Samantha MacKenzie, Creator.

FAQ about the tour

What accommodation will we have?

What makes our tours unique?

What is the itinerary?

My partner hasn't read any of the books. Will he/she enjoy the tour?

Are these tours for both men and women?

This is my first international travel, how can you help?

Is this tour only for Canadians/ Americans?

Will we do the tour in the order in which they happened in the book?

What level of walking will there be?

Will I be automatically paired up (as a single traveler)?

Which month would have the best weather?

Which is the best season to visit Scotland?

What's the difference between the Young at Heart / Budget Tour and the others?

What other information can you send me about the tour?

What are the smoking laws in Scotland and your policy?

You can email me if your question is not answered here by translating this email address
Samantha @ JamieandClaireTour 'dot' co 'dot' uk

Telephone from outside UK: your country exit code* +44 1764 681682
(Remember time difference. *US exit code is 011)
Within UK 01764 681682
You can also arrange to call us from free on Email to arrange a call.

What accommodation will we have?
Though we promise a minimum 3 star rating, we often stay in 4 STAR RATED accommodation in various places when possible, with the Castle as 5 star equivalent. Most of the time your rooms are En-suite. We choose to stay in private B&B, inns and small 18th/19th century hotels, wherever possible, although one night of the tour may be in a modern, tasteful, Scottish Hotel. Accommodation has been chosen for the fresh decor and cleanliness of your rooms AND the customer service of the staff. Individuals will have the option to add a one night stay in a Castle or Baronial Mansion when available. You will stay in a variety of styles. Below are some pictures of places we use. NOTE: these are just examples of a few places we use, but all are of 3 to 5 star quality. Back to top

Edinburgh touch of Elegance Upgrade (available on any tour)

Baronial Mansion upgrade (available on any tour)

WHAT MAKES OUR TOURS UNIQUE?
GABALDON FAN TOUR GUIDES
Our tours are run by long time Gabaldon fans (Scot & myself) who have read the series more than once (do I detect an understatement here).
WE STICK TO PLACES IN THE BOOKS
These are places that readers and non-readers will enjoy. We don't venture off to see unrelated castles and islands, etc., that either did not exist in the time period or were not depicted or represented. ALL 8 of your days are covering the parts of Scotland that Jamie & Claire experienced, not just one or two days of a trip as with some other tours...ahem. There is more than plenty to see just sticking to the places depicted!
LESS DRIVE TIME
You see Scotland with your feet firmly on terra firma and not just whipping by you through a vehicle window. If you want to have time to commune with nature, stones or architecture, this is the place to do it. We don't rush you through in one afternoon.
A GOOD MIX OF PEOPLE
We get male & female readers of the books and non-reading partners, professionals, non-professionals and sailors, of all different ages.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Our tour cost inludes all breakfasts, most lunches and at least 3 evening meals, ALL ENTRANCE FEES for castles, visitor centers, special entertainment, etc.
WE GUIDE EVERY DAY OF THE TOUR
This gives you more 'not to be missed' experiences.
ACCESS TO BACK ROADS & HIDDEN TREASURES
Our vehicles allow us to go where coaches cannot go e.g. quaint and adventurous roads and sites like Lallybroch.
FRESH AIR ON TWO FEET
We get you out into the fresh air on your two feet! Our walking level is 'moderate PLUS' with two or three hiking trips involving going up and down hills including Edinburgh!
SMALL GROUPS
Our maximum number of guests are 14, (unless by special event or request).
TOUR BEGINS & ENDS IN SAME PLACE
We begin and complete our tours from the same point for your convenience of flight reservations.
BRITISH POUNDS
We don't make extra on your payment. Make your deposit and then pay the balance up until 12 weeks prior to your tour, when the exchange rates are in your favor, potentially saving you money.
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What is the detailed itinerary?
The Itinerary Page shows the "Visits and Experiences" you will have. Each 2010 tour will be 8 nights and 8 full days with your departure on the 9th morning. However tours may vary slightly by the routes we take, weather conditions and size of group. Also, some of the locations are a bit of a surprise and not available elsewhere. On our tours you will be in the Highlands for 6 days. Each evening, we will go over the next day's plan so you can prepare the appropriate clothing and have something to chat and dream about. So we ask that you kick back, relax, eat lots, take photos, do some walking and enjoy the views, while WE make sure we're getting you to the next destination. We will provide daily contact numbers for your home based contact before you leave home in case of emergencies. Back to top

My partner hasn't read any of the books. Will he/she enjoy the tour?
Yes! While we ourselves are DG fans, we are also experienced tour guides. That, combined with the fact that Scotland is a gem-box of beauty and interest, will leave plenty to enjoy. All of the activities are available to non-readers e.g. an evening of traditional Tales, walking, historical sites. See "Who are the tours for?" on the Home page...Back to top

Are these tours for both men and women?
YES! Men are just as comfortably welcome. It is led by Scot and Samantha (me) / male and female for balance. 2009 & 2010 both have men (so far in couples) joining the tours. See the September 2009 blog for our Outlandish Spirits' (male & female) own words on the tour and their pictures.

