3 Day Highland Jacobite Private Tour
The Jacobite Story Uncovered
A private, three-day journey into the heart of the Stuart cause. Join a Scottish Highlands historian to explore the iconic castles and battlefields and glens that bring the Jacobite narrative to life – all set against the backdrop of the Highlands' most stunning scenery.
Day 1 — Inverness to Fort William
Departing Inverness, we follow the fault line of the Great Glen along the banks of Loch Ness to Urquhart Castle. Here, we step inside the medieval ruins to trace its strategic role in the early Jacobite risings and take in commanding views down the loch. Continuing south past the remains of Invergarry Castle — the seat of the Macdonells of Glengarry that was burned after the final Jacobite Rising — we arrive in Fort William. The afternoon is dedicated to the West Highland Museum, home to a renowned trove of secret Jacobite artifacts, glass, and personal relics of Prince Charles Edward Stuart. We conclude the day in Fort William, our base for the next two overnight stays.
Day 2 — The West Highlands
We begin the day tracing the iconic 'Road to the Isles' west to Loch nan Uamh near Arisiag, where Charles Edward Stuart first stepped onto mainland Scotland in July 1745, and from where he fled into exile fourteen months later. Nearby at Glenfinnan, we stand at the head of Loch Shiel where the Stuart Standard was defiantly raised to gather the clans. In the afternoon, we shift our focus to the dark prelude of the risings: the haunting expanse of Glencoe. We delve into the political treachery behind the 1692 massacre of the Macdonalds and visit a meticulously reconstructed 17th-century turf house to understand the daily lives of the Highlanders who lived through this volatile era.
Day 3 — Fort William to Inverness
Leaving the west, our return journey takes a spectacular route through Glen Roy. Here, we pause to observe the famous "Parallel Roads" – ancient glacial lake shoreline terraces providing a striking backdrop to the historic lands of the MacDonells of Keppoch. Joining the main Highland artery northward, we stop at the imposing ruins of Ruthven Barracks, the government outpost famously blown up by retreating Jacobites and the site where the defeated army ultimately disbanded. We spend our final afternoon at Culloden Battlefield, exploring the windswept moor where the Stuart cause met their tragic end in April 1746.
Tour Highlights
- Urquhart Castle
- The Great Glen
- Invergarry Castle
- Glenfinnan
- Fort William
- Glencoe
- Culloden Battlefield
- Loch nan Uamh
- Ruthven Barracks
Tour Gallery
Private Tour Price (per tour)
April to October: £2400
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(3 Days)
Depart Inverness
Return Inverness
(3 Days)
What's Included
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 private 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 accommodation costs, entrance fees, meals and refreshments.
Where should I book accommodation?
To make the most of your tour I recommend you book accommodation in Fort William (Day 1 and 2). Whilst I do not book accommodation directly, I am always happy to offer advice on where to stay and eat. Your tour quote will include a list of recommended accommodation options for our overnight locations along with suggestions for evening meals.
Route & Logistics
Where does the tour start from?
Enjoy the ease of a private pickup – I will meet you directly at your Inverness accommodation on the morning of Day 1 to begin the tour. At the end of the tour I will drop you off at your preferred Inverness location.
Are there seasonal changes to this tour?
Tours in April and October can see more rain and wind, and I may adjust start and finish times to suit conditions. Where an itinerary attraction is unavailable, we visit an alternative location instead.
Can the tour itinerary be customised?
The tour itinerary is based on nineteen years of guiding experience, previous client feedback, and practical travel timings. However, there is some flexibility and the itinerary can often be adapted in advance to suit particular interests or requests where possible. Please mention any requests in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Can I stay in Glencoe instead of Fort William?
Glencoe can be the base for our two overnight stays, and I can arrange the itinerary around this option. As guide accommodation costs around Glencoe are higher than in Fort William, this option carries a surcharge of £150. Please request this option in the 'Extra Information' section when completing a Tour Enquiry Form.
Is this an Outlander Tour?
No. While Outlander has introduced many to the beauty of the Highlands, this tour is dedicated to the documented history of the Jacobite Risings. The focus is on providing authentic accounts of the real-life figures and events of the era, offering a deep dive into the history and complex landscape of the Jacobite Highlands.
Comfort & Practicalities
How much walking does this tour involve?
Most stops on this route are short walks from the vehicle to a viewpoint, castle or historic site. The pace is relaxed and there is plenty of time to enjoy each stop. If you would prefer to skip a particular walk or explore at your own pace, that is absolutely fine on a private tour.
How often do we stop?
The tour has plenty of viewpoint, photo and refreshment stops along with regular restroom stops. As it is a private tour, we can pretty much stop whenever you want!
What clothing/footwear should I bring?
Walking shoes or sneakers with good grip is recommended, along with a light waterproof jacket as Highland weather can be very changeable. All walks are entirely optional and can be tailored to your comfort and mobility level.
How much luggage can I bring?
The current tour vehicle comfortably accommodates up to three passengers with room in the rear boot (trunk) for one medium bag/suitcase per person and one small day bag/backpack per person. If you are unsure about luggage capacity, please let me know the size of your cases and I can confirm there is room.
Do you help with the luggage?
I am happy to help with your suitcases at each overnight location – some of the smaller hotels around the Highlands and Islands do not have lifts but I will gladly assist in getting your bags to your room.
Booking & Availability
How far in advance should I book?
I recommend booking this tour as early as possible. Fort William is a popular destination and accommodation often books up 12 months in advance. Securing your tour dates and your accommodation early ensures you get the widest choice of rooms and rates, whereas booking late often means limited availability – I take bookings up to 18 months in advance.
What are the deposit and payment terms?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your dates, with full payment due 60 days before the tour start date. Deposit and balance payments are made securely online and accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Full details are available in my Terms and Conditions.
How do I book the tour?
The first step is simply to complete a Tour Enquiry Form with your preferred travel dates. I will then reply with availability and a detailed tour quotation (with absolutely no obligation to proceed at this stage). I usually reply to enquiries within 24 hours.
Can I just chat about the tour before booking?
Of course! You can reach me in whichever way is easiest for you:
- Complete a Tour Enquiry Form – just ask any questions in the 'Extra Information' section.
- Email me directly at info@thehebrideanexplorer.com.
- Send a WhatsApp message or call me on +44 7943 863292.
Do you offer this tour over the winter months?
This 3 day route is one of four Highland itineraries that can be fully adapted into a winter private tour during November, February and March. Read my guide to Winter private tours of the Highlands to see what to expect.