Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh

Reviewed · OUTLANDER TOURS

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh

★ 5.0 · 5 reviews 1.5 hours From $20 Operated by That Guide With Glasses LTD · Bookable on GetYourGuide
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Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Edinburgh feels close up. This small-group walk ties Outlander Season 3 film locations to the real Jacobite drama of 1745, with a guide who explains how the show draws on Scottish myth and people you can actually research.

I particularly love the way you get a true sense of Old Town street-level geography, not just a list of filming spots, and the focus on character inspiration for Clair and Jamie. You’ll also see Jamie’s printshop location at Bakehouse Close.

One possible drawback: Edinburgh is very hilly, and the route may involve stairs, so wear shoes you can trust on slopes.

Key highlights to look forward to

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh - Key highlights to look forward to

  • Jamie’s printshop at Bakehouse Close, tied directly to Outlander Season 3
  • A guided story of Bonnie Prince Charlie occupying Edinburgh in 1745
  • Outlander character inspiration for Clair and Jamie, in plain language
  • Scottish folklore and fairies that shaped the time-travel ideas
  • A small group feel, capped at 10 people, with room for questions

Chasing Jamie and Claire? These pick up more Outlander filming locations.

Outlander Season 3 in Edinburgh: why this walk works

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh - Outlander Season 3 in Edinburgh: why this walk works
If you like Outlander, you know the show is built on two things: emotion and place. This tour leans hard into both, using Edinburgh’s Old Town streets as the connective tissue between what you watched and what really happened in 1745.

I like the approach because it keeps you grounded. You’re not stuck in fan theory. You’re walking where Bonnie Prince Charlie moved, then hearing how that atmosphere feeds the stories behind the characters.

Meeting David: what the guide focus actually feels like

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh - Meeting David: what the guide focus actually feels like
Your guide here is David from That Guide With Glasses LTD, and he runs the tour in a friendly, question-first way. In a city where facts can get tangled, I like that he answers specific queries instead of rushing past them.

Because it’s a small group (10 people max), you’re not just watching. You’re able to ask, compare notes, and get your own bearings as the route unfolds. That makes a short tour feel longer in the best way: you leave with context, not just photos.

Roman Eagle Lodge to Old Town: getting oriented like a local

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh - Roman Eagle Lodge to Old Town: getting oriented like a local
The walk starts at Roman Eagle Lodge, and you’ll meet outside St Columba’s Free Church of Scotland at the corner of Johnston Terrace and the Lawnmarket. From there, the focus shifts into Edinburgh’s Old Town maze, where every turn changes the view and the story you’re hearing.

This is where the tour earns its value. You’ll get a photo stop and guided commentary while you’re still in the thick of the streets that make Edinburgh feel theatrical. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s six-week stay in 1745 isn’t just a date on a screen here; you start to understand why the city mattered so much.

One practical note: Edinburgh’s hills are real. If you know you tire quickly on slopes or stairs, plan for short rests and slower pacing.

Bakehouse Close and Jamie’s printshop: film magic with real street texture

Outlander film locations and Jacobites in Edinburgh - Bakehouse Close and Jamie’s printshop: film magic with real street texture
One of the clearest moments on the tour is the stop at Bakehouse Close, the location tied to Jamie’s printshop. This is the kind of place that looks almost too small on a map, but in person it clicks: close spaces like this shape how people lived, moved, and hid.

When you stand in the right spot and hear the connection to Outlander Season 3, the setting becomes more than a background. It becomes a shortcut to understanding the show’s tone. Printing, information, and community mattered in the 1700s just like they do now, and a close like this puts that idea in your hands.

Finish here and you’ll get that satisfying feeling of ending where the story lands. You’re not just walking past a famous label—you’re closing the loop between episode memory and physical place.

A few more Edinburgh outings worth squeezing into the trip

Bonnie Prince Charlie in Edinburgh: what you’re really learning

This tour doesn’t treat the Jacobite story like a dry lecture. It frames the uprisings as a chain of choices by people with hopes, fears, and leverage—and then ties that to what modern Jacobite supporters keep talking about.

You’ll hear about Bonnie Prince Charlie occupying Edinburgh for six eventful weeks in 1745. That matters because it explains why the city becomes a stage. When a leader controls a capital for weeks, everyday life changes: where people gather, who feels safe, and what rumors turn into plans.

