Plant trees in Tormore Forest, experience a Gaelic language workshop and explore magical Skye.
- Home
- Tours from Inverness
- 1 Day Moray Coast, Wildlife & Speyside Whisky Explorer
Venture east for the day, away from the crowds of tourists, on an adventure along the Moray Firth and into ‘Malt Whisky Country’. Experience the wild beauty and charm of the coast: sea cliffs, wonderful beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and a famous rock formation. Discover the incredible diversity of the Moray Coast's birdlife, and with some luck, encounter some sea life along the way. Toast our day of new experiences with our national drink in Scotland’s largest whisky producing region, Speyside. After all the fresh air, whisky and wildlife, you will be in love with this incredible region.
Tour Highlights
Seabirds & Coastal Wildlife
Scotland's coasts are a haven for seabirds and wildlife, including puffins, gannets, and otters. The nesting months, from April to August, provide the perfect opportunity to observe these animals as they breed and raise their young in stunning coastal habitats. Please note that wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed.
Troup Head RSPB Nature Reserve
Troup Head RSPB Nature Reserve sits along the picturesque Moray Coast and is a must-visit for birdwatching enthusiasts. From its cliff-top viewpoint, you can witness thousands of seabirds during the summer months, including puffins and guillemots if you’re in luck! Puffin encounters cannot be guaranteed.
Inclusions
Small Group Tour
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
What Other Explorers Say
Sonia was wonderful! We had such a great trip and we got lucky to have perfect weather. We really enjoyed visiting the coast, distillery and some cute little villages and towns. Truly a beautiful day with a wonderful host!
Jessica
03/10/2024A fantastic day! Interesting stops and beautiful drives. Our guide, Harrison, was awesome! A lot of knowledge mixed with a great sense of humor helped make this one of the best guided tours we have been on. We will be back!
Joe
17/09/2024We had a fantastic day and saw so many beautiful things. Sonia, our guide, was super nice and joyful. We had a very pleasant day with her. She explained us a lot of things. Highly recommend this tour ! Thanks again Sonia !! :)
Ombeline
15/08/2024What a wonderful day, lead by the wonderful Willie! Willie is a really knowledgeable guide, he is so enthusiastic about this tour and I can see why. Willie made sure we had time to visit each site, but also personalised it to meet the passengers interests! We were lucky enough to see red squirrels, seals, dolphins, a variety of birds and of course the hairy coos!
Claire
01/08/2024Our guide Fraser Duff gave us a day full of lively experiences. It was a treat to have a guide with a true love for his country, he was a wealth of knowledge, and he rocked an awesome kilt! . We saw such breathtaking landscape, from Findhorn rocky beach, Bow Fiddle Rock, Troup head RSPB and so much more! No filters
Pewe
25/07/2024We had the pleasure of taking this tour with Duffy. We appreciated his good-heartedness, patience and excellent driving. He kept the day moving along smoothly and we appreciated his wit. We recommend this tour to anyone who wants an off the beaten track experience.
Imogene
24/07/2024Willie did an amazing job as our tour guide. The tour exceeded our expectations. We got to see so many amazing sights. Everything was well organized, and flowed well.
Michael
21/05/2024We had a fun, fantastic and informative day. Our guide Amber was amazing, so knowledgeable about the history, nature and background of the places we visited. Her driving skills were impeccable too. If all the guides are as good as Amber I would highly recommend to my friends and family.
Chris
18/05/2024Everything about this tour was top notch! The itinerary was a great mix between driving and time to explore. Sonia was an exceptional driver and tour guide! She was informative and entertaining, and you could tell she loved what she was doing.
Peggy
12/05/2024Explore Moray Coast with @highextours
Tag or mention us on Instagram for a chance to be featured on our channels, website, and in our brochure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Moray Coast tour departs from the city centre in Inverness. For more details on your pick-up location, please visit our Departure Info page.
In total, your Moray Coast tour lasts approximately 11 hours*. You’ll enjoy a balanced mix of time on and off the coach, complete with photo opportunities and comfort breaks.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Whisky tasting is not included in the tour price. You have the option to pay for the experience on arrival at the whisky distillery.
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
- Home
- Tours from Inverness
- 1 Day Moray Coast, Wildlife & Speyside Whisky Explorer
Moray Coast, Wildlife & Speyside Whisky Explorer Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Moray Coast, Wildlife & Speyside Whisky Explorer
We depart Inverness in the morning and head straight for the historic village of Findhorn, for a walk on the gorgeous beach. We trail the coast to Portknockie, where Bow Fiddle Rock, a dramatic sea arch, sits just off the shore. Afterwards, we continue our village-hop to picture-perfect Cullen, home of the famous soup, Cullen Skink. Explore, eat lunch and get excited for the next stop. Look out for an incredible variety of seabirds like Gannets, Guillemots, and Razorbills on an invigorating walk at the RSPB’s Troup Head Nature Reserve; you might even be lucky enough to spot marine life too*! Afterwards, we journey inland on the Malt Whisky Trail to learn all about single malt production at a Speyside whisky distillery, where tasting is the best way to learn! We make one final stop at the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, in the small village of Carrbridge, before returning to Inverness in the evening.
*Please note: wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
We depart Inverness in the morning and head straight for the historic village of Findhorn, for a walk on the gorgeous beach. We trail the coast to Portknockie, where Bow Fiddle Rock, a dramatic sea arch, sits just off the shore. Afterwards, we continue our village-hop to picture-perfect Cullen, home of the famous soup, Cullen Skink. Explore, eat lunch and get excited for the next stop. Look out for an incredible variety of seabirds like Gannets, Guillemots, and Razorbills on an invigorating walk at the RSPB’s Troup Head Nature Reserve; you might even be lucky enough to spot marine life too*! Afterwards, we journey inland on the Malt Whisky Trail to learn all about single malt production at a Speyside whisky distillery, where tasting is the best way to learn! We make one final stop at the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands, in the small village of Carrbridge, before returning to Inverness in the evening.
*Please note: wildlife encounters cannot be guaranteed
Day Highlights
Departure Point
Inverness City Centre
15 Union St Inverness*, IV1 1PP *Across from the entrance to the Victorian Market. Look out for a blue or yellow coach bus.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Check-In Closes: 7:45 AM
Departs: 8:00 AM
Returns: 7:15 PM
Please Note
We are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals. Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
- Home
- Tours from Inverness
- 1 Day Moray Coast, Wildlife & Speyside Whisky Explorer
Speyside Whisky Tasting
Pay locally
Experience an authentic whisky tasting in one of Scotland’s most famous areas for whisky production. You will have ample time to browse and sample from an excellent selection of whisky from all ages at a Speyside distillery. Approx. £8-£25, pay locally.
Tours We Think You'll Love
Visit the magical Isle of Skye and romantic Eilean Donan Castle.
Cruise to Urquhart Castle, beautiful Beauly, Culloden Battlefield, and Clava Cairns stones.
Jacobite Steam Train ride, Glenfinnan, fishing village Mallaig, and Fort Augustus.