Scotland inspired by Outlander - 13 day tour
Scotland inspired by Outlander
13 day / 12 night
Follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie on this extensive Outlander inspired tour of Scotland. Discover many of the places that inspired Diana Gabaldon to write her popular series of novels, including Cranesmuir (Culross in real life), Wentworth Prison (Linlithgow Prison) and Castle Leoch (Doune Castle). Your visit to Scotland will be enhanced with visits to the picturesque Isle of Skye and the historic Orkney Islands as well as our great cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.
Blackness Castle - discover the actual Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall
Culloden Moor - visit the site of the last battle ever fought on British soil
Orkney Islands - explore the pre-historic sites of Skara Brae and Ring of Brodgar
Isle of Skye - tour through the scenic Sleat Peninsula known as the Garden of Skye
Highland Folk Museum - this fascinating recreation of an 18th Century village was used as an Outlander filming location
Movie locations - Outlander, One Day and Monty Python and the Holy Grail
Hotel accommodation included
Full Tour Itinerary
Select Day:
Day 1 - Welcome to Edinburgh
Welcome to Edinburgh and the start of your highland trail to discover more about the Outlander series and the characters in it.
This evening meet with your fellow travellers and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception.
Overnight: Novotel City Centre, Edinburgh (or similar) (3 nights)
Day 2 - Edinburgh Sightseeing and Castle Visit
Today enjoy the main sights with a local guide including a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Gain a feel for the lowland life before discovering the highlander world.
During free time perhaps explore the Royal Mile and pop into The World's End - one of the taverns mentioned in the novel.
Day 3 - Outlander Excursion to the Kingdom of Fife
We start today by visiting Blackness Castle - filming location for Fort William in Season 1.
As we travel across the Firth of Forth look out for the iconic Forth Bridge then tour through the ancient Kingdom of Fife which has been a setting for many of the Outlander filming locations.
Visit Culross which was the location for the fictional village of Cranesmuir. See Claire's herb garden and Geillis Duncan's home in the beautifully preserved 16th century town centre.
Day 4 - Edinburgh - Falkland - Dundee
Today we visit the village of Falkland, stand in for 1940's and 1960's Inverness (series 1 and 2). Stop at the Covenanter Hotel which was Mrs Baird's Guesthouse in the series. For devoted fans there are several other filming locations in the village to spot!
Look out for Falkland Palace, a favourite retreat for the Scottish Kings and Queens.
Later we make our way to St. Andrews the home of golf and Scotland's oldest university.
We end the day in the city of Dundee for an overnight stay and see the Tay Rail Bridge, the V&A and RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel.
Overnight: Apex City Quay, Dundee (or similar)
Day 5 - Dundee - Highland Folk Museum - Highlands
Celebrate rural Scottish heritage at the Highland Folk Museum, with its recreated 18th-century township, once used as a location in the filming of Outlander season 1.
'Dive Into Culture' and gain insights into rural life in Scotland from the 18th century to the mid-20th century, admiring the extensive collection of artefacts.
We continue through the rugged landscapes of the Scottish Highlands to our hotel in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.
Overnight: Carrbridge Hotel, Carrbridge (or similar)
Day 6 - Highlands - Loch Ness - Thurso
This morning visit the poignant site of the Battle of Culloden where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated. The modern Visitor Centre brings to life what happened on the 16 April 1746 and how this brief 30-minute battle impacted Scottish history.
Significantly this is also the event in Outlander which forces Claire and Jamie to say their goodbyes.
Later consider taking a cruise along Loch Ness to see Urquhart Castle before making your way through scenic countryside to the most northerly town in mainland Scotland, Thurso.
Enjoy dinner tonight at your hotel.
Overnight: Pentland Hotel, Thurso (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 7 - Orkney Islands Excursion
At John O'Groats, take the ferry across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Island of South Ronaldsay.
Orkney is home to the legend of the mythological creature the Scottish Selkie. This seal sheds its skin to walk on land disguised as a human and forms part of an important folk tale explained in Outlander.
See the Churchill Barriers, built as part of naval defence to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow during World War II.
Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war and stop at Skara Brae. Walk through the remains of this famous Neolithic village.
See the prehistoric Ring of Brodgar en route to visit Viking Kirkwall where we will view mighty St Mangus Cathedral.
Later we cross the sea back to the mainland. Dine tonight at your hotel.
Day 8 - Thurso - Ullapool - Isle of Skye
Visit the quaint fishing town of Ullapool and see the herring port designed by Thomas Telford.
Travel through lochs and glens and stop to view the impressive Eilean Donan Castle before crossing to the picturesque Isle of Skye. Hear tales of Flora MacDonald who was a Jacobite heroine and played a part in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie ‘over the sea to Skye'.
Dine tonight at your hotel.
Overnight: Kings Arms Hotel, Kyleakin, Isle of Skye (or similar)
Day 9 - Isle of Skye - Glenfinnan - Kinloch Rannoch
Leave the picturesque Isle of Skye on a ferry to Mallaig.
Travel to Fort William via the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct. At Fort William see Ben Nevis which is Britain's highest mountain. Travel through impressive Glen Coe and hear the story of the "Glen of Weeping".
Arrive in Kinloch Rannoch for a relaxing two night stay.
Overnight: MacDonald Loch Rannoch Hotel, Kinloch Rannoch (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 10 - Blair Athol Distillery Excursion
Enjoy time at leisure in your highland surroundings.
Later, we 'Dive Into Culture' and learn about the local whisky industry at Blair Athol Distillery, including a tasting of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar.
Visit the pretty Victorian town of Pitlochry by the banks of the River Tummel.
