Outlander Tours of Scotland Spirit of Outlander - 11 Day Tour

Day 1 Arrive Glasgow (-/-/D)

Arrive in Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, which boasts a cosmopolitan vitality and an exciting arts and culture vibe.

Enjoy free time today exploring the city centre at your own pace.

In the evening, you’ll finally get to meet your fellow Spirit of Outlander travellers at our group Welcome, when you’ll also learn more of what lies in store over the coming days.

Day 2 – Day trip to Outlander Sites (B/-/-)

Your first day on the road takes you to some of the fabulous Outlander film location sites in and around Glasgow, including Glasgow Cathedral which doubled as L’Hopital des Anges in Series 2, Dowanhill Street, Glasgow University and Glasgow Old Infirmary from Series 3, then on to Pollok Country Park, Glasgow’s largest park (which won Best Park in Europe 2008) and the chance to explore the elegance of Pollok House.

HIGHLIGHTS

Glasgow Cathedral
Pollok Country Park
Glasgow University
Dowanhill Street
John Street

Day 3 Journey from Glasgow to Inverness (B/-/-)

Today we start our journey north through changing landscapes and charming villages of the Highlands, driving along the famous banks of Loch Lomond where we’ll stop off at the historic conservation village of Luss.

Later passing through some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery as we head north through the mountainous valley of Glen Coe – so make sure your camera battery is well charged today, as we’ll be making a few photostops en route! You’ll hear tales of massacres and murders, Jacobites and geology as you take in the spectacular landscape created by the remains of this ancient super volcano.

HIGHLIGHTS

Loch Lomond
Glencoe
Loch Ness

Day 4 Inverness (B/-/-)

This morning we suggest you keep your camera handy as we head north towards monstrous Loch Ness – you wouldn’t want to miss ‘the’ photograph of the century!

Then you’ll find yourself in the heart of the clan lands of the Frasers and MacKenzies, as we first visit the pretty Highland village of Beauly (mentioned several times in the Outlander books) then Wardlaw Mausoleum, possible resting place of the unbelievably devious Simon ‘the Fox’ Fraser, Jamie’s grandfather.

Our final visit today is to Castle Leod (photostop) (Diana Gabaldon considers it a dead ringer for the Castle Leoch she envisaged in her books), which has been the seat of the Clan MacKenzie for over 500 years, and today is still the home of the Earl of Cromartie, Chief of the Clan MacKenzie and his family.

HIGHLIGHTS

Wardlaw Mausoleum
Beauly/Beauly Priory
Castle Leod (photostop)
Clootie Well

Day 5 Inverness Outlander Sites (B/-/-)

Our first stop today is Clava Cairns, one of the best preserved Bronze Age burial sites in Scotland – three 4000 year old burial cairns, each enclosed by standing stone circles. Then we move forward in time to April 1746, when we visit Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre where you will learn of the events which took place in the lead up to and after the battle, and on the battlefield itself.

You’ll have some free time in the late afternoon to walk – or shop – the streets of Inverness.

HIGHLIGHTS

Clava Cairns
Culloden Battlefield
Outlander Inverness Walking tour (optional)

Day 6 Journey To Dunblane (B/-/D)

Today we head south, with our first stop at the Highland Folk Museum. The open air museum comprises a collection of buildings which tell how Highland people lived, worked and dressed, and how they produced and cooked food from the 1700s up to 1950. The recreated 1700s village of Baile Gean, complete with thatched cottages, was used in the Outlander episode, The Rent, including the infamous waulking scene.

As we continue our journey south, our next stop is at one of the many Outlander film location sites you’ll see over the coming few days. Today we’ll visit the 17th century Tibbermore Church, the scene of Claire and Geillis’ witch trial, before heading for the very recognisable Drummond Castle Gardens which doubled as the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. Our last stop today Doune Castle, aka Castle Leoch, the home of Colum MacKenzie, chief of Outlander’s MacKenzie clan.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highland Folk Museum incl lunch
Tibbermore Church
Drummond Gardens
Doune Castle

Day 7 Day trip to Outlander Sites (B/-/D)

Our first stop today is at Culross and Culross Palace, where you will get a very real feeling of what a 17th and 18th century Scottish town would have looked like. The town and palace featured regularly as Cranesmuir, Geillis Duncan’s hometown, and you’ll recognise many rooms, stairways, courtyards and herb gardens as you explore this unique and historic village. You might also like to take the short walk up to West Kirk, which appears as the Black Kirk in ‘The Way Out’.

In the afternoon we visit the historic village of Falkland and Falkland Palace, one of Scotland’s finest Renaissance palaces. The town doubles as 1940s and 1960s Inverness in the TV series, and you’ll come face to face with Mrs Baird’s Guesthouse overlooking the fountain in the square, Farrell’s Hardware & Furniture Shop and Campbell’s Coffee Shop.

HIGHLIGHTS

Falkland/Falkland Palace
Culross/Culross Palace tour (optional West Kirk walk)

Day 8 Outlander Sites (B/-/-)

We start our day at the French chateau-like Callendar House. The house’s Georgian kitchen is where the Duke of Sandringham met his end in ‘Vengence is Mine’. Our next stop is 15th century Blackness Castle which doubles as Wentworth Prison, and where Jamie receives his near-death flogging.

In the afternoon we head to the magnificent Hopetoun House, which features as the Duke of Sandringham’s home, Belhurst Manor. And located on the same estate, you will not be disappointed as you finally get to walk up the drive and through the arched gateway towards Lallybroch.

HIGHLIGHTS

Callendar House
(Kelpies)
Blackness Castle
Hopetoun House tour
Midhope Castle

Day 9 Edinburgh Outlander Sites (B/-/-)

First we’re off to look around 15th century Craigmillar Castle, one of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland, and the Outlander location for Ardsmuir Prison in Series 3. Then we head to charming Glencorse Kirk, which was chosen as the location for Claire and Jamie’s wedding, and where you’ll be privileged to get a very personal insight into the history of the Kirk and the Outlander filming which took place there.

Then onto Newhailes House, which was seen in the season 4 premiere, ‘America the Beautiful’ as Governor Tryon’s residence in North Carolina.

HIGHLIGHTS

Craigmiller Castle
Glencorse Kirk
Newhailes House

Day 10 Edinburgh (B/-/D)

It had to happen! It’s our final day. We start today with our Outlander-themed guided walk down the Royal Mile which extends downhill to Holyrood Palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland.
En route you will hear about the history of this famous street and of the shaping of the city of Edinburgh over the centuries. Be prepared for some stories to make your hair stand on end, and others which will have you laughing or even crying. You’ll also hear about Jacobite connections and, of course, we’ll be stopping off at some of the key locations used in Series 3.
The rest of the day is free, but you might like to leave some time aside to prepare yourself for your Farewell Dinner.

HIGHLIGHTS
Edinburgh Royal Mile Walk (Optional)
Farewell Dinner

Day 11 Departure (B/-/-)

Departure at your own leisure