Scotland · SHORE EXCURSIONS

The 15 Best Shore Excursions in Scotland

44 tours  ·  from $23

A cruise call gives you one day and a hard deadline back at the gangway. These 15 are built around the ship’s clock, mostly from Invergordon, and are compared on how far north they go and what they guarantee about the return.

Glasgow (Greenock) Shore Excursion: Stirling, Loch Lomond & The Highlands - Stirling Castle: the reason to choose this tour
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Glasgow (Greenock) Shore Excursion: Stirling, Loch Lomond & The Highlands

1.Glasgow (Greenock) Shore Excursion: Stirling, Loch Lomond & The Highlands

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 267 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $93Our pick

Travel from Greenock Cruise Port by air-conditioned coach to Stirling Castle, the Trossachs, Aberfoyle, and Loch Lomond. A driver-guide such as Michelle, Wee Davey, or Gregor provides Scottish stories along the way. Castle admission, meals, and drinks cost extra, and the full day can involve substantial bus time.

“Arriving in Greenock on princess ship and very easily found the Timberbush tour guides and parking area of private tour buses. The people who previously complained about that must need their hands held every step of the way. Wee Davie was a fabulous tour guide and driver. Yes, he’s Scottish so yes he has an accent. How can you expect otherwise? But we acclimated quickly and enjoyed his very informative and educated commentary. Stirling is a quaint town and nice castle to visit. Definitely prebook castle tickets and dress in layers! Callandar was a great town to have a delicious lunch in the MHOR bread shop. Oh my the pastries…”

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INVERGORDON PORT Tour of Culloden, Cairns & Cawdor Castle - Clava Cairns and the stones of prehistoric Scotland
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INVERGORDON PORT Tour of Culloden, Cairns & Cawdor Castle

2.INVERGORDON PORT Tour of Culloden, Cairns & Cawdor Castle

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 189 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $180Top rated

Join Avril, Lorraine, or another Scottish driver-guide for a seven-hour Highland outing from Invergordon. In a minibus for up to 14 people, you’ll visit Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, and Highland cows, with port pickup and ship-safe return timing.

“Avril was an amazing guide, she told us stories that was most interesting. I highly recommend having a tour with Avril's Tours.”

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GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour - An Ceann Mor gives you your first Loch Lomond view
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GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour

3.GREENOCK (GLASGOW) SHORE EXCURSION: Scotland Adventure Sightseeing Day Trip Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 165 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $109

Spend about eight hours touring the Highlands from Greenock in an air-conditioned minibus or coach. You’ll see Loch Lomond, two castles, Highland villages, and scenic roads, with live narration, Scottish music, and a cruise-safe return at least one hour before departure.

“Enjoyed the villages and the first castle stop. The castle we wanted to see the most was closed. Disappointed”

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Classic Highland Shore Tour from Invergordon - Culloden Battlefield: the day’s emotional center
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Classic Highland Shore Tour from Invergordon

4.Classic Highland Shore Tour from Invergordon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 131 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.) · from $197

From Invergordon, travel by air-conditioned minibus with guides such as Murdoch, Andrew, Rob, and Gordon to Cawdor Castle, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, and Inverness. You get castle entry, an audio guide, personal storytelling, and a cruise-friendly return, but lunch is not included.

“On a Princess cruise. This day trip was great. Our guide was Murdock who works for this small family owned business. Modern bus with ac and usb ports. Murdock was very entertaining, extremely helpful, and accommodating. He provided historical information that helped bring meaning to the various stops. Not a typical drop iff and explore on your own, he actually went onto the battlefield and cairns to provide information and answer questions. At castle and Loch Ness he was around to support as needed. In Inverness, he provided personal recommendations but stayed with the bus. Great tour, great price. As our first time to Scotland, this was a great excursion!”

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Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon - A short taste of Inverness beside the River Ness
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Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon

5.Loch Ness,cawdor castle,inverness,Culloden battlefield,& more from invergordon

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Travel by private vehicle from Invergordon with a local guide such as Stuart, William, Lewis, Mike or Gene. See Highland cows, Beauly Priory, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Inverness, Cawdor Castle, Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield and Glen Ord Distillery in about 7 to 8 hours.

“Wonderful tour and day. Ou guide, Lewis, was great and took us to Loch Ness, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Culloden battlefield and Inverness. Truly a beautiful and memorable day that covered everything we wanted to see!”

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Semi Private Tour - Orkney and Kirkwall - Kirkwall: time to walk the historic center
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Semi Private Tour – Orkney and Kirkwall

6.Semi Private Tour – Orkney and Kirkwall

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 85 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $229

Spend about six and a half hours touring Orkney from Kirkwall Pier with a professional English-speaking guide. Visit ancient stone circles, Broch of Gurness, the Italian Chapel, St. Magnus Cathedral, and Kirkwall. Guides such as Michael, Iain, Lorraine, and Chris are known for lively local commentary.

“It was an outstanding experience. Our guide Lorraine proved to have a great knowledge of history and archeology and gave us a complete lesson on the places that we visited. The driver was excellent.”

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INVERGORDON PORT Tour Dunrobin, Dornoch & Distillery - Struie Hill and the Millionaires Viewpoint
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INVERGORDON PORT Tour Dunrobin, Dornoch & Distillery

7.INVERGORDON PORT Tour Dunrobin, Dornoch & Distillery

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 67 reviews · from $123

Join a Scottish Lassie guide from Invergordon Port for a seven-hour Highland outing with Dunrobin Castle, Struie Hill, Loch Fleet seals, Dornoch, and a whisky stop. Guides such as Avril, Amy, and Lorraine lead groups of up to 14 in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle.

“Avril made a very interesting tour and I am so thankful that she did not cancel the tour because it was only me alone. We both had a good day together with a nice castle, a beautiful garden and a falcon-show, seals,,a cosy village with a famouRead more”

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Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and more - The ride from Invergordon to Struie
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Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and more

8.Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch and more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $187

Travel from Invergordon in a small group of up to seven with guides such as Alistair, George, Sarah, or Richie. See Struie’s Millionaires Viewpoint, Dornoch, Loch Fleet seals, and Dunrobin Castle with its gardens and falconry show. The £12 castle entry fee is extra.

“We had a wonderful guide who told us a lot about Scotland. Also very impressive was the castle and the falcon show.”

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From Kirkwall - Orkney Mainland Private Tour - Unstan Chambered Cairn and the first taste of prehistoric Orkney
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From Kirkwall – Orkney Mainland Private Tour

9.Orkney Mainland Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 57 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $451

Travel with a private local guide from Kirkwall to Orkney’s finest prehistoric and wartime sights. See Scapa Flow, Unstan Chambered Cairn, the Standing Stones of Stenness, Ring of Brodgar, Skara Brae, Skaill House, and the Italian Chapel, with pickup and entry to Skara Brae included.

“The guide was very knowledgeable and courteous. Although he had a set itinerary, he willingly added a stop. I very much enjoyed the tour!”

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Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites - Urquhart Castle gives you the classic Loch Ness view
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Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites

10.Invergordon Cruise Excursion to Loch Ness and Outlander Sites

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 56 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $187

Travel from Invergordon in a group of no more than seven with guides such as George, Sarah, and Alister. Visit Clava Cairns, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, Great Glen Distillery, Urquhart Castle, and Beauly Priory in about seven hours. Outlander stories blend with Highland history, folklore, and scenery.

“Our guide George was the best part of this tour. Personable and very knowledgeable. The only Outlander connection was a short rainy visit to Culloden battlefield.”

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Private Invergordon Shore Excursion with Cawdor Castle (12 max) - Clava Cairns and four thousand years of mystery
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Private Invergordon Shore Excursion with Cawdor Castle (12 max)

11.Private Invergordon Shore Excursion with Cawdor Castle (12 max)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Join Finella and Michelle for a private 7 to 8-hour Highland outing from Invergordon. You’ll visit Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Inverness, and Dores Beach on Loch Ness, with local stories, snacks, bottled water, and flexible time to explore.

“We had the most amazing day!! Finella & Michelle are the best. From the minute they picked us up to drop off was so easy. Every stop explained and showed us what we wanted to see and more . We tried local goodies and got a close up and personal with some Highland Coos .We loved these two .”

