Outlander's Road Trip: 12-Day Journey Through Scotland

Suggestion For The Day:

• Start your day in Stirling before crossing the Firth of Forth into Fife (around 40 minutes).
• First, visit the Royal Burgh of Culross, where the garden behind Culross Palace in Outlander represents Claire’s herb garden at Castle Leoch. Next, head to Falkland, featured in Outlander as 1940s Inverness, where Claire and Frank spend their second honeymoon.
• Return to Stirling in the afternoon and visit nearby attractions such as the Wallace Monument. Climb the spiral staircase for panoramic views and explore exhibits dedicated to Sir William Wallace’s legacy.
   

Today's Itinerary:

• Drive from Stirling to Inverness (approx. 2.5 hours).
• Watch the landscape shift from lush lowlands to dramatic Highland peaks. Stop at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore, where Outlander filmed scenes of Claire joining Dougal and his men as they collect rent from clan tenants. Explore the replica 18th-century Highland crofts for an authentic glimpse into the past.
• Upon arriving in Inverness, visit Culloden Moor, the site of the 1746 Battle of Culloden, one of the most significant and harrowing battles in British history. In Outlander, this is where Jamie fights in the fateful battle. Explore the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre to learn about the events that unfolded here.
• Nearby, visit the Clava Cairns, ancient burial mounds that inspired Outlander’s Craigh na Dun, the standing stones where Claire's journey begins. End the day by settling into your Inverness accommodation for the night.

Suggestion For The Day:

• Start your morning in Inverness, strolling along the River Ness and discovering the peaceful Ness Islands, connected by charming footbridges. If you have extra time, visit the Inverness Botanic Gardens or the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery to dive into local history and nature.
• In the afternoon, head to Loch Ness. Take a scenic boat tour to search for Nessie and visit the Loch Ness Centre, where you’ll hear captivating tales of the legendary monster. Explore the iconic ruins of Urquhart Castle, perched on the loch’s edge and a witness to Jacobite history.
• End your day surrounded by the stunning Highland scenery.
   

Today's Plan:

• Drive from Inverness to Fort William (around 2 hours).
• Enjoy the scenic drive through the Great Glen, surrounded by Caledonian pine forests, shimmering lochs, and rugged moorlands. Along the way, stop at the Glenfinnan Monument on the shores of Loch Shiel, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Jacobite flag in 1745. This glen also features in Outlander, as the route Claire and Jamie rode after their wedding.
• Upon arrival in Fort William, explore the West Highland Museum to uncover treasures and Jacobite history, including lesser-known stories of the region. For breathtaking views, take the Nevis Range Mountain Gondola up Aonach Mòr, a neighbor of Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest peak. Enjoy the panoramic vistas before settling in for the night.

Day's Journey:

• Drive from Fort William to Glasgow (approx. 2.5 hours).
• Begin your journey south to Glasgow by traveling through the breathtaking Glen Coe. Featured in Outlander’s opening credits. Stop at viewpoints to take in the dramatic scenery, and consider stopping at the Glencoe Visitor Centre to learn more about the area’s history and geology.
• Continue your drive to Glasgow, where you can visit Glasgow Cathedral. In Outlander, its crypt is portrayed as L’Hopital des Anges in Paris, where Claire volunteers as a healer.
• In the evening, head to George Square, which appears in Outlander as the 1940s location where Frank proposes to Claire. Stroll through the square, admire the statues, and explore the vibrant Merchant City nearby for dinner options.
   
   

Suggestion For The Day:

• Today, explore Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, and visit its top attractions. Start with Pollok House, located in the south of the city, where you can explore the grand rooms and servants' quarters. Built in 1752, the house serves as the grounds surrounding Castle Leoch in Outlander and also stands in for the French countryside during the characters' travels.
• Afterward, enjoy a stroll through Kelvingrove Park, which doubles as the Boston park where Claire enjoys walking in the show.
• In the afternoon, head to the University of Glasgow, which stands in for Harvard University in Outlander, where Frank teaches. While there, explore the Hunterian Museum, featuring fascinating exhibits on medicine, zoology, and anatomy.

Suggestion For The Day:

• Drive southwest from Glasgow to explore Ayrshire and Dumfries & Galloway, Sam Heughan’s homeland.
• Start with Dean Castle in Kilmarnock, a 14th-century castle surrounded by woodland. In Outlander, it stands in for Beaufort Castle in season two, where Claire and Jamie try to persuade Lord Lovat to send his men to aid Charles Stuart.
• Continue along the Ayrshire coast to the charming harbor village of Dunure. In the show, Dunure is depicted as Ayr Harbour, where Claire and Jamie leave Scotland in pursuit of Young Ian. Close by is Dunure Castle, featured as Silkie Island in Outlander.
• End the day with a visit to Drumlanrig Castle, a stunning 17th-century castle near Thornhill, where you can take a guided tour before heading back to Glasgow for your final night.

• Today, drive back to Edinburgh (approx. 1 hour). 
• Depending on your flight schedule, you might have time to explore some highlights and finish with any last-minute shopping or sightseeing.
• As your departure time approaches, drive to the airport, return your rental car, and check-in for your flight, cherishing the memories of your time in Scotland.