5 Outlander Tours in Scotland Fans Will Love | Filming Locations, Castles & Palaces
Looking for the best Outlander tours in Scotland? Then you’ve come to the right place.
As a Scotland native, I’ve explored the charming Scottish villages and magical castles seen in the popular TV show many times, usually on fun day trips. Spending time wandering around the lovely village of Falkland, and stumbling across the fountain where Jamie’s ghost looks up at Claire, is still one of my favourite memories!
The same can be said for Culross, which is one of my favourite places to visit in Fife. This century’s old village is most recognisable as the village of Cranesmuir in the parish of Castle Leoch in the Highlands. And imposing Blackness Castle too, used to portray Fort William in the show.
So I know exactly how beautiful, and special, these locations are!
Quick Book: My Top Pick of Outlander Tours in Scotland
Outlander 1 Day Experience from Edinburgh: popular and highly rated day trip, see the most iconic locations on the this Outlander tour. Plus, it’s the best priced option on our list.
From Edinburgh: Outlander Experience 2-Day Tour: if you have more time, then this is the best option. Stay in Inverness and visit the ancient Clava Cairns; the inspiration behind Craigh na Dun.
If you’re a true Outlander fan, then visiting the iconic places made famous by the TV show is a must during your Scotland trip.
Many of the best tours also double up as wonderful day trips from Edinburgh and will enrich your Scottish capital experience. From historic castles and palaces to ancient villages, these tours will genuinely transport you through the ages to another time.
That being said, if you prefer to do things in your own time, it’s possible to visit Outlander locations on your own itinerary. Keep in mind that the main locations from the show are spread between Midlothian and Fife and you’ll want to rent a car to move between them.
Outlander filming locations in Scotland
So, which Outlander filming locations can you expect to see on these tours?
Falkland, Fife: where Claire's story begins and where the ghost of Jamie looks up at Claire's room.
Midhope Castle, Midlothian: Jamie’s home Lallybroch.
Blackness Castle, Midlothian: Fort William in the show and Black Jack Randall’s HQ.
Culross, Fife: many locations including Cranesmuir in Castle Leoch parish and Claire’s herb garden.
Clava Cairns, Highlands: the inspiration behind Craigh na Dun.
Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian: most famous as Wentworth Prison.
Doune Castle, Perthshire: the location for Castle Leoch.
To make your travel planning easier, I’ve brought together the best Outlander tours in Scotland. Each is highly rated with travellers and incredibly popular with fans of the show.
Ready to book your Scotland Outlander tour? Let’s go!
5 Best Outlander Tours in Scotland
If you’re looking for the ultimate Outlander experience whilst you’re in Scotland, here’s a round up of the best filming location tours.
Each have top-notch reviews, plus excellent flexibility - you can reserve your spot today and pay later, or cancel up to 24 hours before if you change your mind.
Also, with these tours you’ll enjoy expert knowledge from your guide, who’ll also chat you through the history and landscapes of each location. Personally, I find this adds to the experience and I learn so much more.
1. From Edinburgh: The Outlander 1-Day Experience
Best for: spending time at the main show locations in Midlothian and Fife.
Leaves from: Edinburgh.
If you’re looking to visit the most iconic filming locations, then this Outlander tour from Edinburgh is, I think, the best choice.
This tour is a popular one and has excellent ratings. Not only have travellers loved the experience, but you can tell from the reviews that the tour guides are genuinely knowledgeable.
This tour leaves from Edinburgh city centre and lasts for a whole day. Best of all, the locations on the tour are all reasonably close together, which means less driving and more time exploring.
You’ll get to visit the most iconic spots from Outlander, including Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Black Jack Randall’s HQ), Culross (16th-century Cranesmuir), and Falkland (Claire & Frank’s honeymoon location).
2. From Edinburgh: Outlander Adventure Day Tour
Best for: the main locations plus travel further north to Doune Castle/Castle Leoch.
Leaves from: Edinburgh.
This full-day tour is another excellent option for your trip to Scotland, especially if you’re looking for Outlander tours from Edinburgh.
Leaving from Edinburgh centre, you’ll leave the city and visit incredible locations from the show, like Midhope Castle (Jamie’s home) and Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison).
This tour travels a little further north than others on the list, also taking you to Doune Castle (aka Castle Leoch).
Finally, spend time exploring pretty Culross village, where you can visit the palace and Claire’s herb garden.
As you travel, your driver will give you the real life history of the landmarks and stories from Outlander - the tour guides in particular get excellent reviews, so you know it’s going to be a great experience.
3. From Glasgow: Outlander Adventure 1-Day Tour
Best for: the show’s most famous locations in Fife and Midlothian.
Leaves from: Glasgow
This full-day Outlander tour is from the same company as the tour above, but this tour leaves from Glasgow city centre.
On this trip, you’ll visit Outlander’s most famous filming locations like Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Blackness Castle (Fort William), plus the pretty villages of Culross and Falkland.
Along the way your knowledgeable driver will share history and stories, so you’re guaranteed to have the most incredible Outlander experience.
4. From Edinburgh: Outlander Experience 2-Day Tour
Best for: travellers with extra time and the Clava Cairns/Craigh na Dun.
Leaves from: Edinburgh
You could say this is the ultimate Outlander tour. But with it lasting longer than the other, you’ll need to be in Edinburgh for longer than a few days.
On this Outlander tour, you’ll travel much further north and experience additional Outlander filming locations. Plus, see more of the landscapes that inspired the story. Not only do you see more, you’ll also get to stay overnight in the Highland city of Inverness.
On day one, visit most iconic filming locations, including Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Black Jack Randall’s HQ), and Doune Castle (Castle Leoch).
Next, drive north through stunning Glencoe and arrive in the city of Inverness for your overnight stay.
On day two, step back in time by some 4,000 with a visit to the Clava Cairns, the inspiration for Craigh na Dun. Grab your camera and be prepared to recreate your Claire moment! Then, continue to Culloden Battlefield, the scene of the last battle fought on British soil.
Your final locations are the historic villages of Falkland and Culross, perhaps the most iconic locations from the first season of Outlander.
5. From Edinburgh: Outlander, Palaces, and Jacobites Tour
Best for: history fans and an extra iconic location
If you’re looking to add an extra stop overlooking the Firth of Forth, then this unique Outlander tour is a good option.
Lasting a full day and leaving from Edinburgh, you’ll visit Outlander’s best known locations like Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Culross Palace, and lovely conservation village Falkland. With excellent reviews, you know you’re in experienced hands on this tour.
With an additional stop in lovely South Queensferry, it’s the only tour to offer unbeatable views over Scotland’s famous bridges.
Outlander Tours: Conclusion
So, this is my guide to the best Outlander Tours available in Scotland.
If you’re leaving from Edinburgh, then this full-day tour would be my top recommendation. And this tour from Glasgow.
But, if you have the time, then this 2-day Outlander tour will be an incredible experience.
No matter which you choose, you’re guaranteed to have an incredible time exploring Scotland - and making unbeatable memories!
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