Outlander TV Trail

Edinburgh - Falkland - Cairngorms National Park - Inverness. Once you have arrived in Edinburgh, make your way to Gates J and K inside Edinburgh Bus Station on St Andrew Square for an 8:45 am pick-up. From here, we leave the city behind and follow the trail of Outlander’s most iconic filming locations and pivotal moments. Along the way, we relive some of the series’ most memorable scenes and uncover the real-life history that still echoes through the castles, villages and landmarks featured in the show.

Our first visit is Falkland, a charming village of cobblestone streets, quaint stone houses and a Renaissance palace. Falkland stands in for 1940s Inverness in the series, so fans can relive the opening scenes here. Look out for familiar sights such as Mrs Baird’s Guesthouse and the Bruce Fountain. We then travel north through the forest-clad landscapes of Perthshire to Killiecrankie. This river gorge is a peaceful spot today, but it was once the scene of the Battle of Killiecrankie, a Jacobite battle and one of the goriest in Scottish history.

Heading further north into the Highlands, we reach the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, within the Cairngorms National Park. Its replicas of 18th-century Highland crofts with turf roofs give a glimpse of traditional Highland life. Outlander fans will remember the museum as one of the MacKenzie clan villages where Claire and the MacKenzie party stop to collect the rent. Leaving rural Highland life behind, we carry on through the national park and stop for photos of heather-covered moorland and the rounded granite summits of some of the highest peaks in the United Kingdom.

Our final stop of the day is the mysterious site of Clava Cairns. This ancient, well-preserved complex of ring cairns and standing stones is said to have inspired the standing stones of Craigh na Dun in Outlander. From there it’s a short drive to Inverness, often called the Capital of the Highlands, where your evening is free. Try some local cuisine, or take a stroll through the charming streets to Inverness Castle or the scenic River Ness islands.

Inverness - Drumnadrochit - Beauly - Inverness. Today we explore Highland locations linked to Clan Fraser and follow the echoes of the Jacobite era. We begin with a drive along Loch Ness, whose dark waters and mysterious depths make it hard not to wonder whether the legends of the famous monster could be true.

In Drumnadrochit, you have the option of exploring the majestic ruins of Urquhart Castle, which have stood on the banks of Loch Ness for 1,000 turbulent years. The castle’s dramatic setting and turbulent history fire the imagination, and so do its connections to the Jacobite story. We then continue to Corrimony Chambered Cairn, a natural fit for Outlander fans drawn to ancient, mysterious structures. This weathered, 4,000-year-old burial site is a silent testament to the ingenuity and spiritual connection of the ancient people who lived here.

The afternoon takes us into the heart of Clan Fraser lands, with a lunch stop in Beauly. Near Beauly, you can pay your respects at the tomb of Lord Lovat, the ‘Old Fox’ of the Jacobite Rebellion, who appears in the saga as Jamie’s manipulative grandfather. Next comes the haunting Culloden Battlefield, which is central to both Scottish history and the Outlander story.

Not far from here, Jamie and Claire said their tearful goodbyes before Jamie joined the battle. This is also where the final Jacobite Rising came to a harrowing end, which led to the persecution of the Highland way of life. You can explore the site, with the option of visiting the visitor centre, and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.

After a day of history, nature and ancient wonders, we return to Inverness for a second free evening. Perhaps unwind in a traditional Scottish pub, raise a glass to the adventure and take in the local atmosphere.

Inverness - Glenfinnan - Fort William - Stirling. This morning we travel through some of the most spectacular parts of the Highlands, passing timeless mountains steeped in legend, sparkling lochs and moorland teeming with wildlife. Our mini coach follows the full length of Loch Ness, so keep watch in case today is the day you spot the elusive Nessie. We stop in one of the atmospheric local villages for a quick coffee or a short stroll on the shore, then continue south towards Glenfinnan.

Glenfinnan is a glen surrounded by mountains, overlooking Loch Shiel, and it played a significant part in the Jacobite story. Its monument commemorates Bonnie Prince Charlie’s meeting with his loyal supporters, which marked the start of the doomed Jacobite Rising. Glenfinnan is also home to the famous railway viaduct from the Harry Potter films, where the Jacobite Steam Train appears as the Hogwarts Express.

We stop for lunch in Fort William, a lively Highland town at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest mountain, and a popular base for walkers and climbers. You can grab a picnic and explore the town, or settle into a local restaurant for some Highland favourites. Afterwards, we travel past shimmering lochs and craggy mountain peaks to Glen Coe. This valley is known for its rugged slopes and long history, and it captures the wild beauty of Scotland. There is time for photos or a short walk and to hear a tragic tale from Scottish history before we continue south through the rugged Highlands.

The road winds south through some of Scotland’s most dramatic scenery, where towering Highland peaks give way to rolling hills and picturesque villages as the Highlands turn into the Lowlands. We arrive in the historic city of Stirling, where your evening is free. Wander the charming cobbled streets of the Old Town, lined with centuries-old buildings that tell the story of Scotland’s past. Admire the impressive silhouette of Stirling Castle and enjoy dinner in one of the city’s welcoming pubs or restaurants.

Stirling - Doune - Culross - Blackness - Edinburgh. We say goodbye to historic Stirling this morning and continue to Doune Castle. Outlander fans know it as Castle Leoch, the ancestral seat of Clan MacKenzie and home to Colum MacKenzie in the series’ 18th-century storyline. If you choose to go inside, an audio guide covers the castle’s roles in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander. You can explore the stronghold, picture the famous Gathering scenes filmed in the Great Hall and imagine life at Doune during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Next is the charming village of Culross, which posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir in Outlander, home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband, Arthur. Walking its cobbled streets feels like stepping back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the historic Culross Palace.

The afternoon is all about Outlander locations, starting at Hopetoun House, one of the series’ most frequently used filming locations. This magnificent stately home has played many roles in Claire and Jamie’s story, from the Duke of Sandringham’s residence to grand estates across Britain and America.

We then visit Blackness Castle, the fortress that features as Fort William in the series. Here you can walk the ramparts and explore Jack Randall’s fictional headquarters. Then we head to Midhope Castle, which plays Lallybroch, Jamie’s beloved family estate. The interior was recreated in studios, but you can sit on the iconic steps and imagine Jamie or Claire emerging through the archway.

After four days immersed in the history, landscapes and filming locations that brought Outlander to life, we make our way back to Edinburgh, leaving behind the castles, villages and countryside that inspired Claire and Jamie’s story. It’s a chance to reflect on the characters, moments and places you have experienced along the way. You arrive back in Edinburgh at approximately 6:15 pm.