Edinbugrh Shore excursions

Outlander Highlights:

Castles, Villages & Legends

Doune Castle, the real-life Castle Leoch from Outlander, a must-visit filming location.

  • Step into Cranesmuir at Culross and wander the cobbled streets of this perfectly preserved 17th-century village

  • Explore Castle Leoch at Doune Castle and discover this 14th-century fortress

  • Walk through Fort William at Blackness Castle and experience the formidable setting for Black Jack Randall’s garrison

  • Visit Lallybroch at Midhope Castle* and stand in the courtyard of Jamie Fraser’s beloved family home

  • This excursion is backed by our Shore Excursion Policy

Using our convenient online booking portal, simply select your date, enter your details, and you’re all set!

You can choose to pay securely in your own currency — whether USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, or others — with all fees clearly displayed throughout the booking process.

How to Book

Questions? We love those!

Important Information

Port pick up and Drop off - All Edinburgh shore excursions operate from, South Queensferry (via tender), Newhaven (via tender), Leith docks and Rosyth docks

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Max 7 People

Icons of four people, two women and two men, representing a group or team.

8 Hour Excursion. Start time dependant on Ships schedule. (This will be communicated after booking)

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    • Dedicated booking agent

    • Passenger controlled air conditioning on board

    • Complimentary water

    • Knowledgable driver guide

    • Any child seats (these are available for rental)

    • Any attraction entry fees

    • Any meals

    • Gratuities

  • Clothing
    Glasgow comedian and actor Sir Billy Connolly famously said of Scotland that “there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes”.

    It’s true that no matter what the season, the weather in Scotland can be “changeable”. We suggest that you bring suitable clothing for all conditions, including a waterproof jacket and plenty of layers, particularly in the winter months.

    Ensure you bring shoes that are suitable for short walks on rough or uneven terrain and, if you plan to do any hiking, we recommend appropriate boots.

    The infamous Scottish midge
    In the spring/summer months, we highly recommend you pack insect repellent to keep midges away, especially in the highlands. While bites aren’t painful at the time, they can become itchy and uncomfortable afterwards.

    Cash or card?
    Although all attractions we visit accept card payments, we would also recommend bringing cash with you.

    And…
    Don’t forget a camera to snap the fantastic memories you’ll make on tour with us!

Excursion Itinerary

Step into the world of Outlander and discover the real history that inspired it on this unforgettable shore excursion from Edinburgh’s cruise ports. Designed especially for fans of the show—and lovers of Scotland’s past—this day blends iconic filming locations with stories of clans, castles, and courage.

Our journey begins in the beautifully preserved village of Culross, which stood in for Cranesmuir in the series. With its cobbled lanes, colourful houses, and centuries-old Mercat Cross, Culross feels like stepping into the 18th century. You may even recognise the town square where Geillis Duncan’s home once stood. For those interested, Culross Palace (Additional Cost and Time Permitting) offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland’s merchant history.

Next, we visit Doune Castle (Additional Cost), instantly recognisable to fans as Castle Leoch—the seat of Clan MacKenzie and home to Colum and Dougal. Built in the 1300s, this formidable fortress has also starred in Game of Thrones and Monty Python and the Holy Grail. We highly recommend the audio guide narrated by Sam Heughan, for exclusive behind-the-scenes commentary and anecdotes.

After a break for lunch (own expense), we continue to the mighty Blackness Castle (Additional Cost) on the Firth of Forth. Known as “the ship that never sailed,” its unique design made it perfect for Outlander’s Fort William scenes. You’ll stand where Jamie Fraser endured some of his darkest trials—an experience both atmospheric and powerful.

Our final stop is the hauntingly beautiful Midhope Castle (Additional Cost), better known to fans as Lallybroch—Jamie’s family home. This 16th-century tower house lies within the Hopetoun Estate and is one of the most sought-after Outlander sites in Scotland. Access is subject to availability, but even viewing it from outside is a highlight for any fan.

As our day draws to a close, we’ll make our way back to your port in good time for your ship’s departure.

Excursion Highlights

  • The historic village of Culross, featured as Cranesmuir in Outlander

    Culross (Cranesmuir)

  • Doune Castle, better known as Castle Leoch

    Doune Castle (Castle Leoch)

  • Blackness Castle. Used as Fort William in Outlander

    Blackness Castle (Fort William)

  • View of Midhope Castle. Used as Lallybroch in Outlander

    Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)