Highland Trail inspired by Outlander
13 Day Scotland Tour from Edinburgh | Operated by Trafalgar
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13 Days
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1 Country
Scotland -
17 Cities
Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Falkland, St. Andrews, Dundee, Scottish Highlands, Inverness, Thurso, Orkney Islands, Ullapool, Isle of Skye, Fort William, Glencoe, Crieff, Pitlochry, Stirling, Glasgow -
18 Meals
5 Dinners, 12 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch -
Pace: Active
Faster paces with mix of 1–2-night stays in each location. Typically features 4+ miles of walking on some days and may involve steep hills and uneven surfaces, such as cobblestones.
Trip Itinerary
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.
Price Includes
What's Included- - An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- - Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- - All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- - All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- - Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- - Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- - Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- - Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- - Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
- - Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
- - Optional Experiences and free time
- - On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
- - 5 Dinners (D)
- - 12 Breakfasts (B)
- - 1 Lunch (L)
- Explore the city with your Local Specialist as you travel along Princes Street to see the Scott Memorial, the neoclassical Adam facades of New Town and the official Scottish residence of the King, Palace of Holyroodhouse.
- See the 15th-century walls of 'the ship that never sailed', Blackness Castle.
- Visit the quaint streets of Culross, Oulander's Cranesmuir.
- Visit the university town where the famous beach scene from 'Chariots of Fire' was filmed and see the golf course where the sport was created.
- Stop in Falkland, a former royal burgh and Outlander film location.
- See Dundee's highlights, the Tay Rail Bridge and RRS Discovery, on an orientation upon arrival.
- Admire picturesque lochs and glens as you travel through the Scottish Highlands.
- At the exciting Culloden Visitor Center, discover why the Battle of Culloden lasted only an hour yet changed the Highland way of life forever.
- Cruise to the windswept Orkney Islands. Come face-to-face with relics spanning human history, from pagan stone circles to reminders of wartime tragedy.
- Stop for a photo of this gorgeous castle.
- Enjoy time at leisure to explore the historic fishing village of Ullapool.
- See the Glenfinnan Viaduct, along which the Hogwart's Express once crossed in the Harry Potter series.
- Near the foothills of Ben Nevis, stop in Fort William for a stroll along the charming High Street.
- Visit Stirling and see its castle, once the seat of Scottish royalty.
- See Doune Castle, famous for its appearances in film, literature and television.
- See the grand public buildings of Glasgow, including George Square.
- Visit the Highland Folk Museum which brings Highland history to life, showcasing how the 18th-century Highlander lived and worked.
- Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
- Drive through this Highland village on Loch Leven.
- Join a wildlife Ranger in Glencoe and learn about the rich biodiversity of wildlife including insects, invertebrates and mammals, such as otter and fallow deer.
- Join the Wood family at their 15th-century farm on the shores of Loch Ard for a home-cooked Scottish Be My Guest lunch, tales of Rob Roy and a few foot-tapping ceilidh tunes.
Optional Experiences
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Rosslyn Chapel (Available on Day 2)We’ll drive out of Edinburgh to the tiny village of Rosslyn, where we’ll hear the inside story of the famous Rosslyn Chapel from a Local Specialist. One of Scotland's most unusual 15th-century buildings, Rossyln is famed for its associations with the Knights Templar, the Masonic movement, and now 'The Da Vinci Code'.
Adult Price: £29 Ceilidh Evening and Dinner at Ghillie Dhu (Available on Day 2)Experience the best of Scottish tradition at Ghillie Dhu, where we'll be welcomed by a Scottish piper and enjoy a welcome drink before settling in for a delicious three-course meal and live Ceilidh music. And you can't miss the iconic Piping in the Haggis ceremony, a true highlight of the Scottish experience.
Adult Price: £85 Midhope Castle & Hopetoun House (Available on Day 3)Today we'll visit Midhope Castle to see the setting for "Lallybroch", the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser. This will be followed by a tour of Hopetoun House. This stately home was used as the location for the Duke of Sandringham's house in Season 1 of Outlander.
Adult Price: £39 Ghost Walk and Drink (Available on Day 3)Tonight, we'll discover some of Edinburgh's most haunted places with our Local Specialist, who’ll share ghoulish tales. After we've recovered, we'll enjoy a pint of beer or a glass of wine in a local pub.
Adult Price: £28 Kilt Wearing Demonstration and Drink (Available on Day 3)Tonight we'll enjoy a glass of wine or beer, followed by a demonstration of how to pleat and tie "The Great Kilt", which was worn in the pre-Jacobite era. This is the traditional garment worn by Jamie Fraser in the Outlander series.
Adult Price: £28 Drummond Castle Gardens (Available on Day 4)Drummond Castle Gardens are one of Scotland's undiscovered treasures and used as a stand-in for the gardens of Versailles in Season 2 of Outlander. Enjoy a guided walk through these magnificent gardens with our Local Specialist, before returning to Dundee for an evening at leisure.
Adult Price: £27 Highland Farm Experience (Available on Day 5)Visit a real Highland sheep farm and meet Neil the Shepherd and his border collies. He’ll show you how he uses different whistles to command each dog to carry out different tasks. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at feeding the lambs and discover his training techniques. Weather permitting.
Adult Price: £24 Cawdor Dinner Evening (Available on Day 5)Join us for dinner at a traditional country pub in the charming village of Cawdor, home to Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Adult Price: £52 Loch Ness Cruise (Available on Day 6)Today, we'll experience a scenic cruise on Scotland's most famous waterway, Loch Ness. On the lake, we'll also see beautiful Urquhart Castle, founded in the 13th-century. The management regretfully informs you that Nessie sightings are not guaranteed!
Adult Price: £33 Isle of Skye Drive (Available on Day 9)An opportunity to travel around the Isle of Skye with your Local Specialist. You’ll hear about the way of life on this remote inner Hebridean Island and discover its dramatic scenery and rock formations.
Adult Price: £23 Local Crafts on Skye (Available on Day 9)Join us this morning to gain a real insight into crafts on the Isle of Skye. First we’ll drive up to Slig Hotel to take in magnificent views of the Cullins. Then, we’ll meet local weaver Bev and see a traditional hand spinning demonstration on a spinning wheel with a drop spindle; with time to browse around her workshop. Next we’ll visit Love from Skye, to see a selection of Celtic jewelery and handmade gifts. We’ll finish off our whistle-stop tour with tea and scones at a local hotel.
Adult Price: £21 Pitlochry, Visit of Blair Castle (Available on Day 10)Set in its own grounds against a backdrop of glorious scenery, we'll discover the ancient home of the Dukes of Atholl, home to Europe's last remaining private army. Unique amongst Scottish castles, Blair has hosted royalty from Mary, Queen of Scots, to Queen Victoria.
Adult Price: £30 Dinner And Drive To Historic Torphichen (Available on Day 11)Enjoy a scenic drive to the ancient village of Torphichen, associated with Scottish kings and Knights Templar. At the haunted Torphichen Inn your arrival will be toasted by our gracious host before enjoying an excellent dinner of local specialties and entertainment.
Adult Price: £70 Jacobite Evening Inspired by Outlander (Available on Day 11)Join together for a truly authentic Jacobite experience. Complete with costumed actors and our very own Piper, tonight we'll dine and discover the feeling of the clans as they run up to Culloden.
Adult Price: £55