Can't find what you need? Call us or drop us a line on Live chat.

Outlander Trail – 4 day tour

image
image
image
image
image
image
Go time travelling and follow in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire on our Outlander tour from Edinburgh.

Highlights

arrow

Literature

arrow

Mountains

arrow

Film Locations

arrow

Prehistoric Sites

arrow

Castles

arrow

Lochs

arrow

Distilleries

Places you explore

Clava Cairns – Travel through winding back roads and discover a 4,000-year-old cemetery.

Doune Castle* – One of the most filmed castles in Scotland. It stars as Castle Leoch in Outlander, featured in Monty Python’s ‘Holy Grail’, and the pilot for Game of Thrones.

Loch Ness – Take a chance to go on an optional boat cruise or wander around this alluring and eerie loch.

Glen Affric – Lochs, mountains and pine forests: this is one of Scotland’s most glorious glens. It’s also a great hiding spot for Jamie!

Culloden – A sad place to visit. It’s the location of a tragic Outlander scene and a catastrophic battle between Jacobites and Government troops.

Culross – This town looks like it never left the 16th century. It was also the setting for the fictional Outlander town, Cranesmuir.

Falkland – This quaint town in the Kingdom of Fife boasts a beautiful palace and a serene setting.

Midhope Castle – Jamie’s family home, Lallybroch, is as lovely as it looks in the show.

Glencoe – Be moved by the sheer beauty and tragic tales of one of Scotland’s most famous landscapes Jamie and Claire travel through

Your journey

Relive the tragic battles, death-defying escapes, and sentimental moments of Outlander.

You visit towns that are virtually unchanged since the 16th century; wander through ancient battlefields; and visit some of Scotland’s most hidden-away castles. What’s more is that you share this unique experience with Outlander fans from around the world.

Discuss your favourite scenes from the show, enjoy Scotland’s gorgeous landscapes, and follow the epic journey of the time-travelling love affair.

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) – Edinburgh Bus Station Pick Up, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Finishes (approx.)
19:00 – Edinburgh Bus Station Drop Off, Gate J and Gate K, Edinburgh Bus Station, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3DQ
Luggage
You’re restricted to 14kg (31lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) and a small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students and seniors over 60

Important information
  • Unfortunately, we only carry passengers over 18 years old on this tour
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in Inverness and one night in Fort William.

 

How does the accommodation work?

Your tour excludes accommodation; but when you book, you can ask us to reserve local accommodation for you, or you can choose to reserve your own accommodation in the overnight locations.

 

I want to book my accommodation, what happens now?

Once you’ve booked your tour, we’ll reserve all your accommodation, and your driver will drop you off with your hosts. You’ll pay your accommodation directly. Most don’t accept credit cards, so be prepared to pay cash.

 

What if I want to change my accommodation booking

Plans can change, so we let you alter your accommodation choices for free within the first 48 hours of booking. After this time, amendments aren’t guaranteed and carry a surcharge.

 

I booked my own accommodation is there anything I need to do?

You’ll need to contact us with your accommodation details. Please only reserve accommodation within the overnight towns that your tour stops in. Your driver will drop you off at your chosen accommodation as long as it’s relatively central.

 

What if I cancel my tour at short notice?

You may be liable for the cost of your first nights’ accommodation for each separate accommodation booked. If you cancel less than three days before departure, you may be liable for all your accommodation costs.

 

What are the accommodation types?

We try to reserve accommodation that’s no more than a 20-minute walk from the town centre. We regularly check our accommodation suppliers to ensure they reach a certain standard. The prices below are for guidance only.

B&B (Bed and Breakfast) Standard

Please note, we’re unable to book B&B standard rooms for this tour in 2021. The availability of this option will be reviewed for 2022 depending on government guidance. You may still be able to book B&B standard accommodation yourself if you choose to find your own accommodation for you tour.

The toilet and showering facilities are shared with at least one other room in the house, and the price includes breakfast. The cost is £35 – £50 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single standard room is £40 – £70 per night.

B&B En suite

The showering and toilet facilities are private, and breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £45 – £65 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single en suite is £75 – £90 per night.

Hotels

Hotels have a bar or restaurant and provide evening meals. Breakfast is included in the price. The cost is £75 – £90 per person per night based on shared accommodation. A single is £90 – £150 per night.

Hostels

Please note, we’re unable to book hostels for this tour at the moment. You may still be able to book hostel accommodation yourself if you choose to the option to book your own accommodation for your tour.

A hostel consists of dormitory rooms with 4 to 16 bunk beds. The bathroom facilities are a short distance from the dorm room. Kitchen facilities are equipped so you can make your own meals. The cost based on dorm beds is £19 – £30 per person per night.

