15 Private Shore Excursions in the UK to Build a Port Day Around

1.Private Invergordon Shore Excursion with Cawdor Castle (12 max)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.) Our pick

You’ll travel with Finella and Michelle of Tartan Trailblazer Tours on a private 7 to 8-hour Highland outing from Invergordon. Visit Culloden Battlefield, Clava Cairns, Cawdor Castle, Inverness, and Dores Beach on Loch Ness, with local stories, snacks, bottled water, and a Gaelic toast along the way.

“We had the most amazing day!! Finella & Michelle are the best. From the minute they picked us up to drop off was so easy. Every stop explained and showed us what we wanted to see and more . We tried local goodies and got a close up and personal with some Highland Coos .We loved these two .”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Private Shore Excursion From Belfast Cruise Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.)

Spend 8 to 9 hours with a private driver and guide touring Northern Ireland’s north coast from Belfast. You can shape the day around Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle, and the Dark Hedges. Guides may include Murat, John, John Paul, Nigel, or Francis.

“We had an amazing day traveling through Northern Ireland! Our guide, Nigel, was so knowledgeable and friendly! He made us feel very welcome in his country! Thank you Nigel for your fabulous hospitality! We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Belfast!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Giants Causeway Tour From Belfast Cruise Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 25 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.)

Travel from Belfast Cruise Terminal in a private vehicle with a local driver-guide, stopping along the Antrim Coast, at Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle, and the Dark Hedges. You can adjust the day to your interests, though entrance fees, food, and the rope bridge ticket cost extra.

“Tour guide was wonderful, very knowledgeable and personable. Took us to all the places we wanted to see. Lunch was delicious. Thank You, will definitely book again. Best, Nandani”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Invergordon Port PRIVATE TOUR 16 passengers MAXIMUM

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.)

Start at Invergordon with a private Scottish Lassie driver-guide such as Avril, Lorraine, or Gary. Choose a north route with Dunrobin Castle, Dornoch, and seal watching, or a south route with Cawdor Castle, Culloden, Clava Cairns, Loch Ness, and Beauly. The air-conditioned minibus returns you to port after 6 to 8 hours.

“We took the Go North from Invergordon tour and had an absolutely fabulous tour.. Avril is articulate, knowledgeable, well prepared, and an excellent driver. Her vehicle is comfortable and clean.”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Shore Excursion Giants Causeway Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.)

Meet Gerard or another Happy Irish Tours guide at Belfast cruise port for an 8 to 9-hour private trip along the Causeway Coast. See Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges, White Park Bay, and Carrick-a-Rede from above, with time for lunch and an optional Bushmills whiskey tasting. The bridge crossing and some entrance fees are not included.

“Such a great day! From the ease of pick up and drop off to the fun company of Gerard the whole day driving to the Giant Causeway and back. Gerard was flexible and accommodating! Definitely recommend this private tour!”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Invergordon Cruise Excursion PRIVATE Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9 reviews · 6 to 8 hours (approx.)

This private Invergordon shore excursion takes up to seven people through Clava Cairns, Culloden, Inverness, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle, Reelig Glen, and two distilleries. Your Go Highlands guide may be George, Alistair, or Emma. Expect a flexible day, a private vehicle, local stories, and extra costs for some admissions.

“Our personalized tour was fabulous. Even before we started, I knew it would be great, due to great communication with George, co-owner of Go Highlands, who helped iron out our personalized itinerary. Alastair, the other co-owner and our driver/guide, was terrific. All 6 of us agreed that he was very informative and personable, providing historical information as well as general information about the area and Scotland. We even did a few extra things in the time we had, which was a lovely bonus. I have booked many Viator experiences and I wholeheartedly would recommend these gentlemen and their small business. This was one of the best Viator tours I've booked.…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.From Greenock Cruise Terminal: West Highland Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 8 hours

Join Mike of Private Scottish Tours for an eight-hour private drive from Greenock into Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor and Argyll. You will see Luss, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray and the Rest and Be Thankful, with a private vehicle, cruise-port pickup, local stories and room to adjust the route.

