The Lake District, Edinburgh & the Outlander Trail
8 day Rail and Trail Journey

Day 1

• Take as many photographs as you can at ‘England’s most beautiful lake’, Ullswater
• Relax in the market town of Keswick

You collect your train ticket at the station and head north from Manchester to the historic Cumbrian market town of Penrith. The town’s uniquely coloured castle played a key role in defending the border from its invading Scottish neighbours.

After arriving in Penrith and meeting your Rabbie’s Guide, you enter the Lake District National Park and travel along the northern shores of Ullswater. This lake is often described as England’s most beautiful lake, and it’s here we give you the chance to take a forest walk and see the mighty Aira Force waterfall.

You then travel towards Keswick, stopping outside the town to visit the mysterious Castlerigg standing stones, thought to have been built over 5,000 years ago and a hub of ancient pagan rituals.

You have a short journey into the lively market town of Keswick where you’re dropped off at your accommodation and free to explore the charming town.

Day 2

• Stare in wonder at the views on an optional boat trip, Lake Windermere
• Wander around the cosy village of Hawkshead

After breakfast, you take in views of Ullswater as we head along country roads to its southern shores.

You continue further south and travel over the narrow and winding Kirkstone Pass towards the wonderful Windermere. Here you have the option to take a leisurely cruise on the Lake or eat lunch while enjoying sublime views of the surrounding scenery.

After lunch you travel around the southern tip of Windermere and on towards Coniston Water. Your next stop is the picturesque conservation village of Hawkshead, where the poet William Wordsworth attended Grammar School.

After exploring the cosy village, you take the narrow country lanes north towards Grasmere, which Wordsworth described as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”.

There's free time to visit Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage, taste the legendary gingerbread, or enjoy the peace and tranquillity of the Wordsworth Daffodil Garden by the River Rothy.

In the late afternoon, you return to Keswick.

Day 3

• Set your sights on sweeping views from atop the Whinlatter Pass
• Learn about the slate mines at the Honister Mountain Pass

We pick you up from your accommodation and head for the Whinlatter Forest Park and over the Whinlatter Pass into the most dramatic landscapes the Lake District has to offer.

You journey along winding lanes, past the shores of Crummock Water and Buttermere, and towards the Honister Mountain Pass.

Stopping amongst the mountains you have the opportunity to enjoy the views of the old slate workings, where a small number of Cumbrians continue to make their living.

After refreshments, you continue through the forests of Borrowdale, passing Derwent Water, where there’s free time for lunch and shopping.

Once you’ve eaten lunch, you begin your return journey, heading towards Penrith and north towards the border. After crossing into Scotland, you take a stop in the town of Biggar, a royal burgh since 1415. From here, it’s a leisurely drive through the rolling border hills to Edinburgh.

Day 4

• Wander over cobbled lanes past medieval window panes and under Gothic spires in Scotland’s stunning capital city, Edinburgh

Today is a free day to explore Edinburgh.

You can venture deep under the city on ghost tours, hike to the lofty heights of Arthur’s Seat, or even just relax in the many beautiful gardens.

Just ensure you relax and prepare for the next part of your adventure.

Day 5

• Get as close as possible to the 16th century in the town of Culross. Or as it’s known to Outlander fans, Cranesmuir
• Learn how Highlanders lived at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum

We leave Edinburgh and follow the trail of the best-known locations featured in the Outlander TV Series.

Your first stop is the place that needs no introduction: Midhope Castle* known as Jamie’s lovely home Lallybroch. The cosy interior of the house has been re-created in the film studios. In reality, visitors can’t explore the ruins of the castle, instead, you can sit on the iconic steps of Lallybroch and wait for Jamie or Claire to walk through the beautiful archway in the courtyard. 

Heading north, you visit the charming village of Culross. In Outlander, Culross posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir and the home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband, Arthur. Exploring the town’s cobbled streets is like taking a step back in time. Look carefully and you may even find Claire’s herb garden behind the impressive, historic Culross Palace.

We continue to the small town of Falkland to relive the first scenes of the show, where Falkland represents1940s Inverness. See if you can recognize the familiar sights such as Mrs Baird’s Guesthouses (The Covenanter Hotel) and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank sees the ghost of Jamie.