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Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia - Holyroodhouse: fifteen minutes outside the palace
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Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia

12.Edinburgh Shore Excursion: City Tour and Royal Yacht Britannia

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 41 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $92

Spend about 7.5 hours touring Edinburgh from your cruise port, with a driver-guide, Royal Yacht Britannia, a Holyroodhouse photo stop, and free time at Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile. Attraction tickets cost extra, and early planning matters.

“This was a good tour with very reliable service if you are interested in round trip transportation to the Royal yacht and the Edinburgh Castle. It would have been improved if there was a guided tour through the highlights of the castle, although that would have incurred a higher tour fee. Our guide did a superb job and was very engaged with all of us during the time we spent together. We were disappointed that the audio system in the bus over modulated (and could not be resolved during the tour) which made it somewhat challenging to understand his valuable comments.”

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Invergordon Cruise Excursion - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour - Dunrobin Castle, gardens, and falconry
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Invergordon Cruise Excursion – Castle ,Whisky and History Tour

13.Invergordon Cruise Excursion – Castle ,Whisky and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $212

From Invergordon, George, Alastair, Sara, Tom, or another Clan Tours guide leads a small group through the northern Highlands. You’ll see Struie, Dunrobin Castle, Loch Fleet, Dornoch, and Balblair Distillery, with local stories, whisky, coastal views, and port pickup.

“Fantastic tour!! We really had a wonderful time. Very detailed history, good laughs, and tailored experience.”

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Invergordon Shore Excursion Highland Bucket List Tour - Clava Cairns, a quiet beginning among Bronze Age stones
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Invergordon Shore Excursion Highland Bucket List Tour

14.Invergordon Shore Excursion Highland Bucket List Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 32 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $176

Travel from Invergordon port with a local guide, often Richie, in a group capped at eight. The day links Bronze Age stones, Culloden Battlefield, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, and a possible gin tasting, with room to adjust stops to your interests.

“Richie was a fantastic guide. His tour was much more personalized and comfortable than other big coach excursions that we had done on our cruise. He took us to see some amazing spots for both site-seeing and photos in the highlands. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating. Book this tour when in Inverness, you won’t regret it!”

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Greenock Cruise Excursion- Lochs and Castle Tour. Entry fees Inc. - Rest and Be Thankful, a quick mountain viewpoint
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Greenock Cruise Excursion- Lochs and Castle Tour. Entry fees Inc.

15.Greenock Cruise Excursion- Lochs and Castle Tour. Entry fees Inc.

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews · 7 hours (approx.) · from $198

Travel from Greenock Cruise Terminal in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle with a personal guide such as Shaun, Paul, Craig, or Brian. See Loch Lomond and Luss, stop at Rest and Be Thankful, and visit Inveraray Castle, with entry fees included and lunch on your own.

“Beautiful trip!! The village of Loss is breathtaking and the Loch. Stirling castle was beautiful. Perfect day and our driver Craig was the best!”

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New in Shore Excursions

★ 4.0Edinburgh Shore Excursion with a Local Guide: 100% Personalized & PrivateFrom $4147 reviews
★ 5.0Glasgow Greenock Shore Excursion Highland Lochs, Castles & GlensFrom $4606 reviews
★ 5.0Greenock Private Tour Stirling Castle & Loch Lomond6 reviews
★ 5.0Outlander Shore Trip from Invergordon Cruise Terminal3 reviews
★ 5.0Treasures of Orkney: Private Half-Day Tour from KirkwallFrom $1,2585 reviews
★ 5.0Shore Excursion Kirkwall Small Group Highlights of OrkneyFrom $3215 reviews
★ 5.0Full-Day Outlander Experience (inc Invergordon Cruise Port)16 reviews
★ 5.0loch Ness, Inverness and Outlander Sites From Invergordon PortFrom $1878 reviews
★ 5.0Private Luxury North Route Invergordon Shore Excursion7 reviews
★ 5.0Invergordon Cruise Tour Loch Ness and Culloden5 reviews
★ 5.0Invergordon or Inverness: Loch Ness Explorer Private Tour4 reviews
★ 5.0Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle & Culloden Battlefield Shore Excursion8 reviews
★ 5.0Private Tour South Invergordon Port–Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor4 reviews
★ 5.0Invergordon Port Loch Ness TourFrom $3405 reviews
★ 5.0Invergordon cruise excursion Small Group Dunrobin Castle & MoreFrom $17610 reviews

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