Inverness/Lochness, Scotland

Monday, 7:00 am – 6:00 pm

May weather: Average temps of 58°/43°F. Average precip of 2″.

Currency: Pounds Sterling (£). Three Scottish banks issue their own banknotes.

Places we might visit

This is going to be an interesting stop for me–I didn’t plan this tour and am “along for the ride”–and really don’t have as many details as I like to have before going.  Someone on our Cruise Critic roll call organized this tour and had two spots left and so we asked to take those last two spots.  There will be 8 of us.  This is what I know: I am setting up a tour from Invergordon to go to Loch Ness, Inverness, Cawdor Castle & tour the highlands.  I don’t know for sure (and it may not even be certain yet), where we’re stopping, where are just photo stops, where we’ll have lunch, how long we’ll spend where.  It’ll be interesting to be on the “someone else planned it and I just need to go along and enjoy it” side–and it’ll be good for me to see if I like that side!

invergordon-inverness-map

We dock in Invergordon; I’ve marked Urquhart Castle and Cawdor Castle, as well as Inverness,

Cawdor Castle  Romantically linked by Shakespeare with Macbeth.   The castle dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor.  The ancient medieval tower was built around the legendary holly-tree.  Open 10:00 am – 5:30 pm.  Admission (Castle, Gardens, Grounds & Nature Trails): £9.75.

Urquhart Castle is a ruin on the banks of Loch Ness.  Has stunning views and a collection of artifacts. From clan feuds to Jacobite uprisings, this once mighty fortress has had a turbulent history. The last soldiers marched away in 1692, blowing up part of the castle as they left. Has a Visitor Center and a cafe.  Open 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.  Admission £7.90.  Included in Historic Scotland Pass.

Dunrobin Castle is perched on a high terrace above walled gardens.  It has fairy tale spires and turrets, rises above the North Sea like an illustration from a storybook.  There are daily birds of prey flying demonstrations at 11.30 am, and 2.00 pm on the Castle lawn.  Open 10.30 am – 4.30 pm.  Admission £10.