Visit the Borders and Alnwick Castle, spend time in picturesque Bamburgh village.
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- Outlander Explorer
For updates on castles closures, please check the 'Itinerary & Departure' tab.
Use code WINTER10 at checkout and save 10% on this trip if you book by 27 February 2026 and travel by 31 March 2026.
Imagine walking in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire from Outlander, with a local guide regaling all the gruesome history and stories which inspired Diana Gabaldon. We take you on a journey to some of the most famous Outlander filming locations such as Midhope Castle, the real-life Lallybroch, Doune Castle, the seat of Clan MacKenzie, and the impressive Blackness Castle, the setting for Fort William. Your guide will share the history behind each location, making this Outlander tour from Edinburgh the perfect journey for fans eager to step into Scotland’s storied past.
* Save 10% on tour dates until 27 Feb 2026.
Tour Highlights
Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
Worldwide beloved as the Outlander filming location for Lallybroch, the family home of Jamie Fraser, Midhope Castle is 15th century tower house in the outskirts of Edinburgh. Even though it may be derelict inside, its exterior offers a perfect backdrop for fans' photos and imagination.
Culross (Cranesmuir)
Culross is a colourful wee village, with one of the oldest harbours in Scotland. The historic architecture and cobbled streets star as Cranesmuir in the filming of Outlander; Culross Palace also features as Claire’s herb garden at Castle Leoch.
Falkland (1940s Inverness)
Falkland is a charming wee village, best known by Outlander fans for portraying Inverness in the 1940s, where Frank and Claire embark on their honeymoon trip in the first episode of the show. Falkland became Scotland’s first conservation village in the 1970s, and has twenty-eight beautiful, listed buildings.
Small Group Tour
Small groups, big adventures! Our small group tours offer an intimate, relaxed way to explore while you soak up Scotland's magic. Please note that, due to vehicle availability, there may be instances where this tour operates on a larger bus.
Doune Castle (Castle Leoch)
Doune Castle is a remarkably well-preserved medieval structure, complete with an impressive Great Hall and a 100ft gatehouse tower. The castle has been featured in Outlander, Game of Thrones, Outlaw King, and Monty Python & The Holy Grail.
Blackness Castle (Fort William)
Blackness Castle is an impressive 15th century fortress that resembles the shape of a ship, hence it’s nickname 'the ship that never sailed’. Outlander fans recognise the castle as the filming location for Fort William, home to Captain Jack Randall’s worst acts of violence.
Inclusions
Passionate Local Guide
Live Commentary & Storytelling in English
Small Group Tour
Foreign Language Audio Guides Available
Audio guide links will be provided after booking. Please download over WiFi and bring your own headphones
What Other Explorers Say
Lord Torva did a great job explaining the real life history alongside the Outlander significance. Walked us through a lot of Queen Mary’s life and it was fun to see where she would flit around back in the day. The timeline was appropriate. I never felt like there was too much or too little time when at the different stops. The size of the tour group was nice, it made it easy to hear what was being told without having to fight to be near the voice talking.
Abbi
06/01/2026It was amazing. We went to all the major filming locations; we were even that lucky to enter Midhope Castle (Lallybroch). Our guide Connor was really funny and could capture the whole bus with his stories about the histories of scotland and facts about outlander. All in all a perfect day, especially for Outlander fans! Will definitely do this tour again!
Celina
03/01/2026Had an amazing time on the Outlander Tour - even family members that have not watched the show enjoyed the tour. Ry was a fabulous and knowledgeable guide and made the tour extra special by tailoring it to the sites available on the day and even had a soundtrack of Scottish music to accompany the tour. He was very knowledgeable about both Outlander and Scottish history. Highlight of the trip was Midhope Castle. Would highly recommend the tour.
Catherine
03/01/2026Charlie was our driver and she was amazing! She really enjoyed her work and was ball of energy. She drove safely and had great jokes and stories.
Jonathan
15/09/2025Charley was the best! She started well with great jokes and set the tone off the bat that this was going to be a great adventure!!!!!! Even amount of time driving versus out of the bus. Charley rocked! So helpful and nice!
Andrew
13/09/2025I had so much fun with Charlie as my tour guide!! Very enjoyable, always entertaining, and learned a lot! Thank you and I do recommend!
Sophia
12/09/2025Tim was the best guide one could ask for. He was great, not too over the top and not bland either. A true professional. He was personable, informative, helpful, and very safety conscious all that whilst providing great customer experience. My wife and I had a great time, we had plenty of time at each stop and really enjoyed this tour!
