Invergordon

• Cromarty Firth
• Inverness
• Cawdor Castle
• Walled Garden
• Flower Garden
• Wild Garden

• We board the coach and leave the port of Invergordon, skirting the Cromarty Firth.
• We reach Inverness, the capital of The Highlands, which is located close to the mouth of the River Ness. Here we have some free time for a brief look along the tree-lined banks of the river.
• We then leave Inverness to head inland to the village of Cawdor where we will prepare to visit the castle of the same name.
• We reach Cawdor Castle by crossing a drawbridge. This traditional noble residence retains all of the atmosphere of Scotland's medieval past. Constructed in 1372, it is still owned by the Earls of Cawdor six centuries later. Legend has it that the building was erected on the site where a donkey, weighed down with gold, stopped to rest under a hawthorn bush, the trunk of which can still be seen in the vaults under the 14th-century tower.
• After visiting the castle, we head outside to visit the three splendid gardens. The Walled Garden is the oldest of the three and is situated to the north-east of the castle. It includes a maze inspired by the Roman villa of Conímbriga , in Portugal, which in turn is inspired by the legendary labyrinth of Minos.
• To the south of the castle is the Flower Garden. Created in 1710, it is an extremely elegant garden, probably of French influence, and rich in fruit trees.
• Lastly, the Wild Garden. Only created in 1960, the wild garden is positioned on the banks of the Cawdor Burn that runs to the luxuriant Cawdor forest.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• Bags and rucksacks are not allowed inside the castle, and taking photographs is not permitted.
• The visit of the Castle and the gardens is free and not guided.

We will taste one of Scotland's typical products, the whisky of a renowned distillery, before taking a step back in time among the characteristic streets of Beauly Village.

• Glen Ord
• Distillery
• Traditional whisky production techniques
• Whisky tasting
• Beauly

• This excursion takes us to the ancient, noble town of Glen Ord, on the edge of the Black Isle in the Highlands.
• Here we find the distillery, where the world renowned malt whisky is produced, a magical malt whisky which is sweet, fruity and subtly spicy on the palate. 
• During our enjoyable visit we will be able to appreciate the traditional production techniques, from fermentation to distillation, before tasting this sophisticated dram.
• Our visit to Glen Ord complete, we move on to the pretty small Scottish town of Beauly, well known for its pretty flower displays.We will enjoy a stroll around his charming traditional Scottish town which boasts a lovely spacious central square designed by Baron Lovat in the 1840 and see  the now ruined 13th-century Beauly priory in the heart of the village.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.

The tour involves a trip along the banks of Loch Ness, the most famous lake in Scotland, in search of the mythical monster Nessie who has made it famous across the world.

• Loch Ness
• Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition Experience
• History of the monster
• View from the Clansman Hotel
• Panoramic drive through Inverness

• We leave Invergordon by coach and head in a south-westerly direction, skirting the Cromarty Firth and passing through the villages of Muir of Ord and Beauly - with its evocative ruined Priory - to reach our final destination, the stunning Loch Ness, the deepest freshwater lake in Great Britain. Its dark abysses bring terrible stories to mind and visions of strange creatures, particularly the legendary Loch Ness monster.
• We will visit the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition Experience, which leads us through seven themed areas on a journey through time, from the origins of the world to the third millennium, to explain the evolution of the loch. An incredible combination of lasers, special effects and digital audiovisuals illustrate the history of the monster with information on various topics such as Scotland's geological past, its folklore and the various research projects carried out on Loch Ness. Some sceptics claim that the subjects photographed by cameras in the past are simply tree trunks or otters. However the loch is so deep and filled with unexplored caves and canals linking to the sea that no-one can say with any certainty that the monster is merely a legend.
• Leaving the Loch Ness Centre & Exhibition Experience, we move to Clansman Hotel - which offers one of the best viewpoints around Loch Ness - where we will stop to take photos.
• We then head to Inverness, capital of The Highlands, for a brief panoramic tour. This is an ancient city, but one that was almost entirely rebuilt during the 19th century. 
• At the end of the excursion we will return to the port of Invergordon.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• Audio guides at Lochness exhibition center to be downloaded by app "Loch Ness Centre Audio Guide". At the centre there is the QR code to download it, but it could be done in advance. Bring your own headphones.

With its conical turrets and fairytale style, Dunrobin Castle guarantees us a magical, special day, with rooms brimming with art works, and enchanting gardens overlooking the sea.

