an-outlander-in-scotland

[an-outlander-in-scotland]

Scotland

Being a fan of the series “Outlander” meant I had to travel to the highlands and see for myself everything I ever dreamt about while watching and reading the series while reading the lines of my favourite character James Fraser making my heart flutter. ​

And no, James Fraser isn’t the only National treasure of Scotland, It’s the Highlands themselves!​

Knowing best than letting myself hurrying into going with the flow and buy an airplane ticket; picking up my Eastpak backpack and putting a handful of clothes while forgetting to bring my toothbrush... of course I took a deep breath and told myself “Let’s first get some basic info about the country and plan a little beforehand...” ​

I looked it up and found a very aesthetic site called www.scotland.org ​

Where I found a bit of information about “The Highlands” ​

“By far the largest region in Scotland, the Highlands covers nearly 10,000 sq* miles in northern Scotland. The region is home to stunning scenery, including the legendary Loch Ness.” ​

“sq” is a unit of area equal to a square one mile long on each side. ​

POPULATION: 234,000 (APPROX.) ​

Five fascinating facts!

1. Three languages are spoken in the Highlands: English, Scots and Gaelic ​

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2. The area is divided in two parts: the Great Glen divides the Grampian Mountains to the southeast from the northwest Highlands ​

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3. It has the UK’s highest mountains, ranging from 900-1300m ​

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4. The northwest Highlands are, geologically speaking, 750 million years old ​

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5. Loch Ness holds more fresh water than all the lakes in England and Wales combined ​

Note: Scottish Gaelic is distinct from Scots, the Middle English-derived language which had come to be spoken in most of the Lowlands of Scotland by the early modern era. Prior to the 15th century, this language was known as Inglis ('English') by its own speakers, with Gaelic being called Scottis ('Scottish'). ​

The Northwest Highlands

No matter how much interesting would be to follow the film scenes and retrace the places of the Outlander film crew, I still wanted to see the things that interested me the most. So I only added one or two places I really wanted to see from Outlander and left the rest to my liking. ​

I don’t like places with many people, and I prefer slow paced traveling, my interests are mainly the people's culture, nature and traditional gastronomy, I also believe most of the best things in the world are free hence this itinerary: 

Having only 2,500€ to spend, while the conversion of the coin and the prices made everything so expensive, unfortunately I had to make some sacrifices, like hiring Sam Heughan as my private guide.​..

But the budget allowed me at least to leave you with a video of Sam Heughan explaining a few things about Scotland and the amazing language that is Gaelic, one of the main and oldest languages in Scotland, until the brits suppressed the language during the Highland clearances following the Jacobite uprising.​

Actually, Outlander is an amazing series that talks about a lot of historical events from Scotland and talks about the Jacobite uprising happened and other important events. The soundtrack and culture is also stunning and I recommend watching it!

The opening of the series is specifically interesting as it maintains the same song that changes the instruments accordingly to the country they are in.

In the first season they made an excellent job in making it sound very Scottish.

And in the series they speak a little of Gaelic sometimes, for example, the famous word  <i> “sassenach” </i> from the series:

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Fortunately! For those of you who might want to learn this amazing language Duolingo has a FREE course on it!​

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Backpack

Clothes ​

Toiletries ​

Money ​

Passport ​

First aid ​ ​

Phone and phone charger ​

Secure travelling backpack ​

Termic coat ​

Padlock ​

Towel ​

Journal and pen

Air dryer​

Water bottle 

​GPS Luggage 

Tracker ​

European medical card ​

Map ​Money/card belt

And a backpack wouldn’t be complete without the airplane ticket of course!

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Edinburg

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, has a rich and ancient history that stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of human settlement dating as far back as the Bronze Age. From its origins as a fortified hilltop settlement, Edinburgh grew into a thriving medieval city and later became an intellectual and cultural center, known for its historic landmarks, vibrant festivals, and influential role in Scottish history.

Ross Fountain 

Stockbridge Market

The Vennel Viewpoint Edinburgh Castle

The People's Story Museum

Free

Holyrood Abbey 

Free

Water of Leith 

St Giles' Cathedral 

Free entry and tour

Sherlock Holmes Statue on Picardy Place

A statue of Sherlock Holmes in Picardy Place, just at the top of Leith walk. It is a tribute to author Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born in the street in 1859. It was temporary moved in 2009 to make way for the tram works, underneath they found a time capsule, this was not opened but returned later with the statue

Serie Outlander, James Fraser leaving Edinburg

[an-outlander-in-scotland]

Glasgow

Glasgow is Scotland's largest city, it origins as a medieval religious settlement, its industrial boom in the 18th and 19th centuries, urban reforms, cultural and artistic. Known for its architecture, world-class museums and music.

