Highland countryside near Invergordon with purple wildflowers in the foreground, green fields, scattered houses and sheep grazing under a partly cloudy sky.

Inverness, Scotland

Cruises to Inverness (Invergordon), Scotland

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Things to do in Inverness

If history were a sword, then Inverness and Invergordon would be a Scottish claymore held two-handed and descending towards your skull. Here, the centuries are aggressive. Loch Ness broods (almost like it’s hiding something). Urquhart Castle swaggers with more intensity than a pile of medieval leftovers has any right to. And Culloden Moor? It still feels like the bagpipes could start up any second and summon the ghosts for round two.

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  • Ruins of Urquhart Castle on a grassy hilltop beside Loch Ness, with rolling green hills and dramatic clouds in the background.

    Explore Urquhart Castle’s dramatic ruins, perched above Loch Ness like something straight out of a medieval fever dream.

  • View of the River Ness in Inverness, Scotland, with tree-lined banks, church spires and hills rising in the distance under a clear blue sky.

    Ramble through Inverness itself, a compact city with history baked into every stone and a castle overlooking the River Ness that’s practically begging for a dramatic entrance.

  • Stone cairn monument at Culloden Moor near Inverness, surrounded by grassy fields and wildflowers under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

    Trace history at Culloden Moor, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s dreams came crashing down and the Highlands’ story turned a whole new page.

  • Cawdor Castle in the Scottish Highlands with a tall stone tower and flag, surrounded by vibrant summer gardens filled with purple, red and yellow flowers.

    Tour elegant estates like Cawdor Castle or Dunrobin Castle, where manicured gardens and noble family drama compete for your attention.

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Shore excursions to explore in Inverness

If ‘Capital of the Highlands’ sounds dramatic, wait until you hit the excursions. Castles with ghost stories, monster hunts, royal retreats and boat rides across lochs that may or may not contain prehistoric celebrities.

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  • Cawdor Castle in Scotland with lush gardens full of colorful flowers and manicured greenery under a clear blue sky.

    Local Connections: Meet the Gardener at Cawdor Castle

    Shakespeare’s MacBeth made Cawdor Castle famous, but the gardens make it gorgeous. Meet one of the estate’s expert gardeners, who’ll spill secrets about maintaining Scotland’s top-ranked gardens. After your behind-the-scenes stroll, step inside to admire the castle’s interiors. It’s history and horticulture (just ignore any ghostly floating daggers you might encounter).

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  • Stone ruins of Urquhart Castle with crumbling walls and a tall tower, set beside Loch Ness with green hills and forests in the distance.

    Highlights of Loch Ness & Urquhart Castle Ruins

    Few things say ‘Scotland’ quite like a castle crumbling on the edge of a loch that allegedly houses a monster. Urquhart Castle’s walls and keep still stand guard over the brooding waters of Loch Ness, and the visitor center fills in the history.

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  • Close-up of Cawdor Castle’s stone facade with turrets, chimneys and a drawbridge leading into the main entrance.

    The Best of the Scottish Highlands

    Here’s the cheat code to the Highlands: Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and Inverness. You’ll get them all, one after another, with lunch thrown in so you don’t faint from historical overload. Macbeth’s murder site? Check. Monster sightings? Maybe. Centuries of blood-soaked clan history? Absolutely.

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  • A panoramic view of Invergordon, Scotland, featuring stone houses, a church with a tall spire and wooded hills in the distance under a partly cloudy sky.

    Invergordon by Private Vehicle - Van Class Full Day (With Guide)

    If you’re more “I’ll make my own tour, thanks,” then this private van gives you the wheel (figuratively) and a guide. Perfect if you’ve got a list longer than your arm or simply want Scotland all to yourself for a day.

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  • View of Inverness Cathedral and historic stone buildings along the River Ness, surrounded by trees with autumn foliage and hills in the background.

    Inverness On Your Own

    Spend a half day tossing yourself into the ‘Capital of the Highlands’ with no guide, no schedule and no one to stop you from buying that entire kilt outfit you’ve always wanted. Inverness packs Old Town charm, a Victorian Market with plenty of quirks and a castle perched on the River Ness like it’s still waiting for trouble. Add in a pint and you’ve got Scotland handled.

