See the best Scottish Highlands highlights, sightsee Loch Ness, visit the Glen Ord Whisky Distillery, and take in the historic Urquhart Castle. Don't forget your camera to capture it all. The route is as spectacular as the destinations!
You'll meet your friendly staff at the meeting point just outside your Invergorden cruise terminal. Once you are checked in, they will lead you to your transportation. Throughout your excursion, your guide will give you lots of interesting info about what to expect and all about the area. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the amazing scenery on the leisurely drive through the Scottish Highlands.
Your first stop is the Glen Ord Distillery which is the only remaining single malt scotch whisky distillery on the Black Isle Peninsula. And yes, the correct Scottish spelling is whisky without the E distinguishing it from the Irish and US spelling - whiskey. The land surrounding the distillery was granted to the McKenzie family by King Alexander of Scotland dating back to the mid-13th century. Whisky production began at the McKenzie estate in 1820. This distillery may be best known for its award-winning single malt whisky. During your approximate 1 hour visit, you'll enjoy a fully guided walk inside the visitor center exhibition where you'll learn about the process involved in the making of malt Scotch whisky. At the end of the walk, you will enjoy a complimentary tasting and you'll be able to purchase some bottles of your favorite! (Please check with your cruise line prior regarding their regulations of taking alcohol on board.)
You will then hop back on the bus for a scenic drive down to Loch Ness to the Clansman Inn for some famous Loch Ness monster searching for Nessie! Depending on the day, you will enjoy a fun sightseeing Loch cruise aboard a comfortable boat. During the approximate 1-hour boat ride, you will have splendid views and listen to the wonderful stories about the mysterious Loch. And don't forget to be on the lookout for Nessie, with a little help from the onboard sonar. There are a couple of boats that may be used varying in size but all are clean, modern, and plenty spacious for the group. Nessie...real or fiction? The mystery makes this is a fun boat cruise!
Next up is, Urquhart Castle just southwest on the banks of Loch Ness. This is the other boat cruise location; same boats, same onboard commentary. If your group does not do the boat cruise at Clansman Inn, then you will set off from the dock here. Upon arrival, your guide would give you a 30-minute walk with interesting information about the castle, and then you'll have another 30-minutes to explore on your own. This is one of the most picturesque landmarks in Scotland and iconic sight. Perched on the banks of Loch Ness located midway between each end, the castle is situated beside the picturesque village of Drumnadrochit. Urquhart commands great views in both directions up and down the loch and is one of the main sites for reported sightings of the legendary Nessie. A romantic ruin, Urquhart Castle boasts its intriguing shape reflecting the irregular outcrop of rock on which it was built; if you want to see a real Scottish castle, this is the "must-see" one.
After leaving Urquhart, you will head north along the banks of Loch Ness as you make your way up towards the town of Inverness. Enjoy the spectacular drive with amazing views. You will pass over the Kessock Bridge on the way to the cruise pier in Invergordon. The bridge is a known vantage point where you might be lucky to spot some of the resident dolphins swimming below. Your transportation will deliver you back to your cruise ship terminal in Invergordon.
Note: Itinerary might change depending on weather and traffic conditions.
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