Loch Ness & the Highlands

Farewell Aberdeen, we’re going on a monster hunt. For today, you’ll get your chance to spot the famous Loch Ness monster. Nessie has eluded us for centuries; will you be the one to finally uncover the mystery? We depart the city of Aberdeen and enter the gorgeous landscapes of the Cairngorms National Park. Coasting along the scenic routes, you’ll be treated to stunning views of mountainous peaks, sparkling lochs, and moody moorlands – not to mention the Caledonian Pine Forests which are among the oldest in Europe.

We arrive at the highest village in the Highlands, a lovely wee place called Tomintoul. Here, we’re stopping in briefly to soak up the fresh mountain air… and to warm ourselves up with a to visit Whisky Castle. This whisky emporium has been selling the finest malt whiskies for over 120 years and is stocking over 600 malts, so it’s a real treasure trove for whisky lovers.

The adventure continues as we travel deep into the past at Clava Cairns. This site boasts well-preserved ancient burial tombs and standing stones and is said to be the inspiration for Outlander’s Craigh na Dun. Next is Culloden Battlefield, the location of the last battle that brought an end to the Jacobite Risings. It’s an eerie, flat landscape that puts Scotland’s history into perspective. We then make our way to the famous Loch Ness, where we stop for a bite to eat before jumping on an one-hour boat trip*. You’ll travel over the deepest parts of this eerie loch and get a fine view of Urquhart Castle as you wonder what lurks beneath the still, black waters.

*The Loch Ness boat cruise is weather dependent and may be cancelled without notice.

We continue back through the heart of the Speyside region, famed for its whisky. Can you smell it on the air? We’ll stop in a few wee towns along the way, including the lovely town of Aberlour where you can take a riverside stroll. As we make our way back to Aberdeen, you’ll be surrounded by forests and hills, and you might catch the seductive smell of whisky or shortbread on the breeze, depending which way the wind blows. We arrive back in Aberdeen in the evening.