Our guide to the best Outlander Tours

Written by: Caitlin
Published: 2nd December 2020, last updated: 3rd December 2020

Ladies, we would all be lying if we didn’t admit to fantasising about falling head first through a magical stone circle and encountering our very own Jamie Fraser, wouldn’t we?

And gentlemen, the idea of galloping in from battle on horseback, and sweeping the mysterious damsel in distress off to safety sounds like a bit of you too, doesn’t it?

Now unfortunately we haven’t quite mastered the art of time travel just yet, but one thing we can do is send you on a tour of all the significant locations from the Outlander series, and if you explore them yourself, well, I mean, who really knows where you could find yourself…

Since the rise in popularity of this hit historical drama, there has also been a huge rise in the number of people interested in some of the most beautiful areas of Scotland. In our guide HERE we have detailed some of the filming locations that you may recognise from watching the show yourself, and below we have also taken the opportunity to review some of the specifically tailored Outlander tours which are available to book too.

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Why not try one of these Outlander Tours?

Of course you can make your own arrangements to visit any of the fantastic Scottish locations on our list, but there are definitely some benefits to booking yourself onto one of these immersive tours.

• Firstly, given the very nature of the rugged expanses of much of Scotland, some of our locations are very remote and can be tricky to get to on your own.

• Relying on public transport can be slow going, and often the places off the beaten track can be hard to find if you don’t know exactly where you are going.
• Secondly, it is is impossible to ignore ‘The Outlander Effect’- the popularity in the show and the increase in tourists wanting to retrace the steps of Jamie and Clairemeans that footfall in some our locations can be extremely high- by booking onto a tour, which will often have it’s own time slot for visits and be allowed priority entrance, you can guarantee that you will beat the crowds.
• It’s also true that by visiting locations with a tour guide you will benefit from their wealth of local knowledge as well as all of the Outlander fan facts. Sometimes the truthful stories that have unfolded within the walls of some of these places are equally as fascinating as the fictional!
• Not to mention, value for money! By booking a complete tour you will often find that entrance fees are included at a reduced rate as they will have made group bookings.
• Letting someone else do the driving, the map reading, the scheduling.. Well it just sounds much more like my idea of a relaxing holiday!
• And finally, there’s something to be said for being surrounded by like minded individuals. Many people have reported making new friendships on one of these Outlander tours, I mean let’s face it, you know you are going to have at least one thing in common with the others!

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Outlander Tours from Glasgow

The Rabbies Experience

For those of you who are wishing to jump back in time, to help the Scottish Jacobite revolution, and fall in love with a beautifully-charming kilt-wearing man, Rabbies claim to have the next best thing on offer in the form of their variety of tours. Rabbies offers a personalised experience on board one of their 16 seater mini-coaches with an expert guide, full of insider knowledge about the scenes and stories from the books and television series.

On this day trip departing from Glasgow you will visit three castles and a well-preserved village on this adventure through the sights and stories of Outlander. It gives you the chance to gaze up in awe at the mighty walls of a 600-year-old castle. And it allows you to venture through the real battlefields of the Jacobite uprising.

You can expect the tour to last from roughly 9 – 5, departing from Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station and for a price as low as £38!

To find out more and book your trip CLICK HERE.

 

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Mary’s Meanders

Technically this day trip sets off from the first location you will explore, Linlithgow Palace, but this is easily accessible from Glasgow by road or public transport, even if you are wanting an early start.

If you have been caught up in the adventure, fantasy, and romance of the Outlander TV series, here’s your chance to travel back in time and discover how Scotland’s past shaped Jamie and Claire’s story. Other locations on route include Doune Castle, Blackness Castle, Midhope, Culross and Linlithgow Palace.

If you choose to travel with Mary’s Meander’s you will be picking the very same tour that Visit Scotland selected for Outlander author Diana Gabaldon, when she was given a special VS Thistle Award.  Diana described it as a “a #VERYScottish and unforgettable Outlander experience”.

With both a summer and a winter itinerary available from this trip, don’t hesitate to find out more about how you could participate in it, and CLICK HERE.

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Slainte Scotland

This fantastic 10-hour tour departs from 266 George Street in Glasgow. On this tour, you will not only visit 5 of the most notable Outlander filming locations but you will also have the opportunity to discover all aspects of each area’s history, culture and impressive scenery. It is led by a knowledgeable guide who is also a huge fan of Outlander, and you will be sure to have a fun-filled day and Scottish experience.

All of the tours with Slainte Scotland include a knowledgeable guide, bottled water and light refreshments in the vehicle, which transports no more than 8 guests at one time, for a truly personalised experience. You can find out more about this Outlander Tour here.

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Kilted Piper Tours

These guides offer a pick up and return to and from your accommodation in Glasgow, and it is definitely a tour you will still be talking about long after it is finished. The day will last for around 9 hours and will take you to an array of the locations that inspired Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series, including Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle and Doune Castle, as well as a Mystery Extra location – undisclosed until the day…a little extra location to add to your holiday snaps!

