Walk the lands your ancestors left behind. Visit the castle your clan defended. Stand in the kirkyard where generations of your family are buried. We create fully private ancestry tours based on your surname, clan history, and family stories—from the Highlands to the Borders, from Skye to Aberdeenshire.
Every tour is bespoke. You send us your surname and any known locations. We research your clan's key sites—castles, battlefields, kirkyards, clan lands—and design a private route with an experienced Highland driver-guide. Whether you're tracing Fraser roots around Inverness, MacDonald heritage in Skye, or Campbell lands in Argyll, we connect you to the real places where your ancestors lived.
Perfect for visitors from the USA
Most of our ancestry tour guests travel from the United States to walk the lands their families left generations ago. We understand the emotional significance of this journey and build tours that connect you to real places, not just records.
- • Hotel pickup anywhere in Scotland
- • Start from Inverness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, or Aberdeen
- • Private vehicle with experienced Highland driver-guide
- • Flexible pacing for couples, families, and multi-generational groups
- • We handle all logistics while you focus on the experience
How an ancestry tour works
1. Share your surname and family history
Tell us your surname(s), any known locations, family stories, or regions your ancestors came from. Even partial information helps us design a meaningful route.
2. We research your clan's key locations
We identify clan castles, historic lands, kirkyards, battlefields, and heritage sites connected to your family name. We plan routes that link these places efficiently across Scotland.
3. We design your custom itinerary
We create a private tour with flexible routing, accommodation recommendations, and timing that works for your schedule. Multi-day options across different regions of Scotland.
4. Your private Highland driver-guide
Travel with an experienced guide who knows Highland history, clan stories, and the landscape. Private vehicle, flexible pacing, and deep local knowledge throughout your tour.
What we research for your ancestry tour
Major Scottish clans we cover
We research and design tours for all Scottish clans and surnames. Here are some of the major clans we frequently cover, with their historic territories and key sites:
Clan Fraser
Inverness, Beauly, Aberdeenshire
One of the great Highland clans, associated with Inverness, Beauly and the Fraser lands around Lovat. Key sites include Beauly Priory, Culloden Battlefield (Frasers fought for the Jacobites), and Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire. Strong military tradition and deep roots in the north-east Highlands.
Clan MacDonald
Glencoe, Skye, Western Isles
One of the largest and most powerful clans, historically Lords of the Isles. Key locations include Glencoe (site of the 1692 massacre), Isle of Skye, and the western seaboard. Strong naval and maritime heritage with castles and ruins across the Hebrides.
Clan Campbell
Argyll, Inveraray, Loch Awe
Dominant in Argyll and the west Highlands with a powerful political legacy. Inveraray Castle remains the seat of the Duke of Argyll. Important sites include the historic lands around Loch Awe, Kilchurn Castle, and Campbell strongholds across Argyll.
Clan Mackenzie
Ross-shire, Wester Ross, Strathpeffer
Based around Ross-shire and the north Highlands with extensive lands across Wester Ross. Castle Leod near Strathpeffer is the traditional seat. Associated with lands around Loch Maree, Gairloch, and the remote north-west coast.
Clan MacLeod
Isle of Skye, Dunvegan, Harris
Strongly tied to the Isle of Skye. Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of the MacLeod chiefs for over 800 years and remains one of Scotland's most iconic clan castles. Historic lands include Skye, Harris, and parts of the Outer Hebrides.
Clan Munro
Easter Ross, Foulis, Cromarty Firth
From Easter Ross, north of Inverness. Foulis Castle near Evanton is the traditional seat of the chiefs and has been in Munro hands for over 800 years. Strong military tradition with lands around the Cromarty Firth and Black Isle.
Clan Sutherland
Sutherland, Dunrobin, Far North
Linked to the far north of Scotland. Dunrobin Castle near Golspie is one of Scotland's most iconic great houses and the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland. Historic lands stretch across Sutherland and Caithness.
