Outlander Made Me Want to Visit Scotland: Here’s How I’d Plan the Trip

I have a confession to make before we get started.

I’ve read the first three Outlander books.

Until very recently, I was convinced I’d read the first four. After a little investigating, it turns out Drums of Autumn is still waiting for me. In my defense, these books are BEASTS. 😅

I also haven’t watched the TV series.

So if you’re looking for a superfan’s guide to every single Outlander filming location in Scotland, this probably isn’t it.

But if Outlander made you want to see the Scottish Highlands? Now we’re talking.

Because that’s what stuck with me from the books. The dramatic scenery. The castles. The tiny villages. The romance. The idea that you could walk through a circle of standing stones and somehow end up a couple hundred years in the past.

The actual Scottish history? I’ll admit that was more background information for me.

What I really wanted was Scotland.

And if I were planning an Outlander-inspired Enchanted Escape for myself, I wouldn’t spend my entire vacation checking filming locations off a list. I’d visit a few recognizable places, absolutely—but then I’d head into the Highlands and build a trip that feels like the world I loved reading about.

Here’s what that trip might look like.

Days 1–2: Start in Edinburgh

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I’d give myself two nights in Edinburgh before heading into the Highlands.

There’s plenty to see here without making every minute about Outlander: Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Old Town, afternoon tea, cozy pubs and plenty of time to wander.

But this is also where I’d get my biggest dose of the television series—even though I haven’t watched it yet.

There are guided Outlander filming-location tours from Edinburgh that visit places like Culross, which became Cranesmuir on screen; Falkland, which stood in for 1940s Inverness; Blackness Castle, used as Fort William; and Midhope Castle, whose exterior became Lallybroch. Access to some locations, particularly Midhope, can vary.

For someone obsessed with the show, we could absolutely devote more of the trip to filming locations.

For me? One really good Outlander day would probably do it.

Then give me Scotland.

Day 3: Someone Else Drives While I Look at Castles

This is an important part of my imaginary itinerary.

I do not personally have a burning desire to drive myself around Scotland.

Narrow roads? Driving on the opposite side? Trying to navigate while also staring out the window at the Highlands?

No, thank you. 😅

This would absolutely be a someone else drives while I look at castles kind of trip.

I’d leave Edinburgh with a private driver/guide or small guided experience and turn the journey north into part of the vacation.

Depending on the exact route, we could incorporate Doune Castle, used as Castle Leoch in the television series, before continuing into the Highlands.

Then we’re heading toward Glencoe.

And this is where I think the trip starts becoming less about Outlander locations and more about the reason the books made me want to see Scotland in the first place.

Mountains. Glens. Lochs. Tiny villages.

Current multi-day Highland tours use this same general Edinburgh-to-Skye progression through Glencoe rather than treating the journey as dead travel time.

I’d spend the night somewhere in the western Highlands, find a pub, hopefully hear some live music and have absolutely nowhere else I need to be.

Days 4–5: Give Me the Isle of Skye

This is non-negotiable for my version.

Two nights on the Isle of Skye.

Could you technically see Skye as part of one enormous driving day?

Sure.

Would I want to?

Absolutely not.

Two nights gives us a full day on the island instead of driving all the way there, taking three pictures and immediately leaving again.

Current small-group itineraries commonly spend two nights around Portree and devote a full day to Skye, with potential stops including the Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Dunvegan Castle and Fairy Glen.

This isn’t necessarily Outlander Scotland.

It’s Outlander-feeling Scotland.

And that’s exactly what I want.

Give me dramatic scenery, old castles, little villages and the kind of landscape that makes it entirely reasonable to wonder whether Jamie Fraser might come riding over the hill.

Days 6–7: Eilean Donan, Loch Ness & Inverness

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When we leave Skye, we’re not simply transferring to another hotel.

We’re sightseeing our way there.

I’d want to stop at Eilean Donan Castle before continuing toward Loch Ness—a route that’s also used by current Skye and Highlands touring itineraries.

And yes, we’re going to Loch Ness.

If I’ve flown all the way to Scotland, I’m looking for Nessie.

I’d love to actually get out onto the loch rather than just pull over for a picture. A Loch Ness cruise combined with Urquhart Castle would be much more my speed.

