12 Day Grand Tour of Scotland with Outlander

Today begins with a relaxing visit to Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by Dan Brown's book ‘The Da Vinci Code’.  This 15th century chapel boasts intricate carvings that make it one of the most ornately carved medieval stone chapels in Europe.  Next, we head to the Scottish borders for a relaxing wander around the picturesque town of Melrose located near the River Tweed.  Visit the ruins of Melrose Abbey and the panorama at ‘Scott’s View’.  Overnight Edinburgh.

Today we tour north to take in the East Neuk of Fife and the town of St Andrews.  We take some time to explore the medieval centre of St Andrews, consisting of narrow alleys and cobbled streets with shops, restaurants and cafés.  Enjoy time at the pro shop and practice-putting on the Old Course Himalayas, a unique facility that was instituted in 1867.  You can also view the remains of St Andrews Castle, and the now ruined Cathedral.  Later, we visit the quaint East Neuk fishing villages of Crail and Anstruther.  Overnight Fife.

After breakfast, we tour west to enjoy a relaxing visit to Doune Castle which you’ll recognise as Outlander’s ‘Castle Leoch’, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th century episodes.  Next, enjoy a fabulous introduction to the natural landscape when we explore the mountains, glens, lochs and rivers of Scotland’s first National Park.  Take a relaxing walk around the village of Luss on the 'bonnie banks' of Loch Lomond before we head into the Argyll Forest Park.  Overnight Strachur.

Today we travel along Loch Fyne, the longest sea loch in Scotland.  Arriving in the traditional lochside village of Inveraray, we pause here to visit the Castle & Gardens that have been the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Argyll, Chiefs of the Clan Campbell, since the early 15th century.  After lunch, we tour further along Loch Fyne and make our way to Kintyre for the afternoon ferry to Islay, landing at Port Ellen (2 hours 20 minutes).  Overnight Islay.

We wake to the splendour of Islay ‘The Queen of the Hebrides’. This is Scotland’s fifth-largest island and has an impressive 130 miles of coastline.  We start our tastings at Laphroaig Distillery before making our way to nearby Ardbeg for lunch at the Old Kiln Café. Later, we will visit Lagavullin for a tour and tasting before we tour along the coast to the island’s main town, Bowmore, for a look around followed by some island sight-seeing and visit more of Islay’s famous distilleries.  Overnight Islay.

After breakfast, we take the small single-track road to board the ferry back to the mainland.  Arriving in Kintyre, we tour north to Kilmartin Glen often described as the ‘Birthplace of Scotland’, rich in standing stones, ancient burial cairns, and a fortified hill fort.  Later, we tour onwards to visit the bustling seaside town of Oban and enjoy a walk to the viewpoint to view the town and over to Mull.  We move on to view Castle Stalker on our way to this evening’s accommodation.  Overnight Fort William.

Today begins with a tour through Glencoe, steeped in history with stunning scenery.  Later we head for the village of Fort Augustus on the shores of Loch Ness for some sightseeing and lunch.  We tour west through rugged landscapes and past the ‘Five Sisters of Kintail’ towards iconic Eilean Donan Castle, sitting where three lochs meet, and the Isle of Skye on the rugged west coast.  Overnight Skye area.

We begin on our tour of the Isle of Skye, passing through Broadford and on to the main settlement on the Island, Portree, with its colourful harbour front and interesting shops.  After lunch we head north through the rugged Trotternish Peninsula and take in the views at Uig, the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock Falls before travelling back down the island for the evening.  Enjoy a 2hr hike at the Old Man of Storr which offers great views over the Minch to the west coast of Scotland.  Overnight Skye area. 

Today we head out to take a trip over one of the highest roads in Scotland, the ‘Bealach Na Ba’, to the remote Applecross Peninsula.  This beautiful and tranquil place on the rugged coast of Wester Ross has stunning scenery and a quaint village.  Later, we travel east to the 'Capital of the Highlands', Inverness. Overnight Inverness.

We head out to explore Culloden Battlefield (45min walk) which will provide a lasting image of heroic Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Army.  Later, we travel through the Cairngorms National Park with large tracts of Caledonian Pine Forest.  We tour through Carrbridge to view the oldest horse pack bridge in Scotland and then relax spending the afternoon enjoying a stunning walk around Loch an Eilein (2hrs) with its 13th century island castle.  Overnight Dunkeld.

After breakfast we make our way to Falkland village where the square here stood in for Inverness in Outlander.  Enjoy a tour of this furnished historic palace was once the favoured place of retreat and leisure for the Stuart Kings and Queens of Scotland, including Mary Queen of Scots.  After our tour of the palace, we travel south to Stirlingshire to take in the chequered history visiting Stirling Castle.  This majestic fortress perched atop an intrusive crag has played a pivotal role in Scottish history.  Overnight Stirling.

We now travel along the river Forth to the ancient burgh of Culross where the rustic whitewashed, red-tiled buildings were transformed into the village of Cranesmuir in Outlander.  We make our way to Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) where we stop for a visit (exterior access only) before heading to spectacular Edinburgh Castle.  Here you’ll view the Honours of Scotland, also known as the Scottish regalia, which are the oldest set of crown jewels in the British Isles. Tour ends in Edinburgh.