We have been running our guided Outlander Tours for four years now. In 2010, for the first time, Diana herself will be joining us for dinner at Castle Stuart, though I'm afraid that particular (August) tour is now fully booked. Details can be seen here if required) .
Places are still available on our September tour.
The programme is almost exactly the same as in August, though the group (maximum seven) is smaller and a tour of Castle Leod by the Earl of Cromartie is included.
Details are as follows:
SEPTEMBER TOUR
Sunday 12 September. Meet guide 1000 at Edinburgh Airport (or earlier in Edinburgh by arrangement). We travel up to Inverness with views of the Forth Bridge and Loch Leven Castle, diverting then to a scenic, back road route with good views and quirky places, learning a little about the countryside. Stay Nairn hotel.
Monday 13 September. See the bronze age Clava Cairns and stone circles, Culloden Battlefield, Cawdor Castle and a quick look at Fort George (built after Culloden to contain future risings). Back to your hotel for dinner and a demonstration of Jacobite weaponry by Hugh Allison, author of 'Culloden Tales'.
Tuesday 14 September. A look round Inverness, see the tomb of 'The Old Fox', Beauly Priory, musings on Lally Broch, then a tour of Castle Leod by its owner, the Earl of Cromartie. Check in to Castle Stuart for the night.
Wednesday 15 September. We head west by Loch Ness and Glenmoriston (where Prince Charles Edward hid for three weeks in 1746). We see Glenelg, the 18th century barracks and the best examples of brochs on the Scottish mainland, then lunch in the local inn. If the weather is fine, superb views across the sea to Skye can be arranged, if not then we head across that sea a little earlier (in a traditional turntable ferry) for an insight into Clan Donald. Stay at a small hotel by an old harbour.
Thursday 16 September. We cross back to the mainland to see the lovely Eilean Donan Castle, then head for Dunvegan with dramatic views of the Cuillin Hills and a landscape that helps us understand how Highland people lived in the 18th century. Dunvegan Castle is not just the ancient seat of Clan Macleod but also the guardian of clothes and artefacts that belonged to Flora MacDonald and Prince Charles Edward. That afternoon, in a traditional 'black house' we hear from a local, (but internationally-known) storyteller. Back to hotel for pub or restaurant dinner.
Friday 17 September. The trip south is by Mallaig, Glenfinnan where Prince Charles Edward raised his standard in August 1745, the Prince's Cairn (from where he left in September 1746), Fort William and Glencoe. All have their stories. Further south we visit a castle that, in my view, is as close as you get to Castle Leoch. By early evening we are in the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh's Old Town.
Saturday 18 September. 15th Century Rosslyn Chapel has been described as a 'Bible in Stone'. In fact it is more, and full of theories about Knights Templar and the Holy Grail. After Rosslyn we lunch in the oldest pub in Edinburgh and in the afternoon take a walk down the Royal Mile, checking for Carrubbers Close and print shops. In the evening there is a farewell dinner in a local restaurant.
Sunday 19 September. Depart
TRANSPORT, GUIDE, ACCOMMODATION AND SHOPPING
The tour will be for a maximum of seven people travelling in a nine seater minibus.
The tour is priced for people travelling on their own. If you are happy to share a room, then there is a reduction of GBP 200 per person.
In order to contain costs, we ask everyone if they will please share a twin bedded room for the one night at Castle Stuart. If you would prefer to have a room to yourself, the supplement is GBP 125.
Breakfast is included throughout; lunch is not included on any day.
Dinner is included for the two nights at the Inverness hotel, at Castle Stuart and on the last night. On the other three nights there will be formal and informal options available for dinner.
There will be plenty opportunity to buy souvenirs but this is not really a tour for serious shopping! If you want to stay on for a day to sample the delights of the Edinburgh shops (and see the castle) let us know and we will price this up for you.
WHAT OUTLANDER TOURISTS HAVE SAID
"Once again, let me say what a wonderful trip it was... for me it was something special. For one thing, you do exactly what you say you'll do and much more. Thank you for everything"
Betty Jo Such, September 2008
"This tour is something that we will never forget.
Mark and Susan Hastings, September 2009
"Carol and I had a good time in London. However, it paled in comparison to the week we had in Scotland. We thank you for giving us a wonderful vacation. The whole week was unbelievable."
David and Carol Marck, July 2009
"The Diana Gabaldon Tour was everything I had hoped it would be. Alastair is a very knowledgeable guide and was quite willing to deviate from the schedule to see something of particular interest to us. Even though I came on the tour alone, I never felt like I was alone. I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to visit Scotland."
Irina Shapiro, September 2006
HOLIDAY COST
The cost of the holiday is GBP 1530 (currently USD 2288).
This includes the following:
. Bed and Breakfast for seven nights in accommodation as above.
. Dinners on four nights
. Services of tour guide for seven days
. Entry to Culloden Battlefield
. Storyteller on Skye
. Jacobite weapons presentation
. Tour of Castle Leod by the Earl of Cromartie.
Not included:
. Air Fares
. Lunches, drinks and snacks
. Entry to castles (this is in case weather, the general will or other opportunities mean that we adjust our schedule).
. Dinners on three nights
. Trip insurance.
Exchange Rates
At the time of writing (20 October 2009) the exchange rate is 1.66 USD to one pound sterling (GBP). We use www.xe.com for our calculations and this means that:
The GBP 1530 holiday cost is currently $2,288
The GBP 200 reduction for sharing is currently $299
The GBP 125 supplement for a single at Castle Stuart is currently $187
The GBP 316 deposit is $472
NOW WHAT?
If you would like to know, more about the trip then send an email to me, Alastair Cunningham.
