A captivating tale of Redcoats and rugged Highlanders is revealed on this Outlander-inspired jaunt through the dramatic landscapes of Scotland. We begin our journey in the enchanting capital of Edinburgh with some free time to ramble through its medieval streets before joining our fellow travelers and Travel Director for a hearty Scottish Welcome Reception.
Soak up the mystical atmosphere of Auld Reekie this morning as you join a Local Specialist for an intriguing sightseeing tour of the city, including a visit to Edinburgh Castle perched atop Castle Rock. Tread in the footsteps of Jamie and his beloved sassenach, embarking on an Outlander walking tour through Old Town's winding cobblestone lanes. Spend the rest of the day at leisure seeking out more locations of Outlander fame like the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
We visit the 15th-century walls of Blackness Castle on the shores of the scenic Firth of Forth – the backdrop for the infamous Fort William prison in Outlander season 1. Then, cross the Forth to the fictional village of Cranesmuir, real-life Culross, delving into tales of witchcraft and spells. Here we'll see Claire's herb garden and Geillis Duncan's home in the remarkably well-preserved 16th-century town center.
Traversing the lush green Lowlands to the Kingdom of Fife, we arrive in Falkland. This former royal burgh was the Outlander film location for 1940s Inverness and the springboard to Claire's spellbinding story. See the Covenanter Hotel, which doubled as Mrs Baird's B&B in the series, before heading to the home of golf, St. Andrews. Our final stop for today is Dundee, where we'll see the impressive Tay Rail Bridge and view the RRS Discovery, the last traditional wooden three-masted ship built in Britain, which served as Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic exploration vessel.
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 explore the cultural capital of the Highlands, Inverness.
We start the day with a visit to the bloody battlefield of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite army was defeated in 1746. The windswept moors on which this final battle took place played a significant role in the Outlander series as the catalyst which forced Claire and Jamie to part ways. We relive the brief, but brutal battle at the contemporary Visitor Center, before heading to Thurso, the most northerly town in mainland Scotland, and our home for the next two nights.
See the village of John o' Groats before we catch the ferry that crosses the Pentland Firth and arrive at South Ronaldsay, one of the Orkney Islands. The legend of Orkney's mythical Selkies, which shift their aquatic form on land to walk as humans, is revealed in Outlander and explored today as we roam these mystical islands bound for the remains of the Neothilic Skara Brae village, which was lost for millennia. Wander freely amongst the standing stones of the Ring of Brodgar before the ferry ride back to the mainland.
We travel south to soak up the seafaring heritage of Ullapool, a fishing town on Loch Broom and home to Thomas Telford's famous herring port. We traverse the rugged countryside and see the spellbinding spot where three lochs meet and are guarded by the island fortress of Eilean Donan Castle. Continuing to the picturesque Isle of Skye, we hear about Bonnie Prince Charlie's daring escape 'over the sea to Skye' aided by Jacobite heroine, Flora MacDonald. This evening we enjoy dinner at our hotel.
We leave the craggy landscape of Skye behind, boarding a ferry back to the mainland to Mallaig. Our journey continues through Fort William via the magnificent Glenfinnan Viaduct, the now famous 'Harry Potter' bridge which Hogwarts Express crosses on its journey across the Scottish Highlands. Impressive in their own right are the exquisite views of Britain's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, which you’ll get to admire before traveling past the precipitous mountains of Glencoe to see the 'Glen of Weeping'. Learn from a ranger about the conservation of endangered species on Glencoe National Nature Reserve. Despite the tragedy that befell the Clan MacDonald here in 1692, the irresistible beauty of this place cannot be denied and you’ll spend a quiet moment paying tribute to the brave clansmen who lost their life in the massacre.
Today, we Dive Into Culture and learn about the local whisky industry at one of the oldest distilleries in Scotland. Hear about how the distillery was founded and how it operates. Sample a wee dram of Scotland's much-loved golden nectar and perhaps buy a bottle as a special souvenir of your trip to the Highlands.
Head to Doune Castle, which served as the film location for Castle Leoch in Outlander. We see the site where Clan Mackenzie welcomed and hosted Claire upon her arrival in 18th-century Scotland, then head to Stirling and its magnificent castle, a symbol of Scottish national pride and once home to Scottish royals including Mary, Queen of Scots. Explore its halls, chapels and bedrooms, see the famous 'Stirling Heads' and admire the poignant Wallace Monument and battlefield of Stirling Bridge from its 16th-century walls. View the site of the Battle of Bannockburn, before arriving in Glasgow for a visit to the masterfully crafted St. Mungo's Cathedral, the Outlander film location for 'L'Hopital des Anges' in Paris. It was here that Claire persuaded Mother Hildegard to let her put her medical knowledge to good use. Later, explore Glasgow at leisure.
This morning we enjoy an orientation tour of the city, including views of Glasgow City Chambers, George Square and the River Clyde. Next, we visit Callendar House where the authentic Georgian working kitchen was used as part of Bellhurst Manor, the home of the Duke of Sandringham, during season two. Our encounter with Highland stories not yet at its end, we join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard, where we’ll Connect With Locals over a home-cooked Farewell Be My Guest Lunch amidst intriguing tales of Rob Roy.
As the chapter closes on our Outlander-inspired journey through the wilds of Scotland and centuries of fascinating heritage, we say farewell to our newfound friends and prepare to return to reality.