Highland Trail inspired by Outlander
Highland Trail inspired by Outlander
Highland Trail inspired by Outlander
13 Days Starting in Edinburgh and ending in Glasgow
Visiting: 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
Tour Overview
Travel with Claire and Jamie on a blockbuster trip inspired by the award-winning drama. Visit some of the notable film locations and other highlights of Scotland, including the Scottish Highlands, Orkney Islands and the Isle of Skye.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Novotel Center
Meals Included: Dinner
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.
Day 2: Discover Enchanting Edinburgh
Location: Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Novotel Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 3: Explore Outlander Film Locations
Location: Edinburgh, Firth of Forth, Edinburgh
Accommodation Name: Novotel Center
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 4: See Outlander Sights And Journey To Dundee
Location: Edinburgh, Falkland, St. Andrews, Dundee
Accommodation Name: Apex City Quay
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 5: Venture Into The Scottish Highlands And Inverness Dive Into Culture
Location: Dundee, Scottish Highlands, Inverness
Accommodation Name: Columba
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 6: The Sights Of Culloden And Thurso
Location: Inverness, Scottish Highlands, Thurso
Accommodation Name: Pentland
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 7: A Day On The Orkney Islands
Location: Thurso, Orkney Islands, Thurso
Accommodation Name: Pentland
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 8: Over The Sea To Skye
Location: Thurso, Ullapool, Isle of Skye
Accommodation Name: Kings Arms
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 9: Continue To Fort William And Crieff
Location: Isle of Skye, Fort William, Glencoe, Crieff
Accommodation Name: Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Day 10: Experience The Local Whisky Dive Into Culture
Location: Crieff
Accommodation Name: Crieff Hydro Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 11: Admire Scottish Castles And On To Glasgow
Location: Pitlochry, Stirling, Glasgow
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 12: Glasgow City Tour And A Medieval Farm Visit Connect With Locals
Location: Glasgow
Accommodation Name: Leonardo Royal Glasgow, Crowne Plaza
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Day 13: Farewell Glasgow
Location: Glasgow
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
What's Included
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An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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All porterage and restaurant gratuities
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All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
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Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Return ferry to the Orkney Isles
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Ferry from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig
What's Not Included
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Flights
Flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended to be purchased separately.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and excursions not mentioned in the itinerary are not included.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and other travel documentation costs are not included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi, enjoy ferry rides to the Orkney Isles and from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig, and experience flexible sightseeing with audio headsets.
Accommodation
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, including Novotel Center in Edinburgh, Apex City Quay in Dundee, Columba in Inverness, Pentland in Thurso, Kings Arms on the Isle of Skye, Crieff Hydro Hotel, and Leonardo Royal Glasgow or Crowne Plaza in Glasgow.
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 12 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Dive Into Culture
- Newtonmore: Visit the Highland Folk Museum which brings Highland history to life, showcasing how the 18th-century Highlander lived and worked.
- Pitlochry: Warm your heart with a little Scottish whisky at a traditional distillery in the Scottish Highlands.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of meals are included in the tour?
The tour includes 12 breakfasts, 5 dinners, and 1 lunch. Breakfast is provided daily, and up to half of the evening meals are included.
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Are there any special experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes several special experiences such as a home-cooked Scottish lunch at a 15th-century farm, a visit to a traditional whisky distillery, and a wildlife ranger-led tour in Glencoe.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides luxury air-conditioned coach transportation with Wi-Fi in most countries, as well as ferry rides to the Orkney Isles and from the Isle of Skye to Mallaig.
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Will there be any free time during the tour?
Yes, there will be free time during the tour, such as time to explore the historic fishing village of Ullapool and leisure time in Glasgow.
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What kind of accommodations can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays at cherry-picked hotels that are tried and trusted. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
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Are there any guided tours included in the itinerary?
Yes, the tour includes guided tours such as a sightseeing tour of Edinburgh with a Local Specialist, an Outlander walking tour through Old Town, and a visit to the Culloden Visitor Center.
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What historical sites will we visit during the tour?
The tour includes visits to several historical sites such as Edinburgh Castle, Blackness Castle, the Highland Folk Museum, Culloden Battlefield, and Stirling Castle.
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Is there any special focus on the Outlander series during the tour?
Yes, the tour is inspired by the Outlander series and includes visits to several filming locations such as Blackness Castle, Culross, Falkland, and Doune Castle.
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Will there be any opportunities to learn about Scottish culture?
Yes, the tour includes opportunities to learn about Scottish culture, such as a visit to the Highland Folk Museum, a whisky distillery tour, and a home-cooked lunch with the Wood family at their 15th-century farm.
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What kind of activities are included in the tour?
The tour includes a variety of activities such as sightseeing tours, visits to historical sites, a whisky distillery tour, a wildlife ranger-led tour, and a home-cooked lunch at a 15th-century farm.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a guided holiday with us is that you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Vaccination against Covid-19 is not mandatory to travel with Trafalgar. However, we strongly recommend that guests are vaccinated before travelling. Please note that airlines and/or other authorities may have different requirements. It is the guest's responsibility to comply with these requirements at all times.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1947
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Trafalgar is a founding partner of the TreadRight Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than US$2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
Trafalgar requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of trafalgar charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions