Aviemore, Scotland. November 20, 2024: Scotland has long been a muse for filmmakers, offering iconic scenery at just about every turn, from the dramatic Highlands and many historic castles to atmospheric lochs and breathtaking islands. With excitement building around the next season of Outlander and the highly anticipated Highlander reboot, there’s never been a better time to explore Scotland’s landscapes, and Wilderness Scotland, a leader in sustainable and immersive hiking and cycling adventures, gets you there… and in style too when taking advantage of the company’s current Black Friday promotion.
As an award-winning expert in small group guided trips, Wilderness Scotland offers travelers the opportunity to hike, explore wildlife, road cycle, e-bike, and – new for 2024/2025 – hit the gravel through the varied terrain that has played a starring role in major film and television productions. Whether you’re a history buff, a film enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates Scotland’s wild beauty, these trips offer an unforgettable journey into the heart of this country’s cinematic heritage.
Wilderness Scotland has teamed up with Haglöfs, the sustainable outdoor clothing company, to provide an excellent layering piece for any would-be adventurer. For a limited time (Nov. 22-Dec. 3, 2024), every traveler who books a 2025 small group, private, or custom-made Wilderness Scotland adventure will receive a Haglöfs L.I.M. Mimic Jacket (value: £250.00). Click here for more information.
Standing stones (Wilderness Scotland)
Outlander
On November 22, the popular Outlander saga will return to small screens for season 7 (part 2) and fans will get to watch the show’s protagonists – Jamie and Claire Fraser – finally return to Scotland after many years spent in the New World.
Based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, the series has featured many Scottish locations and attractions over the years, including Inverness, where Claire’s adventures in time travel began, Loch Ness, The Great Glen Way, Culloden Battlefield, and the Calanais (Callanish) Standing Stones on the Isle of Lewis – nicknamed the “Stonehenge of the North,” these iconic standing stones are what the Outlander standing stones of Craigh na Dun are said to be based on.
Related trips:
Luxury Walking – Highlights of the Highlands: A new addition in 2024, this 10-day, upscale adventure invites guests to explore the wild beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Exploring ancient battlefields, captivating castles, and of course the many stunning landscapes found here, the itinerary ventures to the magical Isle of Skye, Glencoe’s glacier-scoured peaks, and the aromatic pinewoods and boundless silvery moors of Cairngorms National Park. Each day ends unwinding in hand-picked accommodation that has been carefully selected for its relaxed luxury and delicious seasonal food. Priced from US$7,675.00 per person.
NEW! Gravel Biking: Highland Gravel Trail: One of Wilderness Scotland’s newest offerings, this fully guided, seven-day gravel bike adventure through the wild heart of Scotland takes guests along gravel highways, forest tracks, and paths that twist and turn through the quiet, heathery landscape. Once walked long ago by Highland drovers and their many heads of cattle, these routes connect the historic towns and villages of Scotland, making them perfect for a point-to-point cross-country trip. Priced from US$3,787.00 per person.
Road Cycling – The Grand Tour: This fantastic seven-day road cycling tour connects Scotland’s vibrant capital of Edinburgh to legendary Loch Ness, winding through the breathtaking landscapes of the Scottish Highlands. Accompanied by knowledgeable guides, ride along some of Scotland’s most spectacular and scenic roads on this unique adventure. Enjoy challenging climbs and thrilling descents as you pedal through diverse, beautiful landscapes, including a stunning ride across The Cairngorms, the UK’s highest and wildest national park. After that, cyclists drop into whisky country, weaving through the heathery moorlands to the shores of Loch Ness. Priced from US$3,674.00 per person.
The Sound of Arisaig along the West Highland Way (Wilderness Scotland)
Highlander
“There can only be one.” The tagline from the original, 1986 fantasy/sci-fi cult classic needs an update with filming of the reboot, starring none other than Henry Cavill (of The Witcher and Man of Steel fame) as the immortal Scottish swordsman. Set to start filming in January 2025, with a projected release date in 2026, scenes in the original were shot at various locations in Scotland, including Eilean Donan Castle, Glencoe, Glen Nevis, Loch Shiel, Torridon, and the Isle of Skye; it is not yet known if these locations will be revisited in the reboot, but the director (Chad Stahelski, also behind the John Wick films) is apparently striving to match the original film’s authenticity.
