Scotland Outlander Tours

"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone." Diana Gabaldon wrote a love story between Claire and Jamie, but she also wrote a love letter to Scotland. Our Outlander tours take you beyond the screen to the actual locations where those passionate scenes unfolded, from medieval castles to mysterious standing stones. Join us as your guide shares both the fiction and the fascinating real history that inspired it.

Go Back in Time

“Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone. I give ye my Body, that we Two might be One. I give ye my Spirit, ‘til our Life shall be Done.”

Sometimes we feel that, when Outlander author Diana Gabaldon wrote this line, she was actually writing a love letter to Scotland. Ask people what they love about Outlander and many people will say 'Jamie' and the beautiful love portrayed throughout the series.

Yet there's another passionate love that drew people in. Their love for Scotland.

And when Outlander fans finally find themselves on Scottish soil, that love - for Scotland, for Jamie, for Outlander - takes over. And it's no secret that Outlander has taken over. Millions of people watch it, read it, and love it. Yet some want to go even further. They want to live it.

And while we can never guarantee that time travel through Scottish standing stones is possible, we'd be more than happy to let you try.

What our customers say about our Outlander tours

What's Included on Outlander Tours?

The Outlander series showcases Scotland's most dramatic locations, from intact medieval fortresses to haunting ruins. Our Outlander tour in Scotland shows you behind the scenes landscapes and experiences such as:

• Castle Leoch (Doune Castle): This remarkably preserved medieval stronghold, built in the 14th century, serves as the ancestral home of Clan MacKenzie. You'll recognise the Great Hall where Claire attended her first Highland gathering, the kitchens where she worked alongside Mrs. Fitz, and the courtyard where Dougal drilled his men. Beyond Outlander, the castle featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Game of Thrones.

• Lallybroch (Midhope Castle): Jamie Fraser's beloved home needs no introduction to fans. While you can't enter the ruined tower house, you can sit on those iconic front steps and stand in the courtyard where so many emotional scenes played out.

• Fort William (Blackness Castle): This 15th-century fortress, shaped like a ship, served as Black Jack Randall's headquarters. Walk the ramparts where Jamie was flogged, explore the dark prison cells, and gaze across the Firth of Forth.

• Cranesmuir (Culross): This 16th-century village genuinely looks frozen in time. Wander the cobbled streets where Geillis Duncan lived, see the Mercat Cross where accusations flew, and explore the palace with its original painted ceilings. Culross also appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger.

• 1940s Inverness (Falkland): The charming Fife village doubles as 1940s Inverness in the show. See the village square, the palace where Mary, Queen of Scots, once played tennis on the world's oldest court, and streets lined with buildings that have barely changed over the centuries.

• Craigh na Dun (Multiple Locations): While the standing stones were created for the show, Scotland has dozens of genuine prehistoric stone circles that inspired them. Many Outlander tours visit Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old burial site that served as inspiration for Diana Gabaldon. These atmospheric Bronze Age monuments capture the mysterious energy of time-travel stones.

• Culloden Battlefield: Though not a filming location, Culloden is essential to Outlander's story. This is where the Jacobite cause died in 1746, where around 1,500 men fell in less than an hour. Stand at the Fraser clan memorial, walk the battlefield, and understand the tragedy that shaped Jamie's world.

• Palace of Holyroodhouse (Linlithgow Palace): The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots appears as the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Season 2. These dramatic ruins sit beside a loch, their roofless walls still magnificent. Mary herself was born here in 1542, and the palace witnessed centuries of Scottish royal drama before a fire destroyed it in 1746.

For more information, read our guide to The Best Outlander Locations in Scotland.

How Long Do I Need for an Outlander Tour?

It depends on how deeply you want to immerse yourself in Jamie and Claire's world:

• 1 day: Perfect for hitting the essential locations including Doune Castle, Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Culross, and sometimes Linlithgow Palace or Falkland. Our day outlander tours balance travel time with genuine exploration at each site. For more information, read our article on The True Stories of the Outlander Sites - A Day Tour Review.

• 4 days: The Outlander Trail combines filming locations with Highland adventures. You'll visit Glencoe (featured in the opening credits), experience authentic Highland landscapes, and explore locations from multiple seasons.

Some guests combine Outlander sites with other Scottish experiences. Our Scottish Castles Experience includes several Outlander castles alongside other historic fortresses. Quality matters more than quantity. Our small-group tours ensure you actually experience each location rather than just snapping photos through a bus window.

What Real History Inspired Outlander?

While Claire and Jamie are fictional, Diana Gabaldon built their world on genuine Scottish history:

• The Jacobite Risings (1688-1746): A series of rebellions attempting to restore the Stuart monarchy. The 1745 Rising, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, forms Outlander's historical backbone. It ended catastrophically at Culloden.

• Clan Culture: Highland clans operated as extended family networks with complex loyalties, their own territories, and fierce independence. After Culloden, the British government systematically destroyed clan power.

• Highland Clearances: Following the Jacobite defeat, authorities banned tartan, dismantled the clan system, and eventually cleared Highlanders from their land to make room for sheep. This trauma shapes Jamie's story.

• The Black Watch: Elite Highland soldiers who served the British Crown, caught between loyalty to Scotland and service to the government.

Your driver-guide shares these real stories alongside the show's plot, helping you understand the history that made Outlander so powerful. Read more about 3 Women of the Jacobite Risings.

Can I Visit Real Standing Stones in Scotland?

