Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour from Inverness

Culloden Battlefield and Museum

Culloden Moor, east of Inverness, is the site of the last pitched battle fought on British soil, on 16 April 1746, when the government army defeated the Jacobite forces of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. The battle ended the Jacobite risings and led to profound changes in Highland life. People who search for a Culloden Battlefield tour usually want the story as well as the field.

Admission to the visitor centre and museum is included here. The exhibition places visitors in the battle through objects, films and the perspectives of both sides, and the field outside is marked with memorial cairns and clan stones. Allow time for the walk across the moor, where the guide explains the positions and the course of the battle.

Clava Cairns

Clava Cairns is a Bronze Age burial site a short drive from the battlefield, with three large cairns surrounded by standing stones, built roughly four thousand years ago. Two of the cairns have passages leading into the centre, aligned with the midwinter sunset, which hints at the skill and beliefs of their builders.

The site sits in a quiet grove of trees and is free to walk around, so visitors can touch the circle of stones and imagine the ceremonies held here. If you are searching for the best ancient sites near Inverness, Clava Cairns is one of the most atmospheric. It is a good short stop between the battlefield and the glen.

Glen Affric

Glen Affric lies west of Inverness and is often described as the most beautiful glen in Scotland. It combines remnants of the ancient Caledonian pine forest, silver birch, clear lochs and views of high mountains, and much of it is a national nature reserve. Red deer, red squirrels and golden eagles live in the area, though sightings are never guaranteed.

On the tour you spend time by the loch and the forest, with the guide pointing out the habitats and the history of the glen. Walkers can take short paths and viewpoints. The best seasons are late spring for fresh green and autumn for gold and red, but the glen is lovely in any light.

Planning your day

The tour lasts about nine hours from central Inverness and is well suited to travellers who want a mix of culture and landscape without the crowds of the big coach routes. Because it combines a museum, a prehistoric site and a nature walk, the pace is varied and not too tiring, and the guide adapts the timing to the weather and to how much time the group wants at each stop.

Wear sturdy shoes, bring a waterproof jacket and pack snacks and drinks, since meals are not included. Check the booking panel for dates, and remember that the order of stops can change with weather and timing.