If your list includes Outlander, this drive delivers. This private 2-day tour strings together major filming locations with the landscape and history that inspired them, from Lallybroch-style Midhope Castle to Loch Ness and Glencoe. I like that it’s a true private setup with helpful pickup from your accommodation (or the airport) and an easy pace that doesn’t feel like cattle herding.

Two more things I really appreciate: the stops are chosen so you get both the show and the Scotland behind it, and the guide brings context along the way (I kept seeing names like Lawrence and Billy praised for being warm, funny, and never rushing). The only drawback to plan for is cost creep: a few key sites have entrance fees not included, and one stop (Linlithgow Palace) is limited because it’s closed for safety reasons.

Key things to know before you go

• Private door-to-door pickup from your Edinburgh-area accommodation or airport, plus morning pickup from Inverness on Day 2
• Outlander filming stops you can actually walk through, not just roadside photos
• Loch Ness ruins time at Urquhart Castle for big water-and-mist views
• Culloden Battlefield walking portion, where the vibe turns from pop-culture to real history fast
• Some entrances cost extra (Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Urquhart Castle), while others are free

Two days from Edinburgh to Loch Ness and Glencoe: why this pacing works

This is the kind of tour where you don’t have to make a spreadsheet. In two days, you cover a big chunk of Scotland’s “Outlander arc”: the Lowlands around Edinburgh, the Highlands around Inverness, then the dramatic Great Glen down to Glencoe and Trossachs-era scenery before ending back in Edinburgh.

The private format matters more than you’d think. You’re not stuck waiting for strangers to argue about bathrooms or photo angles. You also get a guide who can steer the day based on what interests you most, whether that’s family-history stops like Fraser sites or more general “how did Scotland get to this point?” context.

On the practical side, expect lots of driving. The stops are timed to keep the day flowing (some are short scenic breaks; others include an actual visit or walk). You’ll want comfortable shoes, and if you’re someone who gets stiff from car time, build in your own stretching rhythm.

Day 1: Edinburgh to Inverness through Lallybroch, Fort William, and Culloden

Day 1 starts with pickup at 8:00am from your place in the Edinburgh area. From there, the tour heads out of the city toward Midlothian for early Outlander locations that also make sense geographically: you start near Edinburgh, then gradually angle north and west as the Highlands mood kicks in.

Your first stop is Midhope Castle (often associated with Lallybroch / the Frasers’ home in the show). This is one of those places where the exterior alone sells the vibe, but having time to look around helps you connect the filming look with the real setting. It’s a 45-minute visit, and the entrance fee is not included.

Next is Blackness Castle, which was filmed as Fort William in the series. This is also a straightforward walk-and-look stop, but it has more atmosphere than a typical quick photo pull-over. Again, plan on paying the entrance fee directly if you go in (it’s not included).

Then comes a quick but memorable pass by Linlithgow Palace. It’s closed right now due to safety reasons, so you can’t get close. Still, you’ll see part of it from a distance, and the tour connects it to scenes including Wentworth Prison (as used in filming there). If you’re the type who hates “we couldn’t go,” this is the day’s minor disappointment—yet it’s handled honestly and you keep moving.

After that, the tour crosses the Firth of Forth to Culross, connected to the show as Cranesmuir. You get about 30 minutes here, free of entrance fees, which is enough for a calm wander and a few satisfying “yes, I see it” comparisons.

Midhope to Culloden: Outlander locations with the right emotional weight

A big reason this tour feels better than a checklist is that Day 1 doesn’t stay in show-world. After the Fife stops, you head into Inverness-region territory and hit places where the history hits harder.

In Falkland, you’ll spend about one hour, with time to lunch (and the stop is free). The area is tied to the Inverness look used in the series, so it’s a “you can picture it” kind of break rather than a long museum-style detour.

Then you’ll take a practical mid-day reset with The House of Bruar, mostly for a restroom break and quick leg-stretch. It’s free, and it’s exactly the sort of stop that makes a long drive feel manageable.

From there, the tour shifts into deep-time with Clava Cairns, a 4,000-year-old burial site. This is also referred to in the show as Craig na Dun, and the guide connects it to the real inspiration behind the series. You get about 30 minutes, and because it’s free, it’s one of the best “value-per-minute” stops.

You’ll then visit Culloden Battlefield. This includes a short walk with time to see key features such as the Clan Fraser gravestone, the Well of the Dead, the memorial cairn, and Old leanach cottage areas. You’re given about 40 minutes for this walk and viewing. This is the point where the day’s tone changes from fandom to something more reflective—don’t rush it.

Next is Old High St Stephen’s Church (specifically the graveyard portion). You can go into the graveyard area where Jacobite prisoners were imprisoned before execution, and you’ll see musket ball marks on the church wall. The stop is short (about 20 minutes), but it’s one of those places that sticks with you after the photos fade.

You’ll also have a pass-by at Abertarff House, described as the oldest surviving house in Inverness (dated to 1536) and associated as a town house for the chiefs of Clan Fraser.

Day 1 ends with drop-off at your accommodation in Inverness, with an estimated arrival around 6:00pm. That means you’ll want to have your Inverness night squared away on your end, because this tour doesn’t include lodging—just the driving and guided stops.

Day 2: Inverness to Loch Ness and the Great Glen’s big drama

Day 2 begins again at 8:00am with pickup from your Inverness accommodation. The day opens with a pass by Inverness Castle, including a statue of Flora Macdonald, known for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden. The tour also ties in the fact that the tune used in the Skye Boat Song is the same tune as the Outlander song—small detail, but the kind that makes the day feel connected rather than random.

