From Edinburgh: 2-Day Outlander Experience Tour

Day 1: Castles, Highland landscapes and Loch Ness

Your Outlander adventure begins just outside Edinburgh with a visit to Midhope Castle, the exterior filming location for Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s family home. Though the interior remains closed, the castle exterior is beautifully preserved and instantly recognisable to fans of the series.

Next we travel to Blackness Castle*, dramatically positioned on the Firth of Forth. Known as “the ship that never sailed”, this powerful 15th century fortress stood in for Fort William, the headquarters of the Redcoat army. Visitors may explore the castle at their own pace and imagine the scenes of Jamie’s imprisonment.

Our journey continues to Doune Castle, one of Scotland’s best preserved medieval strongholds and the filming location for Castle Leoch, seat of Clan MacKenzie. Its impressive gatehouse and grand hall make it easy to picture the clan gatherings seen in the show.

From here we travel north through the landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. A stop in the charming town of Callander, often called the gateway to the Highlands, offers time for lunch and a wander through its welcoming cafés and local shops.

The scenery becomes even more dramatic as we reach Glen Coe, one of Scotland’s most famous glens and featured in the opening credits of Outlander. Towering mountains and sweeping valleys create one of the most atmospheric landscapes in the country.

Continuing past Fort William, beneath the shadow of Ben Nevis, we pause at the legendary Loch Ness for photos and perhaps a glimpse of Scotland’s most famous resident.

The day ends in the Highland capital of Inverness, where you will spend the night exploring its riverside streets, historic churches and welcoming Highland pubs.

Overnight: Inverness

* Entry is optional and admission fees are not included in the tour price.

Day 2: Standing stones, battlefields and Outlander villages

Our second day begins with a visit to Clava Cairns, a remarkable Bronze Age burial site dating back around 4,000 years. The ring of standing stones here is widely believed to have inspired the fictional Craigh Na Dun, the mystical stone circle that transports Claire through time.

We then travel to the powerful and moving site of Culloden Battlefield, where the Jacobite rising came to a tragic end in 1746. Walking the battlefield offers a deeper understanding of the history that forms the backdrop to the Outlander story.

Continuing south through the Cairngorms, we stop at the Highland Folk Museum, where historic buildings recreate life in the Scottish Highlands from the 1700s onwards. Several scenes from the series were filmed here, making it a fascinating stop for fans.

Our journey then takes us to the picturesque village of Falkland, which doubled as 1940s Inverness in the show. The famous Bruce Fountain, where Claire first sees Jamie’s ghost, remains one of the most recognisable locations in the series.

The final stop is the beautifully preserved village of Culross, whose cobbled streets became the fictional town of Cranesmuir. With its whitewashed houses and narrow lanes, Culross feels almost unchanged since the 17th century.

From here we return to Edinburgh, bringing your Outlander adventure through Scotland to a close.

*Please note that availability for Midhope Castle & Highland Folk Museum may vary depending on season

Q. How does our accommodation booking service work?

Our tour packages include Bed & Breakfast accommodation or hotel if an upgrade is available. Breakfast is included and may be cooked or continental. Your driver-guide will drop you off and pick you up from the accommodation during the tour.

Q. If I wish to book my own accommodation, what should I do?

Please contact us on [email protected] and we can quote you a “tour only” price and advise you which locations you need to book your accommodation in.

Q. What do the different room types mean?

• No matter when you visit, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”, to say the least. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket (it has been known to rain in Scotland), sunglasses and plenty of layers.
• Ensure you bring shoes suitable for short walks, on rough or uneven terrain.
• Although most attractions & eating establishments we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.
• Don’t forget a camera to snap the fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!
• Please limit your luggage to 1 x small/medium piece per person (no more than 15kg), along with 1 x small handbag or daypack.