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Tour Highlights:
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Outlander seems to be the word on everyone's lips right now and it has certainly captured our imaginations. What we love about Outlander is that it has brought the story of Culloden and the Jacobites to so many people who had never even heard of it before. Diana Gabaldon has captured the time so well and her interpretation of the Jacobite struggles prior to Culloden, the battle and the aftermath is heart wrenching and extremely moving. As Highlanders who grew up so close to Culloden Battlefield it holds a very special place in our hearts and it's hard to visit without feeling very sad about the events which transpired here in 1746. The 360 degree cinema experience at Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre allows guests to relive the horrors that took place on this day and be warned it is absolutely harrowing.
Depending on where you are staying will change the route but please see below for more information on the highlights of our Outlander Tour. Created by Outalnder fans to be enjoyed by Outlander fans.
Beauly is a popular stop on a lot of our tours but especially on our Outlander tour. Beauly Priory was the burial ground for the chiefs of Clan Lovat (Frasers) and it is mentioned in the Outlander books when Claire meets the seer Maisri. Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail was also buried here and there is a beautiful effigy of him which is the earliest known likeness of a Mackenzie. Today it is a beautiful highland town with little shops and places to drink coffee and nibble on freshly baked goods. The name actually comes from the French Beaulieu meaning "beautiful place" and we couldn't agree more.
The Wardlaw Mausoleum in Kirkhill has also gained a lot of media attention recently as there were remains found with the head removed thought to have been the Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat also know as the Old Fox, who Diana Gabaldon refers to in the Outlander books as Jamie's uncle. However the most recent discovery has been that it is in fact the remains of a young lady aged between 25 and 30 which raises even more questions so the search continues to find out who was buried here and why.
Castle Leod is always featured in our Outlander Tours, sometimes just a view from the nearby hockey pitches but if you are very lucky there's also another option which is very expensive and depends on the availability of Earl of Cromartie.
The journey then winds through the fantastically named Drumnadrochit which is a great place to stop for reasonably priced Nessie souvenirs at one of the little gift shops in this quaint Scottish village. On the way to Urquhart Castle there is the option to drop in by Divach Falls. The falls can be found down a little woodland path so it's a bit of an adventure (and one we only recommend to people who are good on their feet) but it's a great option for those who like to get off the beaten track.
If you do decide to go in to the Urquhart Castle our recommendation is to go here first (to beat the crowds and then take a 1hr cruise on the Jacobite Rebel from the castle's very own pier for the best views of the Great Glen and Loch Ness while hearing all about the famous loch from Jacobite's onboard Loch Ness expert. You might even get a wee song if you're lucky. Your guide will then meet you at Dochgarroch Locks where your cruise will end and your tour will continue. (We receive a special rate of £18.50 per person which we of course pass on to our guests. This includes entry to the castle and your Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness.) Without doubt this is definitely one of the very best ways to experience Loch Ness and is always a hit with our guests who decide to include it on their tour.
Loch Ness and the monster were introduced in book number one of Outlander (chapter 19 "The Water Horse") when Claire goes down to Loch Ness and has an encounter while she gathers clusters of seeds, so no Outlander Tour would be complete without a visit to Loch Ness. Along the way you will have an opportunity hear about the history of the area and find out a little more about your guide and their experiences of living in the Scottish Highlands. Every tour is different - we get to know you and you get to now us and our aim is to make sure you have a truly unforgettable day in the Scottish Highlands.
Following this there's the option to stop in Inverness for an Outlander Tour of the city with lots of hidden secrets and stories to be told. We don't want to spoil it for you but if you come on the tour you'll find out all about Outlander's hidden nooks and crannies in the city of Inverness.
No Outlander Tour would be complete without a visit to Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. Outlander fans are also very taken with the Clan Fraser grave marker. We like to respect all of the grave markers at Culloden and all of the ground there is sacred. This is where many Highland men, women and children lost their lives so we always ask our guests to be as respectful here as they would at any other graveyard or place which has seen many lives lost. The visitor centre features 360 degree cinema, lots of interesting historical artifacts and has been built with passion and respect for the people whose lives came to an end not only on the battlefield but the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite rising.
From the battlefield it's only a short drive to the Culloden Viaduct and Clava Cairns which features a selection of standing stones. It isn't where the TV series was filmed but these are the real standing stones of Inverness and they are very mystical and magical. Clava Cairns is an interesting example of a well preserved Bronze Age cemetery and we always feel a sense of calm wash over us when we are here. There are no barriers or ticket booths just a wonderfull arrangement of standing stones and rocks surrounded by grass and trees. We like to take some time to let our minds wander and think about the civilisation who created Clava Cairns all those years ago and why.