Then, it’s time to leave the castles and villages behind and discover the beauty of the Highlands. In the afternoon, we travel through lush Perthshire and stop at the Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum. The site houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts and gives you a glimpse into past Highland life. You’ll remember this place as one of the MacKenzie clan villages where Claire and the MacKenzie party stop to collect the rent.

Venturing further north, we pass Aviemore and continue to Inverness, where we arrive in the early evening.

*Midhope Castle is partially open or fully closed due to filming on these dates:

Partially open (you can still take photos from the distance): 05-11 September 2022, 06-07 October 2022

Full closure (no access to the courtyard): 12 September - 05 October 2022, 17 October- 24 October 2022

Day 6

• Listen to the echo of the past at an ancient site of Clava Cairn
• Learn about the last battle fought on British soil at Culloden

You start your day by visiting the mysterious site of Clava Cairns near Inverness. This well-preserved cemetery complex of ring cairns and standing stones is as ancient as it is beautiful. And it’s also said to be the inspiration for the standing stones of Craigh na Dun.

Your driver-guide can’t promise any time travel here but exploring this 4,000-year-old site feels like stepping back in time.

The next stop evokes a lot of emotions; it’s the forbidding Culloden Battlefield. This site plays a crucial role in Scottish history and the Outlander books.

It’s not far from the battlefield where the couple said their tearful goodbyes before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. And it’s where the final Jacobite Raising came to a harrowing end, bringing on the persecution of the Highland way of life. You can explore the visitor centre and the site and pay tribute to those who lost their lives at the last battle fought on British soil.

We continue our journey to the heart of Clan Fraser lands. Here you can pay your respects at the tomb of Lord Lovat, the ‘Old Fox’ of the Jacobite Rebellion, who’s Jamie’s manipulative grandfather in the saga.

After seeing some of the most important sites from the Outlander universe, we return to Inverness with time to explore the city for another evening.

Day 7

• Wander through the ancient indigenous forests of Glen Affric
• See where the Jacobite supporters pleaded their loyalty to Bonnie Prince Charlie

Your day starts with a visit to the majestic Glen Affric. Lochs, mountains, and pine forests: this is one of Scotland’s most glorious glens. It’s also an ideal spot for Jamie to hide.

Next, we leave the ancient forests behind and continue along Loch Ness to stop at Urquhart Castle. Standing on the banks of Loch Ness for 1,000 turbulent years, this castle offers a taste of the Highlands at their most dramatic. You can choose to explore this majestic ruin and discover its secrets. And while you’re there, be on the lookout for Nessie.

The journey takes you through the Great Glen before heading to Glenfinnan. The monument here commemorates the meeting of Bonnie Prince Charlie with his loyal supporters and marks the beginning of the doomed Jacobite Rising. The column stands framed by Loch Shiel and a well-known section of the Jacobite Steam Train railway line, famously used as the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter.

Moved by the history and beauty of this site, you travel to your overnight stop in Fort William, underneath the shadow of Britain’s tallest mountain, Ben Nevis.

Day 8

• Be moved by the sheer beauty of Glencoe
• See two of Scotland’s quintessential castles, Doune Castle and Blackness Castle

You start the day with a magnificent drive through Glencoe and cross the rugged Trossachs area onto Doune Castle. The Castle is an extensive ruin that represents Castle Leoch in the TV programme, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th-century episodes.

Later, we stop for a photo at Linlithgow Palace. This pretty palace is a favourite of ours because of its connections to Mary, Queen of Scots. It also starred as Wentworth Prison and is known for one of the most intense scenes in the Outlander series.

The last highlight of the day is Blackness Castle. This tough-looking fortress looks like it could fend off an entire empire. And in Outlander, it represents Fort William. You can choose to walk along the ramparts and explore the fictional headquarters of Jack Randall.

After having been immersed in the history and landscapes that inspired Outlander, we return to Edinburgh in the early evening.

Once you've booked your tour, let us know if you want us to book this evening's Edinburgh accommodation.