Day 11 - Ballachulish - Doune Castle - Glasgow
Travel through the breathtaking 'Glen of the Weeping' at Glen Coe.
See Doune Castle, the spectacular 14th century courtyard castle was the film location for Castle Leoch in the TV series. It was here that Claire was hosted by the Mackenzie Clan when she arrived in Scotland in 1743.
Visit Stirling Castle which is a symbol of Scottish national pride. See the 'Stirling Heads' and visit the halls, chapels and bedrooms of this imposing castle. From the castle walls view the Wallace Monument - dedicated to Sir William Wallace and overlooking the battlefield of Stirling Bridge depicted in the 1995 film Braveheart.
View the site of the Battle of Bannockburn before arriving in Glasgow.
Overnight: Holiday Inn Theatreland, Glasgow (or similar) (2 nights)
Day 12 - Glasgow City Tour and Linlithgow Palace Excursion
This morning your orientation of Glasgow includes the magnificent Glasgow Cathedral film location in the second season for L'Hopital des Anges, the Parisian Hospital Claire volunteers at and where she puts her medicinal knowledge to use.
Later, travel to Linlithgow Palace, stand in for the prison entrance and corridors of Wentworth Prison where Jamie was imprisoned in season 1.
Round off your experience with a memorable Farewell Lunch on a working Scottish farm by the shores of Loch Ard.
Day 13 - Homeward Bound
Say a fond farewell to bonnie Scotland as your Highland Trail inspired by Outlander draws to a close.
Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect on this Escorted Tour?
If you enjoy the art of first-class travel whilst enjoying amazing value then an Escorted Tour is just for you. These tours are carefully researched and combine quality hotels, luxury travel, informative visits and leisure time. You’ll find our Escorted Tours to be memorable - for all the right reasons!
You will travel aboard a state of the art motorcoach with air-conditioning, reclining seats, oversized windows and emergency washroom. Many coaches are equipped with WiFi too.
An experienced tour manager will lead the tour and your coach will be expertly driven by a professional driver. In certain locations you’ll may be joined by a local guide who will provide local insight and show you the highlights.
These tours are inclusive of superior tourist class accommodation, transportation, selected admission fees and many meals.
On many tours you’ll have the chance to personalise your touring experience by participating in some carefully planned optional excursions. These are at additional expense and, if available, details will be provided with your tour documentation.
What are optional extras?
The extended tours we offer are the perfect blend of discovery and free time.
To enhance your tour and to add to your enjoyment a specially crafted programme of optional extras will be offered. These could include evening diversions such as a Scottish Banquet with music and entertainment or a speciality visit to a historic castle.
A list of the options available on your tour will be included in your tour documentation together with information on how you can purchase them.
What type of room should I choose?
There are different bedrooms types to choose from, here is what you can expect:
Single room - one person sleeping in a single bed
Twin room - two people sleeping in two separate beds
Double room - two people sharing one large bed
Family room - three people sharing a room sleeping in one large bed (2 people) and one single bed (1 person)
Please note that a family room can be a standard double room with either a sofa bed or a rollaway bed.
Do I need to follow the complete tour itinerary?
Subject to the itinerary it may be possible to join the tour late; leave early or miss a day to pursue your own itinerary (proving the tour is staying in the same hotel for two nights or more, of course).
Please feel free to contact us to discuss your requirements - we’ll do our best to help.
Unfortunately we can’t discount the price of the tour to compensate for any unused portions of the tour.
What meals are included?
One of the great things about travelling on an Escorted/ Premium Escorted Tour is the generous number of meals included as standard.
Start the day with a freshly cooked breakfast or, if you prefer, there’s always a lighter continental option available too. You’ll find a number of evening dinners included which will give you the opportunity of sampling some local delicacies.
Check the “What’s Included' list on the relevant tour page for the exact number of meals that are featured on your tour.
Inclusions
Accommodation
- 12 nights hotel accommodation
- Location: Edinburgh (3); Dundee (1); Inverness (1); Thurso (2); Isle of Skye (1); Ballachulish (2) and Glasgow (2)
Meals
- Scottish/Continental breakfast (12)
- Welcome reception with your Tour Director
- Table d’hôte dinners (4)
- Farewell lunch on a working Scottish farm
Visits, Admissions and Experiences
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle, Culloden Battlefield, Skara Brae, Highland Folk Museum, Blackness Castle, Stirling Castle, Glasgow Cathedral and Linlithgow Palace
- City tour of Edinburgh
- Orientation tours of Dundee, Inverness, Glasgow and Stirling
- Visit to a whisky distillery with tasting
Tour Essentials
- Touring by luxury air-conditioned coach with extra-legroom, reclining seats, on board washroom and Wifi
- Ferry to the Orkney Islands
- Ferry from the Isle of Skye
- Ferry to the Isles of Mull and Iona
- All baggage handling and hotel tips are included
- Services throughout the tour of a professional Tour Director
- Service charges and taxes
Departure information
From The Novotel City Centre
80 Lauriston Place
Edinburgh EH3 9DE
The tour will end in Glasgow after breakfast on day 13
Check-in: 16:30 hrs
Tour Departs: 14:30 hrs
Tour Returns: 09:00 hrs
Child details
Child discount applies to children aged 5 to 17 years inclusive on the basis that they share a room with an adult.
We’re sorry but children aged under 5 years cannot travel on this tour.
Photo-ID may be requested to confirm discount entitlement.
Price Notes
Accommodation
The price of the tour includes hotel accommodation with en-suite bathroom.
FAQs
Please see the FAQ section for more information on this tour.
Product code:
TT 02097
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9 day tour from £ 2525.00