Related trips:
Wilderness Walking: Glencoe and the Highlands: For those seeking superb hiking in some of Scotland’s most beautiful and iconic areas, this seven-day trip is ideal. The journey begins by exploring Highland Perthshire, a land of heather-clad hills, long glens, and beautiful forests. After hiking through the glens and to the hilltops, the small group transfers west via a boat trip up the coast to Glencoe. This incredible region offers outstanding walking opportunities and serves as the base for the final few days, allowing exploration of spectacular trails with amazing views. Along the way, there will be chances to discover the rich history that shaped this country. Priced from US$3,593.00 per person.
The West Highland Way: One of the world’s best walks, this classic long-distance trek covers 96 miles (156km) from Milngavie on the outskirts of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands. A great way to immerse oneself in the stunning scenery, travelers will learn about the area’s history and legends and identify the flora and fauna along the route. The itinerary travels along the ‘bonnie banks’ of Loch Lomond, across the atmospheric Rannoch Moor, past dramatic Glencoe, and over the high pass of the Devil’s Staircase, before finishing in Fort William, at the foot of Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Priced from US$3,663.00 per person.
High Points of Torridon and Wester Ross: Follow in the footsteps of Highlander’s Connor MacLeod and explore the magnificent mountains of Torridon and Wester Ross in the Northwest Highlands, hiking up both iconic and rarely climbed peaks. Far from the noise and bustle of city life, on this seven-day trip, you will find hundreds of square miles of mountains and lochs, isolated even today from civilization and accessed by just one or two main roads. The laws of the wild still hold sway here, and moments of time are counted in millennia rather than minutes. Save for the occasional hiker, this is wildland – the domain of eagles – a landscape best taken in from on high. Priced from US$2,754.00 per person.
The Isle of Skye (Wilderness Scotland)
The Grand Tour
With this popular British motoring TV series having just aired its final episode last month, and the trio of hosts ending their 22-year-long partnership (starting with the BBC’s Top Gear series in 2002), those looking to retrace some of the show’s footsteps on two feet (or two wheels), Scotland was featured prominently in two episodes: “Well Aged Scotch” (2019), which started in Inverness before setting off on a road trip along the sensational North Coast 500 (which celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2025), and “Lochdown” (2021), which featured scenes in Edinburgh, the Highlands, and the Outer Hebrides.
Related trips:
Road Cycling – The North Coast 500: Highlights: Ride the best section of the North Coast 500 on this seven-day road cycling adventure through the untamed beauty of the Scottish Highlands. Often described as “Scotland’s Route 66,” this itinerary offers an up-close view of some of Scotland’s most impressive wild places – from the mountains and lochs of Wester Ross and Assynt to the rugged sea cliffs of Sutherland. Pricing starts from US$3,692.00 per person.
E-bike: The Outer Hebrides: Traverse five beautiful islands (Skye, South Uist, North Uist, Harris, and Lewis) on this dedicated, new for 2024, e-bike tour. Winding along quiet, single-track roads, traversing wildflower-strewn machair, and breathtaking open moorland, this seven-day trip visits ancient standing stones, a local distillery, a traditional weaver, secluded rocky shores, and pearly white beaches. Pricing starts from US$3,461.00 per person.
Wilderness Walking: Outer Hebrides and Skye: If your preference is exploring on two feet instead of two wheels, this seven-day exploration of the dramatic Isle of Skye and the beautiful Hebridean Islands of Harris and Lewis is a wonderful choice. Accompanied by an expert Wilderness Scotland guide, who will provide fascinating insights into the rich tapestry of island life, you’ll explore these wonderful wild landscapes on foot, visiting ancient sites, looking out for iconic coastal wildlife including sea eagles (known in Gaelic as iolaire sùil na grèineas – the eagle with the sunlit eye), and enjoying the diversity of flora, especially during the summer months. Pricing starts from US$3,805.00 per person.
