From Inverness: Cawdor Castle, Cairngorms and Highland Coos
Description
Start your adventure on this small-group tour at the ancient Clava Cairns, one of Scotland's best-preserved Bronze Age burial sites. Next, we’ll journey to the iconic Cawdor Castle, steeped in history and surrounded by captivating legends. Explore its enchanting halls and stroll through the meticulously landscaped gardens that embody its charm. Our next destination is to meet with the fluffiest locals - the hairy Highland coos. Afterward, enjoy a relaxing walk through the ancient Scots Pine Forest, home to Scotland’s majestic native trees. We’ll then take a break for lunch in the vibrant town of Aviemore, the perfect place to soak in the local atmosphere. Our journey continues through the stunning landscapes of Cairngorms National Park, where breathtaking views and potential wildlife sightings await.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Discover the ancient mystery of Clava Cairns, a prehistoric burial site dating back over 4,000 years. Nestled in a serene Highland landscape, these atmospheric stone circles and passage graves offer a captivating glimpse into Scotland’s distant past. A must-see for history lovers and Outlander fans alike!
Step into the timeless beauty of Cawdor Castle, a Highland gem steeped in history and charm. Wander through its enchanting gardens, explore centuries-old rooms, and immerse yourself in the legend of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Perfect for history buffs and nature lovers alike - Cawdor Castle is where Scottish heritage comes to life!
Next, we escape for a leisurely stroll to the tranquil beauty of the Pine Forest at Loch Garten, a magical woodland haven in the heart of the Cairngorms. Home to rare wildlife like ospreys and red squirrels, it’s a paradise for nature lovers and hikers. Soak in the fresh Highland air straight from Scotland’s wild side!
Nestled in the stunning Cairngorms National Park, Aviemore is the perfect stop to refuel and soak in the Highland charm. Known for its outdoor adventures and breathtaking landscapes, it’s an ideal place to break for lunch. Enjoy a delicious bite in this lively village before heading back out to explore more of Scotland’s natural beauty!
We head to the Glenmore Visitor Centre to set sights on the stunning Loch Morlich. This picturesque freshwater beach is framed by majestic mountains and lush pine forests, offering a perfect escape for nature lovers. Embark on scenic hikes along the shoreline of the crystal-clear waters and soak in the stunning scenery. Loch Morlich is a must-visit gem in the heart of the Cairngorms!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children under 5 years old, including infants who do not require a seat, are not permitted to travel. We are unable to accommodate any child under the age of 5. Anyone aged 5-17 must be accompanied by an adult.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them to board and disembark.
- Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
- It is recommended to book transport to the departure point in advance. Please also allow extra time to get to the departure point for check-in. We advise you arrive at least 15 minutes before the tour departure to allow time to check-in for the tour. Unfortunately, we are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals.
- If downloading an audio guide, remember to bring your headset.
- Due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour runs on a bigger bus.
- The tour may operate with our sister company, HAGGiS Adventures.
- The order of the itinerary route is subject to change.
Reviews(128)
Our Tour Guide was Martin. He was very friendly and did a great job to show us around the scotish highlands. Even though he talked alot it never got boring.
Beautiful tour with Martin who was fun and knowledgeable.
We have now returned from Scotland where we went on 3 different tours with 3 different companies. Of all the tour guides, Iain was the best. He had a strong background in the history of Scotland and the sites we went to, and he was able to answer all our questions. Extremely worthwhile day!
Hello, thank you for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review for Iain. He has a wealth of knowledge as one of our most experienced guides and we are really delighted his knowledge was so appreciated. The Cawdor Castle and Cairngorm tour is a special one that get you off the beaten track and we are really pleased that it was such a worthwhile experience for you. Thank you for your kind words, we will pass them along. Kind regards, Louise
Iain was a very knowledgeable tour guide who made the drives in between a lot of fun. The stops were great and enjoyable from a history perspective. Glad we were able to see the highland cows by chance!
Hello, thank you for taking the time to share your experience of the tour. We are so glad that you enjoyed all of Iains knowledge and fun throughout the journey. This is a lovely wee tour taking in a varied timeline of Highland history and we are very glad that you enjoyed that. Fantastic that you got to see the elusive hairy coo too! Kind regards, Louise
Bring swimsuits. Eat quick lunch sandwich in Aviemore. Guide Martin is a fenomenal guide and busdriver! Thanks for your humour.
This is a great way to spend the day seeing the countryside outside of Inverness. Our guide/driver, Donnie, was excellent and provided historical background on the places we went as well as practical tips (“try the scones here,” for example). Even though I had been driving a car for 5 days, I wouldn’t have wanted to drive some of the country lanes and I wouldn’t have known they even existed. And it was nice not to have to drive for a day! For all the stops (maybe 6 total?), this is a great value. Thanks, Donnie!
I arrived on time & had to find another carpark space. As I approached the bus it pulled out even though I was waving at the driver etc. I then drove to the first stop & met the tour but the driver wouldn’t allow me to join the tour because I’d booked through 3rd party ie. TripAdvisor. I have tried contacting TripAdvisor with no luck at this point.
We are sorry to hear that you missed your tour. Our tours run on very strict schedules and this is why we advise arriving 15 minutes before the departure time. As per our policy, we cannot allow passengers to join the tour at a later time, this is due to safety of our drivers and other passengers. Kind Regards, EJ - Sales and Reservations
Had a fabulous day with Martin, Martin was great fun, extremely knowledgeable and had many random stories of folklore and fairies. He was a gentleman and a scholar as our American friend called him. He made the tour very enjoyable, we really loved Cawdor Castle, he went out of his way to show us hairy coos, we enjoyed a stunning walk in the Caledonian forest and the beautiful beach in Loch Morlich. Highly recommend this company.
I had an amazing tour of Cawdor Castle and Cairngorms National Park, and a huge part of what made it so special was our wonderful guide, Emily. She was incredibly knowledgeable, sharing fascinating history, local stories, and insights throughout the day. Emily also created such a fun and relaxing atmosphere by playing great music on the bus, which made the journey just as enjoyable as the destinations themselves. The tour itself was the perfect balance of sightseeing and relaxation. Cawdor Castle was beautiful and full of character, while Cairngorms National Park offered breathtaking scenery and a chance to truly appreciate Scotland's natural beauty. The pace was laidback, allowing everyone to soak in the views, enjoy nature, and never feel rushed. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a memorable day exploring some of Scotland's most stunning locations. With an exceptional guide like Emily, it was an experience I won't forget!
Excellent sights with an entertaining and informative guide. Emily was GREAT!