• The Scottish Highlands
• Tain
• Dunrobin Castle
• Inside the castle
• Castle gardens overlooking the sea

• We board the coach and leave the port of Invergordon, heading for the wonderful countryside of The Scottish Highlands with its pretty towns, which include Tain, the oldest burgh in Scotland.
• We will soon arrive at our destination, Dunrobin Castle. We take the long tree-lined drive up to the entrance, which welcomes us with its fairytale French Renaissance style. Built during the Middle Ages, it has undergone various modifications and extensions, including work by Sir Charles Barry, the famous architect responsible for London's Palace of Westminster, who added his personal touch in 1850.
• We will now start our tour through the castle. It is composed of 189 rooms filled with furniture, paintings, tapestries and noteworthy works of art. We admire the castle collections, which we discover among the bedrooms, nurseries, studies and reception rooms. Among the items on show we find old furnishings, ceremonial dress, uniforms, weapons and a complete, fully-functioning, 19th-century fire engine. The whole visit is an opportunity to learn about the lives of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland who have inhabited this regal abode since 1300.
• The next stage of the tour will see us explore the castle's exterior. We will walk freely through the beautiful castle gardens, designed and created by architect Barry, who was inspired by the gardens of Versailles. The enchanting walk is made more magical by evocative views of the sea.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems.
• Bags and rucksacks are not allowed inside the castle, and taking photographs is not permitted.

The tour involves a day-long trip along the banks of Loch Ness, the most famous lake in Scotland, in search of the mythical monster Nessie who has made it famous across the world.

• Loch Ness
• Dores
• Urquhart Castle (view from the opposite bank)
• Typical Scottish views
• Inverness
• Town House
• Tollbooth Steeple

• We leave Invergordon by coach and head in a south-westerly direction, skirting the Cromarty Firth and passing through the villages of Muir of Ord and Beauly – with its evocative ruined Priory – to reach our final destination, the stunning Loch Ness, the deepest freshwater lake in Great Britain. Its dark abysses bring terrible stories to mind and visions of strange creatures, particularly the legendary Loch Ness monster.
• Following the historic military route of General Wade, we reach Dores, where we come across the only beach in the area, an evocative observation point where we can admire fantastic views of the loch, against its backdrop of mountains. Remember to keep your camera close at hand if you want to immortalise Nessie!
• After having travelled the banks to the town of Foyers, we will head inland and north, along a wonderful, winding road that will reward us with typical Scottish views: vast moors, rocky cliffs, Caledonian pines and humpbacked bridges.
• After that we can enjoy some free time exploring Inverness, capital of the Highlands, on foot. This is an ancient city, but one that was almost entirely rebuilt during the 19th century. It is very pleasant to wander through its streets and along the tree-lined boulevards that flank the River Ness.
• In its city centre we will see some important buildings, such as the Victorian Gothic Town House. Originally the town hall, it is now the administrative centre for The Highlands. Not far from here we also find the Tollbooth Steeple, a 45-metre high bell tower.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.
• The photo stop at Urquhart Castle on the opposite bank will only be performed if traffic allows the bus to adequately and safely stop.

Enjoy a walk on the River Ness Islands, a pretty public park close to the city centre, or a spot of shopping, for example in the Victorian Market passage. Inverness also boasts an impressive cathedral, an excellent museum and art gallery and of course many cafes and restaurants to relax.

• Inverness

• Inverness is regarded as the capital of the highlands and lies at the northern end of the Great Glen, that runs right across Scotland. A settlement has existed here since at least the 6th century and in Pictish times it was one of the chief strongholds.Today it is one of Europe's fastest growing cities and famous for its high quality of life.
• Enjoy a walk on the River Ness Islands, a pretty public park close to the city centre, or a spot of shopping, for example in the Victorian Market passage. Inverness also boasts an impressive cathedral, an excellent museum and art gallery and of course many cafes and restaurants to relax.
• After three hours of free time, your coach will pick you up and return to the ship in Invergordon.

• Many shops in Inverness are closed on Sunday Mornings.
• Thisexcursion does not feature a guide.

A relaxing boat trip on the mysterious Loch Ness will provide evocative views of the peaks that surround the loch and perhaps even a glimpse of the famous Nessie.

