Travel north from Edinburgh to stand where Jacobite history unfolded and to circle 4,000-year-old burial cairns. This private day tour combines accessible battlefield walking with atmospheric prehistoric stones and practical local insights.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You roll north out of Edinburgh as the city’s stone gives way to wide, wind-ruffled moors and the road leans into the Highlands. A private vehicle eases along the A9; fields blur into low hills, peat-smell on the air, and the guide sets the scene for two very different chapters of Scotland’s past. At Culloden Moor the ground is simple and flat, wind daring you to linger. The visitor centre explains the decisive 1746 battle of the Jacobite Rising; on the battlefield itself the walk is short but solemn—mossy turf, low stone markers, and the distant line of the cairn that records lives lost. A few miles away, Clava Cairns offers a contrast: Bronze Age ring cairns and standing stones built some 4,000 years ago, aligned to light and landscape. The geology here — ancient metamorphic bedrock shaped by glacial ice — frames both sites, and the sparse trees and peatland give a clear sense of how weather and time sculpt human presence. This private day tour blends transport, guide commentary and flexible stops with time for the visitor centre, battlefield walk and a photo stop at Clava. Expect about 10–11 hours round-trip from Edinburgh, easy walking on mostly flat ground, and variable weather that rewards layered clothing. Plan to book museum admission where required, bring waterproof layers and sturdy shoes, and allow extra time for photos and short detours; the tour can be customized with advance notice to suit mobility or interest levels.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
10–11 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; involves short, mostly flat walks and standing at outdoor sites.
Wildlife
History
Culloden Moor marks the final pitched battle of the Jacobite Rising (1746), while nearby Clava Cairns are Bronze Age burial monuments roughly 4,000 years old.
Conservation
Both sites are managed to balance visitor access with protection of peat soils and archaeological features; stick to paths and follow site guidance to reduce erosion.
Reserve your spot on the Private - Culloden, Clava Cairns Day Tour from Edinburgh today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Buy Culloden Visitor Centre Tickets Separately
Admission to the Culloden Visitor Centre is not included—book ahead to avoid queueing, especially in summer.
Dress in Layers and a Waterproof
Highland weather changes fast—bring windproof, waterproof layers and quick-dry clothing even on warm days.
Comfortable, Grippy Shoes
Paths are short but uneven; choose footwear with good grip for peat and stone surfaces at the sites.
Camera & Binoculars for Details
Bring a zoom lens or binoculars to pick out cairn layout, interpretive markers, and distant landscape features.
Waterproof Jacket
Protects against rain and wind common in the Highlands.
Sturdy Walking Shoes
Provides traction on peat, grass and uneven stone at historical sites.
Layered Clothing
Allows temperature control as conditions change through the day.
Camera or Binoculars
Helps capture details of cairns, markers, and sweeping moorland views.