A Week in Scotland: Coos, Castles & Outlander

Collect your rental car (remember, they drive on the left here!) and wind your way along the shores of the legendary Loch Ness to the beautifully restored Victorian hideaway that is Foyers Lodge, your home for the night. Lace up your hiking boots and follow the trail to the breathtaking Foyers Falls, where a dramatic 140-foot cascade thunders into a winding gorge framed by towering trees. Refuel with a proper Scottish tea and a charming visit with the resident Highland cattle at Cameron's Tearoom & Farm Shop, a quintessentially Scottish pit stop you won't want to miss. Round out the evening with leisurely lawn games on the lodge grounds before sitting down to a memorable dinner at Foyers Lodge's intimate restaurant—reservations are highly recommended and absolutely worth it!

Rise and shine for a hearty Scottish breakfast at Foyers Lodge before embarking on a Highlands adventure! First stop is Clava Cairns, a hauntingly beautiful ancient site that Outlander fans will instantly recognize as the real-world inspiration for the iconic standing stones of Craigh Na Dun. Go ahead and touch the stones—you just might find yourself tumbling back in time to Jamie Fraser!

If you're still firmly in the 21st century, take a short drive to the magnificent Cawdor Castle, a 600-year-old treasure where you can explore the interiors and sprawling grounds. Next, head to the deeply moving Culloden Battlefield, the historic site where the Jacobites fell to the English in 1746. Outlander fans won't want to miss the Clan Fraser stone, a poignant tribute to Jamie's kin. Pro tip: The Culloden Café serves up delicious sandwiches and hot fare, perfect if you're feeling peckish after all that history.

From there, make your way to Inverness, the vibrant cultural capital of the Scottish Highlands and a wonderfully walkable city. Don't miss the Highland House of Fraser Shop (great for souvenirs), the eclectic Leakey's Bookshop, and the legendary Harry Gow Bakery for a sweet treat. No visit to Inverness is complete without popping into McGregor's Bar for a wee dram (whisky), then finish the day in style with a sublime seafood dinner at The River House. Trust me on this one: Order the mussels (reservations are a must)!

Check out of Foyers Lodge and drive to the ruins of Urquhart Castle (circa 13th century) on the opposite shore of Loch Ness. Nearby, head to my favorite stop on the trip, Drumnadrochit and the Highland Coo Farm, where you can get up close and personal with these magnificent beasts. You can feed and pet them, and, if you are lucky, there may be baby coos about. Grab a scone or sandwich to go from Quila Cridhe Tearoom for the 1.25-hour scenic drive to the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle, recognized as one of the most iconic images of Scotland. After touring the castle, head for another one-hour scenic drive to the Isle of Skye and the Bracken Hide Hotel for two nights.

Wake up to pure magic in your very own hillside hide (cabin) at the Bracken Hide Hotel, where breakfast is best enjoyed al fresco on your private patio with nothing but rolling hills and fresh Scottish air for company. First stop: the enchanting Fairy Glen, just a short drive from Portree. Wander through twisted, moss-covered trees to hillsides dotted with ancient stone circles and impossibly green rolling hills. It's whimsical, it's wonderful, and, frankly, if fairies exist anywhere on earth, they absolutely live here.

From there, head north to the breathtaking Trotternish Peninsula, where the iconic Old Man of Storr commands the skyline, a towering pinnacle of rock rising dramatically from the rugged Trotternish Ridge. The hike up is short but spirited, and, on a clear day, the reward is sweeping, soul-stirring views out over the mainland that will have you reaching for your camera at every turn.

Swing by a local market to grab a picnic lunch and make your way to Kilt Rock & Mealt Falls, where dramatic sea cliffs eerily resembling a tartan kilt plunge into the ocean alongside a spectacular waterfall. Head back to the charming harbor town of Portree to soak up its colorful candy-hued waterfront and browse the independent shops at a leisurely pace. And for dinner? We're giving Scottish food the night off. Pizza in the Skye is an absolute must!

After an early check-out, start the long but breathtaking drive to Edinburgh. Stop a little over halfway in the town of Fort William and enjoy lunch at The Ben Nevis Bar, a classic Highland pub right on the High Street. Then, drive on to the enchanting Glencoe Valley, one of the most stunning Outlander sites in Scotland, with its dramatic mountains and rolling grass hills featured heavily throughout the series, most notably in the opening credits. Pull over at multiple viewpoints and soak it all in. It's jaw-dropping, even without the Outlander connection. Finally, arrive into Edinburgh, drop your bags at 100 Princes Street Hotel, and return your rental car at the train station. Walk back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at The Dome, one of Edinburgh's most famous restaurants (reservations needed).

Start your day with a tour of the Edinburgh Castle, and make sure you see the Crown Jewel display. From the castle, head to Victoria Street for an Instagrammable moment amongst the famous colorful shops. Stop at the famous Makars Mash Bar for lunch (reservations a must). After lunch, stroll down the Royal Mile towards The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Tucked off the Canongate section of the Royal Mile, Bakehouse Close is one of the most atmospheric Outlander filming locations in Edinburgh—its narrow cobbles and dark archways are perfectly preserved from the 17th century. Fans will instantly recognize it as the exterior of the fictional Carfax Close, home to Jamie's print shop, where he and Claire share one of the most emotional reunions in the entire series.

Final stop: Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Palace of Holyroodhouse is where Claire and Jamie beseech Bonnie Prince Charlie to abandon his cause. The grand chambers also stood in for Parisian salons and aristocratic homes during Seasons 2 and 3, doubling as the apartment of the Duke of Sandringham.

Today is the grand finale to your week in Scotland. I can recommend a small group tour that stops at even more Outlander filming locations—Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Fort Williams), Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison), Doune Castle (Leoch), and Culross (Cranesmuir)—with hilarious kilt-wearing Scottish guides that help make the day extra special. Cap off your week with a dinner out at The Witchery.