Edinburgh: Outlander Castles & Palaces Day Tour
Follow the Outlander Trail Through Four Scottish Castles in One Day
You travel in an air-conditioned vehicle with a knowledgeable driver-guide who provides live commentary on the Outlander filming locations and Scottish history. The day includes stops at Culross village, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, and either Midhope Castle (summer) or the Forth Bridges (winter), with a lunch break built in. Arrive 15 minutes before departure.
Step-by-step itinerary
Outlander filming locations tour
- Photo stop at Tullyies Standing Stones
- Visit Royal Burgh of Culross village
- Pass Stirling Castle en route
- Visit Doune Castle, Castle Leoch
- Lunch and visit Linlithgow Palace
- See Wentworth Prison at Linlithgow
- Visit Blackness Castle, Fort William set
- Visit Midhope Castle or Forth Bridges
- Culross 1h
- Doune Castle 1h 15m
- Linlithgow Palace 1h 15m
- Blackness Castle 1h
- Midhope Castle 1h
- Forth Bridge 15m
What’s included
- Your day includes air-conditioned transport throughout, live commentary from a knowledgeable driver-guide, and stops at Tullyies Standing Stones, Culross village, Doune Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, and either Midhope Castle (April–September) or the Forth Bridges (winter months).
- A lunch break is built into the itinerary in Linlithgow, though meals are not provided.
- Service animals are allowed on board.
- Wednesday to Sunday 08:45
Information
Full-day Outlander tour from Edinburgh visiting Linlithgow Palace, Blackness Castle, Culross and Doune Castle. Includes transport, guide and lunch. 10+ hours.
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The experience
The bus leaves Edinburgh in the morning, and within an hour you're standing at Tullyies Standing Stones for your first photo stop. From there the route heads west into the heart of Outlander country: Culross first, a 17th-century village frozen in time, where narrow cobbled streets and whitewashed cottages double as Claire's herb garden and Cranesmuir in the show. Your guide points out the exact spots where scenes were filmed, and you have time to walk around, grab a coffee, take pictures. It's the kind of place that feels real because it is real, not a set.
After Culross you move inland toward Doune Castle, the seat of Clan MacKenzie in the series, a medieval stronghold that's also been used in Game of Thrones and Monty Python. On the way you pass Stirling Castle, perched high on volcanic rock above the city. Your guide will explain why it matters to the story without stopping, so you get the geography. Then comes lunch in Linlithgow, a proper market town where you have time to eat and walk around before visiting Linlithgow Palace itself, the one that stands in for Wentworth Prison in the show. The palace grounds overlook the surrounding landscape, and the scale of it (the stone, the courtyards, the history) makes the TV version feel small by comparison.
The afternoon takes you to Blackness Castle, a triangular fortress jutting into the Forth that locals call "the ship that never sailed." In Outlander it's Fort William, Black Jack Randall's headquarters, and standing there you can see why they chose it. The shape is unmistakable, and the view down the Forth toward Edinburgh opens up in front of you. If you're traveling between April and September, the final stop is Midhope Castle, a 16th-century townhouse that was Jamie Fraser's family home, Lallybroch. In winter months, you finish instead at the Forth Bridges, three structures spanning three centuries of Scottish engineering that connect Fife to the Lothians. Either way, you're back in Edinburgh by evening, having covered the main locations without arranging your own transport or timing.
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 16 years). Children under 4 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.
How long is the Outlander tour from Edinburgh?
The tour runs for the full day, approximately 10+ hours including all stops and lunch.
What castles and palaces do you visit?
You visit Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), Blackness Castle (Fort William), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), and Culross village (Claire's herb garden). Midhope Castle is included April–September. The Forth Bridges replace it in winter.
Is lunch included in the tour?
Lunch is not included, but you have a dedicated lunch break in Linlithgow where you can buy food locally.
Do I need to pay extra for castle entry?
Some castles are listed as optional extras in the itinerary, meaning entry fees may not be included in the base tour price. Confirm with the operator before booking.
What time does the tour start?
Specific departure time is not listed in the itinerary. Arrive a minimum of 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.
What if I use a wheelchair?
Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them boarding and disembarking the bus.
Does the tour operate in bad weather?
Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions. Dress appropriately for Scottish weather.
Are translations available?
Digital translations are available on request in English, German, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian and Mandarin.
What if the tour is cancelled?
Minimum passenger numbers apply. If the tour is cancelled after confirmation due to insufficient bookings, you'll be offered an alternative tour or a full refund.
Operated by Timberbush Tours. Explorevia does not run this tour: we compare it with similar options, and you book it with our booking partner.
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Edinburgh: Outlander Castles & Palaces Day Tour
9h · EN
from £ 62 per person
≈ US$ 83 in your currency
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