation and bottling process. The price of this Gin Tasting is included as part of your tour Experience.
We’ll end the day with a visit to one of our favourite Antique centres, for a wander through their incredible collection of Scottish treasures to see if there’s anything special that catches your eye.
DAY FOUR – SUNDAY – THE LOCH NESS ADVENTURE
This day of the tour is an emotional journey into the history, the experiences, the lives, loves and hearts of the people who lived in one remote and breathtakingly beautiful part of the Scottish Highlands close to Loch Ness. These are stories which have passed down through the generations, yet they are little known…
You’ll learn about the events which unfolded in this area directly after the Battle of Culloden, including the spot where two brave Jacobites succumbed to their injuries after the Battle of Culloden and were buried where they took their last breath.
You’ll hike out to the remains of a remote township to walk within the walls of the once bustling Highland village (it’s an easy hike), as we share with you the events that unfolded in these mountains and glens centuries ago…
You’ll see caves frequented by robbers as we share the grisly stories of those they encountered.
We’ll be visiting a graveyard which has a chilling and unexplainable story dating back to the 1600s.
We’ll visit two sets of waterfalls and walk along the shores of Loch Ness in the footsteps of Dun Bonnet – James Fraser – who hid in a cave near here for seven years after the Battle of Culloden.
There is even a moor where ghostly battles have appeared on only one particular anniversary at dawn, and yes, we’ll be taking you there too… and to a ‘hollow’ which even the hardiest of men claim is haunted.
You’ll discover, and see first-hand, the devastating story behind one of Scotland’s most powerful clans. Then you’ll see the exact spot, hidden on a hillside, where men were hanged and their bodies were left to blow in the wind as a warning to others.
Many famous travellers journeyed down this road in the 1700s and recounted their experiences of this hauntingly beautiful part of the Highlands in their books; Robbie Burns, Boswell and Johnson, Thomas Pennant… but it is not only their stories we will be sharing with you on this day of the tour, it is the stories of the Highlanders who actually lived and died here, and whose lives were unfolding while these famous travellers passed through.
We can promise you that you will never see Loch Ness in quite the same way again…
DAY FIVE – MONDAY – THE TORRIDON MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE
This day is a showcase of sheer Highland beauty. Mountains, glens, lochs and expansive white sandy beaches. This day takes in some of the western parts of the famous North Coast 500 route (NC500), one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
We’ll journey through the Torridon Mountains, made up of some of the oldest rocks in the world. These mountains are among the most dramatic and spectacular peaks in the Highlands.
As we take the breath-taking drive past one of our favourite Lochs, which has more than forty scattered islands on her waters, we’ll share with you tales and traditions from these islands from centuries gone by. The islands bear the trees from the original Ancient Caledonian Pine Forest.
We’ll visit several picturesque coastal villages nestled within the awe-inspiring scenery of Wester Ross, where you can enjoy some local shopping.
You’ll see long white sandy beaches, enjoy stunning views across the Minch to Skye, Raasay and the Western Isles, as well as remarkable views across the volcanic peaks of Assynt. You might even see a pod of whales offshore…
We’ll walk through award-winning Gardens where the Gulf Stream meets the Highlands, where many rare species thrive.
Later in the day we’ll take a short walk down onto a suspension bridge where you can gaze 60 metres down on to a mile long gorge and waterfall, one of the natural wonders of the Scottish Highlands.
We’ll finish the day with a gentle walk to an impressive series of waterfalls where, during August and September especially, there’s an excellent chance of seeing wild salmon leaping upstream.
The following day is one of rest, so you can take in all you have experienced during the first half of this Tour.
TUESDAY – A DAY TO EXPLORE INVERNESS AT YOUR LEISURE, OR A DAY TO SIMPLY REST
DAY SIX – WEDNESDAY – THE CULLODEN EXPERIENCE
This day is an in-depth immersion into the wider area of Culloden. Having lived between Culloden Battlefield and Culloden House for 35 years, we know the area extremely well. This day will provide you with a much deeper insight into the history of Culloden at the time of the Battle. You will see the places hidden deep within Culloden Woods which not many get to see, and you’ll be walking in the footsteps of the solders who fought on both sides in the Battle.
To begin the day, we will take a deep dive into the folklore, mythology and archeaology surrounding the Bronze Age standing stones and cairns known as Clava Cairns (Balnuaran of Clava). Here you’ll learn, how the stones reflect the movements of the sun, the moon and the passing of the seasons.
Next, you’ll visit Culloden Battlefield where you can explore the indoor museum and walk with us over the Heather-covered moor as we recount how the Battle unfolded on that fateful day.
After that, you will receive a warm Highland welcome into our Culloden home, where you can see some of our large collection of Highland antiques, 18th century books, letters and newspaper articles, many relating to the 1745 uprising, Clan Fraser, Clan Mackenzie and The Forbes’ of Culloden. If you have been to our home on a previous tour, we can promise you that our antique collection has grown significantly…
After some warm refreshments, we will go into Culloden Woods behind our home and take you on a guided walk along along the Culloden Battlefield Trail.