“What a wonderful day of discovery with Mike. We only had one day to explore the area and Mike made sure to introduce us to some great little non-touristy local gems that only made us want to come back! Mike listened to our group and made sure to adapt his tour to our requests. Mike was able to tenderly fill us with his many captivating anecdotes and stories. a very beautiful day. Thanks Mike!”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Private Luxury North Route Invergordon Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Travel privately from Invergordon through the North Highlands with an English-speaking guide, stopping at Struie, Dunrobin Castle, Falls of Shin, Dornoch, and Loch Fleet. You can also visit Hairy Coos or arrange a whisky tasting at Balblair, Glenmorangie, or Clynelish. Expect a 7 to 8 hour day with port pickup, bottled water, and Wi-Fi.

“Colin was a knowledgeable guide who customized our excursion to meet the needs of an older couple with back problems. However, we did not miss a thing! The harder sites to visit we saw and the others we visited. Thank you, Colin for helping me research my family at Culloden and for introducing us to single malt whiskey at a distillery. Who knew we would like it enough to buy 3 bottles. We look forward to returning to see more of the Highlands with you.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Customisable Private Shore Excursion From Belfast Cruise Terminal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews

Set out from Belfast Cruise Terminal with a private driver-guide such as Murat, JP, or Nigel in a luxury Mercedes-Benz vehicle. You can shape the day around the Giant’s Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Dunluce Castle, Bushmills, and coastal viewpoints, with onboard Wi-Fi and port pickup included.

“JP and Nigel took us on a great day touring Northern Ireland. Both guides were very friendly and super knowledgable answering all our questions and sharing lots of history and fun facts of the area. The vans were clean and comfortable and the tour/stops were everything and more than promised. Would definitely recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Private Shore Excursion: Edinburgh City and Rosslyn Chapel

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 9 hours (approx.)

Travel by private minivan from your cruise port into Edinburgh with a driver-guide such as Alan or Gordon. Walk the Royal Mile, view Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse, circle Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park, then spend 90 minutes at Rosslyn Chapel. The day is private for up to eight people, with live commentary and port pickup and drop-off.

“This was a wonderful tour with a very knowledgeable guide. It was the best tour of our trip. Great stories and history. Really an amazing day. Our disabled daughter especially loved the tour. He made friends with her immediately.”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Invergordon Private Tour: Fort George, Cawdor Castle & Loch Ness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

Travel by luxury Mercedes with Emma or Cash from Invergordon to Cawdor Castle, Fort George, Loch Ness, and Beauly. This private 7 to 8 hour tour mixes castles, military history, quiet loch views, Highland shopping, local food, and Highland cows. Admission fees and lunch cost extra.

“Emma was a very nice and friendly guide. She always tried to show us the most beautiful places. Her explanations were very detailed. Thanks to Emma for the wonderful day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Ultimate Ticket To Ride Beatles Half-Day Shore Excursion- Private

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Spend about four hours exploring Liverpool’s Beatles landmarks with a private guide and driver. You’ll visit Strawberry Field, see John Lennon’s Imagine piano, tour the gardens, and hear stories about childhood homes, early performances, and the Fab Four’s Liverpool years. Guides including Rob, Mike, Simon, and Jean have led this experience.

“Outstanding tour and tour guide! We had a great time with Mike - he is a Beatles EXPERT! So much fun seeing and learning about all of the places associated with the Beatles! Best way to visit Liverpool!!! Thank you Mike!”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Private Luxury Relaxed South Shore Excursion

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7.5 hours

You’ll leave Invergordon with an English-speaking driver in a private vehicle for Culloden, optional Cawdor Castle, Loch Ness, Beauly Priory and Glen Ord whisky tasting. The route is flexible, lunch can be added, and driver Graig Dale is praised for clear explanations and friendly Highland knowledge.

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Private Tour South Invergordon Port–Loch Ness, Culloden, Cawdor

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 7 to 8 hours (approx.)

From Invergordon, Ali of Friendly Highland Tours drives your private group to Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Culloden Battlefield, Inverness Cathedral, Singleton Distillery and a Highland cow farm near Beauly. You get flexible sightseeing and return to the cruise port, but lunch and entry fees are extra.

“The initial response from Ali was very prompt and courteous. I told him the locations we wanted to visit, and he advised me on what I should do. He was very friendly and gave us background information throughout the day. He ensured we were able to visit our requested locations and included some additional sites, after discussing our preferences. He collected us at the agreed time and ensured we were back at the cruise terminal in plenty of time. We would highly recommend him for an enjoyable visit to the Inverness area.”

Check availability →Read our full review