David
14/08/2025Excellent, we went with the guide Ry who passed us lots of information and always quite attentive. The tour lasted 8 hours and we stopped at various scenarios in the interior of Scotland
Arthur
09/08/2025Laird Torva made this trip everything I expected and more. His jokes, stories, and overall cheerful personality helped make this trip memorable. I throughly enjoyed how he set the atmosphere by playing music from the show. I would recommend this day trip to everyone who is a fan of Outlander and I would do it again. 10/10 Bravo!
Taryn
08/08/2025A very well rounded Outlander tour. Great sights and good amount of time at each location. I recommend it to any Outlander fan or anyone interested in castles.
Jamie
19/07/2025Great one-day tour of filming locations. Even if you are the companion of a big Outlander fan, there is plenty of history to satisfy. Sophie did a great job.
William
19/07/2025The tour was incredible! Ry took us to so many Outlander locations—Lallybroch, Castle Leoch, Fort William, the spot where Jamie’s ghost watches Claire, and more. One of the castles even featured Sam Heughan on the audio guide. While the actual sites have different names than those in the books and show, it was still amazing to see where these scenes were filmed.
Layan
17/07/2025Guide Dave was absolutely fantastic! He shared captivating stories throughout the tour, answered every question with enthusiasm, and even made a special stop at the burial site of Bruce the Great. His knowledge and passion truly brought history to life. Highly recommended for an unforgettable experience!
Jamie
14/06/2025Fantastic experience. Our guide Tim was very informative, knowledgeable, competent and courteous. He drove in a pleasant and safe manner, with great music! He also made us smile with a few funny jokes. Thank you for the lovely day! Highly recommended.
Denise
11/06/2025This days tour was perfection! We got to see so many outlander locations and Dusty was a fantastic tour guide and driver. So knowledgeable and the accent made it even more fun to listen to the history.
Jacqui
11/06/2025As a huge Outlander fan, this day was incredible! Five set locations, and COUNTLESS photo opportunities! Alistar was an fantastic guide - knowledge about the history of Scotland and all of the filming locations we encountered. Not to mention funny! I cannot recommend him or this tour enough. Thank you for such a wonderful day!
Caitlin
18/05/2025Perfect tour to explore surrondings around Edinburgh and enjoy the Outlander filming locations. Our tour guide Matt was the best! He was very informative, told us the brief history of the Scotland.
Mehmet
16/05/2025Charlie was an amazing tour guide! She is very knowledgeable and funny. She was entertaining to say the least. The tour was perfect! Just enough time at each place and enough time to see and experience the recognizable spots from Outlander. I would highly recommend this tour! Especially Charlie :)
Shana
13/05/2025This was a fun trip! My husband and I love outlander and this trip covers several of the filming locations. We had a great tour guide, Graeme. Highly recommend to Outlander fans
Allyson
13/04/2025The tour was absolutely fantastic. Torva was our tour guide and he did an amazing job. He told us about history and different stories about Scotland and of course he explained a lot about Outlander. He really is a funny guy and we couldn’t imagine a better tour guide for this tour! We definitely would recommend this tour to every Outlander fan!
Melissa
11/04/2025What a great trip! Connor was a great guide, made the trip very fun and informative. Some of us in the group were bigger Outlander fans than others but everyone had an equally great time. Recommend! Written 13 April 2025
Natalia
13/04/2025The Tour was amazing. I thoroughly enjoyed it, even though I didn’t watch Outlander. The entry to the sites were optional so you were able to decide for yourself if you wanted to go in or not. Spontaneously opting to go in was no problem either. Furthermore the whole tour was elevated by our guide Graeme. He would talk about many interesting topics varying from Outlander/ movie facts to the history as well as other general information about Edinburgh and Scotland.
Sabrina
18/03/2025I took the trip with guide Charlie who was super fun. I've never had so much fun on a tour. In addition, she gave us a lot of super fun information, as well as historical information. It was a great day and I would like to go on another trip with her! I highly recommend it!
Maria
15/03/2025Jenny was so awesome!! Wonderful historical background; especially loved the background leading up to the Jacobite Rebellion, Scottish clans, and the Scot’s devotion to their lands and culture. Also so cool, accommodating, friendly, and funny. Would recommend this absolutely stunning tour.
Jeff
08/03/2025Explore Outlander Locations with @highextours
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Highland Explorer ToursIf you've ever wanted to experience a place straight out of the Outlander universe, Doune Castle is the place to go 🏰
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Highland Explorer Tours“Take me home to Lallybroch” 🏴✨ On our Outlander Explorer trip from Edinburgh, Midhope Castle is one of our first exciting stops of the day.
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Highland Explorer ToursName of this Scottish castle? 🏰🏴 If you have watched the TV show Outlander, you might recognise it!
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Highland Explorer Tours📸 by @blondiblue on a visit to Doune Castle as 'Castle Leoch' on our 1-day Outlander Explorer tour
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Highland Explorer ToursTravel back in time to the 1940s, the first episode in Outlander 🕰️
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the tour depart from?