There are a couple of places we recommend for lunch based on what you like to eat and how much time you would like to spend eating lunch. The options range from an traditional Scottish Tavern to a family owned restaurant which overlooks Inverness and serves lots of homemade sandwiches, soups, cakes and other delicious treats.
If military history is of interest to you or if you want to see what came after the Battle of Culloden you would really enjoy a visit to Fort George one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe. Designed to halt any future Jacobite attempt on the throne it was completed in 1769 using the very latest military architecture, and was intended to be the base for 2,000 men with large amounts of artillery. Its might was never put to the test and it stands today as one of the best-preserved artillery fortresses of its period in the world. It also offers fantastic views over to the Black Isle and if you're lucky you might even spot some dolphins playing in the firth.
If whisky is of interest to you then the Glen Ord Distillery is only a short drive from Inverness, it's one of Scotland's most picturesque distilleries and a really good tour if you'd like to hear more about the ancient fire water and maybe have a wee taste from the excellent selection of Diageo whiskies from Oban to Lagavulin plus their own range of Singleton whiskies which unless you live in Asia is pretty hard to come by!
The Black Isle Brewery is also close by and offers a short free tour and the Black Isle is another place we can highly recommend. Not a lot of our tours end up on the Black Isle which is a real shame as it is absolutely beautiful and has some great walks and an interesting history. The Fairy Glen is particularly stunning so if you feel like stretching your legs this is the place to go!! It's a gentle walk through the woodland with some beautiful sights including waterfalls. We also love Cromarty and if you'd like to include the Black Isle we would try to make it to Sutor Creek for either lunch or dinner as it is one of the best restaurants in the Highlands.
Tour length: 8hrs so you won't manage to fit in everything from the list above but we will try to fit in as much as possible without rushing you. Some of our guests like to just hit all the hot spots throughout the day whereas thers like to select a few and enjoy them at their leisure. That is completely up to you, it's your holiday so we'll just be there to make recommendations and keep you on track throughout the day.
What's included? A private luxury vehicle and driver guide for the day. Scottish snacks, chilled bottled water and soft drinks plus a wee dram for those who like a whisky.
What's not included? Entrance Fees (although we do receive discounts which we pass on to our guests) and Lunch.
Depending on where you are staying will change the route but please see below for more information on the highlights of our Outlander Tour. Created by Outalnder fans to be enjoyed by Outlander fans.
Beauly is a popular stop on a lot of our tours but especially on our Outlander tour. Beauly Priory was the burial ground for the chiefs of Clan Lovat (Frasers) and it is mentioned in the Outlander books when Claire meets the seer Maisri. Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail was also buried here and there is a beautiful effigy of him which is the earliest known likeness of a Mackenzie. Today it is a beautiful highland town with little shops and places to drink coffee and nibble on freshly baked goods. The name actually comes from the French Beaulieu meaning "beautiful place" and we couldn't agree more.
The Wardlaw Mausoleum in Kirkhill has also gained a lot of media attention recently as there were remains found with the head removed thought to have been the Simon Fraser, 11th Lord Lovat also know as the Old Fox, who Diana Gabaldon refers to in the Outlander books as Jamie's uncle. However the most recent discovery has been that it is in fact the remains of a young lady aged between 25 and 30 which raises even more questions so the search continues to find out who was buried here and why.
Castle Leod is always featured in our Outlander Tours, sometimes just a view from the nearby hockey pitches but if you are very lucky there's also another option which is very expensive and depends on the availability of Earl of Cromartie.
The journey then winds through the fantastically named Drumnadrochit which is a great place to stop for reasonably priced Nessie souvenirs at one of the little gift shops in this quaint Scottish village. On the way to Urquhart Castle there is the option to drop in by Divach Falls. The falls can be found down a little woodland path so it's a bit of an adventure (and one we only recommend to people who are good on their feet) but it's a great option for those who like to get off the beaten track.
