Outlander Tour Day 1

      This was what I was waiting for! A 3day Outlander tour with slaintescotland.com - Catriona Stevenson's company. Catriona was an extra on Outlander, has been working in the travel industry since 2013 and is also a genealogist  Her tours are purposely kept small, so you won't be travelling in a giant bus. She had been so informative on the Hangover Tour, I knew her company would be a perfect fit. With covid making it difficult for those of us on the other side of the pond to visit Scotland this year, Catriona is also doing virtual tours which are incredibly reasonable as low as £5 at  https://slaintescotland.com/scotland-is-waiting/. 

My pickup was just past George Square in Glasgow and not a bad walk from my hostel on Cambridge Street - plus  there was a Nero's on the way - a nice place for a quick cup of American coffee and something for breakfast - also great on the way back in the evening for a simple dinner. 

Our guide was named Andrew - a slightly built fellow who was brimming with knowledge about all the places we visited.

We headed out past Cumbernauld Studio (So excited to see it, even from the road!) and the Kelpies into Edinburgh for another pickup. First stop was Blackness Castle -which doubled for Fort William.

The castle is amazing - I think any American faced with something that is so old has to be impressed. This is from the 1400's and is on the Firth of Forth. 

                                

 It was kind of  cool to trace Claire and Jamie's footsteps as they ran out of the castle leaving Black Jack Randall lying on the floor and jumping over the side. The area they jumped from is on the side of the castle and apparently they used giant stunt landing mats to shoot the scenes.

                   

 

             

Just imagining Jamie and Claire's time in this place as I climbed to the top and looked over the water, or stood in the long open area where he was flogged was surprisingly emotional. It did actually serve as a prison and in the mid 16th century was one of the most advanced fortifications.

Our next stop was the beloved Lallybroch - Midhope Castle. I was most excited to see this as I think it truly represents Outlander in Scotland. It was easy to imagine Jenny and Claire doing the wash, or the tenants coming to pay their rent and of course the horror of Black Jack's flogging of Jamie and assault on Jenny - yet looking at the entry, I also could see Claire sitting onthe steps in the 20th century looking out and "seeing" Jamie finish her quote

“Then let amourous kisses dwell
On our lips, begin and tell
A Thousand and a Hundred score
A Hundred and a Thousand more”

The next stop was Linlithgow Palace which was featured as Wentworth Prison. It was a pretty impressive place and I loved the foutain in the courtyard. It is said it was filled with wine when James V married Mary Guise. Their daughter was Mary Queen of Scots. Her father was killed 6 days later. My family traces back to James VI, so having the opportunity to stand in a place he did was pretty amazing. 

Of course, you would be more interested in the Outlander part - so here is a picture of the palace 

After this we were on our way to Doune Castle, also known as Castle Leoch and I am sure many of you know it was also used in Monty Python's Holy Grail.

  

 This was a busy attraction with busloads of people! I found it very interesting at both Doune and Midhope that they seem to have such large yards in the series, when it was surprising how small they really were. The inner courtyard here was under construction, but you could still call to mind the Mrs' Fitz coming out to welcome  them home, the area for horses and other things that really were kind of crammed in there!

Of course  this is the great hall

and this little nook I thought was just beautiful! 

  

Last but not least, we made our way to Culross in Fife. It is home to Geillis Duncan's house and Laoghaire McKenzie McKimmie's house where we saw Brianna end up when she was injured trying to find her Uncle Ian's house. I have a sweet place in my heart for little Joanie and her time with Brianna. 

Here I am looking up at Geillis's window.

And here is Laoghaire's house - it really was charming 

We all wandered off to have a look see at the village which was really beautiful. Lots of tiny little roads, old cottages, cobblestone streets and a lovely shop with beautiful tartan gifts.

    

                                                 

Next time I will be visitng some new Outlander sites like Hopetoun House, Callender and Drummond Castle gardens. As always, many more pictures are on my facebook account here - friend me if you like

                                            https://www.facebook.com/Beespit59/