Outlander Luxury Private Day Tour with Scottish Local

One of the finest examples of Scotland’s grand architecture, the splendid Hopetoun House, on the outskirts of Edinburgh, doubled as the stately home of the Duke of Sandringham in season one; provided the backdrop for Parisian streets, the spare room in Jamie and Claire’s Paris apartment, and the Hawkins Estate in season two and Ellesmere and the stables at Helwater in season three. Interesting fact: in real life the house is vast compared to how it appears in the TV show, as some of its wings were digitally erased. Access can sometimes be gained to Lallybroch Midhope Castle too for photos, this is subject to the day and not guaranteed. Open: April to September

Midhope Castle – Outlander’s Lallybroch Located on the wider Hopetoun Estate is Midhope Castle which is the location for fictional Lallybroch, the family home of character Jamie Fraser. Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th Century and although the exterior is relatively intact the castle is derelict inside. Whilst the exterior of the castle is intact and affords a photographic opportunity, the interior of the castle is not accessible for safety reasons. The visitor experience is therefore limited. Access is restricted due to Filming and Farming Works, this would be confirmed on the day.

As your tour heads North admire magnificent views across the Firth of Forth as you drive north to Fife. Keep a look out for the UNESCO-listed Forth Bridge as you cross the Forth Road Bridge, then soak up the scenery as you wind through the countryside.

Arriving in Falkland (Inverness 1946 in Outlander), is where you can see Mrs Bairds Bed and Breakfast as The Covenanters Hotel situated in the heart of the historic village opposite the recognizable ‘Bruce fountain’ and Falkland Palace with the Lomond Hills as the dramatic backdrop. Stop here to enjoy refreshments in the coffee shop before taking a walk around the village square to see the village parish church which was renamed Dalneigh Parish Church for the series.

Next we make our way to the filming location of The Royal Burgh of Culross, a town that time has passed by, which lies on the banks of the River Forth and was the location for the fictional village of Cranesmuir. The town centre dates back to the 16th Century and it is at Culross Palace that you will find Claire’s herb garden and many of the buildings that star in the show. It is the most complete example in Scotland today of a Burgh of the 17th & 18th centuries.

Leaving Culross now travel to Castle Leoch, home to the fictional Colum MacKenzie and the MacKenzie clan, in the beautiful little town of Doune. Doune Castle was built around 1400 by Robert Stewart, 1st Duke of Albany, Earl of Menteith and Fife, a magnificent late 14th century courtyard castle. It plays a leading role in the show standing in for the fictional Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th century episodes, and if you want to see the famous backdrop where Claire’s mysteriously disappears through the standing stones Its most striking feature is the 100ft high gatehouse which includes the splendid Lord’s Hall with its musicians’ gallery, double fireplace and carved oak screen and you can hear the stories of the making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail which was also filmed at the castle.

Photo Stop at Linlithgow Palace, was used to represent the infamous Wentworth Prison. It is here that Jamie is tortured and raped by Captain ‘Black Jack’ Randall.

The 15th century fortress of Blackness Castle which doubles as the setting for the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall and the heart-wrenching scene of Jamie’s incarceration. With views of the Forth Bridges as a backdrop Blackness Castle is a great opportunity for photos too.