If you do decide to go in to the Urquhart Castle our recommendation is to go here first (to beat the crowds and then take a 1hr cruise on the Jacobite Rebel from the castle's very own pier for the best views of the Great Glen and Loch Ness while hearing all about the famous loch from Jacobite's onboard Loch Ness expert. You might even get a wee song if you're lucky. Your guide will then meet you at Dochgarroch Locks where your cruise will end and your tour will continue. (We receive a special rate of £18.50 per person which we of course pass on to our guests. This includes entry to the castle and your Jacobite Cruise on Loch Ness.) Without doubt this is definitely one of the very best ways to experience Loch Ness and is always a hit with our guests who decide to include it on their tour.
Loch Ness and the monster were introduced in book number one of Outlander (chapter 19 "The Water Horse") when Claire goes down to Loch Ness and has an encounter while she gathers clusters of seeds, so no Outlander Tour would be complete without a visit to Loch Ness. Along the way you will have an opportunity hear about the history of the area and find out a little more about your guide and their experiences of living in the Scottish Highlands. Every tour is different - we get to know you and you get to now us and our aim is to make sure you have a truly unforgettable day in the Scottish Highlands.
Following this there's the option to stop in Inverness for an Outlander Tour of the city with lots of hidden secrets and stories to be told. We don't want to spoil it for you but if you come on the tour you'll find out all about Outlander's hidden nooks and crannies in the city of Inverness.
No Outlander Tour would be complete without a visit to Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last pitched battle on British soil. Outlander fans are also very taken with the Clan Fraser grave marker. We like to respect all of the grave markers at Culloden and all of the ground there is sacred. This is where many Highland men, women and children lost their lives so we always ask our guests to be as respectful here as they would at any other graveyard or place which has seen many lives lost. The visitor centre features 360 degree cinema, lots of interesting historical artifacts and has been built with passion and respect for the people whose lives came to an end not only on the battlefield but the aftermath of the 1745 Jacobite rising.
From the battlefield it's only a short drive to the Culloden Viaduct and Clava Cairns which features a selection of standing stones. It isn't where the TV series was filmed but these are the real standing stones of Inverness and they are very mystical and magical. Clava Cairns is an interesting example of a well preserved Bronze Age cemetery and we always feel a sense of calm wash over us when we are here. There are no barriers or ticket booths just a wonderfull arrangement of standing stones and rocks surrounded by grass and trees. We like to take some time to let our minds wander and think about the civilisation who created Clava Cairns all those years ago and why.
There are a couple of places we recommend for lunch based on what you like to eat and how much time you would like to spend eating lunch. The options range from an traditional Scottish Tavern to a family owned restaurant which overlooks Inverness and serves lots of homemade sandwiches, soups, cakes and other delicious treats.
If military history is of interest to you or if you want to see what came after the Battle of Culloden you would really enjoy a visit to Fort George one of the most outstanding fortifications in Europe. Designed to halt any future Jacobite attempt on the throne it was completed in 1769 using the very latest military architecture, and was intended to be the base for 2,000 men with large amounts of artillery. Its might was never put to the test and it stands today as one of the best-preserved artillery fortresses of its period in the world. It also offers fantastic views over to the Black Isle and if you're lucky you might even spot some dolphins playing in the firth.
If whisky is of interest to you then the Glen Ord Distillery is only a short drive from Inverness, it's one of Scotland's most picturesque distilleries and a really good tour if you'd like to hear more about the ancient fire water and maybe have a wee taste from the excellent selection of Diageo whiskies from Oban to Lagavulin plus their own range of Singleton whiskies which unless you live in Asia is pretty hard to come by!
The Black Isle Brewery is also close by and offers a short free tour and the Black Isle is another place we can highly recommend. Not a lot of our tours end up on the Black Isle which is a real shame as it is absolutely beautiful and has some great walks and an interesting history. The Fairy Glen is particularly stunning so if you feel like stretching your legs this is the place to go!! It's a gentle walk through the woodland with some beautiful sights including waterfalls. We also love Cromarty and if you'd like to include the Black Isle we would try to make it to Sutor Creek for either lunch or dinner as it is one of the best restaurants in the Highlands.
Tour length: 8hrs so you won't manage to fit in everything from the list above but we will try to fit in as much as possible without rushing you. Some of our guests like to just hit all the hot spots throughout the day whereas thers like to select a few and enjoy them at their leisure. That is completely up to you, it's your holiday so we'll just be there to make recommendations and keep you on track throughout the day.
What's included? A private luxury vehicle and driver guide for the day. Scottish snacks, chilled bottled water and soft drinks plus a wee dram for those who like a whisky.
What's not included? Entrance Fees (although we do receive discounts which we pass on to our guests) and Lunch.