Your Outlander tour departs from Edinburgh city centre. For departure details and pick-up location, visit our Departure Info page.
How long is the tour?
Your Outlander tour from Edinburgh spans about 9 hours*, offering ample time to explore castles, villages, and iconic filming spots.
*Length of tour may vary depending on traffic and weather conditions.
Do all tour locations appear in Outlander?
Yes! Every castle and attraction we visit on this tour has been featured in the Outlander series.
Will there be Outlander spoilers on the tour?
While exploring Outlander filming locations from both early and later seasons, you might encounter some spoilers. Your Highland Explorer guide will provide context on the scenes filmed there. Consider this your friendly heads-up on potential spoilers!
Will I meet Jamie?
The chances of meeting him on your Outlander tour are rather slim. Still, one can dream!
I have booked a castle add-on and it's affected by a closure. What now?
From time to time, castles may close due to filming activity, in which case we'll visit an alternative attraction with Outlander connections.
If you’ve booked a castle add-on and it’s affected by a closure, you’ll get access to the alternative attraction at no extra cost. If you haven’t pre-booked a castle visit, tickets for the alternative attraction can be purchased on site.
For the latest closure updates, visit the 'Itinerary & Departure' tab.
Are there toilet facilities on the coach?
While our coaches don't offer onboard toilets, rest assured that our itineraries include regular comfort stops, allowing frequent access to restroom facilities.
Are your tours accessible?
Our guides are unable to assist with wheelchairs or provide physical assistance during boarding or disembarking from the coach. Passengers should be capable of boarding and disembarking independently using the access stairs or with the help of a traveling companion. Foldable wheelchairs can be stored in our onboard luggage storage during travel.
Please note that some stops on our tours may involve rough terrain or only be accessible by steps.
It's important to be aware that your accommodation may have limited accessibility for wheelchair users. More info can be found on our Accessibility page.
Can I purchase snacks or souvenirs at the stops along the way?
Yes! Our routes include stops where you can grab a snack or recharge with a drink. Occasionally, we pause at shops offering local souvenirs as well. For precise details about timing and stops, don't hesitate to inquire with your guide.
Where can I get a more detailed itinerary?
Our itinerary (in tab 2, 'Itinerary & Departure') provides a helpful outline of what to expect on the day. We refrain from providing additional details beyond what's outlined there, as factors like weather, traffic, and the preferences of our driver guides may lead to slight deviations. We also believe that part of the excitement comes from the unexpected surprises along the way! Rest assured, your journey through Scotland will be unlike any other.
What if I need to cancel my tour?
If you need to cancel your tour, you will need to inform us in writing by sending an email to info@highlandexplorertours.com. You can find our cancellation and refunds policy in section 3 in our Terms and Conditions.
I have more questions. How can you help?
Feel free to visit our general Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to common queries, or reach out to us directly via our Contact Us page.
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Highland Explorer Tours
Outlander Explorer
1-Day Itinerary
Tour Route
Day 1
Outlander Explorer
Day 1 | Outlander Explorer
Our Outlander tour starts with a journey through Edinburgh's Old and New Town, before we head to our first stop, Midhope Castle* – the real-life ‘Lallybroch’ and Jamie Fraser’s home.
We then visit Doune Castle*, one of Scotland’s best preserved medieval castles and used as the filming location for ‘Castle Leoch’ in Outlander. The castle is also featured as Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Our journey takes us on to the Kingdom of Fife, an area of great historical importance and the ancestral home of Scottish monarchs. We spend time for lunch in Culross, the fictional village of ‘Cranesmuir’ where Claire was accused of witchcraft. This charming village is the most complete example of a 17th and 18th century burgh in Scotland today.
After lunch we continue to the village of Falkland, used for filming 1940’s Inverness. With over 28 listed buildings it gives a good representation of this period.
Our final filming location of the day is the impressive Blackness Castle*, featured as Fort William in the series. The castle also treats us to awe-inspiring views of the iconic Forth Bridge, inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our Outlander tour wraps up as we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.
*Please see castle updates in grey box below.
We then visit Doune Castle*, one of Scotland’s best preserved medieval castles and used as the filming location for ‘Castle Leoch’ in Outlander. The castle is also featured as Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Our journey takes us on to the Kingdom of Fife, an area of great historical importance and the ancestral home of Scottish monarchs. We spend time for lunch in Culross, the fictional village of ‘Cranesmuir’ where Claire was accused of witchcraft. This charming village is the most complete example of a 17th and 18th century burgh in Scotland today.
After lunch we continue to the village of Falkland, used for filming 1940’s Inverness. With over 28 listed buildings it gives a good representation of this period.
