PRIVATE TOUR ITINERARY

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Experience the most famous Outlander filming locations while you see the Best of Scotland on your own private tour!

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Day 1: Blackness Castle & Midhope Castle

Arrive Edinburgh Airport where you will be met by your chauffeur-guide. On your way into Edinburgh you’ll visit 15th-century Blackness Castle and Midhope Castle. Blackness featured as Fort William in Outlander where Jamie had received lashes from Captain Randall. Later, Jamie breaks into the castle, rescuing Claire from the hands of Black Jack. Midhope Castle is the location for fictional Lallybroch, the family home of character Jamie Fraser. The castle dates back to the 15th Century, and although the exterior is relatively intact, the castle is derelict inside.  Next, arrive at your hotel in central Edinburgh for a two-night stay. Enjoy some time to relax and settle into your accommodation before a welcome dinner with some whisky tastings at a local restaurant.

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Day 2: Edinburgh

Today, meet your local guide for a whole-day guided tour of Edinburgh. Learn all about Edinburgh’s long history — see how the medieval townhouses along the Royal Mile contrast with the fine Georgian architecture of the 200-year-old New Town and learn about many prominent Scottish inventors, doctors and writers for whom Edinburgh is famous. Visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle to tour this historic military stronghold, the birthplace of the city, and soak up the dramatic views. In the afternoon, wind your way through the medieval streets of the Royal Mile, ending at the impressive Palace of Holyrood, the Scottish residence of The Queen. For Outlander fans, you’ll see the Bakehouse home to Alexander Malcolm’s print shop. It is here that we see Claire reunited with Jamie after years of separation.

 

Day 3: St. Andrews & Kinloch Rannoch

This morning, you’ll depart Edinburgh and cross the Firth of Forth estuary on the new Queen Elizabeth II bridge for the beautiful medieval city of St. Andrews, set on the stunning north coast of the Kingdom of Fife. On your way you'll stop in Falkland, where in the drama Claire and Frank arrive on their honeymoon and meet Mrs Baird, the somewhat mysterious owner of their bed and breakfast, as well as the local minister, Reverend Wakefield. On arrival in St. Andrews, drive across the Old Course on a public road, and if you are golf enthusiasts, take a photo opportunity at the Swilken Bridge. Meet your local guide for a private-guided tour of the town of St. Andrews. Visits will include the university (founded in 1413), the ruins of the 12th-century cathedral and castle, and the quaint town —packed with history and charm. After lunch, depart St. Andrews for the Highlands, stopping en route at Kinloch Rannoch. Possibly the most iconic Outlander location, Kinloch Rannoch was used for the site of Craigh na Dun. It is here, in the very first episode, that Claire visits the stone circle and is thrown back in time to 1743. There she meets Captain ‘Black Jack’ Randall, a sadistic British officer, before being rescued by a passing highlander, Murtagh. Next, continue your journey to the Scottish Highlands for a two-night stay in Culloden – a 10-minute drive from Inverness.

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Day 4: Culloden Battlefield, Glenlivet and Clava Cairns

This morning, you’ll visit the Culloden Battlefield — the powerfully emotive and atmospheric battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. You’ll discover the true story of the 1745 Rising from both the Jacobite and Government perspectives in the newly accredited museum, where unique artifacts from the time are displayed. Walk the battlefield and explore the key areas of action on Culloden Moor, as well as visiting the memorial cairn around which lie the graves of 1,500 fallen Jacobite soldiers. For Outlander fans, back in the 1960s Claire visited the battle site, sitting at the gravestone marking the mass grave of Clan Fraser. The real battlefield was used for this scene. This afternoon you’ll visit Glenlivet Distillery in the Cairngorms National Park, where you’ll learn about how whisky is made and sample a “wee dram”.  You’ll also visit Clava Cairns, an impressive collection of prehistoric burial chambers said to have inspired Outlander.

 

Day 5: Loch Ness & Fort Augustus

Depart for Loch Ness where you’ll enjoy a cruise in hope of seeing the legendary Nessie. You’ll be treated to panoramic views of the Highlands as you approach Urquhart Castle, where the cruise ends with a visit to this famous castle perched majestically above the shoreline. Continue to Fort Augustus for lunch, where Loch Ness meets Thomas Telford’s Caledonian Canal. This afternoon, you’ll depart through the Western Highlands—pausing at the sight of Battle of Glen Shiel, famous for Rob Roy, who fought in the Jacobite Rising of 1719—for a visit to Eilean Donan Castle before crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye for a two-night stay.

  

Day 6: Isle of Skye

Today, explore the Isle of Skye. You’ll first have an opportunity to climb to the Old Man of Storr, a large pinnacle of towering rock with views over the Islands of Raasay and Rona. Legend has it that the Old Man of Storr, a title derived from the Norse word for “Great Man,” was a giant who resided on the island. When the giant was laid to rest upon his death, his thumb—the “Old Man”—remained partially above ground. Continue on to Kilt Rock, a sea cliff with huge, vertical basalt columns, and then to the top of the spectacular Quiraing mountain pass. This afternoon you’ll step back in time at the Skye Museum of Island Life and visit the ruins of Dun Beag iron-age broch, a circular dry-stone tower, large enough to serve as a fortified home.

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Day 7: Glencoe & Glencoe

Today, say goodbye to the Isle of Skye and embark the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig. You’ll follow the coast south by the silver sands of Morar to the Glenfinnan Tower Monument, where Bonnie Prince Charles rallied support for the Jacobite Rebellion of 1746, and then on to the 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct, also known as “The Harry Potter Bridge”. Continue along a scenic-back road of mountains and lochs, with views to Ben Nevis. Cross Lock Linnhe by ferry and continue your journey to Glencoe, sight of the infamous Massacre of Glencoe. You’ll then arrive in Port Appin for an overnight stay.

 

​Day 8: Doune Castle & Stirling Castle 

This morning you’ll leave through the beautiful and wild landscape of Glencoe and the Great Moor of Rannoch with picturesque mountain scenery stretching for many miles. You’ll make a stop at Doune Castle, a medieval stronghold and setting of Castle Leoch in Outlander and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Castle Leoch is the seat of Clan Mackenzie in Outlander. It is here that we are introduced to many important characters, including Murtagh, Mrs. Fitz and Laoghaire MacKenzie, as well as Colum MacKenzie, Laird of the Clan, his wife Letitia and their son Hamish. Continue to Stirling Castle, the last stronghold of Scotland, besieged by William Wallace and Robert the Bruce and residence of the Stewart monarchs including Mary Queen of Scots and King James. Arrive in Edinburgh, where your tour ends. Edinburgh where the tour ends at the airport or central Edinburgh.