Clan Ross
Tain, Easter Ross, Moray Firth
Historic earls with lands around Tain and Easter Ross. Associated with Balnagown Castle and the ancient earldom of Ross. Strong links to the north-east Highlands and the Moray Firth coast.
Clan Grant
Strathspey, Grantown, Speyside
Centred on Strathspey and the Cairngorms. Associated with Grantown-on-Spey, Castle Grant, and the upper Spey valley. Strong ties to whisky country and the Speyside landscape.
Clan Gordon
Aberdeenshire, Moray, Huntly
Powerful Lowland and north-east family with extensive lands in Aberdeenshire and Moray. Gordon Castle in Fochabers and Huntly Castle are key sites. Strong influence across the north-east and links to the Jacobite cause.
Clan Sinclair
Caithness, Wick, Rosslyn
Based in Caithness in the far north. Famous for Castle Sinclair Girnigoe near Wick and links to Rosslyn Chapel lore further south. Norse heritage and strong maritime tradition in the northern isles.
Clan MacGregor
Perthshire, Trossachs, Balquhidder
Historically outlawed and landless, with roots around Perthshire, the Trossachs, and Loch Lomond. Rob Roy MacGregor is the clan's most famous son. Sites include Balquhidder (Rob Roy's grave) and Glen Orchy.
Clan Cameron
Lochaber, Fort William, Achnacarry
From Lochaber around Fort William. Achnacarry Castle is the seat of the chiefs. Strong Jacobite tradition and links to the 1745 Rising. Historic lands include Glen Nevis, Loch Arkaig, and the Great Glen.
Clan Mackintosh / Clan Chattan
Inverness, Badenoch, Moy
Important around Inverness and Badenoch. Moy Hall south of Inverness is the traditional seat. Strong links to Culloden Battlefield and the Jacobite cause. Part of the Clan Chattan confederation.
Clan Douglas
Scottish Borders, Lanarkshire
Major Lowland clan with influence across southern Scotland. Associated with the Scottish Borders, Lanarkshire, and historic strongholds like Douglas Castle and Drumlanrig. Powerful medieval magnates.
Clan Stewart / Stuart
Argyll, Atholl, Central Scotland
Royal connections across Scotland as the ruling dynasty from 1371 to 1714. Sites include Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle, and Stewart lands in Argyll, Atholl, and across the central belt. Jacobite heritage.
Clan Matheson
Wester Ross, Lochalsh
From Wester Ross and the north-west Highlands. Associated with Lochalsh and lands around Loch Carron. Strong maritime tradition and links to the remote west coast.
Clan Murray
Perthshire, Atholl, Blair Castle
Powerful Lowland and Perthshire family. Blair Castle in Atholl is the seat of the Duke of Atholl. Historic lands include Perthshire, the Trossachs, and the southern Highlands.
Don't see your clan? We cover all Scottish clans and surnames, including smaller septs and regional families. Send us your surname and we'll research the key sites connected to your family name.
Example ancestry tour itineraries
Every tour is custom-designed, but here are examples of multi-day clan heritage itineraries we've created:
3-Day Fraser & Mackintosh Heritage Tour
Inverness & Aberdeenshire
- • Day 1: Inverness, Beauly Priory, Fraser clan lands, Culloden Battlefield
- • Day 2: Castle Fraser (Aberdeenshire), Drum Castle, Aberdeen archives
- • Day 3: Moy Hall (Mackintosh), Cawdor Castle, return to Inverness
2-Day MacDonald & MacLeod Tour
Skye & West Highlands
- • Day 1: Glencoe (Massacre of Glencoe), Fort William, scenic drive to Skye
- • Day 2: Dunvegan Castle (MacLeod seat), Trotternish Peninsula, clan sites
3-Day Grant, Gordon & Speyside Heritage Tour
Moray & Aberdeenshire
- • Day 1: Grantown-on-Spey, Castle Grant, Strathspey clan lands
- • Day 2: Gordon Castle (Fochabers), Huntly Castle, Elgin Cathedral
- • Day 3: Speyside whisky country, Dufftown, return via Cairngorms
2-Day Northern Clans Tour
Easter Ross & Caithness
- • Day 1: Inverness to Tain (Clan Ross), Dornoch, Dunrobin Castle (Clan Sutherland)
- • Day 2: Caithness (Clan Sinclair), Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, return via east coast
Typical ancestry tour highlights
Clan castles and tower houses
Visit the seat of your clan chiefs, from Dunvegan on Skye to Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire.
