Outlander Locations Tour: Doune & Blackness Castles

Four filming locations, two castles you walk inside, one 16th-century village frozen in time

This full-day Outlander locations tour from Edinburgh visits the Scottish castles and villages where the show was filmed, with admission to Doune Castle and Blackness Castle included in the price. You travel in a small group of no more than 16 passengers on a reserved mini-coach with an English-speaking driver-guide who narrates the route. The itinerary covers Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Fort William), Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch) and Culross (Cranesmuir), with time to explore each stop and lunch near Linlithgow Palace.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Blackness Castle1h · entry included
2. Linlithgow Palace1h 15m
3. Doune Castle1h · entry included
4. Culross1h

Outlander locations day trip from Edinburgh

• Visit Midhope Castle photo spot
• Enter Blackness Castle
• Lunch and explore Linlithgow Palace area
• Enter Doune Castle
• Explore Culross village and Claire's herb garden

The experience

Eight and a half hours from Edinburgh takes you through four Outlander filming locations across central Scotland. The day starts with pickup in the city and heads to Midhope Castle, where you can photograph Lallybroch, Jamie's family home. The castle itself is off-limits to visitors, but the exterior is the one fans come to see. From there the route moves to Blackness Castle, a fortress on the Firth of Forth that doubles as Fort William in the show. Your admission is included, so you walk the ramparts and explore the interior without buying a ticket at the gate.

Linlithgow Palace comes next: the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, and the show's Wentworth Prison. This is where the tour builds in time for lunch, so you can eat in the town, wander the palace grounds or sit by the loch. Then you head to Doune Castle, a 14th-century stronghold with a tall gatehouse and great hall that becomes Castle Leoch in Outlander. Admission is included. The final stop is Culross, a virtually unchanged 16th-century village that stands in for the fictional town of Cranesmuir. You can visit Claire's herb garden, explore the palace (closed in winter months), or walk the ancient streets. The driver-guide narrates throughout and knows the show's filming history at each stop.

The group stays under 16 passengers on a reserved 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach, which means the day moves at a pace that lets you linger without feeling rushed. Luggage is limited to one carry-on-sized bag (20kg) plus a small personal item, and check-in closes 15 minutes before departure. Children under 5 cannot travel. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. If you want to visit Culross Palace, you buy that ticket separately while on the tour.

What’s included

• Admission to Doune Castle and Blackness Castle.
• reserved seat on a 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach.
• English-speaking driver-guide throughout the day.
• pickup and drop-off in Edinburgh.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupUp to 16 · max 8 per booking

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

ConfirmationConfirmation within 48 h

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Rabbies Trail Burners

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want the castles included without buying tickets separately at each stop: Doune and Blackness are reserved for you, so you walk straight in. The small group size and fixed itinerary mean the day holds together without anyone building it, and the driver-guide handles the narration at each location.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I go inside Midhope Castle on this tour?

Midhope Castle is not open to visitors, so the stop is for exterior photos of Lallybroch only. The castle grounds are private, but the building itself is the draw for Outlander fans.

What's included in the tour price and what do I pay extra for?

Admission to Doune Castle and Blackness Castle is included. Culross Palace tickets are not included and you purchase them on the tour if you want to visit. Food, drinks and gratuities are not included.

How much time do I get at each stop?

The itinerary builds in time to explore each location and have lunch near Linlithgow Palace, though the exact duration at each stop varies. The full day is eight and a half hours from Edinburgh.

What's the group size on this tour?

The maximum group size is 16 passengers on a reserved mini-coach, which keeps the experience personal. Bookings from a single party are capped at 8 passengers to maintain that balance.

Is there a guide, or is this self-guided?

An English-speaking driver-guide travels with the group and narrates the route and the filming history at each stop. You're not exploring on your own.

What happens if I want to visit Culross Palace? Is it always open?

Culross Palace closes over the winter months, so it may not be accessible depending on when you travel. If it's open, you can buy admission on the tour.