Free entry

Scottish tribal pipes & drums band Clanadonia in Glasgow

Ticket  £2.00

Tollcross Park

Totally free

Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life

Free

The Tenement House

Free

Barras Market

The Barras Market, with a history dating back to the early 20th century. Located in Glasgow, is a popular open-air market known for its vibrant atmosphere and mix of stalls selling a various things, from clothing and antiques to fresh produce and crafts.

Provand's Lordship

Free

Mugdock Country Park

Completely Free

Scotland Street School Museum

Free

National Museum of Rural Life

Ticket price  £8.00

Glasgow Green 

Pollok Country Park 

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Glenfinnan

Glenfinnan, located in the Scottish Highlands, holds historical significance as the site of the Jacobite Rising in 1745, where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in a bid to restore the Stuart monarchy, resulting in the famous Battle of Glenfinnan, and today, it is known for its iconic Jacobite Monument and the Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in the Harry Potter films.

The Jacobite train stops here for half an hour.

Glenfinnan Station Museum 

Guided tours (30 minute tour): £1.50 per person

The construction of the West Highland Railway line was a remarkable engineering feat, as it required navigating challenging terrain, including Glenfinnan's rugged landscapes. The line connected Fort William to Mallaig!

The museum displays a collection of photographs about the railway's history, including the old steam locomotives. Visitors can also learn about the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct.

It’s final destination is Mallaig.

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Mallaig

The town is a fascinating place where visitors can soak up the atmosphere of a working fishing port but at the same time its remote location makes is a great place to relax.

This is a great base to explore the surrounding area and is a great gateway to the Isle of Skye.

Mallaig, a coastal village in Scotland, has a rich history dating back centuries. Originally a small fishing village, Mallaig grew in importance with the rise of the fishing industry and the establishment of the West Highland railway line in the 19th century. The village became a hub for trade and transportation, attracting displaced communities during the Highland Clearances. The railway line connected Mallaig to major towns, facilitating the movement of goods and passengers. During World War II, Mallaig served as a naval base and contributed to the war effort through fish supply. Today, Mallaig thrives as a tourist destination, known for its natural beauty, the Jacobite Steam Train, and its vibrant fishing port. The village's history highlights its resilience and adaptability over the years.

Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) is a ferry in Scotland, connecting Scotland to various islands along the country's west coast. As one of the largest ferry boats in the UK, CalMac has a lot of routes, making it easier to transport and commerce to islands like Isle of Arran, Isle of Mull, and Isle of Skye.

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Armadale

Armadale is a small town located in the county of West Lothian, Scotland. It’s known for its rich history, including the ruins of Armadale Castle and its picturesque setting surrounded by beautiful countryside.

Armadale Castle

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Portree

Portree is a charming town located on the Isle of Skye in Scotland. It’s famous for its colorful waterfront buildings, stunning views of the Cuillin mountains, and serving as a popular base for exploring the natural wonders of the island.

Cuillin mountains

A perfect place to find Highland cows or hairy coos as they’re called in Scotland

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Plockton

Plockton is a picturesque village situated on the west coast of Scotland, often referred to as the "Jewel of the Highlands." With its idyllic waterfront, charming cottages, and scenic surroundings, it has become a favorite destination for visitors seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

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Inverness

Outlander filming location**

Located at the mouth of the River Ness. Known for its rich history, iconic castle, and proximity to Loch Ness, it serves as a gateway to the stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures of the Highlands.

Highland Archive Centre

The Highland Archive Centre at Bught Road, Inverness is responsible for collecting, preserving, and making accessible, archives relating to the history of the Highlands. In addition to bespoke searchroom and repository facilities, the centre incorporates a dedicated Family History Room, and a specialist Conservation Studio.

Abertarff House

Culloden battlefield and visitor centre

Scottish Flair Fine Art Gallery

Scottish Flair Art Gallery, established in 2004, is a privately, family run gallery that specialises in Scottish Edwardian and Victorian Art, situated in Bank Street Inverness

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Souvenirs

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Goodbye Scotland

And in all the things I’ve mentioned I would have spent roughly 1 079,38€ however I would also buy other things that I wasn't able to calculate as I’m a free spirit that eats whenever smells good, I’ll just assume a 100 more euros should be for food. As I would eat mostly whatever I’ve found or cheap things from the supermarket. And spend more only on a regional plate, preferably the more traditional an cheap I can find. It would be even best if I made some friends during this trip that would recommend me cheap and good restaurants or cook themselves, I also want to get a lot of recipes and write and send postcards for my home because it’s fun to send postcards.