A History Day Tour Extension from Inverness: Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Elgin Cathedral & Pictish Stones
Designed as a private history day tour extension for guests booking one of my multi-day tours from Inverness to the Isle of Skye, the Outer Hebrides or Orkney, this route offers a historian’s perspective on 4000 years of heritage spanning the Bronze Age to the Highland Clans.
You can stand on the ground where the Jacobite cause ended at Culloden, walk among the ancient burial cairns and standing stones at Clava, trace the carved symbols left by the Pictish peoples who had no written word of their own, and meander the ruins of one of Scotland's most beautiful medieval cathedrals — all in a single, unhurried day.
The route
Culloden Battlefield: Departing from Inverness, we visit the nearby battlefield to explore the dramatic history of the Highland clans and the Jacobite uprisings, walking the ground where the 1745–1746 Rising met its tragic end. This is the starting point of my own PhD research — the Jacobite Gaels of the Highlands and Hebrides and the world they were left to rebuild in the decades that followed.
Clava Cairns: A short distance from Culloden sits a Bronze Age burial site dating back over 4,000 years. These standing stones offer a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past of the Highlands and are remarkably peaceful — most visitors to Culloden never realise they're this close by.
Sueno's Stone: Continuing east, we pause on the edge of Forres at Sueno's Stone — at over six metres tall, the largest surviving carved Pictish stone in Scotland, its surface densely packed with intricate battle carvings and now protected inside a glass pavilion.
Elgin Cathedral: The afternoon takes us further east to explore the majestic ruins of Elgin Cathedral, known as the ‘Lantern of the North’. Even in its ruined state, it stands as one of Scotland's most beautiful and historically significant medieval buildings — and its grounds hold a Pictish surprise of their own: a magnificent cross-slab discovered buried there in 1823.
Rodney Pictish Stone: Our return to Inverness includes a stop at this carved monument, crafted over twelve hundred years ago by the Picts — complete with a rare Ogham inscription and a pair of carved beasts that, to my eye, look unmistakably like twin sea monsters. It's my own favourite among all the Pictish stones I visit, and one of several covered in more depth in my guide to Pictish stones across the Highlands and Moray.
Exploring independently
All these sites are easily reached by car in a single day from Inverness, with only light walking required at each. Culloden and Clava Cairns sit within a few minutes of each other on the outskirts of Inverness; Elgin and its Pictish stones are a further 50 minutes east. If you have a hire car and enjoy planning your own days, this route is entirely manageable independently.
Adding this day to a multi-day private tour
I don't offer standalone single-day tours (all tours run a three-day minimum), but this route can easily be added as a private history extension — at the start or end — when booking any of our multi-day tour options to the Isle of Skye, Outer Hebrides, or Orkney (excluding Shetland tours, where we visit most of these sites en-route to or from Aberdeen).
1 Day History Private Tour Extension
Only available as an extension to a multi-day tour booking
Private Tour Pricing
- 1 Day History Tour Extension from Inverness — £650
What's included in the tour price?
Tours are exclusively for your private group only (up to 3 persons) and prices are per tour. I only offer private tours and do not combine individuals or separate groups – if your group size is less than 3 the advertised tour price still applies. Your private tour price includes:
- Private tour for your group only (1, 2 or 3 persons)
- An experienced driver-guide and historian (John Alasdair Macdonald)
- A comfortable tour vehicle with good visibility and generous legroom
- All taxes and fees
What's excluded?
The tour price does not include your entrance fees or meals and refreshments.
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup and I will meet you at your Inverness accommodation on the morning of the tour (and return you back there in the late afternoon).
What are the start and finish times?
This tour departs from Inverness at 9am and returns to Inverness between 4 and 5pm.
What will the weather be like?
The Scottish Highlands are renowned for changeable weather, and even in the summer months we may experience some rain or wind. I always recommend a light waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear suitable for short walks in wet or uneven terrain.
How do I enquire about the tour?
Please request the history day tour extension in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form for the multi-day tour of your choice.
Pluscarden Abbey option
While Elgin Cathedral is a magnificent ruin, if you prefer a peaceful, living holy site, we can easily swap Elgin for Pluscarden Abbey. Tucked away in a quiet valley nearby, Pluscarden was founded in 1230 AD by King Alexander II and is the only medieval monastery in Britain still occupied by a community of Catholic Benedictine monks. Whether you'd like to admire Elgin's grand medieval ruins or walk the quiet, active grounds of Pluscarden, we can tailor the afternoon to whichever setting speaks to you most.
Lunch options along the route
There are three excellent, relaxed options perfectly situated along our route:
- Culloden Battlefield Cafe: Ideal if you want to grab a quick coffee, soup, or scone right after exploring the battlefield without losing any momentum.
- Brodie Countryfare: Positioned halfway between Forres and Nairn, this award-winning family restaurant offers an enormous range of food — from fresh soups and hearty hot mains to a full salad bar, baking, and afternoon teas.
- Weavers Restaurant (Johnstons of Elgin): Tucked inside the historic 1797 luxury cashmere and woollen mill right in Elgin. It’s a wonderful spot to enjoy lunch or coffee while surrounded by Moray's textile heritage.