Outlander Experience - Small Group

Day 1

A morning of castles…

Our first stop is Midhope Castle, the external location for Lallybroch, the family home of Jamie Fraser. This 15th-century castle is largely intact outside, but sadly derelict within — so we will have a quick photo stop here before continuing our journey northwards.

We then head to the imposing Blackness Castle*. A perfect viewpoint for the Firth of Forth and often referred to as ‘the ship that never sailed’ due to its strong ship-like stone exterior, this 15th-century castle stood in for Fort William in the show. It has also featured in other period films, most recently in ‘Mary Queen of Scots’. Feel free to discover this castle at your own pace and discover the hidden secrets of the castle. This is not just a filming location. It has been a royal castle, a stronghold, a prison and the ancestral home to the Crichton family, for whom it was built. You may be reminded of Jamie’s heart-wrenching incarceration as featured in the show, as well as his dramatic escape.

We continue on to Doune Castle*, which boasts a striking 100-foot-high gatehouse and one of the best-preserved great halls in the United Kingdom. It is better known for playing a starring role in the show — Castle Leoch, home of Colum MacKenzie and his clan. You might also remember it as Castle Anthrax from ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’. Immerse yourself in the ‘Outlander’ spirit by listening to Jamie as he guides you through his uncle’s home.

Enjoy stunning scenery and Highland towns…

Your lunch stop for the day will be in the pretty town of Callander, set on the banks of the River Teith, known colloquially as the ‘Gateway to the Highlands’. You will have time here to explore the many teashops and sample the local produce. You’ll see the beautiful Roman Gate on your way out of the town.

We travel north into the Highlands and visit Glen Coe, which features in ‘Outlander’s’ opening credits. Soak in the scenery of one of the most impressive places in Scotland. You’ll be in awe as you stand in this striking glen. Here you can get a sense of the dramatic landscape in which the show was set and imagine how Jamie and Claire may have lived. This will be a brief stop in which you will have the opportunity to photograph the glen.

The tour continues past Fort William, home of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. This town is the site of Jamie’s incarceration in the show as it was the base of the Red Coat Army.

Spend a moment Nessie spotting…

We’ll have a quick stop at Loch Ness as we continue north to our final resting stop for the day. This is a great opportunity for a photo. Be sure to look carefully: this loch is home to the famous Loch Ness Monster!

Your overnight stop for the day will be Inverness. You will arrive in the evening, so you will have the chance to explore the town at night. It is full of cobbled streets, churches and impressive architecture. There are plenty of bars and restaurants in which to enjoy your evening in the Highlands.

Overnight: Inverness

Day 2

Explore Clava Cairns and the famous battlefield of Culloden…

Our second day begins with a visit to Clava Cairns, approximately 4,000 years old. These are one of Scotland’s more impressive sights as you can get up close to the standing stones and burial chambers. These cairns are the real-life version of Craigh Na Dun and the inspiration for the novel.

We then continue on to Culloden*, a sombre place to visit as you can walk the battlefield of the quick and bloody 1746 battle. This was the final battle between the Jacobite Forces and the Red Coats and where the rising met its end. Your guide will tell you the whole tragic story, sensationalised in the show.

Immerse yourself in Highland history…

We will journey south to the Highland Folk Museum for lunch and to get a taste of how Highland people lived and worked from the 1700s up until the 1960s. You will have plenty of time to explore this museum, which will give you important background information for the show – a lot that you will recognise already. Nestled in the Cairngorm national park, this museum was an ideal choice for various period scenes in ‘Outlander’.

Explore Falkland and Culross…

As we head further south to Fife, we will visit the village of Falkland. Here you will have time to wander the streets and relive one of the first scenes of the TV series, in which Jamie’s ghost looks up at Claire’s room. You’ll recognise this village as 1940s and 1960s Inverness. This small town is home to Falkland Palace and was a favourite retreat for many royals, including Mary Queen of Scots. It has remained remarkably unchanged since the mid-century, making it the ideal filming location. See if you can spot the parallels between Falkland and Inverness!

Your final stop of the tour will be the village of Culross. Here you will have an hour to explore the streets, which you will recognise as the town of Cranesmuir in the first season of the show. This 17th-century riverside town is owned and preserved by the National Trust and was once a busy port for Fife. Its narrow streets make it largely free of traffic, making it easy to imagine life here in the 18th century. You will then make the short journey back to Edinburgh, where you will say goodbye to your group.