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SPECIAL TOURS - Clan Tours ~~ Dark Deeds Tour ~~ Diana Gabaldon Outlander Tour ~~ Rosamunde Pilcher Winter Solstice Tour ~~ Specialist Loch Ness Day Tour

S03 Private Outlander Series, Diana Gabaldon Tour to Culloden, Clava, Lallybroch, Castle Leoch and other MacKenzie and Fraser Locations featured in the stories - whilst checking the content of this tour, and giving it her blessing, Diana Gabaldon also gave permission for the inclusion of this link to her blog - Nine Hours.

NOTE THAT THIS TOUR IS ONLY CONDUCTED BY HUGH ALLISON SO PLEASE CHECK THE AVAILABLE DATES TO ENSURE HUGH'S ARE CLEAR BEFORE BOOKING.

A tour for devotees of the Diana Gabaldon novels.

Begin by travelling to Clava Cairns, a contender for Craigh na Dun. See the “Split Stone”, through which Claire Randall might have tumbled, into 1743. If your visit is nearClava Cairns visited as part of the Diana Gabaldon Outlander Tour May 1st (Beltane) then best not to go too close to the stone, lest you follow Claire!!

Next on the agenda is Culloden Battlefield. The award-winning Visitor Centre opened in 2008, providing new insights on the battle. Your guide will also conduct you on a personal tour of the field, including a stop at the Clan Fraser Stone, marking the grave of those clansmen.

As you travel across the beautiful Black Isle you will hear stories of how the Highlands fared in the aftermath of Culloden. The next call is a visit to the Clanlands Centre at Storehouse of Foulis. The exhibition here gives a good understanding of clan life in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, and includes a short but excellent film. This outlines the importance of the past; where we come from; and talks of bridges between the past and the present!

Castle Leod DrivewayLunch, with a range of choices of delicious local produce, is booked in the Restaurant at Storehouse.Castle Leod, home of the MacKenzie Chieftain.
After lunch the journey continues, past Castle Leod, by Strathpeffer, (the inspiration for Castle Leoch). This castle is indeed a Mackenzie stronghold, and the home of the Earl of Cromartie, chief of the clan MacKenzie. As a specially organised optional extra the Earl will take an hour and a half to welcome you and personally show you some of the Castle’s interior.

After seeing the castle you travel through the spa village of Strathpeffer to Loch Garve, immortalised in Outlander/Cross-stitch as the home of the water kelpie. Hear the legends of the Water-Horse of Loch Garve. If time permits then walk to the impressive Falls of Rogie.

No Outlander day would be complete without a visit to Lallybroch, and so afternoon tea will be taken, in the house in the vicinity that (in your guide’s opinion) most closely resembles Diana’s own descriptions of Lallybroch in her book “The Outlandish Companion”. During this tea you will also see a demonstration of eighteenth century weaponry.

Beauly PrioryThe last stop of the day will be in Beauly, in Clan Fraser lands. There will be a short walk conducted by your guide, around the tranquil ruins of Beauly Priory, another site Claire found herself touched by. There is also brief free time in Beauly to take a quick look at some of the attractive shops, or visit the Clan Fraser Room in the Beauly Centre.

Your guide, Hugh Allison, as well as having read the novels, used to manage Culloden Battlefield, and so is acquainted with Diana Gabaldon, herself.

The following are the approximate timings which vary according to individual requirements:

8.45am Pick-up
9.15am Arrive Clava - guided walk
9.45am Arrive Culloden  - guided walk
11.45am Arrive Storehouse - visitor centre and lunch
1.45pm Pass Castle Leod - optional visit
3pm Loch Garve
3.25pm Afternoon Tea at Lallybroch location
4.10pm Arrive Beauly Priory - guided walk

Please Note: if the Castle Leod option is the chosen itinerary then the Earl requires reasonable notice of dates, in order to make suitable arrangements in his diary. If you choose this option do bear in mind that the guided visit of the castle is £25 per head extra and is for a minimum of £100 (four people).

Price: £325 for up to six passengers. Admissions and food not included. NOTE THAT THIS TOUR IS ONLY CONDUCTED BY HUGH SO PLEASE CHECK THE AVAILABLE DATES TO ENSURE HUGH'S ARE CLEAR BEFORE BOOKING.