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  • Stone-built Castle of Mey in Caithness, Scotland, featuring battlements, towers and arched windows with a Union Jack flag flying above.

    The Queen Mother’s Castle of Mey

    Once known as Barrogill Castle, this 16th-century estate became the Queen Mother’s summer escape. Touring its rooms feels less like visiting a museum and more like stepping into someone’s very posh holiday home (just don’t let anyone catch you napping in the master bedroom).

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  • Dunrobin Castle in Scotland, a white château-style estate with pointed spires, perched above formal gardens and trimmed hedges.

    Dunrobin Castle

    If Versailles and a Highland fortress had a baby, it would look a lot like Dunrobin Castle. Dating back to the 1300s, it’s still dripping with grandeur thanks to the Sutherland family. Explore its state apartments and vibrant nurseries, and lose yourself in gardens inspired by (but never limited to) French aesthetics.

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  • Scenic view of Loch Ness in Scotland with lush green hills, patchwork fields and a sailboat on the calm blue water beneath large clouds.

    Easy Loch Ness Scenic Cruise

    A boat ride over the impenetrable depths and murky darkness of Lock Ness? Time to test your Highland courage. What are the chances you’ll actually encounter a monster anyway? And back on shore you can compare ‘fish’ tales in scenic Inverness.

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Experience the Invergordon port on your next cruise

Here’s the insider tip: British Isles and European cruises to Inverness actually dock in Invergordon, a small town about 45 minutes away. But that’s no drawback — the port’s well connected with trains, buses, and tours that zip you straight into the action. Cafés and shops are nearby, making it easy to grab a snack or a souvenir before heading off. Whether you’re castle-hopping or monster-hunting, Invergordon is a launchpad with serious Highland perks.

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Sunset At Blackrock Castle & Observarory - Cork, Ireland

11-Day British Isles with France & Belfast

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Cornwall Falmouth United Kingdom

12-Day British Isles with France & Belfast

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Fogo Lake Ponta Delgada Azores Islands

25-Day Western Europe & British Isles Grand Adventure

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Discover Inverness  on your next cruise

Inverness serves drama with both hands and then asks if you’d like seconds. Loch Ness keeps its monster on retainer, Urquhart Castle throws ruins around like stage props and Culloden Moor still feels like it could start another battle if you glare too hard at the heather. The town itself mixes bagpipes, whisky and a suspicious number of tweed shops into daily life. Princess Cruises makes sure you get all the spectacle, then sends you back to a ship where the legends stop shouting and the desserts arrive.

Cruises to Invergordon
Inverness view with St Andrew’s Cathedral rising above trees along the River Ness on a partly cloudy day.

Take in the charm of Inverness, where the River Ness winds past the grand towers of St Andrew’s Cathedral.

View of St Andrew’s Cathedral framed by trees with the River Ness in the foreground and forested hills in the background.

St. Andrew's Cathedral rises majestically above the tree-lined streets of downtown, its distinctive clock tower piercing the blue sky as a beloved architectural landmark of the historic district.

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A couple stands together on the wooden deck of a Princess® cruise ship, gazing out at the open sea beneath a bright blue sky dotted with clouds.

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Cut through the world’s waterways and experience the planet’s most exciting coastlines from a sea-side perspective; our fleet is your luxury-and-entertainment-packed transport to adventure.

Discover our ships

Whatever adventure you decide to embrace in the Shetland Islands you can be sure that the journey to and from will be just as memorable. 

 

Step aboard any Princess® ship and discover your new favorite way to travel. Each vessel is a floating playground of flavor, comfort and top-deck experiences. Enjoy freshly prepared local dishes, Broadway-caliber entertainment, oceanview fitness and wellness studios, family programming and beds so comfortable they’ve won awards. 


No two ships are identical, but they all share one mission: turn your vacation into a standing ovation.

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Cruises to Inverness FAQs

*The port location is subject to change. Please check itinerary details after you book for more information.

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