Our final filming location of the day is the impressive Blackness Castle*, featured as Fort William in the series. The castle also treats us to awe-inspiring views of the iconic Forth Bridge, inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our Outlander tour wraps up as we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.
*Please see castle updates in grey box below.
HIGHLAND EXPLORER TOURS
highlandexplorertours.com
1 Day Tour Itinerary & Map
View Map
Itinerary | Outlander Explorer
Our Outlander tour starts with a journey through Edinburgh's Old and New Town, before we head to our first stop, Midhope Castle* – the real-life ‘Lallybroch’ and Jamie Fraser’s home.
We then visit Doune Castle*, one of Scotland’s best preserved medieval castles and used as the filming location for ‘Castle Leoch’ in Outlander. The castle is also featured as Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Our journey takes us on to the Kingdom of Fife, an area of great historical importance and the ancestral home of Scottish monarchs. We spend time for lunch in Culross, the fictional village of ‘Cranesmuir’ where Claire was accused of witchcraft. This charming village is the most complete example of a 17th and 18th century burgh in Scotland today.
After lunch we continue to the village of Falkland, used for filming 1940’s Inverness. With over 28 listed buildings it gives a good representation of this period.
Our final filming location of the day is the impressive Blackness Castle*, featured as Fort William in the series. The castle also treats us to awe-inspiring views of the iconic Forth Bridge, inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Our Outlander tour wraps up as we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.
*Please see castle updates in grey box below.
Day Highlights
*Castle Updates
If you’ve booked a castle add-on and it’s affected by a closure, you'll receive access to the alternative attraction at no extra cost. If you haven’t pre-booked a castle visit, tickets for the alternative attraction can be purchased on site.
Midhope Castle Closure Notice:
Midhope Castle will be closed on the following days:
Friday 29th May 2026
Saturday 30th May 2026
Sunday 31st May 2026
Saturday 6th June 2026
Sunday 7th June 2026
Friday 14th August 2026
Saturday 15th August 2026
Sunday 16th August 2026
Friday 11th September 2026
Saturday 12th September 2026
Sunday 13th September 2026
Midhope will then be closed for winter from Thursday 24th December - 2027 (details on closures dates for 2027 coming soon).
General Castle Closure Notice:
There may be days throughout the year where both Midhope Castle and Doune Castle are closed for filming. In that case, the itinerary will be as following:
- Leave Edinburgh
- Visit Linlithgow Palace
- Visit Culross
- Visit Royal Burgh of Falkland
- Visit Callander House
- Visit Blackness Castle
- Return to Edinburgh
Order of attractions may change.
Departure Point
60 High Street, EH1 1TB, Edinburgh
We depart from our blue corner shop at 60 High Street, centrally located on the Royal Mile in the Old Town of Edinburgh. A useful landmark to find us is the Radisson Blu Hotel, situated just one street further along.
Not sure how to get here? Find more info on our Departure Info page.
Departure & Return Time
Check-In Closes
8:30 AM
Departs
8:45 AM
Returns
5:30 PM
There are dates throughout the year when Doune Castle and Midhope Castle are closed. Please find our castle updates in the above itinerary for more details. We are unable to hold the bus or refund for any late arrivals. Return times are approximate and subject to road conditions and weather. Please ensure you allocate sufficient time for any onward travel plans, allowing at least 3 hours after the scheduled return time for connections or activities.
Tours Dates & Prices
Choose a departure date, number of people and accommodation option.
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Please Note: On some days castles may be closed for filming. When this happens, we’ll visit an alternative attraction instead. For castle closure updates, visit the ‘Itinerary & Departure’ tab.
Blackness Castle Entry
Reserve at the time of bookingBlackness Castle is an impressive 15th century fortress that resembles the shape of a ship, hence it’s nickname ‘'the ship that never sailed’. Originally, the castle was home to the Crichton family in the 1440s as well as serving as a state prison. Outlander fans recognise the castle as the filming location for Fort William, home to Captain Jack Randal’s worst acts of violence. It has also featured in the filming of Mary Queen of Scots and Outlaw King.
Doune Castle Entry
Reserve at the time of bookingBuilt in the 14th century, the stronghold of Doune Castle is famous for having appeared in Monty Python, Game of Thrones, and Outlander. Be it the set for Winterfell as the home of Starks or the idyllic Castle Leoch as the seat of Clan MacKenzie, you will discover familiar filming locations in and around the castle as you ascend the battlements for views of distant mountains.
Midhope Castle Grounds Entry
Reserve at the time of bookingVisit the magical grounds of Midhope Castle, a beautiful tower house dating back to the 15th century. The castle featured in the Outlander TV series as Lallybroch; the family home of heroic heartthrob Jamie Fraser. While the interior is derelict, a selfie outside the instantly recognisable castle is a must for any Outlander fan.
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