Please note that SYHA hostels only offer same gender dorms. Some independent hostels will offer mixed rooms (males and females together).

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland’s historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What’s more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.
 

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don’t recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.
 

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can’t wait for you if you’re late.
 

What happens if I’m late or miss the tour?

If you’re late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies.
 

What are your cancellation policies?

We have a cancellation period of 48 hours for our one day tours, 15 days for two to nine day tours, and 21 days for 10+ day tours. If cancelled outside this period, we’ll give you a full refund minus a 10% admin charge. If you cancel inside this period, refunds are at our discretion.
 

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. While there are ongoing coronavirus restrictions throughout the UK and Ireland, itineraries are more likely to change than usual as opening hours and capacities at many visitor attractions are reduced and subject to change. Your driver-guide will keep you up to up to date on the road, and we’ll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.
 

What is a guaranteed departure?

It’s simple: you book, you go. This means we’ll never cancel your tour because of a minimum numbers policy.
 

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we’re unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you’ll always get a good view.
 

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you’ll have regular comfort breaks.
 

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone.
 

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don’t carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.
 

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.
 

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.
 

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don’t need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.
 

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let’s be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it’s up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

  • Get as close as possible to the 16th century in the town of Culross. Or as it’s known to Outlander fans, Cranesmuir
  • Visit beautiful Falkland and explore the setting for 1940s Inverness in Outlander
  • Learn how Highlanders lived at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum

 
You leave Edinburgh and begin following the trail of the best-known film locations featured in the Outlander TV Series.

Heading north, your first stop is the charming village of Culross. In Outlander, Culross posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir and the home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband, Arthur. Exploring the town’s cobbled streets is like taking a step back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the impressive, historic Culross Palace.

You continue to the small town of Falkland to relive the first scenes of the show, where Falkland substitutes for 1940s Inverness. See if you can recognize the familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouses (The Covenanter Hotel) and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank sees the ghost of Jamie.

In the early afternoon, you stop at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum, which houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts. These were used as a setting in the first episode of the show.

Venturing further north, you pass Aviemore, where you may recognise the stunning hilly and wooded area of Tulloch Ghru. This appeared during the journey Claire takes with Jamie and the Highlanders from Craigh na Dun to Castle Leoch.

You arrive in Inverness later in the afternoon.

  • Learn about the last battle fought on British soil at Culloden

 
You first travel to Culloden. This site plays an important role in Scottish history and the Outlander books. It’s not far from the battlefield where the couple said their tearful goodbyes before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. You have the opportunity to explore the visitor centre and site, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.

You then take a short drive to the ancient standing stones at Clava Cairns, which may have been the inspiration for Craigh na Dun.

After lunch, we continue to Beauly, the site of Beauly Priory and the tomb of Lord Lovat in the heart of Clan Fraser lands. Beauly Priory is a beautiful 13th-century ruin and where the Lovat Frasers are buried in Diana Gabaldon’s book.

We return to Inverness with time to explore the town and enjoy the city for another evening.

  • Wander through the ancient indigenous forests of Glen Affric
  • Explore Inverness, the Capital of the Highlands

 
Your day starts with a visit to the majestic Glen Affric. Lochs, mountains and pine forests: this is one of Scotland’s most glorious glens. It’s also an ideal spot for Jamie to hide.

You then continue along the entire length of Loch Ness and through the Great Glen before heading to Glenfinnan. The monument here commemorates the beginning of the last Jacobite rising. It stands framed by Loch Shiel and bedside a famous section of the Jacobite Steam Train railway line, famously used as the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter.

Your overnight stop is in Fort William underneath the shadow of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

  • Be moved by the sheer beauty of Glencoe
  • See two of Scotland’s quintessential castles, Doune Castle and Blackness Castle

 
You start the day with a magnificent drive through Glencoe and cross the rugged Trossachs area onto Doune Castle*. The Castle is an extensive ruin that represents Castle Leoch in the TV programme, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes.

Later, you have a photo stop at Blackness Castle on the banks of the Firth of Forth. This was used as the set for Fort William in the show and appears in many other movies because of its beautiful setting and thickly fortified walls.

Midhope Castle** is your next highlight. Unfortunately, visitors are unable to go inside the castle, but Jamie’s lovely Lallybroch home is still an essential photo opportunity for any fan of the show.

You return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Get in touch

Help us create your perfect trip by filling in the form with as much detail as you can.

We will revert back to you in 30 Mints

    Email address*

    Your name*

    Number of adults

    Number of children

    Where and when would you like to go:*

    Describe your ideal itinerary: