Beautiful Scotland
Scotland in a Week
The land of whisky, tartan and bagpipes, a great northern land begging to be discovered by those who crave rich history, quirky culture, the great outdoors and timeless legends. A bespoke sightseeing experience with Sleigh Tours, specialists in Scottish Tourism since 1974, is the perfect way to discover Scotland in style..
Scotland has something for everyone and the below itinerary is just a taster of what Scotland and Sleigh's have to offer.
In a week it is possible to visit a fair portion of the most significant sites in Scotland. The below is an example itinerary but our itineraries are fully customisable and we are happy to discuss the interests of each individual.
Example Duration:
7 Days
Best Time to Visit:
Year Round
Recommended for:
Families, Groups, Couples, Solo-Travellers
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Stirling Castle
The Highlands
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1. Arrival into Edinburgh
On arrival into Edinburgh Airport you will be warmly welcomed by private chauffeurs and assisted with your luggage to your luxury vehicle. From the Airport you will embark on a panoramic tour through Edinburgh before arriving at your luxury Edinburgh Hotel for the evening
- Airport Transfer
- W L Sleigh Ltd offer the finest cars and drivers available.
- You will be greeted by a professional local chauffeur at arrivals.
- You will receive a wee whisky tasting set once safely in your car as a complimentary Welcome to Scotland.
- Complimentary water is also provided.
- Panoramic Tour
- Your knowledgeable driver will point out and talk you through a number of the keys sights as you enter Edinburgh;
- Murrayfield Stadium – the home of Scottish rugby.
- The Kidnapped Statue – a beautiful statue in memory of one of Robert Luis Stevenson's masterpieces.
- The Edinburgh Skyline – as you approach Edinburgh there is an unmissable presence on the horizon, Edinburgh Castle.
- Depending on your flight time and plans, you may wish to explore further
Day 2. Castles, Palaces and Manor Houses (via car)
Today you will collect a hire car for a self-driven tour to some major Outlander highlights between Edinburgh and Stirling. You may wish to end your day in Stirling for a days touring the area tomorrow.
- Blackness Castle
- A 15th-century fortress on the banks of the Firth of Forth.
- Featured as Black Jack Randall’s headquarters in Fort William. Its internal courtyard is shown in the heartwrenching scenes from Jamie’s incarceration.
- Filming location – season 1 & 2
- Hopetoun House
- A beautiful 17th-century stately home surrounded by a vast, 6,500 acre estate.
- Various parts of the house and grounds have played roles in Outlander:
- The Duke of Sandringham’s stately home
- The spare room in Jamie and Claire's Paris apartment
- The Hawkins Estate
- The backdrop for Parisian streets
- The stables at Helwater and the exterior of Ellesmere
- Filming location – season 1, 2 & 3
- Midhope Castle (on Hopetoun Estate)
- A 15th-century castle with beautiful intact exterior but derelict interior.
- Features as the exterior of Jamie’s beloved Lallybroch.
- Filming location – season 1, 2 & 3
- Linlithgow Palace
- Explore the nooks and towers of this beautiful ruined palace and take a refreshing walk around Linlithgow Loch.
- In Outlander the majestic entrance and corridors feature as Wentworth Prison where Jamie was imprisoned.
- In 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie visited the palace on his journey south. Its elaborate courtyard fountain is said to have flowed with red wine to mark the occasion!
- Jacobite connection and filming location – season 1
Day 3. Stirling and Beyond (via car)
Enjoy a self-driven tour of the Stirling area to explore castles, beautiful gardens and even a whisky distillery.
- Drummond Castle Gardens
- Believed by many to be amongst Europe's finest formal gardens.
- In Outlander the gardens are shown as the ornate park and orchard of the Palace of Versailles in France.
- Filming location – season 2
- Deanston Distillery
- Originally a working cotton mill, Deanston is now a famous whisky distillery.
- In Outlander the historic buildings stand in for Jamie's cousin's wine warehouse on the docks of Le Havre.
- Filming location – season 2
- Doune Castle
- Built as the home of Regent Albany, ‘Scotland’s Uncrowned King’. His rich tastes can be seen clearly in the architecture of the medieval courtyard castle.
- This striking ruin doubles as the exterior of Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th- century.
- This is one of the top Outlander spots but this castle is also historically relevant from when the Jacobites took the castle from government troops in 1745 and, following the 1746 Battle of Falkirk, government prisoners were held there.
- Jacobite connection and filming location – season 1
Day 4. Historical Towns (via car)
Today you will drive through to Fife and explore two fantastic Scottish towns, significant both historically and for Outlander.
- Royal Burgh of Culross
- Full of charming, peaceful streets which were once full of the hustle and bustle of a thriving 17th-century port on the River Forth.
- In Outlander the Mercat Cross area in the centre of the town becomes the fictional village of Cranesmuir, where Geillis lives, while the garden behind Culross Palace stands in for Claire's herb garden at Castle Leoch.
- Filming location – season 1 & 2
- Falkland Village
- Explore the historic streets of this picturesque town and visit the grand 16th century Falkland Palace, which was a favourite country residence for many kings and queens.
- In Outlander, the town substitutes for 1940s Inverness where Claire and Frank go on their second honeymoon.
- Additional film locations
- Filming location – season 1 & 2
Day 5. Around Glasgow (via car)
From Stirling you will bypass Glasgow to explore or Outlander sights in Ayrshire, before settling in Glasgow for the night. You may wish to return your hire car this evening as tomorrow can be covered on foot and public transport.
- Drumlanrig Castle
- 17th-century castle with beautiful period rooms filled with artwork, French furniture and antiques.
- In Outlander, the exterior, living rooms and bedrooms of Drumlanrig Castle became Bellhurst Manor, including a bedroom that was once slept in by Bonnie Prince Charlie, as he made his way north to Culloden.
- Jacobite connection and filming location – season 2
- Dunure Harbour
- Beautiful harbour village along with Ayrshire coast.
- In Outlander, Dunure doubles as Ayr Harbour, where Claire and Jamie leave Scotland in pursuit of Young Ian. Another great stopping point is Dunure Castle (less than a mile away) which features as Silkie Island in the show.
- Filming location - season 3
Day 6. Explore Glasgow (on foot & public transport)
Explore Glasgow on foot to the West End where you will find Kelvingrove Park and the University of Glasgow, which both feature in Outlander, as well as an abundance of amazing Glasgow highlights (which we can offer recommendations for).
- Kelvingrove Park & Glasgow University
- Kelvingrove park is a beautiful park on the River Kelvin in the West End of the city of Glasgow.
- These lush grounds double as Boston Park where Claire enjoys walking.
- Across from the park you will find the Historical University of Glasgow which, in Outlander, acts as Harvard University, in which Frank teaches.
- Filming location - season 3
- Pollok Country Park (requires a short public bus journey)
- Beautiful Manor House in the south of Glasgow with historic grand rooms and vast servants’ quarters. The main part of the house was built in 1752 – in Jamie’s time period through Outlander.
- In the Outlander Pollok Country Park, features in several different scenes. It doubles as the grounds surrounding Castle Leoch and also stands in for French countryside as the characters travel between Le Havre and Paris.
- Filming location – season 1 & 2
Day 7. Departure Day (from Glasgow or Edinburgh)
Depending on flight arrangements and timings you may be able to explore more of Glasgow or Edinburgh before your flight home.
