13 Days Highland Trail Inspired by Outlander – Trafalgar

Itinerary

After getting a feel for Lowlander life at Edinburgh Castle, it’s north to the Cairngorms, Inverness, Doune Castle and the stunning backdrop to Diane Gabaldon’s historic tales.

Day By Day

Day 1 Arrive Edinburgh (3 Nights)

Welcome to Edinburgh and the start of your highland trail to discover more about the Outlander series and the characters in it. This evening, meet your companions and Travel Director at a Welcome Reception, which includes a true Scottish welcome with local specialties. (WR) Stay: Novotel City Centre

Day 2 Edinburgh Sightseeing and Free Time

Today enjoy the main sights with a Local Specialist including a visit to Edinburgh Castle. Gain a feel for the lowland life before discovering the highlander world. During free time perhaps explore the Royal Mile and pop into The World’s End – one of the taverns mentioned in the novel. (FB)

Day 3 Outlander Excursion to the Kingdom of Fife

This morning travel through Fife, setting for many of the Outlander filming locations. Visit the village of Falkland, stand-in for 1940’s Inverness, where Claire’s story begins. Stop at the Covenanter Hotel which was Mrs Bairds B&B in the series. Next visit Culross which was the location for the fictional village of Cranesmuir. See Claire’s herb garden and Geillis Duncan’s home in the beautifully preserved 16th century town centre. Finish with an included visit to Blackness Castle – filming location for Fort William. (FB)

Day 4 Edinburgh – St. Andrews – Glamis Castle – Dundee

Travel across the Firth of Forth to St. Andrews the home of golf and Scotland’s oldest university. Enjoy a guided tour of Glamis Castle which was the childhood home of the Queen Mother. Here discover more about the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and the Jacobite supporter Bonnie Dundee. His leather ‘bullet-proof’ jacket and boots are on display in the exhibition at Glamis. The ‘Old Pretender’ King James VIII visited Glamis and it was in the chapel here that he touched people for the ‘King’s evil’, which was the belief that Stuart monarchs had healing powers. Later arrive in the city of Dundee for an overnight stay and see the Tay Rail Bridge and RRS Discovery, Robert Falcon Scott’s Antarctic exploration vessel. (FB) Stay: Apex City Quay

Day 5 Dundee – Castle Fraser – Culloden – Clava Cairns – Inverness

Today visit Castle Fraser, an atmospheric baronial castle dating back to the 15th century and ancestral home of the Fraser family. Explore the gardens and enjoy panoramic views from the round tower. Later visit the site of the Battle of Culloden, where Bonnie Prince Charlie’s highlander army was defeated in 1746. This is also the event which forced Claire and Jamie to say their goodbyes. Go in search of the mysterious Craigh na Dun with a visit to the Clava Cairns dating back to the Bronze Age. Arrive later in the capital of the Highlands, Inverness. (FB) Stay:The Inverness Hotel

Day 6 Inverness Orientation – Thurso (2 Nights)

This morning enjoy an orientation of Inverness located on the banks of the River Ness. Stop in the Old Town and view Inverness Castle. Later travel through scenic countryside to the most northerly town in mainland Scotland, Thurso. Enjoy dinner tonight at your hotel. (FB/D) Stay: Royal Hotel

Day 7 Orkney Islands Excursion

At John O’Groats, take the ferry across the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Island of South Ronaldsay. Orkney is home to the legend of the mythological creature the Scottish Selkie. This seal sheds its skin to walk on land disguised as a human and forms part of an important folk tale explained in Outlander. See the Churchill Barriers, built as part of naval defence to protect the anchorage at Scapa Flow during World War II. Visit the ornate Italian Chapel, built by Italian prisoners of war and stop at Skara Brae. Walk through the remains of this famous Neolithic village. See the prehistoric Ring of Brodgar en route to visit Viking Kirkwall before crossing the sea back to the mainland. Dine tonight at your hotel. (FB/D)

Day 8 Thurso – Ullapool – Isle of Skye

Visit the quaint fishing town of Ullapool and see the herring port designed by Thomas Telford. Travel through lochs and glens and stop to view the impressive Eilean Donan Castle before crossing to the picturesque Isle of Skye. Here hear tales of Flora MacDonald who was a Jacobite heroine and played a part in the escape of Bonnie Prince Charlie ‘over the sea to Skye’. Dine tonight at your hotel. (FB/D) Stay: Kings Arms Hotel

Day 9 Isle of Skye – Ballachulish (2 Nights)

Leave the picturesque Isle of Skye on a ferry to Mallaig. Travel to Fort William via the impressive Glenfinnan Viaduct. At Fort William see Ben Nevis which is Britain’s highest mountain. Arrive in Ballachulish for a relaxing two night stay. (FB) Stay: Bellachulish Hotel

Day 10 Highland Folk Museum Excursion

Travel back in time with a visit to the Highland Folk Museum that was established in 1944 in Newtonmore. Enjoy a Cultural Insight into Highland rural culture since the 18th century when you view the extensive collection of artefacts. Dine tonight at your hotel. (FB/D)

Day 11 Ballachulish – Glencoe – Doune Castle – Glasgow (2 Nights)

Travel through the breathtaking ‘Glen of the Weeping’ at Glencoe and discover more about the history of the clans, the tragic massacre that took place here and life in the highlands. Visit Doune Castle, the spectacular 14th century courtyard castle which was the film location for Castle Leoch. It was here that Claire was hosted by the Mackenzie Clan when she arrived in Scotland in 1743. This afternoon your orientation of Glasgow includes the magnificent St. Mungo’s Cathedral, George Square and the River Clyde – former heart of the shipbuilding industry. (FB) Stay: Holiday Inn Theatreland

Day 12 Stirling Castle and Bannockburn Excursion

Visit Stirling Castle which is a symbol of Scottish national pride and once a place of great power. See the ‘Stirling Heads’ and visit the halls, chapels and bedrooms of this imposing castle. From the castle walls view the Wallace Monument – dedicated to Sir William Wallace and overlooking the battlefield of Stirling Bridge depicted in the 1995 film Braveheart. View the site of the Battle of Bannockburn. Later experience a memorable Be My Guest Farewell Lunch on a working Scottish farm. Gain an insight into the agricultural life which Jamie always wanted for his family. (FB/D)

Day 13 Depart Glasgow

Say a fond farewell to bonnie Scotland as your Highland Trail inspired by Outlander draws to a close. Transfers are available. Conditions apply. (FB)