Clan Mackintosh Tour from Inverness – 8 to 9 hrs
Enjoy the Private Group Clan Mackintosh Day Tour which leaves from Inverness. The Inverness Tour Guides entertain and share local knowledge while you travel in style and comfort in our air conditioned vehicles. Tours priced for up to 7 passengers.
Visit amazing locations; Clachnaharry monument, Petty Church, Rait Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Moy Hall and Dunlichity Churchyard. Hear the stories of the clan as we drive along.
Departure
Collection from within 16 miles of Inverness included in the price.
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£540.00 9 hours
Clan Mackintosh Tour from Inverness – Itinerary
The Clan Mackintosh Tour from Inverness stops first at Clachnaharry, where we will visit a battle monument and viewpoint. Then we leave Inverness eastbound past the Mackintosh properties of Stoneyfield and Seafield. We stop for photos at Petty Church and Castle Stuart, and then drive by the original seat of the clan at Connage. Next we pass through Nairn and see the ruins of Rait Castle. Dalcross Castle is a drive-by, enroute to Culloden which is our first major visit of the day. The afternoon contains a stop at Moy Hall, the clan seat, and then Dunlichity churchyard. If time permits we shall visit Dores Bay on Loch Ness during our return.
Clachnaharry Monument
The Clachnaharry monument stands atop a rocky cliff, on the western outskirts of Inverness. It commemorates a fierce battle in the 1450’s between the Munros and the Mackintoshes. The battle occurred as a result of the cattle-raiding culture. Neither side gained clear victory and the crags at the monument became known as the red rocks. In fact the Mackintoshes (Clan Chattan) lost their chief. We look forward to telling you the whole story.
Petty Churchyard
Clan Mackintosh use Petty Churchyard as the burial ground of the chiefs of Clan Mackintosh. It is an ancient site of worship, although the present church building dates only from 1839. Many chiefs of Mackintosh were buried in the churchyard here, until the construction of a burial vaulthere, instead, in the late 1600’s. A small watch-house, built because of the threat of body snatchers, dates from 1825.
Rait Castle
The Mackintoshes lost Rait Castle to the Comyns in the 1200’s. This ignited a feud which rumbled on until the mid 1400’s. There were many clashes in many places. The feud however, ended at the place it had begun – Rait Castle. The Mackintoshes massacred the Comyns, and the story we will tell you is a particularly gripping one. We can also explain why Rait has been haunted from that day to this!
Dalcross Castle
The Frasers built Dalcross Castle, but by the time of the Jacobite Risings in the eighteenth century had become a Mackintosh house. It later passed out of Mackintosh ownership too, and became ruinous until it’s restoration in private hands in the 1890’s.
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield, site of the last battle on British soil, stands atop a ridge, four miles from Inverness. Here, Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite army met a final and chilling end. This story is well-told in the multi-media centre onsite, and you can access specific information on the Mackintoshes. There is a shop and a restaurant as well as the exhibitions. We will also take you on a walk on the battlefield. You’ll see the Well of the Dead, the Main Cairn and the Clan Graves. Your fallen clansmen lie in three graves each marked by a Clan Mackintosh Stone, and as a result we will spend time there.
Moy Hall
The Mackintosh clan chiefs have lived at Moy since the 14th century, originally in a castle on an island in Loch Moy. Because times seemed to have become more peacable around 1700 they built Moy Hall at the north end of the loch. They have, however, had to rebuild it twice since then. The first time was in 1800 as the result of a fire, and then again after demolition in 1950’s due to dry rot. The new Moy Hall therefore dates from the 1950’s and is the home of Lady Mackintosh, mother to John Lachlan Mackintosh, the 31st Chief. We always manage at least a walk and some exterior photographs here, although we may be able to arrange a visit with Lady Mackintosh if you request it.
Dunlichity Church
Dunlichity is an ancient site of worship, although the current church building only dates from the 1750’s. As a burial site this churchyard is very imprtant to Clan MacGillivray and Clan Shaw as well as Clan Mackintosh. It served as a battle muster point for Clan Chattan. As a result, the very stones carry marks left when swords are sharpened. The little watch-house, built because of the threat of body snatchers, dates from 1820.