Kilted Piper Tours also want you to remember that they provide an accompanying piper and a ‘wee dram’ on all Outlander Tours from Glasgow.

Intrigued?

Join The Kilted Piper Here

Contact Kilted Pipers Here

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Celtic Journeys

Run by Judy Lowstuter for the last 18 years, Celtic Journeys invite you to step back in time and join them on a deluxe, fully escorted 9-night journey into the magical world of Jamie Fraser and Claire Randall, who were created by the incredible talent and imagination of Diana Gabaldon. In fact Diana gave her seal of approval to this particular Outlander tour when she and her husband were guests at dinner with the tour group at Culloden House near Inverness in the summer of 2010.

Including collection from Glasgow airport and 9 nights accommodation in 4 star hotels, this trip is the perfect inclusive experience if you are travelling to Scotland from overseas. As well as a variety of sights to see, full breakfast daily, and all transport included, the added little touches of a master trivia contest, prizes and surprises. A week that you’ll never forget!

To see a full list of all the locations visited on this tour CLICK HERE.

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Highlander Tours

For a truly one of a kind experience from your Outlander tour, who would make a better tour guide than someone who has actually spent multiple seasons filming on the show? With a load of guaranteed insider knowledge, if you choose any of the tours from this provider they promise you a day of Scottish camaraderie, laughter, VIP treatment and memories to treasure.

With a range of locations including Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Abercorn Church (Frank’s final resting place) Blackness Castle (Fort William) and Doune Castle (Castle Leoch) on day 1 alone, plus even more if you book a longer tour, there really is so much to see and do.

Your tour guide will pick you up in full Jacobite kit including Lallybroch plaid, swords, dirks, targe, pistols, and flintlock musket – just in case you encounter any marauding rival clans! A tour with Andy will be complete with extra axes , swords , shields, 18th century full Outlander kilt outfits and full redcoat outfits – so you can join in the fun!

Find Out More About Our 1 Day Group Tours

Book a Private Tour For Up To 3 Days

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Outlander Tours from Edinburgh

The Rabbies Experience

Rabbies Tour Guides promise us that no matter how thrilling Outlander is, experiencing the real-life sites is even more emotive. As well as their previously mentioned trip departing from Glasgow, they also offer a similar day trip experience but departing from Edinburgh. On this tour, your guide takes you through a fantastic array of Outlander sights while telling you all about the history that inspired the famous show.

Departing from Rabbie’s Cafe Bar in Edinburgh, shortly after 9am, the 16-seater coach will take you to a number of spectacular locations, including Culross, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle and Midhope Castle. Previous participants of this Outlander tour have raved about the extensive knowledge of the tour guides, and you can experience it for yourself from as little as £44!

To read the glowing reviews and find out more about this trip, CLICK HERE.

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Clans and Castles

If you are looking for a longer more immersive holiday style experience, hardly any trips come as highly recommended as this 9-day wonder which starts and ends in Edinburgh. Clans and Castles have been running their Outlander tours for an impressive 17 years with huge success! As well as locations from across the book and television series they also include a number of historic places that will put the story in context and they assure us their participants are always delighted by these hidden gems too!

Although at a first glance these trips may seem a little pricey, when you consider that you are getting Bed and Breakfast for nine nights, the services of a tour guide for seven days, and entry to Edinburgh Castle, The Georgian House & Gladstone’s House as well as a number of other popular attractions, private talks, presentations and tours, it really is quite fantastic value for money.

With group sizes of no more than 7 people per trip, you are guaranteed an attentive and personalised service, this really is the perfect Outlander tour for those of you travelling from outside of Scotland.

To find out about tour availability here.

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Trafalgar

If 9 days didn’t sound long enough for you to get your fill of Claire and Jamie’s world, how about this 13 day long Highland Trail, brought to you by Trafalgar. Enjoy Scotland’s stunning scenery on this trip inspired by Diana Gabaldon’s hit series and visit some of the notable film locations, as well as some of the other highlights of Scotland, including the Scottish Highlands, Orkney Island and the Isle of Skye.

With 12 nights accommodation, 18 meals and all in-trip transportation included, this trip really does allow you to relax knowing that someone else has all the finer details organised. One participant in this trip reported their personal highlight was the authentically Scottish ceilidh dance on the last night!

Find out more about the other trip highlights included.

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Haggis Adventures

With prices from as low as £46, Haggis Adventures offer one of the lowest priced Outlander tour days that we have found! Whilst they can’t promise you will actually travel back in time and bump into your one true love, they guarantee an unforgettable day travelling through some of the famous Outlander film locations and beautiful spots that inspired the hit TV series.

Highlights of this trip include entry to Midhope Castle, Doune Castle, Culross, Fife and Falkland, allowing you to experience some of the best preserved parts of medieval history in Scotland and feel yourself transported back to how things would have been.