Here we will visit the Prisoners’ Stone in the heart of Culloden Woods, where 19 Jacobites were taken on a cart to be executed after being held in the dungeons at Culloden House (you can read the full story here). After paying our respects at the Stone, we will walk further along the Culloden Battlefield Trail to visit the Clootie Well deep within the woods. This is where soldiers washed their wounds after the Battle. This place is steeped in Highland tradition which still continues to this day, all of which we will of course share with you.
After returning to our home for further refreshments, we will end the day with a visit to Culloden House, where Bonnie Prince Charlie set up his HQ prior to 16 April 1746. Many of the Jacobite troops set up camp in the gardens surrounding the house prior to that fateful day on Culloden Moor which changed the future of Scotland forever.
DAY SEVEN – THURSDAY – THE NORTH WEST HIGHLAND ADVENTURE
Today we’ll take you on a 200 mile journey through some of Scotland’s most spectacular mountains and glens, while you sit back and relax in comfort. We promised you the Highlands after all…
This day takes in some of the north western parts of the famous North Coast 500 route (NC500), one of the most breath-takingly beautiful drives in the world.
We’ll visit the picturesque fishing town of Ullapool, surrounded by rugged mountains and nestled on the shores of Lochbroom. This town is the gateway to the Northern Highlands.
We’ll visit a 15th century castle, and share with you the notorious betrayal of Highland hospitality which unfolded there.
We’ll stop at many stunning locations along the way; beaches, historic ruins, viewpoints, waterfalls, many lochs and mountains… there is so much to see. This is a journey which remains firmly imprinted on our souls. We know it will remain with you too.
We’ll also visit an antique shop on our way back to Inverness.
A day to relax, breathe in the air and take in the sheer beauty and expanse of the magnificent North West Highlands of Scotland…
DAY EIGHT – FRIDAY – THE NAIRNSHIRE ADVENTURE
A day of culture, history and heritage. We’ll begin with a visit to the entrance of Fort George, built from 1747 after the Battle of Culloden. This huge imposing Fort was built to quell any further uprisings and is an occupied and working Fort to this very day.
Then we will guide you on a walk around an old Highland fishing village which is still lived in today. As we wander around the ancient streets, we’ll recount stories of those who lived in certain houses in the village in centuries gone by. You’ll learn about close-knit communities like these, and how whole families supported the fishermen at sea.
We’ll follow that with a visit to a museum which is focused on the culture and traditions of Highland fisher people and village life, so you can deepen your knowledge and understanding of the folk who lived in these coastal villages.
We’ll then head east to visit an ancient 13th century Church ruin with many stories to share. In this sacred place lies the remains of a brave young lass, who died of a broken heart just four months after her lover was slain at the Battle of Culloden. You will have stood at the very place he fell on the Culloden day of this same tour.
We’ll take you to visit another of our favourite Antique shops, then enjoy a sit-down lunch in the very atmospheric Cawdor Tavern, which was built to give the estate workers a place to relax independently from Cawdor Castle and the Laird. The lounge bar is lined with oak panelling from Cawdor Castle’s dining room, which was gifted to the Tavern by the former Laird.
The afternoon highlight will be a visit to explore spectacular Cawdor Castle and Gardens – a breath-taking Scottish Castle built and inhabited by the Cawdor family for over 600 years. We will guide you through each room of the castle as we recount the history of how it came to be in the exact spot it is…
DAY NINE – SATURDAY – THE PORTSOY ADVENTURE
A day rich in culture, history and beauty. Those of you who have followed our Facebook Page will know that we regularly holiday in our caravan on the beach at Portsoy. This picturesque 17th century harbour is the oldest, and one of the most beautiful, along this stretch of the Moray coastline. It is a truly special and unique place. We are beyond excited that we finally get to share this memorable experience with you.
We will be stopping at several very special places which are rich in Scottish culture and history on our journey to Portsoy. These include a gorgeous shop which specialises in Scottish fare, a 16th century castle, two spectacular antique shops, an antiquarian book shop, a 13th century historic town and a rather huge and impressive 9th century relic which is likely to leave you somewhat speechless!
You’ll experience all of this before we even arrive in Portsoy!
Once we arrive at at our destination, we’ll enjoy a sit-down lunch at the Cafe on Portsoy Harbour. After lunch we have a very special itinerary planned for you, which will unfold as we guide you on a one mile circular walk around the town, beach and harbour to share with you all of Portsoy’s magical hidden gems. These include a visit to Portsoy Marble (some of which is in the Palace of Versailles), a rather wonderful Museum and many more hidden gems…
Portsoy Harbour featured in ‘Peaky Blinders‘ and also the 2016 remake of the classic Scottish movie ‘Whisky Galore‘.
DAY TEN – SUNDAY – THE NORTH-EAST COAST ADVENTURE
The final day of the tour is an immersion into Scottish culture and history, as we focus on the lives of the Highland people through many centuries.