Yes! Scotland has numerous prehistoric stone circles that predate written history. Near Inverness, you can find Clava Cairns, a Bronze Age burial site that inspired Diana Gabaldon's fictional Craigh na Dun. Or visit Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis, often called "Scotland's Stonehenge." These 5,000-year-old stones form a cross shape and rank among Europe's most significant prehistoric sites. Finally, in our Orkney, you can see the Ring of Brodgar, another UNESCO World Heritage site. This stone circle sits in an otherworldly Orkney landscape.

While we can't guarantee time travel, your driver-guide will share what archaeologists know about these mysterious monuments. Learn more in our guide to Standing Stones (or Time Travel) in Scotland, or view our Orkney tours.

Where Do Outlander Tours in Scotland Depart From?

We offer Outlander tours from multiple Scottish cities:

• Outlander Tours From Edinburgh: Most tours depart from Scotland's capital, where many filming locations cluster nearby. Day tours typically leave from Edinburgh Bus Station. See all tours from Edinburgh.

• Outlander Tours From Glasgow: Our Glasgow departures cover the same iconic locations with convenient city-centre pickup. Explore tours from Glasgow.

• Outlander Tours From Inverness: Our Inverness tours visit Culloden, Clava Cairns, and surrounding locations where much of the Highland drama unfolds. See tours from Inverness.

Check your specific tour for exact departure times and locations. Visit our Departure Points page for detailed information.

Can I Visit Outlander Locations in Edinburgh and Glasgow?

Yes! Both cities feature in the series:

• In Edinburgh, Outlander shows the Royal Mile and Old Town, Bakehouse Close, where Claire works as an apothecary, Tweeddale Court, as part of Edinburgh's print shop, and The World's End pub, where Jamie visits. For more, read our guide to the Best Outlander Locations in Edinburgh.

• In Glasgow, you’ll see the Pollok House and Gardens as seen in season 3 in Jamaica, Glasgow Cathedral in the Paris hospital scenes, and various Georgian streets doubling for 18th-century Paris. For more, read our guide to the Best Outlander Locations in Glasgow.

While our tours focus on countryside locations where the show's heart beats, fans often combine tours with self-guided city exploration.

What About Outlander Filming in the Highlands?

Much of Outlander's magic comes from stunning Highland scenery:

• Glen Coe: Those iconic opening-credits mountains. This dramatic valley witnessed the real Massacre of Glencoe in 1692, adding genuine tragedy to its beauty. Many of our Glencoe Tours include these stunning landscapes.

• Glen Affric: Doubling as various Highland locations, this is one of Scotland's most beautiful glens with ancient Caledonian pine forests.

• Highland Lochs: From Loch Ness to Loch Lomond, the show captures Scotland's magnificent waters. View our Scotland Loch Tours for a chance to visit them.

The Highlands aren't just backdrops, they're characters in Outlander. The landscape shapes clan culture, survival, and the entire Highland way of life that Claire enters. For more, take a look at our full range of Scottish Highland Tours.

Are Outlander Tours Suitable for Non-Fans?

Absolutely. While Outlander fans get extra excitement recognising specific scenes, the locations themselves fascinate anyone interested in:

• Medieval castles: These fortresses are genuinely impressive regardless of the show

• Scottish history: The Jacobite era, clan culture, and royal intrigue captivate history enthusiasts

• Film locations: Even if you haven't watched Outlander, seeing how TV productions transform real places is fascinating

• Scottish scenery: The locations are stunning in their own right

Many guests join our tours because family members are fans, then find themselves just as engaged by the real history and beautiful locations. Your driver-guide balances Outlander content with broader Scottish stories.

Can I Dress in Period Costume on Tours?

While we don't require it, many fans do dress up—especially on multi-day tours. A kilt or tartan shawl adds to the experience without going full 18th-century costume (which can be impractical for a day's travel).

If you're considering period dress, keep it practical and bring layers for changing weather. Make sure to wear comfortable shoes, bring a modern jacket for warmth. And remember you'll be getting on and off the mini-coach multiple times. Your fellow passengers and driver-guide will love your enthusiasm, and castle ruins make fantastic photo backdrops for period costume.

What Should I Bring on an Outlander Tour?

Scotland's weather remains unpredictable, so pack layers:

• Waterproof jacket (even Claire and Jamie got caught in rain)

• Comfortable walking shoes (castle ruins have uneven ground)

• Warm layers (Scottish castles are breezy)

• Camera or phone (you'll want photos at every location)

• Episode guide or favourite quotes to reference

• Binoculars for distant Highland views

Most tours include main entrance fees, though some attractions are optional extras. Check your specific tour details. If visiting in winter, note that Midhope Castle closes until late February.

Why Tour Outlander Locations with Us?

Our small groups create a community of fans who share your enthusiasm. You'll travel in comfortable mini coaches that navigate narrow Scottish roads big buses can't reach.

Our driver-guides know Outlander inside out. They've watched every episode, read the books, and can answer questions about specific scenes. More importantly, they're passionate about the real Scottish history that inspired Diana Gabaldon. You'll learn which parts of the show are accurate, which liberties were taken, and why.

Have questions about planning your Outlander adventure? Check our FAQs or contact us—our team would love to help.

What About Private Outlander Tours?

For dedicated fans who want a completely personalised experience, we offer private tours of Scotland. You’ll get a custom itinerary featuring your favourite locations, flexible timings at each stop, a private guide who can dive deep into the scenes filmed at each site and the ability to include lesser-known locations. Private tours work brilliantly for families, friend groups, or special occasions.