Departing from Edinburgh at 8.30am, Haggis Adventures squeeze so much activity into a single day, and you can CLICK HERE to find out more about what they offer.

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The Jamie and Claire Tour

This 8-day trip is designed for the ultimate Outlander fans and is also a fabulous one to try for anyone who is travelling from outside of Scotland, as it is inclusive of your accommodation for the week! If you are looking for an immersive experience that involves more time exploring on foot than stuck on a tour bus, then this is the perfect fit for you.

Sign yourself up for eight whole days of following Jamie and Claire’s adventures from the first two books of Outlander AND the Starz TV series. Your guides know both the work and the Highlands intimately and they will take you to the real locations of which Diana writes, as well as good facsimiles of those she invented, such as Craig Na Dun. This tour will immerse readers and viewers of the series in 18th century Scotland.

The scheduled Outlander tour of Scotland starts and ends in Edinburgh, but private tours can start or end anywhere in Scotland.

Find Out More Here

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Sam’s Outlander Tour, Edinburgh Tour Guides

Sam is a tour guide that has worked in Edinburgh for 20 years taking tours around the city and all over Scotland, who is also a massive Outlander fan and has been taking Outlander tours since 2007. These trips involve picking up in Edinburgh, where you are within easy reach of several Outlander film locations. These are private tours just for you and your party with hotel pickup and drop off.

You will spend the day following in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire, visiting the most popular filming locations, with the opportunity to take memorable photos and stop for lunch along the way too.

Previous users of Sam’s tours have reported that she made them feel at home with her great personality knowledge about history, the people, architecture, shopping, books and all things Edinburgh.

You can find out more, HERE.

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Outlander Tours from Inverness

Inverness Tours

Described as the The Best Outlander Tour Ever, tour guide Hugh Allison has fantastic reviews based on his combination of content and quality, knowledge and expertise. Inverness Tours offer a relaxed and enjoyable way to see places from the television series and books such as Inverness, Culloden, Clava Stones, Beauly and Edinburgh and also many major film locations such as Falkland, Castle Leoch, Lallybroch, Fort William, Craig na Dun and Edinburgh filming sites.

This service is one of the most personalised we’ve come across, as well as the existing tour offers, Inverness Tours say they can also devise longer tours for you if you wish. As many days as you want, and tailored to your personal requirements. Why not, for example, take a 4-day Outlander tour combined with a couple of days visiting your own Clanlands! You can book an exclusive tour for your party, or sometimes seats on shared groups become available too.

Don’t delay, CLICK HERE to see what’s on offer with Inverness Tours.

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Outlander Past Lives

If you are looking for an intimate and personalised Outlander tour, then the service from the husband and wife team at Outlander Past Lives is really second to none. You can book a private tour for up to 6 people, departing from and arriving back to Inverness, on any available day of your choice.

On their website they suggest that this is the tour for anyone with an interest in or affiliation with Scotland or Outlander, and that you can just sit back, relax and enjoy the journey in comfort, while you step back into Scotland’s history with them. Sounds ideal right?

On this trip you will be met by tour guides in full authentic costume, and find professional photographs available as a memento at every location, and enjoy a jam packed day full of sights, including Wardlaw Mausoleum, Beauly Priory, Castle Leod, Culloden House, a Jacobite Weapons Demonstration, and Culloden Battlefield. Explore the land they walked, the homes they lived in, the towns they frequented and the places they were buried.

If you are looking to walk in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire and enjoy an Experience with a difference, this Outlander tour comes highly recommended. There are 3 options:

Discover The 1 Day Trip

OR Double The Fun With a 2 Day Tour

OR For The Ultimate Fan Discover the 3 day tour

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Highland Tours

This Outlander Tour from Inverness is a real must for any Outlander fans! A day long tour visiting all the main Outlander destinations in the Scottish Highlands, this trip starts at the heart of Inverness to get a feel of what Inverness would have looked like in Jamie’s time.

The whole tour will take around 7 hours, and is designed for 4 people, although there is an option to add on extras to make a larger group. Stops along the way include Culloden Battlefield, the Fraser stone, The Clava Cairns, Strathpeffer and the Eagle stone. Although Lallybroch does not exist, the landscape you are about to travel through is truly magical, you will see your own Lallybroch!

This trip is very reasonably priced and there is the option to secure your booking with only a small deposit. To find out more, CLICK HERE.

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Virtual Outlander Tour

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that it is not always possible for us to get to the places we want to go, when we wish to! This is why the fantastic Mary’s Meanders have made it possible for you to take part in a virtual Outlander tour! It will come to you live, via Zoom, allowing you to enjoy the Outlander experience as if you were here in Scotland, but from the comfort of your own sofa. The hour long interactive experience is currently available nearly every day and will only cost you £5.

Find Out More Here

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About the author

Written by: Caitlin

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