This day will take you on a completely different section of the famous North Coast 500 route (NC500), one of the most spectacular drives in the world. On this day we travel north east from Inverness, a scenic journey along the coastline with many hidden gems along the way…
We’ll visit an ancient Broch dating back 2000 years where you can walk within its thick stone walls.
Through the course of the day we’ll guide you through two heritage museums which are steeped in Highland culture and history. The first museum will take you back to 1700 on a journey of remarkable resilience where you will learn about the Highlanders’ enduring relationship with ancient land and sea. Here you will experience what life was like in the north of Scotland when coastal towns were bustling, self-sufficient villages.
The second Museum stands upon ancient ground and features archaeological digs and stone artwork created by the Picts dating back to the 8th century. Their collection includes early Medieval tools, artefacts and moulds used to create religious masterpieces, such as chalices in gold, silver, enamel and glass. They also have ‘illuminated manuscripts’ of Pictish and Celtic influence from the local monks of the early middle ages. This unique museum has many stories to share, including one rather gruesome tale of murder…
We’ll explore the many rooms of Dunrobin Castle, which resembles a French château with its towering conical spires. This 189 room Castle is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses. It is also one of Britain’s oldest continuously inhabited houses dating back to the early 14th century, and is home to the Earls and later, the Dukes of Sutherland. The Castle was used as a naval hospital during the First World War and as a boys’ boarding school from 1965 to 1972, before being opened to the public.
We’ll finish the final day of the tour with a visit to the beautiful lady on the beach – the Mermaid of the North, where we will raise a glass of Whisky to toast the glorious Highlands of Scotland – ‘Slàinte Mhath‘ – before we return you to Inverness to say our final goodbyes…
These are photos of just a handful of the places you’ll be visiting and learning about on this tour
What’s included… and what’s not included.
INCLUDED – This tour price includes all location entry fees, your Gin Tasting and your transportation for ten full touring days in our comfortable, eight seater Mercedes minibus, with us (Andy & Di Nicholson) as your experienced and award-winning Highland Tour Guides. A large selection of teas, coffee, water and shortbread are also included as standard in the minibus, along with wonderful Scottish and Highland music and, of course, a few drams of whisky along the journey…
NOT INCLUDED – This tour does not include flights, transfers, overnight accommodation or any meals. It would be far more economical for you to book your own Airbnb for this length of stay in Inverness, than it would be for us to book a hotel for you and add that to the price of the tour. This allows you to choose overnight accommodation which suits your budget and meets your individual needs. Choosing a self-catering Airbnb also means you have the option to make your own meals, instead of having to eat out every night. Most Airbnbs come with a fully equipped kitchen, a washing machine for your laundry, a living and dining area, allowing you to have all the comforts of home while in the Highlands. There are a wonderful selection of properties available near Inverness town centre, or in Culloden. IMPORTANT: It is essential you discuss with us which accommodation you intend to book BEFORE committing to a hotel or an Airbnb, so we can advise whether its location will be feasible for daily pick-up and collection in the minibus. You can find Airbnbs in Inverness here.
Important – please read before booking
Your Deposit secures your place – A 10% non-refundable deposit of £345 per person is payable to book and secure your place on the tour. The full cost is £3450 per person. Deposits are non-transferable. Please note, we do not accept additional payments/instalments until the final payment is due. The remainder of your payment will be due 60 days prior to your touring dates. If you are within the 60 days when you pay your deposit, then we will forward a payment request to you for the remainder of the payment once we receive notification of your deposit.
Please ensure you read our Terms and Conditions before booking, as by booking you are agreeing to be bound by them. Please note, your deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Please ensure you also read our Frequently Asked Questions before booking to ensure this tour is suitable for you.
- You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness as we will be doing a few walks on this tour. Though the walks are relatively gentle, there are some days when it will mean possibly being on your feet for up to two hours (though you will of course be able to sit down to take a break). We will personally guide our group around all of the locations and we will need everyone to be able to keep up with the group to gain the most from the experience. (Please note: we can’t leave anyone alone in the minibus if you decide not to do any of the walks).
- The tour won’t be suitable for anyone who suffers with travel/motion/car sickness which isn’t easily remedied with medication. We will be travelling many single-track, winding, Highland roads and we ask guests to swap seats daily in the minibus. So we won’t be able to allocate a specific seat to anyone for the ten days to cater for motion sickness without it being unfair to the rest of the group.
- There are a couple of days when we won’t have access to public restrooms for possibly up to two hours.
- You will need to speak and understand fluent English, as we will be sharing a lot of information throughout the ten days. We won’t be able to allow for translation throughout, as it would adversely affect the flow of our delivery and the experience for the others on the tour.
- This tour is for adults only, and not suitable for anyone under the age of 16.
- We will have some sit-down restaurant lunches on this tour, and some days when we will stop at a supermarket to buy lunch to eat ‘on the go’.
- We will be setting off between 8am and 9am each morning (depending on the route we’re taking on the day) and we’ll be finishing at around 5.00pm each afternoon over the ten days.
You can book this tour on the widget below: