Outlander Tour of Scotland 2023

Edinburgh.
After our early morning arrival, we meet our driver guide at the airport. After leaving the airport we first make our way to Linlithgow Palace. This royal palace and birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots became the backdrop for some of the most harrowing scenes in Outlander. Depicted as Wentworth Prison, the prison corridors and entrance were used in the series when Jamie Fraser was brutally incarcerated by his adversary, Blackjack Randall. Built in the 1400s and 1500s, the now-ruined palace is set among the spectacular surrounds of Linlithgow Loch and Peel. Then its onto our hotel right in town. Overnight at the Apex Waterloo Hotel.

Edinburgh.
After breakfast we meet our driver guide to start our Outlander sightseeing. Our first stop is Craigmillar Castle. Known to Outlander fans as the remote Ardsmuir Prison, the place of Jamie’s incarceration in season three, Craigmillar Castle is in fact situated just a few miles from the center of Edinburgh. Visitors to the handsome ruined castle, which was intimately involved in the famous plot to murder Mary, Queen of Scots’ wearisome husband Henry Stuart, should climb the tower for a superb view of the Scottish capital. We when take time to have lunch perhaps in a quaint little pub. Then our next stop a must see for any Outlander fan is to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace at the bottom of the Royal Mile and is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland (the Queen does in fact come and stay here every summer), and before that was the main residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland. In a true-to-life representation, this is where Claire and Jamie visit the prince to beg him to abandon his hopeless cause. Overnight at the Apex Waterloo Hotel.

Edinburgh – Glencoe – Ft. William.
This morning after breakfast we begin our journey to Glencoe. As we drive through the beautiful countryside, we first make our way to Hopetoun House. As perhaps Scotland’s finest stately home, the turn-of-the-18th-century building houses stunning furnished interiors, an extensive collection of art, and a sprawling English garden–style landscape park. Outlander fans may recognize it as several locations from the show, as at different times it has stood in for the home of the Duke of Sandringham, the Hawkins Estate, Helwater stables, and even as Jamie and Claire’s Paris apartment. Make sure to see the red drawing room where Claire and Jamie meet the Duke to request Jamie’s pardon. When not being used for filming, this room is used for private functions and dinners. Next to the red room is the living room. This may be recognizable as the room where Jamie talks with Lord Dunsany at the start of his time in Helwater. Heading outside we make our way to the stables where a number of Paris street scenes were filmed, including the infamous rape of Mary Hawkins. After leaving Hopetoun House we will stop for lunch before making our way to Blackness Castle. One of Scotland’s most impressive strongholds, Blackness Castle was built in the 15th century by one of Scotland’s most powerful families, the Crichtons. Outlander fans will recognize this castle as the place of the scenes where dastardly Blackjack Randall gives Jamie a horrific whipping. This mighty fortification, located about eight miles west of South Queensferry on the shores of the Firth of Forth, was originally built in the 1440s for the influential local Crichton family. Glencoe appears in the opening credits, what a beautifully rugged area in the Scottish highlands. Then it onto Ft. William. Overnight at the Ben Nevis Hotel Ft. William.

Glencoe – Inverness.
Today after a full Scottish breakfast we head out to our first stop Doune Castle. Explore this 14th century courtyard castle, with a striking 100 ft high gatehouse and one of the best-preserved great halls in Scotland. The castle is a stand-in for the fictional Castle Leoch in Outlander (the home of dashing warrior Jamie Fraser’s uncle, Colum Mackenzie, and his clan), Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold that dates back to the 14th century. We continue on to Inverness. Not far outside Inverness, Culloden Battlefield was the site of the last battle of the Jacobites. Culloden Battlefield is where the last hand-to-hand battle was fought on British soil which takes on a whole new meaning with the opening of an exciting new visitor center and interactive exhibition. The battlefield itself is now restored to as close as possible that marched on by the two sides on that fateful day. this is a real-life attraction that plays itself in the series; it appears in the scene where Jamie and Claire say goodbye before he leaves to fight in the historic battle. Overnight Inverness. Overnight at the Culloden House Hotel.

Inverness.
This morning you will travel the short distance to the Clansman Harbor for a 1-hour Jacobite Cruise to enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding mountains from the loch and sail the deepest part using the Jacobite sonar then alight at Urquhart Castle where you will have the chance to explore for an hour before cruising back up the loch to the Clansman Harbour. Urquhart Castle was the site of many battles led by the Clan MacDonald. It stands on a rocky promontory on the north shore with stunning views of the glen and a chance to spot the famous Loch Ness Monster. It has a turbulent history: seized by the English in 1296, sacked in 1545 by MacDonald Lord of the Isles and later left to decay after 1689. Returning to land travel through Inverness towards Nairn to visit Cawdor Castle which dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. The ancient medieval tower was built around the legendary holly-tree and is not another cold monument, but a splendid house and the home of the Campbell family to this day. You may enjoy afternoon tea with some home baking in the Courtyard Café. Round off today with a visit to Culloden Battlefield where the last hand-to-hand battle was fought on British soil which takes on a whole new meaning with the opening of an exciting new visitor centre and interactive exhibition. The battlefield itself is now restored to as close as possible that marched on by the two sides on that fateful day. Travelling back in time a little further visit Clava Cairns, or more correctly, Bulnaraun of Clava, one of the best-preserved Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland and Culloden Viaduct, Scotland’s longest masonry viaduct which was opened in 1898 and crosses the river Nairn at this point. Overnight at the Culloden House Hotel.

Inverness – Glasgow.
On our way to Glasgow, we will visit Culross, this charming town is about as close to stepping back in time to the 16th century as possible. The whitewashed, red-tiled buildings are well preserved, such as the Town House, where witches were tried and held while awaiting execution. As a living museum of 17th-century Scottish life, the seaside town was always going to be a popular location choice when shooting a historical Scottish drama. Fittingly, Outlander has used the site in several different guises throughout the series. It has played the Black Kirk, the fictional village of Cranesmuir (where Geillis lived), the location of Balriggan Cottage (where Laoghaire and daughter Joan lived) and has been a backdrop to the Jacobite encampment and makeshift hospital scenes. Once back in Edinburgh a must see for any Outlander fan to visit is probably the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace at the bottom of the Royal Mile is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland (the Queen does in fact come and stay here every summer), and before that was the main residence of the Kings and Queens of Scotland. In a true-to-life representation, this is where Claire and Jamie visit the prince to beg him to abandon his hopeless cause. Overnight Apex City Hotel Glasgow.

Glasgow Airport.
Today you will make your own way to Glasgow Airport for your flight home.