Whether you want to follow in the footsteps of the fictional Jamie Fraser, or see the sites which encouraged Outlander actor Sam Heughan’s spirt of adventure when he was growing up; whether you want to explore the land of Robert the Bruce, visit key sites in Scotland’s history, or see where The Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots, and The Wickerman were filmed, or if you want to learn more about the real life characters in your own family’s past, award-winning Solway Tours will take you to the heart of the action
Solway Tours was established by former teachers Lesley Watson and Mark Turner in 2014 and run bespoke guided historic and ancestral tours across Dumfries & Galloway and Scotland.
As former history teachers in local schools, they are passionate about sharing the history, scenery and culture of the region and we one of a small number of tour operators rated as a 5 Star Tour Company by VisitScotland. The majority of their guests come from America and Canada and in the last 10 years they have seen a huge interest in their Outlander tours.
Lesley says: “We offer one-day and multi-day tours where we work with guests to create the perfect itinerary for their interests and needs.
“Over the last 10 years we have worked hard to ensure that every tour is well planned and researched, and delivered in that way that ensures our guests have an unforgettable time in Dumfries & Galloway.
“A key focus for many of our tours is the ancestral research we provide for guests before they arrive. This personalised service ensures that each tour is truly bespoke, and we can help guests walk in the footsteps of their ancestors.
“Each year we help many different family groupings such as the Maxwells, Johnstones, Armstrongs, Bruces, Kirkpatricks and Hannahs to follow in the footsteps of their ancestors and visit a host of sites across Dumfries & Galloway.”
Among their historic guided tours, Solway Tours offer an ‘Outlander Locations’ tour – an absolute must for fans of the hit historical drama – which visits some of the key sites from the series, including Doune Castle, Blackness Castle, Linlithgow Palace, Culross and Falkland.
RECOMMENDED READING
- Actor Sam Heughan on saying farewell to Jamie Fraser
- Thornhill: the village which punches above its weight
- Things to see and do at Drumlanrig Castle Gardens
Balmaclellan, where Sam Heughan was born (Image: Allan Devlin)
“We’ve seen a huge interest in our Outlander tours,” says Lesley. “The TV series has certainly peaked people’s interest in not only visiting the locations, but also in the real history behind the plots.
“We’ve had a large number of guests coming to see the sites where the Season Two episode (Vengeance is Mine) was filmed, centred on the stunning Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill. And with Galloway-born actor Sam Heughan playing the lead role of Highlander Jamie Fraser, many of our guests are keen to visit the village of Balmaclellan, where he was born, and Kenmure Castle, where he played as child.”
Drumlanrig Castle was used as the Duke of Sandringham’s Estate in Outlander. While Claire, Jamie and Murtagh were confronting the Duke in the kitchen, the British Army had set up camp in the castle grounds.
Outlander fans are often lucky enough to see acclaimed actor Gary Lewis who played Colum MacKenzie, Jamie's maternal uncle and powerful clan leader (Seasons One and Two of Outlander, from 2014-2016), who has settled in Dumfries & Galloway and lives in Kirkcudbright with his family.
“Outlander and other major TV and film productions such as The Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots, Monarch of the Glen and The Wickerman feature heavily in our initial discussions with our guests,” says Lesley.
“Scotland has become a popular visitor destination in recent years, and we enjoy taking people to these sites and explaining the real history of locations, as well as their links to the film industry. We take so many more people now to places such as Culloden Battlefield and Doune Castle near Stirling due to their provenance within Outlander.
“Dumfries & Galloway has so much to offer, and we have so many favourite ‘must see’ places. For Mark, a must-visit is the picturesque Machars coastal village of Garlieston. The beautiful harbour village has stunning walks, including out to Cruggleton Castle, and is steeped in history, being the place where the D-Day Mulberry Harbour was trialled during World War Two.”
Lesley’s own favourite local attraction is the Devils’s Porridge Museum at Eastriggs: “This incredible museum tells the story of HM Factory Gretna and its pivotal role in providing munitions during World War One.
“I am fascinated by the role the nine-mile-long factory played in advancing gender equality and increasing democracy through the franchise. The museum is staffed by local volunteers and our guests are always full of praise of the quality of exhibits and the friendliness of the staff.”
Celebrating its 10 year, Solway Tours is looking forward to many more years sharing the history and scenery of the area.
“We are very busy with bookings both this year and for 2025 and we are certain that all of our guests will enjoy visiting the South West and this wonderful country.”
www.solwaytours.co.uk