From there you head to Beauly Priory, a 13th-century monastery. You get about 30 minutes, and it’s framed as an ancient burial place for chiefs of Clans Fraser and Mackenzie. This is a free stop, and it works well if you like Scotland’s old religious sites that feel peaceful without needing a lot of explanation.

Next is Wardlaw Mausoleum, which adds a hands-on twist. You’ll visit the Clan Fraser burial place, see a key that the wedding ring was made from, go up the bell tower and ring the bell, and then go inside the mausoleum. Time here is around 30 minutes, and it’s also free. It’s one of the more memorable “you’re allowed to do something” stops on the route.

Then you hit one of the main headline moments: Urquhart Castle on the shores of Loch Ness. You’ll spend about one hour here, and you can wander the ruins and take in the views over Loch Ness. Entrance fee is not included. Expect lots of photo opportunities; even if the mist is doing its best impression of a movie set, that’s part of the charm.

Fort Augustus, Spean Bridge, and the stops that make the drive feel worth it

After Loch Ness, you continue down the loch’s side toward Fort Augustus. The tour gives you about 15 minutes to see the Caledonian Canal locks. It’s short, but it’s visually satisfying, especially if you like engineering details and boats moving through locks.

A bit further along is a quick stop at the Commando Monument near Spean Bridge. You get around 10 minutes here, and the guide points out that on a nice day you might get a view of Ben Nevis. Even without perfect mountain visibility, the memorial itself gives the Great Glen area a deeper layer than scenery alone.

Then the tour continues through the general Great Glen area and passes through Fort William without a stop. This keeps time for the better-targeted visits like Glencoe and Doune Castle.

This is one of those “trust the order” moments. If you kept getting out of the car every 10 minutes, you’d lose the arc. Here, you build toward the most dramatic scenery next.

Glencoe Visitor Centre and Doune Castle: big scenery plus a real walk-in castle

Near the end of Day 2, you arrive in Glencoe and stop at the Glencoe Visitor Centre. You’ll have about one hour, including time to see a replica of a 17th-century dwelling and to have lunch in the area. The scenery is part of the point here, and Glencoe is one of those places where the weather can change the mood fast—so keep your layers handy.

You’ll also pass through Glen Orchy during the drive south. It’s not listed as a long stop, but it’s a “window seat” kind of moment if your guide’s timing is good.

Finally, you end at Doune Castle. This is the tour’s castle finale. It’s linked to the show as Castle Leoch and the Mackenzie family’s home. You’ll get about one hour here, and the entrance fee is included. This is a great capstone because Doune feels like an actual castle ruin you can walk around, not just a filming stand-in.

After Doune Castle, you’re taken back to your accommodation in Edinburgh, with an estimated arrival between 5:30pm and 6:00pm.

Price and value: what $2,715.34 gets you for up to four people

The price is listed as $2,715.34 per group (up to 4) for the full two days. On a private tour, that number stops being scary once you break it down the way you actually travel: you’re paying for your own vehicle, your own guide, and the time savings of not figuring out the routing yourself.

If you travel as a group of four, you’re effectively splitting the cost. If you’re just two people, the value depends on whether you’d otherwise pay for separate transfers and tickets—or whether you’re willing to spend the time to self-drive. If you want “car + guide + planned stops” and you’re even slightly short on energy (jet lag counts), this private format is the point.

One thing you should budget for: not everything is included. Midhope Castle and Blackness Castle have entrance fees, and Urquhart Castle has an entrance fee. Doune Castle is included, which helps. Everything else listed on the stops is free, including Culloden Battlefield viewing portions and key sites like Clava Cairns, Beauly Priory, and Wardlaw Mausoleum.

What’s included that you’ll feel on the day:

• Air-conditioned vehicle
• WiFi on board
• Bottled water
• Snacks where there are no allergies (so if you have food constraints, plan accordingly)

Who this Outlander tour is best for (and what to consider)

This tour is ideal if you’re mixing fandom with real sightseeing. You’ll get both the show locations and the grounding history around them—especially around Culloden and Jacobite-linked sites.

It also suits people who want a smooth two-day arc rather than independent driving stress. You get pickup, routing, and timed stops, so you spend energy on looking instead of navigating.

It’s less ideal if you want a slow, unstructured travel style. Some stops are short by design, like Fort Augustus and the Commando Monument. This is a “see a lot without feeling rushed” tour, not a linger-in-one-place tour.

Finally, keep fitness in mind. The tour notes moderate physical fitness is recommended. You’re doing some walking, including the Culloden Battlefield portion, plus time on your feet at castles and ruins.

Should you book this tour?

I’d book it if you want the fastest way to hit major Outlander landmarks with a guide who can connect them to Scotland’s places and people. The private pickup, the two-day rhythm (Edinburgh to Inverness to Loch Ness to Glencoe), and the mix of filming stops plus history make it feel like more than a theme-day.

I’d pause before booking if:

• you’re traveling solo or as a pair and your budget is tight,
• you hate paying extra entrance fees,
• or you prefer lots of long free time in fewer places.

FAQ

What’s the duration of this Outlander locations private guided tour?

It runs for about 2 days.

How many people are in a group for this private tour?

It’s a private tour for your group only, up to 4 people per group.

Do you get pickup from Edinburgh and Inverness?

Yes. Pickup is arranged from your accommodation or the airport. On Day 2, pickup is from your Inverness accommodation.

Are all attractions included, or do I need extra tickets?

Entrance fees are not included for Blackness Castle, Midhope Castle, and Urquhart Castle. The entrance fee for Doune Castle is included.

What time do you start each day?

Day 1 collects you at 8:00am, and Day 2 also collects you at 8:00am.

Is the tour suitable for kids?

The age requirement is 10 years old and up.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.