If you’re planning a trip to Scotland inspired by the Outlander series and have been searching for a guided tour that genuinely does the subject justice, the 2026 season has something worth paying attention to.
Scotland Folk Tours is running a dedicated Outlander tour of Scotland in July 2026 — a 7-day small-group departure built specifically for fans of the series who want to visit real filming locations, understand the history behind the show, and experience Scotland with guides who know the country deeply.
What makes this particular departure stand out is an exclusive guest experience: a private fireside evening with Maria Doyle Kennedy, who plays Aunt Jocasta in Outlander, including a Q&A session and live performance. This is not a standard add-on — it’s the kind of access that simply isn’t available on generic sightseeing tours.
Places are strictly limited, and based on previous departures, they tend to fill well in advance. Here’s everything you need to know about the tour before you enquire.
The 2026 Outlander Scotland Tour: Key Details
- Dates: 1st – 7th July 2026
- Duration: 7 days
- Format: Small group, guided
- Special experience: Private fireside evening with Maria Doyle Kennedy (Aunt Jocasta, Outlander)
- Availability: Limited — early enquiry recommended. Enquire here now
What Filming Locations Does the Tour Cover?
The July 2026 Outlander tour of Scotland visits the most significant filming sites from the series, set within their real historical context. Key locations include:
Midhope Castle — Lallybroch One of the most immediately recognisable locations in the entire series, Midhope Castle near South Queensferry served as the exterior of Lallybroch, the Fraser family home. A 16th-century tower house still standing on a private estate, it’s one of those locations that genuinely stops you when you round the corner and see it in person.
Falkland Village — 1940s Inverness The opening episodes of Outlander use the Fife village of Falkland to recreate post-war Inverness. Walking the same streets where Claire first arrived in the 20th-century sections of the story is a disorienting and memorable experience — the village has been preserved well enough that surprisingly little suspension of disbelief is required.
Linlithgow Palace — Wentworth Prison The atmospheric ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, were used as the exterior of Wentworth Prison in Season One. Beyond its role in the series, the palace is one of Scotland’s most important royal sites — the kind of place that would be essential on any Scottish historical tour regardless of its Outlander connection.
Culloden Battlefield Arguably the most historically significant stop on the entire tour, Culloden is where the Jacobite rising ended in April 1746 — an event that forms the emotional backbone of the entire Outlander narrative. The battlefield is managed by the National Trust for Scotland, and the visitor centre is genuinely one of the best historical interpretation facilities in the country. Walking the site itself, with the clan memorial stones marking where men fell, is something most visitors describe as unexpectedly moving.
Clava Cairns — The Standing Stones The prehistoric burial cairns at Clava, a short drive from Culloden, directly inspired the standing stones at Craigh na Dun in the series. Dating to around 2000 BCE, the cairns sit in a quiet woodland clearing near Inverness — a genuinely ancient place that carries atmosphere well beyond its association with the show.
The Maria Doyle Kennedy Evening
This is the element of the July 2026 departure that sets it apart from any other Outlander tour currently available in Scotland.
Maria Doyle Kennedy, who plays the formidable Aunt Jocasta Cameron in Outlander, is joining the tour for a private fireside evening that includes a live performance and an extended Q&A session with the group. Maria is also an accomplished musician — this is a genuine cultural experience, not a brief meet-and-greet.
For fans of the series, the chance to spend an evening in Scotland, near the locations where much of the show was filmed, with one of its central cast members, is not something that comes around often. It’s also the kind of memory that tends to be the centrepiece of how people describe the entire trip when they get home.
Who Is This Tour For?
The July 2026 Outlander Scotland tour is designed for:
- Fans of the Outlander series who want to visit real filming locations with proper historical context
- Travellers from North America visiting Scotland for the first time who want a structured, guided experience
- Anyone interested in Scottish history, particularly the Jacobite period, who has been brought to it through the show
- Small groups, couples or solo travellers who want a guided experience without the impersonal scale of a coach tour
The group is deliberately kept small to allow for genuine interaction with guides and guests alike.
How Does This Differ from Other Outlander Tours?
There are Outlander-themed day trips and private hire experiences available across Scotland, but most operate as location-specific visits rather than full immersive programmes. The Scotland Folk Tours July 2026 departure is different in a few important ways:
- It’s a multi-day tour that contextualises filming locations within Scotland’s actual history
- The guide team brings expertise in Scottish folklore, traditional music and Highland culture — not just the TV series
- The Maria Doyle Kennedy evening is exclusive to this departure and not available as a standalone booking
- Group sizes are intentionally small, creating a different quality of experience from large commercial tours
How to Book
Enquiries for the July 2026 Outlander Tour of Scotland are open now. Given the limited availability and the exclusive nature of the guest experience, we recommend getting in touch as early as possible to check availability and discuss your requirements.
Enquire about the July 2026 Outlander Tour →
FAQ: Outlander Tour of Scotland 2026
When is the 2026 Outlander tour of Scotland?
The dedicated Outlander Tour of Scotland for 2026 departs on 1st July and runs through to 7th July 2026. This is a fixed-date small-group departure and is not repeated throughout the year.
Who is appearing on the 2026 Outlander Scotland tour?
Maria Doyle Kennedy, who plays Aunt Jocasta Cameron in Outlander, is joining the July 2026 departure for a private fireside evening including a live performance and Q&A session with the group.
How many people are on the tour?
Places are strictly limited to keep the group small and the experience personal. Contact us directly for current availability.
Can I visit Outlander filming locations outside of the July 2026 tour?
Yes — if the July departure doesn’t suit your travel dates, we offer customised private tours of Scotland that can be tailored to include Outlander filming locations. Get in touch to discuss options.
Is this tour suitable for travellers visiting Scotland for the first time?
Yes — the tour is designed to work for first-time visitors to Scotland as well as returning travellers. The itinerary covers both iconic Outlander filming locations and broader Scottish history, making it a comprehensive introduction to the country as well as the world of the series.