The inside scoop on Scotland ’ s ‘ Outlander ’ sites
COMPASS
This is a random sampling of NTA members in these countries . For a complete list of potential partners , please use the member search on NTAonline . com .
Ireland and the United Kingdom
COMPILED BY PAT HENDERSON
The inside scoop on Scotland ’ s ‘ Outlander ’ sites
Scotland has seen a renewed interest in the legends of the Jacobites , thanks to the popularity of Diana Gabaldon ’ s “ Outlander ” book series , which Starz and Sony turned into a TV show in 2014 .
The main character , Clair Randall , is a World War II-era nurse who mysteriously gets swept back to the 18th century Scottish Highlands to the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the rise and fall of the Jacobites .
“ Because the novel is so closely related to actual Scottish history , there are a lot of attractions and locations in Scotland that fans can tour ,” says VisitScotland ’ s Maggie Anderson . “ Places such as Doune Castle , Culross , Falkland Palace , Culloden Battlefield and the many standing stones have experienced a huge increase in visitors since the launch of the ‘ Outlander ’ TV series .”
She said fans also can look forward to an upcoming exhibit at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh , “ Bonnie
Callanish Standing Stones
Prince Charlie and the Jacobites ,” which will be on display from June 23 to Nov . 12 .
Go to visitscotlandtraveltrade . com or email Anderson at maggie . anderson @ visitscotland . com to learn more .
VISITSCOTLAND / KENNY LAM
Irish I were in Ireland
Enchanted Ireland Tours and Discover Ireland Tours have many years of experience working with North American operators who bring groups to Ireland and the U . K . Here is a look at these two longtime NTA members :
Dublin ’ s St . Patrick ’ s Cathedral
Enchanted Ireland Tours Irish culture is on display during the company ’ s programs , which cover a range of themes and often include visits to quaint towns and colorful villages , such as Dingle , Kinsale , Sneem and Durrus .
“ Our most popular tours for first-time visitors to Ireland are those that combine some of the country ’ s top attractions with some of lesser-known , but equally as beautiful , parts of Ireland ,” says owner Sean Fenton .
To learn more , contact Fenton at sean @ enchantedireland . com or go to enchantedireland . com .
Discover Ireland Tours In addition to its traditional sightseeing itineraries , Discover Ireland Tours is working on faith-based programs and pilgrimage tours leading up to Pope Francis ’ visit to Ireland in August 2018 for the World Meeting of Families .
“ We are planning to add customized tours that include ancient religious sites — Clonmacnoise , Knock Shrine , Glendalough and St . Patrick ’ s Cathedral — as well as our iconic landscapes and our rich history ,” says Eric O ’ Gorman , the company ’ s director / tour organizer .
To learn more , contact O ’ Gorman at eric @ discoverirelandtours . com or go to discoverirelandtours . com .
STPATRICKSCATHEDRAL . IE
Explore Britain with Explore Britain Tours
It ’ s an exciting time for the team at Explore Britain Tours , formerly Field Farm Tours Ltd . The six-year NTA member , which is based in Newark , England , recently adopted the new name to reflect the increasingly varied types of tours it offers .
“ We have seen a growing demand for non-agricultural tours , and therefore Explore Britain Tours Ltd . was created to expand our identity ,” says Nichola Gray , tours coordinator . “ We offer itineraries for many things clients are interested in exploring here in the U . K ., such as castles , cathedrals , gardens , food and drink , literature , embroidery and even equestrian .”
An example of a specialized tour the company is working on is an England-Scotland itinerary for a choir group from the United States . “ We have set up concerts in quaint village churches and large cathedrals , and a joint concert in York Minster ,” says Gray . “ One of the highlights is that the group will get to sing in a church that is part of one of The Royal Family ’ s country estates — a truly unique opportunity !”
To learn more , reach out to Gray at info @ explorebritaintours . co . uk or go to explorebritaintours . co . uk .
68 January 2017