Then I’d spend two nights around Inverness.

This is also where an Outlander fan could add Culloden Battlefield and Clava Cairns. Both fit naturally into Highland itineraries from Inverness.

I’d probably visit them, but I wouldn’t personally devote an entire day to Jacobite history.

That’s one of the things I love about creating a custom itinerary: two people can both tell me they want an “Outlander trip” and mean completely different things.

One person wants every historical detail.

Another wants Jamie Fraser, castles and dramatic scenery.

I’m closer to person number two. 😅

Days 8–9: I’m Sleeping in a Castle

We’ve toured castles.

We’ve photographed castles.

Now I want to stay in one.

And not just for a quick overnight where we arrive at 8 p.m., sleep and leave again after breakfast.

If the budget allows, give me two nights.

I want time for afternoon tea. A beautiful dinner. Wandering the grounds. Maybe a nearby village during the day. Then back to my castle because apparently this is who I am now.

The exact property is something I’d choose based on the traveler’s budget, route and travel style rather than forcing everyone into the same hotel.

Because “castle stay” can mean very different things—from historic and cozy to full-on luxury.

And yes, at some point during this vacation, I also expect to see someone wearing a kilt.

I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

Day 10: Back to Edinburgh

I’d finish with one last night in Edinburgh before flying home.

Part of that is practical. I don’t love the idea of waking up somewhere deep in the Highlands and relying on a long same-day transfer before an international flight.

But I also like ending where we started.

Have one last dinner. Find another pub. Buy whatever Scottish souvenirs somehow didn’t fit into the suitcase the first time.

Then head home the following morning.

What If You Only Have Seven Days?

I’d still do this trip—but I wouldn’t try to cram my entire 10-night itinerary into seven nights.

That’s how a dreamy Scotland vacation turns into a tour of Scottish parking lots.

For a shorter trip, I’d simplify it to something like:

Edinburgh → Highlands/Skye → Loch Ness/Inverness → castle stay

There are already guided Highland itineraries that connect Edinburgh, Glencoe, Skye, Eilean Donan and Loch Ness over several days, including options that spend two nights on Skye.

So rather than renting a car and trying to recreate the route yourself, I’d look at combining private transfers or a small-group multi-day tour with independently planned stays on either end.

My general feeling?

• 7 nights: You can absolutely do it, but we’ll prioritize.

• 8–9 nights: More breathing room.

• 10 nights: That’s the version I’m choosing if I can swing it.

What If You Want ALL the Outlander?

That’s a different trip—and that’s completely okay.

There are escorted tours designed specifically around the television series, visiting multiple filming locations such as Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Culross, Falkland, Doune Castle and others.

If you’ve watched every episode three times and your goal is to stand everywhere Claire and Jamie stood, I’d plan around that.

But that’s not the trip I’d personally choose.

I’ve read the books. I love the world. I want enough Outlander to make my book-loving heart happy.

Then I want to experience Scotland.

And honestly? I think someone who has never read a single page of Outlander or watched one episode of the show could come on this exact trip and have an incredible time.

That’s What I Mean by an Enchanted Escape

For me, book-inspired travel isn’t necessarily about recreating a fictional story scene by scene.

It’s about letting the story give us the idea.

Maybe Outlander is what makes you start dreaming about Scotland. Maybe another book makes you want to see Italy, wander through an English village or explore a castle somewhere in Europe.

The story is the spark. The destination is the trip.

And that’s what I want Enchanted Escapes to be.

Trips for readers, movie lovers and people who have ever closed a book and thought: Okay...but what if I could actually go there?

Because while I can’t send you through the stones to 1740s Scotland, I can help with Edinburgh, the Highlands, Skye, Loch Ness, the castles—and the person wearing the kilt.

And personally, I’ll take that.

Ready to start planning your own Scotland story? Whether you want an Outlander-heavy escorted tour, a custom Highlands adventure or something somewhere in between, that’s where having a travel agent who understands the inspiration and the logistics comes in.

Be a Good Tripper. Let’s turn the story that inspired you into a trip of your own.

Contact me at www.goodtrip.biz/alyssa to get started planning your Enchanted Escape!