Discover the Magic in 2025!

When your cruise ship docks at the small cruise port of Invergordon, situated on the east coast of the Scottish Highlands, you’ll find yourself in a stunning, historic part of Scotland. Whether you want to explore ancient castles, sip whisky, or take in the legendary lochs, there’s plenty to see and do—even if you’re only ashore for a short time.

You’ll want to make the most of your Invergordon Shore Excursion, and we are on hand to make sure that you have an authentic and enriching experience. Our local guide, Finella, is a proud Highlander whose family have been in Inverness for generations. Her grandfather, Ronnie, actually used to own the oldest bar in Inverness. (Feel free to stop in for a dram). She will show you around the best spots in the area while providing the historical significance, folklore, and those all important local titbits that only a true Highlander knows.

Our driver, and co-guide Michelle, originally hails from just a wee bit further south in Glasgow, but she knows the Highland roads like the back of her hand, and will ensure we get to our destinations swiftly and safely!

Our Signature Tour– Lochs, Legends, and Highland History

If you’re intrigued by Scotland’s legendary lochs and rich history, heading south from Invergordon is your best bet. Our signature shore excursion offers stunning scenery, ancient battlefields, and even a chance to meet some famous Highland cows. We don’t just take you to the sights though! On the way you will be entertained by Scottish stories, folklore, music and maybe even a wee song from our guide! We also provide some authentic Scottish snacks! We want you to see, hear, feel and taste Scotland. This will be tour you don’t forget.

Highland Coos!

We like to start off our tour with a bold Highland statement, so our first stop is Dochgarroch on the Caledonian Canal. This is a popular area with locals, tourists and boaters due to the beautiful location and bustling cafe. However, there are three important reasons we choose to stop here- three very hairy and very ginger highland coos! You will get up close (but not too close) to these magnificent beasts, and learn a little about their history in the Highlands and how Queen Victoria helped them to become one of Scotland’s favourite animals!

Loch Ness: Will you find Nessie on your Invergordon Shore Excursion?

First of all- probably not, but let’s never say never! In fact, Finella’s mum and neice were once on the news due to a Nessie sighting and a video of Scotland’s most elusive monster! If Finella’s not too embarrassed you might get to hear the story and see the famous video!

Our second stop will take you to Dores Beach, right to the shore of the world-famous Loch Ness. So close you can touch it, or even dive in for a dip (Our guide and driver are regular partakers!) if you’re willing to brave the freezing temperatures! This deep, dark loch stretches over 20 miles and is the perfect hiding spot for the legendary Loch Ness Monster, affectionately known as Nessie. Even if Nessie doesn’t make an appearance, the views of the surrounding hills, and the loch’s mysterious waters are more than enough to make this stop worthwhile.

Inverness: The Heart of the Highlands (And our home town)

After Dores Beach, it’s time to head to Inverness, the vibrant capital of the Highlands. Inverness is a small but bustling city that offers a great mix of old-world charm and modern attractions. You can take a leisurely stroll along the banks of the River Ness, enjoy the sights of Inverness Castle (the new experience is due to open this year in 2025), or pop into the Victorian Market for a bit of shopping. Here, you’ll find everything from local crafts to Highland treats that you can take home as souvenirs.

If you’re feeling peckish, Inverness is a great spot to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a pint in one of the city’s cozy pubs. Our guide will show you some of the city highlights including the famous Leaky’s Bookshop, The Old High Church and the remains of an ancient monastery, before giving you time to self explore, grab some food, or even a wee dram in one of the may traditional bars around the centre. Many of our guests enjoy a bit of free time in Inverness before continuing on with our tour.

Culloden Battlefield: A Sobering Piece of Scottish History

After our stop in Inverness we will take a short drive to Culloden Battlefield, where the last major battle on British soil was fought in 1746. The Battle of Culloden was a turning point in Scottish history, marking the end of the Jacobite Rising and the traditional clan system. Walking across this windswept battlefield is a moving and solemn experience.

Our guide Finella will walk you around the battlefield, telling the tragic story of this “battle” and pointing out key locations on the field. You will find out how this battle changed Highland life forever, and why many Highlanders (including our guide) had ancestors fighting on both sides of the battle!

To read more about the battle in our in-depth blog click here.

Clava Cairns: Visit Ancient Stone Circles on your Invergordon Shore Excursion

Just a short hop from Culloden is Clava Cairns, a mysterious site of ancient burial cairns and standing stones that date back over 4,000 years. This Bronze Age site is incredibly well-preserved.

Wandering among the stones gives you a real sense of the ancient rituals and traditions of the people who once lived here. Much of what we think we know about this site is shrowded in mystery. I quite often say Clava is the place where mystery trumps history! However, we will try to fill in the blanks as much as we possibly can as we visit each of these fascinating cairns.

If you’re a fan of Outlander, you might recognize Clava Cairns as the inspiration for the standing stones in the books and TV series. Even if you’re not, it’s still a magical and mystical place to visit that holds a special place in the hearts of all Highlanders.

Tartan Trailblazers: Let us provide a memorable Invergordon Shore Excursion.

We really hope that this teaser is enough to peak your interest in a wee trip around the Highlands with us. At Tartan Trailblazers, we specialise in crafting bespoke tours for cruise passengers arriving in Invergordon. While our itinerary above showcases the most popular locations, we are more than happy to tailor your trip to suit you! You might only be here once, after all, and need to make the most of it! We can add in a distillery, more castles, different villages, or whatever your personal preference is! This area has been our guide’s home since childhood and they want to share as much of it with you as possible.

Our minibus can take up to 12 passengers on a private tour! Or provide comfort and space for a smaller group! Please contact us directly to get our best prices! Or if you want to go ahead and book for your group please click here.

Trust us to take you on an unforgettable Highland adventure! We promise, you wont forget it! And don’t worry we guarantee to get you back to your cruise ship with plenty of time to spare-always!