Greenock Shore Excursions

Alba Experiences are a small family run business from the west coast of Scotland who offer unique, private Greenock and Glasgow cruise ship tours to our guests from all over the world. We believe in giving you the best possible excursion, and our guide James brings over 8 years of experience travelling the world to your tour. Join us on a journey through the beautiful Scottish countryside and explore the worlds of Robert Burns, Outlander, Loch Lomond and more with our unique experiences.

Outlander locations tour from the Greenock Cruise Terminal

Discover the enchanting world of Outlander on an exclusive full-day tour from the Greenock Cruise Terminal. Immerse yourself in the landscapes and locations that brought Diana Gabaldon’s beloved series to life. Explore historic castles, charming villages, and iconic filming sites that have captivated fans worldwide. For more information on the tour itinerary click here.

Our first location of the day is the magnificent medieval castle called Blackness. Blackness Castle is located just outside of Edinburgh and has gained additional fame through its use as a filming location for the historical drama series Outlander. In the show, the castle stood in for Fort William, a significant location in the story where a dramatic and traumatic scene takes place involving the characters Jamie Fraser and Black Jack Randall.

The castle has an interesting nickname – “The ship that never sailed” – which likely refers to its distinctive ship-like shape and robust stone construction. Its strategic location provides sweeping views over the Firth of Forth, an impressive estuary in Scotland.

Shortly after leaving Blackness Castle we will visit Midhope Castle which is every Outlander fans favourite filming location as it served as the exterior of Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s family home in the TV series. Visitors can explore the courtyard where memorable scenes from the show was filmed. The castle offers fans a chance to step into the world of the beloved historical drama and relive iconic moments from the series.

We will make the short journey to Linlithgow where we will enjoy a traditional Scottish lunch at a local restaurant before making our way to the famous Linlithgow Palace. The palace was used as the filming location for Wentworth Prison, a pivotal setting in the series where dramatic events involving Jamie Fraser occur. The Palace was once a royal residence where Mary Queen of Scots was born. The palace is now a spectacular ruin which is heaped with ancient history which allows visitors to explore and imagine its former grandeur.

Our next location is the picturesque Scottish village called Culross that served as the filming location for Cranesmuir in Outlander. Visitors can walk the historic cobblestone streets where scenes featuring characters Geillis Duncan and her husband Arthur were filmed. The village offers an authentic glimpse into the show’s historical setting and Scottish heritage.

The Outlander-themed Greenock shore excursion concludes with a return journey back to the ocean terminal, where you will rejoin your cruise ship. This journey allows you to revisit the memorable locations from the day’s Scottish historical and Outlander-related explorations.

Visit Loch Lomond,  The Trossach National Park and Stirling Castle from the Greenock Cruise Terminal

Drive through Scotland’s Trossach National Park and explore the shimmering lochs and glens before visiting the famous Stirling Castle. Walk through the great hall and the Queen’s Palace, which is one of Scotland’s finest examples of Renaissance architecture and also the ancient home to the Scottish Monarchs including a young Mary Queen of Scots on this Stirling Castle tour. For more information on the tour itinerary click here.

The tour begins with a drive to the Trossachs National Park, stopping at the historic highland village of Luss. Here, travelers can enjoy panoramic views of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest freshwater loch, and observe Ben Lomond, our most southerly Munro (mountain over 3,000 feet) in the Scottish Highlands. The location offers stunning natural scenery, combining historical charm with breathtaking landscape views.

The tour continues through the Trossachs National Park, stopping at the Inveruglas viewpoint. This location offers spectacular views of Loch Lomond and the surrounding mountains, highlighting the romantic and scenic beauty of the Scottish landscape.

The tour visits the Falls of Falloch, locally known as “Rob Roy’s bathtub”. This scenic waterfall is associated with Rob Roy MacGregor, a legendary Scottish outlaw who became a folk hero. Local tales suggest Rob Roy used these falls as a hideout, adding a layer of historical mystique to the natural landscape. We then travel towards Kilmahog so that we can get a few photos of some friendly Highland cows before making our way to Stirling Castle.