Ancient kirkyards and gravestones
Stand where your ancestors are buried, in remote Highland kirkyards and historic parish churches.
Battlefield visits
Walk Culloden, Glencoe, or other sites where your clan fought in Scotland's turbulent history.
Clan museums and heritage centres
Explore clan history through artifacts, genealogy records, and local heritage collections.
Scenic clan homelands and glens
Experience the landscapes your ancestors knew—from Skye's mountains to Speyside's glens.
Local archives and record offices
Visit genealogy centres and archives to research your family tree with local historians.
Request a custom ancestry tour
Send us your surname(s), any known locations, and time available in Scotland. We'll research your clan's key sites and create a custom itinerary.
Why choose Venture Highland for your ancestry tour
- Fully bespoke research and routing: We research your specific surname and design a custom tour, not a generic clan itinerary.
- Deep Highland knowledge: Our guides know clan history, battlefields, kirkyards, and the stories behind the landscapes.
- Private, flexible service: Your own vehicle, your own pace, with routing that adapts to your interests and energy.
- Nationwide coverage: From Skye to Aberdeenshire, Caithness to the Borders—we cover all Scottish clan territories.
- Multi-generational experience: Perfect for families connecting younger generations to their Scottish heritage.
- Emotional, meaningful travel: We understand the significance of walking where your ancestors walked.
Frequently asked questions
How do I plan a Scottish ancestry tour?
Send us your surname(s), any known locations or family stories, and time available in Scotland. We research your clan's key sites and design a custom route linking homelands, castles, battlefields, and kirkyards. We handle all logistics while you focus on connecting with your heritage.
How long should a clan heritage tour be?
Most ancestry tours are 2–4 days, depending on how many regions you want to cover. A single-clan tour in one area (e.g., Fraser around Inverness) works well in 2 days. Multi-clan tours across different regions (e.g., MacDonald in Skye + Campbell in Argyll) need 3–4 days.
Can you help me trace my Scottish family history?
Yes. We can visit local archives, genealogy centres, and kirkyards to help you research your family tree. We work with local historians and genealogists when deeper research is needed. We focus on connecting you to real places where your ancestors lived, worshipped, and are buried.
Which clans can you cover?
We cover all major Scottish clans across the Highlands, Lowlands, and Islands. From Fraser and Mackintosh in the north to Campbell in Argyll, MacDonald in the west, and Gordon in Aberdeenshire—we research and design tours for any Scottish surname.
Do you offer ancestry tours from Edinburgh or Glasgow?
Yes. We provide private ancestry tours starting from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, or anywhere in Scotland. We can also coordinate with your cruise port arrival or airport pickup.
What if my surname isn't a major clan?
Many Scottish surnames are septs (branches) of larger clans or have regional associations even if not a major clan. We research your specific surname and identify relevant sites, kirkyards, and historic locations connected to your family name.
Can you visit multiple clan sites in one tour?
Yes. Many families have multiple Scottish surnames or want to explore both maternal and paternal lines. We design routes that connect different clan territories efficiently, whether that's Fraser and Mackintosh around Inverness or MacDonald and Campbell across the west Highlands.
Is this suitable for families with children?
Absolutely. Ancestry tours work beautifully for multi-generational families. We pace the tour for all ages and focus on storytelling, castles, and dramatic landscapes that engage younger travelers while connecting them to their heritage.
Arriving by cruise ship?
Many of our ancestry tour guests arrive at Invergordon on cruise ships. We can design a clan heritage shore excursion timed to your ship's schedule.
Invergordon Shore Excursions →