Upon arrival at the Port of Invergordon you will be greeted to a warm welcome from 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.

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, 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 splendid 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 £11.50 if booked and paid in advance (it is more expensive on the day and you will require to line up and purchase it yourself at the entrance).

Inverness may be the capital city of the Highlands, and one of Europe’s fastest growing cities, but, 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 see 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 i.e. around 20 minutes only)

Our next stop is in the village of Dores on the lesser-visited south side of Loch Ness.  This beach is not frequented by tours yet 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.  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.

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 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 split standing stone so close to Culloden Battlefield and 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.

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, bringing the battlefield to life.  On most tours there will be an opportunity to buy a coffee to-go and visit the gift shop too.

If we see some 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 traditional villages, which are well-known for their impressive floral displays. We will arrive back at the port in plenty of time for your ship’s departure.