• Loch Ness
• Loch cruise
• Inverness

• We leave Invergordon by coach and head in a south-westerly direction, skirting the Cromarty Firth and passing through the villages of Muir of Ord and Beauly - with its evocative ruined Priory - to reach our final destination, the stunning Loch Ness, the deepest freshwater lake in Great Britain. Its dark abysses bring terrible stories to mind and visions of strange creatures, particularly the legendary Loch Ness monster.
• Once at the lochside, we will board a boat for a cruise across its famous waters, learning about its geology and history, as well as the legends surrounding Nessie. This is a great opportunity to immortalise the beautiful, evocative mountain panorama. And, who knows, maybe even the mythical monster...
• The final stop on our trip is Inverness, capital of The Highlands, where we will enjoy a brief panoramic tour by bus. This is an ancient city, but one that was almost entirely rebuilt during the 19th century. 
• At the end of the visit, we will return to the ship at Invergordon.

• This excursion is not recommended for guests with mobility problems or those who suffer from sea sickness.
• We recommend that you bring heavy, waterproof clothing with you.

The tour involves a day-long trip along the banks of Loch Ness, the most famous lake in Scotland, in search of the mythical monster Nessie who has made it famous across the world.

• Loch Ness
• Urquhart Castle (from the opposite bank)
• Fort Augustus
• Caledonian Canal
• The wild, barren landscape of the east bank
• Foyers and its falls
• Dores
• Inverness

• We leave Invergordon by coach and head in a south-westerly direction, skirting the Cromarty Firth and passing through the villages of Muir of Ord and Beauly - with its evocative ruined Priory - to reach our final destination, the stunning Loch Ness, the deepest freshwater lake in Great Britain. Its dark abysses bring terrible stories to mind and visions of strange creatures, particularly the legendary Loch Ness monster.
• Located in an enviable setting on the edge of the loch sits the 14th-century Urquhart Castle, which we can admire from the opposite bank,as we pass by.
• We continue south, along the tree-lined banks of the loch, to Fort Augustus, a village with approximately 700 inhabitants located at the southern tip of Loch Ness. It was originally built to control the Scottish rebels of the North during the Jacobite Wars.
• During our free time at Fort Augustus we can walk along the banks of the 100 km-long Caledonian Canal, which was constructed to connect the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. The canal system is not entirely man-made, as three lakes in the valley around Loch Ness make up two thirds of its length. A series of locks were built to enable navigation between the different water levels in the Canal.
• Having visited Fort Augustus, we continue our tour, skirting the east bank of the loch in a northerly direction. The first part of the journey takes us through wild, barren landscapes that offer breath taking views.
• We reach the village of Foyers, where we will stop to admire the frothing falls, immersed in a Caledonian pine forest.
• Continuing north along the lochside, we catch another glimpse of Urquhart Castle on the opposite bank before reaching Dores, which boasts the loch's only beach, where we have the perfect opportunity to take photos thanks to its spectacular panoramic position at the edge of the waters. Camera at the ready as this is a last chance to spot Nessie.
• The final stop on our trip is Inverness, capital of The Highlands, where we will enjoy a brief city tour. This is an ancient city, but one that was almost entirely rebuilt during the 19th century. It is very pleasant to wander through its streets and along the tree-lined boulevards that flank the River Ness.
• At the end of the visit, we will return to the ship at Invergordon.

• The photo stop at Urquhart Castle on the opposite bank will only be performed if traffic allows the bus to adequately and safely stop.

• Loch Ness
• Urquhart Castle
• Visitor Centre

• We leave Invergordon by coach and head in a south-westerly direction, skirting the Cromarty Firth and passing through the villages of Muir of Ord and Beauly - with its evocative ruined Priory - to reach our final destination, the stunning Loch Ness, the deepest freshwater lake in Great Britain. Its dark abysses bring terrible stories to mind and visions of strange creatures, particularly the legendary Loch Ness monster.
• Located in a magnificent setting on the edge of the loch sits Urquhart Castle, which dates back to the 14th century and is one of Scotland's most photographed sites.
• Connected to the building is the new Visitor centre, in which we can learn more about the history of the castle from the exhibition and audiovisual materials available to visitors. In the same centre we can also discover more about the secrets that surround the loch, thanks to an incredible combination of lasers, special effects and digital audiovisuals that illustrate the history of the monster.
• We then head to Inverness, capital of The Highlands, for a brief city tour. This is an ancient city, but one that was almost entirely rebuilt during the 19th century. It is very pleasant to wander through its streets and along the tree-lined boulevards that flank the River Ness.
  
• In its city centre we will see some important buildings, such as the Victorian Gothic Town House. Originally the town hall, it is now the administrative centre for The Highlands. Not far from here we also find the Tollbooth Steeple, a 45-metre high bell tower.

• Places on this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.