This is my first international travel, how can you help?
I will send you a packing list if needed. We will do the driving for you (on the left hand side). We'll tell you which airports to avoid if you are flying. I will assist you with recommendations if you want to extend your stay in Scotland beyond the tour week. Back to top

Is this tour only for Canadians/ Americans?
No. While I understand that Diana Gabaldon's biggest fan base is in the Americas, including South America, we have heard from and been joined by fans from the UK and Europe. The guiding IS conducted in English though. If you have a group of at least 6 non-English speaking people who would like to come along, please contact me! Back to top

Will we do the tour in the order in which they happened in the book?
Remember, it took Claire and Jamie the better part of their first year to make their initial journey just in the first book. Even with modern transport, the order of the locations in the book would literally have us going up/down/up and around in a couple of circles, and would not be practical or possible in one week! What we do, whenever possible, is to go to the locations of the first book early in the tour, Culloden quite late in the tour, then finish with Edn. There is a logical flow to our tour.Back to top

What level of walking will there be?
You need to be fit enough to manage a 300 foot, fairly steep ascent in one hour. You will need walking boots or shoes, preferably with ankle support, for much of the tour. On some days there will be hills to hike and on other days it will be some up/down gentle hills for 1 to 3 miles of hiking on woodland or hill paths. All walks are guided. On alternate days, we will visit castles, ancient sites, etc., so gentle walking involved at these times. Keep in mind, Edinburgh is all hills - think of a mini San Francisco, so be prepared to stretch your calves and keep up with the group in between pubs and closes! Back to top

Will I be automatically paired up (as a single traveler)?
Usually within our small groups (up to 14 people) there is a natural camaraderie that happens. I do help this along and I remain aware of any single travelers and do my utmost to make everyone feel part of the group. But it is a two way path and each traveler, single or in couples, needs to meet us part way! Scot and I are part of the group too! So we socialize with everyone. Back to top

Which month would have the best weather?
1.The Pre-spring and spring months of March, April, May are filled with flowers, light green leaves and seem to have less rain than summer months. Also fewer travelers, so you are more aware of your surroundings and less aware of crowds.
2.The autumn months of September/October can be a bit dryer again than summer with the added value of the autumn sun that casts a lovely glow over the landscape - artists love this time of year. The heather turns to a deep purple that covers the hillsides. Many of our northern trees on our journey turn to a lovely golden yellow. Again, fewer crowds.
Note: More people show up in the summer months, not because of the weather, but because schools are out in England and Europe, so many travel here for their holiday/vacation. They all bring coats and umbrellas in the summer - and rightly so!
See this link for an unbiased opinion: www.scotland-flavour.co.uk/scotland-weather.html Back to top

Which is the best season to visit Scotland?
Following on from the above answer. Spring or Autumn are regarded by connoiseurs of Scotland to be the best months. Winter is very beautiful too, providing you have the appropriate outdoor clothing. Summer (June-August) is a bit hectic, but we get requests for those months, hence the Summer Tour. Back to top

What's the difference between the Young at Heart / Budget Tour and the others?
It's mostly the accommodation. All tour guests travel together and visit the same places. The YAH stay in hostels. Also, where a few of the evening meals are prepaid on the ordinary tour, on the YAH they are not. You chose whether or not you wish to dine with the whole group. No Breakfasts are covered, but most lunches are covered. The same optional extras (e.g. pony trekking) are available to both versions. Back to top

What other information can you send me about the tour?
Have you read the Blog yet? There you will find all of the completed tours, much written of it by the guests, photos and comments. It will give you a feel for what the tour is really like. Prior tours Blog.
Also see Billy Connolly - "Welcome to Scotland". An Eejit's guide to Scotland. Brilliant! Contains Strong language. Also explains why all my rented kitchens pior to this one were carpeted (?!)

What are the smoking laws in Scotland and your policy?
Scotland has strict No Smoking laws. For ease of rules and everyone's comfort, we do not allow smoking at any time on the tour, even in the off hours. Back to top