Outlander & The Scottish Highlands

Outlander & Scottish Highlands Adventure

DAY 1 ARRIVE EDINBURGH: Arrive at Edinburgh airport and start your Scottish adventure! Enjoy an introduction to Edinburgh while transferring to your Edinburgh Hotel. If you will be arriving before your afternoon check-in time, the hotel will try to provide as many rooms as possible. If they cannot accommodate all rooms early, guests can leave luggage at the luggage room. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. This evening, enjoy dinner in your hotel. (D)

DAY 2 EDINBURGH: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Afterwards, meet with your driver in the hotel lobby. Today, start off with a city tour of Edinburgh where you will appreciate the contrast between the 18th century Georgian “New Town” with its wide, tree lined streets and elegant squares and the medieval “Old Town”. The Royal Mile is the backbone of the old quarter, running from the Palace of Holyrood House to Edinburgh Castle. You will visit Edinburgh Castle which dominates the city from its 400-foot rock where you will see the Scottish crown jewels and the Stone of Destiny, now back in Scotland where it belongs. You can also visit the private apartments of Mary Stuart and St Margaret’s Chapel, the oldest building in the city which dates back to the 11th century. Later, visit the Palace of Holyrood House, most often called Holyrood Palace. Like its majestic companion, it’s riddled with some of Scotland’s most potent history. The Abbey in the grounds was founded in 1128, and the palace itself is baroque. These days Holyrood Palace is the Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II, but it’s probably best known for its association with another royal figure, Mary Queen of Scots. Later, return to your hotel and enjoy your afternoon at leisure. (B)

DAY 3 EDINBURGH / FALKLAND / PITLOCHRY: After breakfast, depart Edinburgh and set off towards the impressive Scottish Highlands. Along the way, and over the coming days, explore some of the filming locations for the popular Starz fantasy series – Outlander. Head to the picturesque town of Falkland, where one of Outlander’s first scenes was filmed, which substitutes gamely for 1940s Inverness. You will visit Falkland Palace, the country residence of the Stewart kings and queens. The gardens contain the original royal tennis court, built in 1539 and the oldest in Britain. Afterwards, on to visit Scone Palace, the home of the Earl of Mansfield. Scone is a castellated palace, enlarged and embellished in 1803, incorporating the 16^th century and earlier palaces. The Moot Hill at Scone, known in the 8^th century and earlier, was the site of the famous Coronation Stone of Scone (The Stone of Destiny), brought there in the 9^th century by Kenneth MacAlpine, King of Scots. In 1296, the Stone was seized by the English and taken to Westminster Abbey. In 1997 the Stone was returned to Scotland and is now in Edinburgh Castle. Onwards to Pitlochry for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 4 SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS / INVERNESS: Enjoy breakfast. Today, you travel north towards Inverness. Your first stop is in Nairn where you visit Cawdor Castle. The castle dates from the late 14^th century, having been built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor, with the ancient medieval tower built around the legendary holly tree. The ancient castle, which is home to the Cawdor family to this day, has evolved over 600 years and has been lovingly filled with beautiful furniture, fine portraits, intriguing objects, and amazing tapestries. Afterwards, pause to visit The Clava Cairns, the exceptional remains of an ancient cemetery, set on a terrace above the River Nairn and the inspiration for the mysterious Craigh na Dun in Outlander. See the “Split Stone”, through which Claire Randall might have tumbled, into 1743. Onwards to visit Culloden Battlefield. Just 5 miles from Inverness, the historic Culloden Battlefield is one of Scotland’s most significant battle sites, commemorated by the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre and protected by the Scottish National Trust. It was here, on the Culloden Moor that Bonnie Prince Charlie and an army of 5000 Jacobite Highlanders faced off against the Duke of Cumberland and his 9000 Hanoverian Government troops on April 16, 1746. It was one of Britain’s most important battles and the last to be fought on British soil. Later, continue to Inverness for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 5 LOCH NESS & THE ISLE OF SKYE: Enjoy breakfast. This morning, you depart and travel to Clansman Harbor to board a Jacobite Cruise to Urquhart Castle. Loch Ness is a striking 38.5-km-long loch in the Great Glen (Southwest of Inverness) and forms part of the Caledonian Canal, which links Inverness with Fort William. Up to 213 m deep, the loch contains the largest volume of freshwater of any lake in the British Isles. Famous worldwide for its mysterious inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster, it is also ideal for cruising and sailing. On the loch banks, you will visit the ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of the largest castles in Scotland which fell into decay after 1689 and was blown up in 1692 to prevent it being occupied by Jacobites. Most of the existing remains date from the 16^th century. Eilean Donan Castle stands on an islet connected by a causeway in Loch Duich. This picturesque and inhabited castle dates back to 1214 and has been the setting for many adverts and movies, such as Highlander. In 1719, it was garrisoned by Jacobites troops and was blown up by the English. Now completely restored it displays fine furniture and paintings. This evening, enjoy dinner and overnight in the Isle of Skye area. (B/D)

DAY 6 ISLE OF SKYE / FORT WILLIAM: Enjoy breakfast. Today, depart on a full-day sightseeing journey around Isle of Skye. Early this afternoon, visit Armadale Castle and discover the history of the Highlands and Islands through the story of Clan Donald, its most powerful clan. The Estate’s principal focal points are the restored historic gardens, and the beautiful walking trails threading through the 40 acres of woodland around Armadale Castle. Part of the Castle has been restored and the striking ruined remains sensitively re-designed, to create an attractive landscape within the gardens. A short ferry ride from Armadale to the mainland brings you to Mallaig. Travel onwards to the Fort William area for dinner and overnight. (B/D)

DAY 7 FORT WILLIAM / DOUNE / GLASGOW: After breakfast, depart for Glasgow. Your first stop today will be in Scotland’s historic heartlands to visit Doune Castle. Both Robert the Bruce and William “Braveheart” Wallace made a name for themselves here – and plays a starring role in Outlander. This rugged fortress stands in for the fictional Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the episodes set in the eighteenth century. Afterwards, continue to Glengoyne Distillery. The distillery was first licensed in 1833 and is Scotland’s most southerly Highland distillery and the closest to Glasgow. Nestling in the Campsie Hills, it draws water from a waterfall. The distillery produces Scotland’s only unpeated whisky. The tour includes a tasting. Afterwards, head to Glasgow. This evening you are free to explore Glasgow. (B)

DAY 8 GLASGOW: After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Glasgow. Or, you might consider an optional round of golf! (B)

DAY 9 GLASGOW / USA: After breakfast, bid farewell to Scotland as you transfer to Glasgow airport, where after check-in you will have plenty of time for your last-minute duty-free shopping. Your flight to the US arrives the same day. Have a safe journey! (B)

Customize to Suit

The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests.  You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.

Inclusions

• Twin-bedded rooms in 4- or 5-Star hotels; hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling
• Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
• 5 three-course dinners
• Travel by private, luxury, air-conditioned coach
• Services of a professional Scottish Tour Manager throughout
• Half-day English-speaking guide for Edinburgh sightseeing
• Edinburgh Castle
• Palace of Holyrood House
• Falkland Palace
• Scone Palace
• Visit Culloden Battlefield
• Clava Cairn
• Cawdor Castle
• Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness
• Urquhart Castle
• Eilean Donan Castle
• Armadale Castle Gardens
• Ferry crossing from Armadale to Mallaig
• Doune Castle
• Visit Glengoyne Distillery
• Portfolio of travel documents
• 24-hour local customer service while traveling in Scotland

Private Departures