Compare Outlander: On the Trail of Jamie & Claire by Great Value Vacations vs Classic Walks of Scotland by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 Welcome to Edinburgh!

Upon arrival in Edinburgh Airport, enjoy a private transfer to your first accommodation. Once you've settled, hike up to Edinburgh Castle for panoramic views of the city.

Celebrate your first night by indulging in a plate of Scotland's National dish - Haggis!

Day 2 Edinburgh

Start your Scotland journey by visiting Edinburgh’s Old Town, where cobblestone streets lead you by impressive castles showcasing Scotland's epic history. Established as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995, the town boasts popular attractions like the Edinburgh Castle where you can view Britain's oldest crown jewels worn by Mary, Queen of Scots herself! You can also have fun at the unusual Camera Obscura, where visitor's can be amazed by spectacular optical illusions creating 19th-century virtual reality scenes and provides stellar views from its rooftop. Be sure to also visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the Queen lives when she's in town.

Day 3 Edinburgh - Inverness

Please arrive by 8:30 am for a 9:00 am departure, from the Edinburgh Bus Station (Gate J & K, St Andrew Square).

We leave Edinburgh and follow the trail of the best-known locations featured in the Outlander TV Series.

Your first stop is the place that needs no introduction: Midhope Castle, known as Jamie’s lovely home Lallybroch. The cozy interior of the house has been re-created in the film studios. In reality, visitors can’t explore the ruins of the castle, instead, you can sit on the iconic steps of Lallybroch and wait for Jamie or Claire to walk through the beautiful archway in the courtyard. 

Heading north, you visit the charming village of Culross. In Outlander, Culross posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir and the home of Geillis Duncan and her unfortunate husband, Arthur. Exploring the town’s cobbled streets is like stepping back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the impressive, historic Culross Palace.

We continue to the small town of Falkland to relive the first scenes of the show, where Falkland represents 1940s Inverness. See if you can recognize the familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouses (The Covenanter Hotel) and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank sees the ghost of Jamie.

Then, it’s time to leave the castles and villages behind and discover the beauty of the Highlands. We travel through lush Perthshire in the afternoon and stop at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum. The site houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts and gives you a glimpse into past Highland life. You’ll remember this place as one of the MacKenzie clan villages where Claire and the MacKenzie party stop to collect the rent.

Venturing further north, we pass Aviemore and continue to Inverness, where we arrive in the early evening. Spend overnight in Inverness.

Day 4 Inverness

You'll start your day by visiting the mysterious site of Clava Cairns near Inverness. This well-preserved complex of ring cairns and standing stones is as ancient as it is beautiful. And it’s also said to be the inspiration for the standing stones of Craigh na Dun.

Your driver-guide can’t promise any time travel here, but exploring this 4,000-year-old site feels like stepping back in time.

The next stop evokes a lot of emotions; it’s the forbidding Culloden Battlefield. This site plays a crucial role in Scottish history and the Outlander books.

It’s not far from the battlefield where the couple said their tearful goodbyes before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. And it’s where the final Jacobite Raising came to a harrowing end, bringing on the persecution of the Highland way of life. You can explore the visitor center and the site and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.

We continue our journey to the heart of Clan Fraser lands. Here you can pay your respects at the tomb of Lord Lovat, the ‘Old Fox’ of the Jacobite Rebellion, who is Jamie’s manipulative grandfather in the saga.

After seeing some of the most important sites from the Outlander universe, we return to Inverness with time to explore the city for another evening.

Day 5 Inverness - Fort William

Your day starts with a visit to the majestic Glen Affric. Lochs, mountains, and pine forests: this is one of Scotland’s most glorious glens. It’s also an ideal spot for Jamie to hide.

Next, we leave the ancient forests behind and continue along Loch Ness to stop at Urquhart Castle. Standing on the banks of Loch Ness for 1,000 turbulent years, this castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. You can choose to explore this majestic ruin and discover its secrets. And while you’re there, be on the lookout for Nessie.

The journey takes you through the Great Glen before heading to Glenfinnan. The monument here commemorates the meeting of Bonnie Prince Charlie with his loyal supporters and marks the beginning of the doomed Jacobite Rising. The column stands framed by Loch Shiel and a well-known section of the Jacobite Steam Train railway line, famously used as the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter.

Moved by the history and beauty of this site, you travel to your overnight stop in Fort William, underneath the shadow of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Day 6 Fort William - Edinburgh

You'll start the day with a magnificent drive through Glencoe and cross the rugged Trossachs area onto Doune Castle. The Castle is an extensive ruin representing Castle Leoch in the TV program, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes.