I also appreciate that the tour acknowledges modern enthusiasm without pretending it’s identical to 1745. You learn what Jacobite supporters today aspire to, then you can decide for yourself how those motivations connect to the past.

Clair, Jamie, and the inspiration behind the characters

The show’s characters feel bigger than life, which is exactly why “where did the idea come from?” is such a strong part of this tour. You’ll discuss the inspiration behind Clair and Jamie, including how their backstories and themes link to Scotland’s atmosphere and history.

For me, the best part is that it keeps the discussion specific rather than vague. Instead of telling you the characters are inspired by Scotland in general, the tour points you toward the kinds of stories, locations, and myths that gave writers building blocks.

And yes, you don’t need to be a superfan to enjoy it. If you’re curious, you’ll still get something out of it because the guide connects show details to real-world ideas you can understand in minutes.

Scottish fairies and folklore: why the myths matter

This tour goes beyond battle dates and costumes by taking Scottish fairies and folklore seriously. You’ll hear about the folklore ideas behind them and how those myths shaped the thinking around Clair’s time-traveling journey.

What I like here is that folklore isn’t presented as random fantasy. It’s treated as a cultural language people used to explain the unexplainable—what changes when the world feels strange, political, or unstable. That’s a strong bridge from history to storytelling.

If you enjoy the supernatural angle of Outlander, this is likely the part you’ll remember. It makes the show’s myth-thread feel grounded instead of tacked on.

Value check: is $20 for 1.5 hours worth it

At about $20 per person for roughly 1.5 hours, this is the kind of tour that makes sense if you’re short on time but still want depth. You’re not paying for hours of buses or long museum stops. You’re paying for a focused guide-led walk with story connections that explain why locations matter.

The value also comes from the small group limit of 10. In a larger group, you might just listen. Here, you have a better chance of getting your questions answered, which is a big deal in a show-heavy tour where people naturally compare episodes to history.

If you’re the type who likes checking the “how do they know that?” question, you’ll get your money’s worth faster here than on a pure sightseeing tour.

Who this tour suits best (and who might prefer something else)

This experience is a strong fit for:

  • Outlander Season 3 superfans who want Jamie’s printshop and the “Bonnie Prince Charlie through Edinburgh” angle
  • History-minded visitors who want Jacobite context without getting stuck in textbooks
  • People who like folklore and want to understand why myths show up in modern storytelling

It may feel less ideal if you want a very long route with lots of stops and extensive monument time. This is a tight walk built around a few high-meaning sites and specific themes.

Practical tips before you go

Bring shoes built for hills and stairs, since parts of Edinburgh can involve steps. If you have mobility needs, let the operator know in advance for a wheelchair accessible version.

It’s also wise to carry a water bottle and keep your expectations realistic for a short tour. You’ll get the highlights and the connections, not a full day of independent exploring.

If anything goes sideways on the day, the guide contact provided is David at +44 07462 909 769.

Should you book this Outlander and Jacobites tour?

Book it if you want a compact Edinburgh walk that links Outlander Season 3 locations to the Jacobite story of 1745, with folklore and character inspiration woven in. You’ll leave with the kind of context that makes your next stroll feel smarter, not just prettier.

Skip it if you’re looking for a long, multi-neighborhood deep sightseeing day or you know stairs and steep grades will slow you too much. In that case, you might prefer a more level itinerary.

Overall, this is a good-value, guide-led option for anyone who wants Edinburgh to make sense through story—both the scripted kind and the real kind.

FAQ

How long is the Outlander film locations and Jacobites walking tour?

The tour duration is listed as 1.5 hours.

What is the meeting point for the tour?

Meet out front of St Columba’s Free Church of Scotland, on the corner of Johnston Terrace and the Lawnmarket.

Where does the tour finish?

The tour finishes at Bakehouse Close.

What film location highlights will I see?

You’ll see the Beautiful Bakehouse Close area, highlighted as Jamie’s printshop location, along with other Outlander Season 3 Edinburgh film sites.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s wheelchair accessible. You should let them know in advance for the wheelchair accessible tour.

How big is the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is the tour available in English?

Yes, the live tour guide is English.

Is there free cancellation?

Free cancellation is offered up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.