Edinburgh is one of the best home bases in Europe for embarking on a tour of magical sites. It’s the perfect kickoff point for a multiday “Outlander” excursion through ancient sites and an easy day trip to cruise Loch Ness, hike the moors, or visit a fairy-tale village by ferry.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Channel Your Inner Outlander
Scotland may have a glut of “Outlander” tours, but the creator of the wildly popular books and Starz television series, Diana Gabaldon, recommends Highlander Hugh Allison’s Inverness Tours. Allison is a Scottish historian, and his team works with you to craft an itinerary and helps select the hotels you book. Start your Outlander Immersion Tour (up to 8 days) in the conveniently located Edinburgh Marriott Hotel Holyrood for a guided stroll down the Royal Mile, where Gabaldon’s characters Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser reunite after 20 years.
From there, you and your guide can travel to sites like Glencoe, where the majestic peaks from the “Outlander” opening credits rise toward the sky, and Clava Cairns in the Outer Hebrides.
The neolithic stones inspired Claire’s time travel rune portal (the show’s version is made of styrofoam). Tour Ord House, which inspired the Fraser clan’s fictional home of Lallybroch, and stately Castle Leod, the real-life Castle Leoch. Brush up on Gaelic in advance for a truly immersive Highlands experience.
Seek an Ancient Sea Beast
For potential sightings of an ancient sea beast, consider booking a tour that heads to the shores of Loch Ness, just over three hours away from Edinburgh. (There are a few to choose from, including options from Highland Experience Tours that depart just around the corner from Old Town Chambers, Autograph Collection.) You’ll learn lore about the Loch Ness Monster and hear tales dating back to A.D. 500 spun by your guide. For shutterbugs, keep your camera finger poised in case you get the first Loch Ness Monster selfie of the modern age.
In general, it’s best to ask for an estimate of meal and admission costs; on some tours, the price is exclusively for your guide and transport.
The Pentland Hills Are Alive
Go on a serene excursion just southwest of Edinburgh to Pentland Hills Regional Park. With 62 miles of marked routes, it’s so extensive, you can find the perfect trail for your fitness level and forge forth. Walk through heather on the Scottish moors, and bird watch for native grouse and pheasant on a photo safari. Keep an eye out for ancient stone ruins and solitary tombstones, as well as waterfalls sprinkled throughout the hills.
The park is partly farmland, so you may also come across stone walls separating flocks of sheep that are herded by Scotland’s shepherds and their sheepdogs in the ancient tradition. The vistas are so expansive you’ll be best off making your first excursion with an experienced guide.
Take a look at the park’s walking routes — which range from short walks to strenuous hikes — on the Pentland Hills website. Like everyone who falls in love with the park, you’ll know the trails better every time you return.
If you’re planning to take a bus from Edinburgh to Pentland Hills Regional Park, stay at W Edinburgh; it’s a short walk to Edinburgh Bus Station.
Fairy-Tale Vistas and Drams of Whisky
Visit the mystical shores of Scotland off the beaten path by cruising Loch Lomond 73 miles from Edinburgh between late March and October. Depart from the ticket center in Tarbet, and enjoy a narrated day cruise to the fairy-tale village of Rowardennan with its small beach situated 3,000 feet below the majestic mountain of Ben Lomond.
From Rowardennan, take a cruise across the loch to the equally charming village of Luss to tour its Clan Colquhoun Heritage & Visitor Centre and stretch your legs with a stroll past rows of rose-covered cottages.
Back aboard the ferry, warm up Scottish-style with a dram of whisky. If you’ve cruised up an appetite, dine on fresh seafood at The Red Herring Seafood Restaurant (it’s a small restaurant, so reservations are recommended) back on shore before trekking back to your home base of Edinburgh.
Or, consider making a pit stop to explore Glasgow on the way back, where you can stay at Glasgow Marriott Hotel, which boasts a parking lot and close proximity to bus and train stations — making it a great option, no matter how you travel.
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