Later, we stop for a photo at Linlithgow Palace. This pretty palace is a favorite because of its connections to Mary, Queen of Scots. It also starred as Wentworth Prison and is known for one of the most intense scenes in the Outlander series.

The last highlight of the day is Blackness Castle. This tough-looking fortress looks like it could fend off an entire empire – and in Outlander, it represents Fort William. You can choose to walk along the ramparts and explore the fictional headquarters of Jack Randall.

After being immersed in the history and landscapes that inspired Outlander, we return to Edinburgh in the early evening (approximately 7 pm).

Day 7 Depart Scotland

Your private airport transfer will take you to Edinburgh Airport in accordance with your departure flight today.

Day 1 Fort William

Welcome to the Highlands! Your adventure begins in Fort William, cradled amidst the captivating landscapes of the Scottish West Highlands. The town is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering exceptional hiking, climbing, winter and water sports opportunities. The imposing presence of Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, looms large, making this town a mecca for those seeking Highland mountain adventures. With a rich history and friendly community, Fort William will be your home for the next five nights. After you’ve settled into your accommodation, meet your leader and the rest of your group at a welcome meeting, then enjoy an easy hike to stretch the legs, maybe to a ruined castle on a historic battle site.

Day 2 Devil's Staircase

This morning, you’ll catch the local bus to nearby Glencoe, where you’ll hike the West Highland Way from Glencoe to Kinlochleven, over the famous Devil’s Staircase. As you ascend, you'll quickly understand why it's called the Devil's Staircase. The path climbs steeply, zigzagging its way up the mountainside. This section can be challenging but immensely rewarding, offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the vast expanse of the region. Keep an eye out for deer as you take in the tranquil views on this occasionally challenging but rewarding hike. There’s no need to walk back to where you started on this point-to point walk as a short transfer will take you back to Fort William for a relaxing night.

Day 3 West Highland Way

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll take a public bus to the start of the hike in Kinlochleven, a scenic village located at the eastern end of Loch Leven. From here, hike the final stage of the West Highland Way, which will take you over the mountain pass and through the picturesque valley, on your way back to Fort William. This leg of the West Highland Way marks the official end of the famous trail, and serves as the starting point for the Great Glen Way, which you'll explore tomorrow. In the evening, there is the option to join your fellow travelers for dinner, to reflect on the day’s’ adventure.

Day 4 Great Glen Way

Today is a bit of an easier day today, which could be considered as a rest day for tired legs! The Great Glen Way is a long-distance walking route that spans from Fort William to Inverness, following the picturesque Great Glen, which cuts through the Scottish Highlands. Today, you’ll hike the opening stage. Starting from the accommodation, the hike takes you from Fort William and follows the banks of the Caledonian Canal. Built in the 19th century, the Caledonian Canal is a man-made waterway that links east to west Scotland. Your route continues onto the small highland settlement of Gairloch. Follow a country lane to the nearby Commando Memorial which has amazing views across the Ben Nevis mountain range, before finishing in Spean Bridge.

Day 5 Ben Nevis

Today marks the pinnacle of your Scottish walking adventure with the challenging ascent of Ben Nevis, the highest peak in Scotland (and in fact, the entire United Kingdom). The name Ben Nevis means 'mountain with its head in the clouds' in ancient Gaelic. This walk is considered a must do by hikers around the world. Starting at sea level, follow a rough trail to the summit at 1345 m. This is a challenging full day in the mountains, so you’ll need excellent physical preparation and determination to reach the summit. To assist on your ascent, the group will be accompanied by two seasoned guides who will provide expertise, support and motivation for a successful climb and descent. When you’ve accomplished this feat, a private transfer will take you back to the accommodation where you can unwind and relax with a sense of achievement.

Day 6 Cow Hill

After breakfast, head out for a final hike with great views across Ben Nevis and the surrounding area, a celebratory victory walk after conquering the mighty peak. Starting directly from your accommodation, hike into Glen Nevis and head uphill to reach the summit of Cow Hill. Your efforts are rewarded with fantastic views of Glen Nevis and the many peaks which surround it, as well as across Fort William to Loch Linnhe and beyond. It’s a memorable place to finish the trip and reflect on an amazing week of hiking in Scotland. A short steep descent completes the circuit and takes you back into Fort William by lunchtime, giving you time to catch a bus to Inverness, or a train south to Glasgow.