Our final location is the mighty Stirling Castle which is one of Scotland’s most historic sites and was home to the Stewart kings and queens throughout the centuries. Highlights include the Great Hall, Chapel Royal, Castle Exhibition, Regimental Museum, Great Kitchens, Tapestry Studio, and the Queen’s Palace, which your guide will be happy to take you through. You can also enjoy lunch at the Unicorn Café, which offers a wide range of hot and cold drinks and food.

Your Greenock shore excursion concludes with a return journey back to the ocean terminal, where you will rejoin your cruise ship. This journey allows you to revisit the memorable locations from the day’s Scottish historical explorations.

Visit the Ayrshire coast and Robert Burns country from the Greenock Cruise Terminal

Explore the beautiful Ayrshire coast and learn about the life of Scotland’s national bard, visiting Robert Burns’ birthplace and significant locations immortalized in his poetry, including the historic Auld Alloway Kirk and Brig o’ Doon. Discover the stunning Culzean Castle and Country Park, and experience the landscapes that inspired Scotland’s most beloved poet. For more information on the tour itinerary click here.

The tour begins at Dunure, a small fishing village on the Ayrshire coastline. Visitors can explore the ancient Dunure Castle and enjoy panoramic views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran. The location offers a glimpse into Scotland’s coastal heritage and scenic beauty.

We will then drive the short distance down towards the beautiful Ayrshire coastline and visit the majestic Culzean Castle. Take a walk through the beautiful walled gardens and enjoy the breathtaking views over the Firth of Clyde towards the Isle of Arran. A guided tour of the castle is also a must, so you can really appreciate the beauty of the décor and architecture of this unique Ayrshire Castle.

We will soon be in the historic village called Alloway which is the birthplace of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. The Burns Cottage features walls painted with fragments of Burns’ poetry and includes Scots words like ‘hawkie’ (a white-faced cow) and ‘crambo-jingle’ (a rhyming nonsense verse). This provides visitors with an intimate look into Burns’ early life and linguistic heritage. Just a short walk away is the famous Alloway Old Kirk and the Brig O’ Doon. Both locations inspired Robert Burns to write his most famous poem, Tam O’ Shanter.

The Ayrshire themed Greenock shore excursion concludes with a return journey back to the ocean terminal, where you will rejoin your cruise ship. This journey allows you to revisit the memorable locations from the day’s Scottish historical and Robert Burns related explorations.

Discover Loch Lomond, Inveraray and the spectacular Scottish Highlands from the Greenock Cruise Terminal

Journey through Scotland’s wild countryside, exploring rugged glens and mountain scenery. Visit the picturesque village of Luss that sits on the bonnie bonnie banks of Loch Lomond. Tour Inveraray Castle – seat of Clan Campbell, and marvel at the stunning Arrochar Alps from the iconic Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint. For more information on the tour itinerary click here.

The tour begins with a drive to the Trossachs National Park, stopping at the historic highland village of Luss. Here, travelers can enjoy panoramic views of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest freshwater loch, and observe Ben Lomond, our most southerly Munro (mountain over 3,000 feet) in the Scottish Highlands. The location offers stunning natural scenery, combining historical charm with breathtaking landscape views.

The tour continues through the Arrochar Alps and makes a stop at Rest and Be Thankful viewpoint. The mountain pass was given this name by the weary road workers who built the pass in 1753. Here we can stop and enjoy the stunning views of Glen Croe before setting off towards Inveraray.

Inveraray is a picturesque fishing village built around the same time as the famous Inveraray castle in the 18th century. We make a visit to the castle (closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays), which is the seat of Clan Campbell. Walk through the romantic castle gardens before taking a tour through the castle itself and discovering the armoury and tapestry rooms. We then have lunch at the famous George Hotel.

The Scottish Highland themed Greenock shore excursion concludes with a return journey back to the ocean terminal, where you will rejoin your cruise ship. This journey allows you to revisit the memorable locations from the day’s Scottish historical explorations.