Some Clan Mackintosh Snippets
About 1160, a man called Shaw, son of Duncan MacDuff, Thane of Fife, came north, to help Malcolm IV quell a revolt in Moray. He was rewarded with lands in Petty & Strathdearn and made Keeper of Inverness Castle. His descendants were known as Mac an Toisich (son of the leader), and led a confederation of many clans – Clan Chattan. Chiefs from the various Clan Chattan septs met in 1609 signing a “Bond of Union” for mutual support. Then, in 1665, Lachlan (the 19th chief) made peace with Clan Cameron, ending a 360 year feud. He built Moy Hall, and died in 1704, being buried at Petty, in presence of 2,000 armed clansmen. The current chief (31st) is John Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and he currently resides in Singapore (teaching Humanities).
Red Whortleberry is the plant badge of Clan Mackintosh. Touch not the cat bot a glove is their motto. The war cry is – Loch Moy (because it is the view from their clan seat).
Clan Mackintosh Tour from Inverness – Price
£540 for the tour
Clan Mackintosh Tour from Inverness – Departure
The tour departs from your Inverness accommodation, or any transport hub, such as bus station, train station or airport. You tell us, and we’ll be there.
FAQ
Can each person in the party pay separately?
Driver/Guide licencing in Scotland will only allow us to take one payment per tour, so if people in a party wish to split the cost then they arrange that amongst themselves and make one tour payment to us.
Are entries to the various visitor attractions included?
We don’t include entry to the attractions – and that way we leave the day as flexible as possible for you.
Will I need cash with me?
Most places will accept Visa or MasterCard and some will accept American Express. It is always prudent, though, to bring a little cash with you for unexpected eventualities. You will need GBP, not Euros or Dollars.
What will we be doing for lunch?
You are responsible for paying for your own food & drink during your tour. Lunch could be in a café, pub, restaurant or even a picnic at a beauty spot. Your guide can discuss and advise on options when you meet them.
Find all of our other FAQ’s here
Why Choose Us
Why Choose Inverness Tour Guides?
Our Inverness Tour Guides are a hand-picked team. As well as being accredited members of the Highlands of Scotland Tour Guide Association, they are all well-recognised as being at the top of their fields. They were chosen because they are great storytellers, are fun to be with, and are uniquely qualified to do what they do well. We are convinced that there is no better team of guides to be found. See their individual profiles here
Performance
Here at Inverness Tours we continually monitor performance. As a result we are confident that we offer long experience and expertise in providing quality, value and enjoyment.
Our Vehicles
Our vehicles are spacious and air conditioned, easily accommodating up to seven passengers. The reclining seats and tinted windows ensure touring in comfort and style.
Our Track Record
Inverness Tours has been taking visitors on world-class tours for more than fifteen years and has been striving to make its exclusive tour business the finest of its kind available in Scotland.
Our Customer Care
The Inverness Tours admin team are frequently complimented on responsiveness, flexibility and care.
Our Environment
Inverness Tours have offset the impact of visitor footfall in the Highlands by contributing financially to environmental and community projects.
Our Precautions
Our COVID 19 precautions – Inverness Tours has always carried bacteriological and virucidal disinfectant sprays, disposable gloves and the necessary wipes etc. The vehicles are cleaned on a daily basis. We are investigating and instituting further measures to keep you safe at this current time and into the future.
Our Reviews
All the above contribute to our fabulous back-catalogue of reviews. Check out the TripAdvisor reviews here. You will find that over 98% of our reviews are five-star and as a result we have achieved TripAdvisor’s annual Certificate of Excellence and placement in their Hall of Fame!
What’s included?
The 7-passenger vehicle together with qualified driver/guide is included.
Summary terms and conditions:-
- All tours are exclusive and the same price for between one and seven people. Your booking is considered confirmed once we send out your confirmation.
- While Inverness Tours shall do everything reasonably possible to provide your tour itinerary and/or services as planned, we reserve the right to alter itineraries, guide, transport or accommodation if circumstances require us to do so. If we have to cancel a tour you receive a full refund of the amount paid and that is the extent of our obligation.
- Our normal Cancellation Terms as outlined in the point below have been temporarily relaxed. The relaxation is in relation to any booking which requires to cancel due to COVID-19. Our COVID-19 cancellation terms are outlined here.
- If you wish to change any part of your confirmed booking you should inform us in writing as soon as possible. We will do our best to assist you, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet your request. If you cancel a booking up to 30 days in advance you receive a 75% refund of the total paid. Cancellations between 30 and 10 days before the tour receive a 50% refund. There is no refund if you cancel within 10 days of the tour or are not at the organised departure or pick-up point.
- We are happy for you to enjoy bottled water and hard candies while we travel. Other types of food and drink have proved previously to be quite hazardous (on Highland roads) both to yourselves and seat upholstery.
See our full terms and conditions here