2019 Season - What's new

There's snow on the ground and all is frozen and still as I write this post, thinking of the coming season of touring Outlander across Scotland.

The tour dates are up and open on the website Jamie and Claire Tour.

This year we will have an additional guide, for your touring pleasure.  Hamish Douglas Burgess.

Hamish on our Borders Tour 2018 - he's a keeper!

Hamish brings his interests and skills to those of Scot and I: he's a piper, a Celtic artist and hosts a few Maui Celtic Radio show, broadcast in various places around the world.
Yup, he lives on Maui, in Hawai'i, when he's not touring with The Irish Rovers as photographer, visiting Celtic festivals to interview musos for his show, or working on art commissions.  Busy man!

Almost as busy as me.  This year we have lots more scheduled two day OTT (Outlander TV Tours) along with the eight day Jamie and Claire Tour which also visits quite a few TV locations along with the book locations and experiences that it is famous for.

As ever, there's two hundred posts here from previous tours and the latest, most frequent updates are to be found on the Faceache page https://www.facebook.com/scotland.for.outlanders/ .

I hope we see you this year on tour. 
Le meas, Samantha Nic Choinneach

The new Opt-In

You might be aware that New European regulations mean that companies are all taking care to make sure that people whose email addresses etc we have still want to hear from us.  It's called GDPR legislation.  You'll be getting lots of "resubscribe" emails this month from companies you have bought stuff off or whose newsletters you have asked to receive.

Both Scot and I (separate businesses) will be renewing our list of past clients (friends) and blog followers.

Scot first.  If you want to update your email address, or subscribe for the first time to his very infrequent emails you can go to his new "opt-in form".

 

Scot's subscription list

There you'll get emails once or twice a year about tours, music releases, Scottish History, the coming book...

Outlander TV and Off-book custom tour

Here's a few photos from the private, family tour this weekend, which was part Outlander and part Anything-else-that's-cool.

Leoch in the Snow

Erika pets a Kelpie

On the new Starz film set for season 4.

First tour of the 2018 Season

First Outlander Tour of the season tomorrow, and it's in the snow! I'm so glad our guests have chosen to come to Scotland in the winter. It's sooo beautiful and so very few travelers see it in its winter raiment.

Used by Starz for...

Ready to Go

We'll be taking the guests to the chapel above, used by Starz for a night scene.

Journey to the Western Isles

Day 1
Journey to the Western Isles Tour, 2017.  We seek the Old Woman Of The Hills, A'Chailleach, Bringer of Storms.  We climb to her high meadow at the foot of her home, Ben Nevis.

Scot is leading a pilgrimage to the western isles with, appropriately, Seachd Chaillich, seven wise women.

J&C 2018 Dates now open

 

2018 dates for the Jamie and Claire Tour (including the Outlander TV Tour) are now up on the website.

DON'T FORGET to hit Refresh (F5 on the top row of your keyboard) to refresh the page to the latest version.
www.jamieandclairetour.co.uk

BORDERS TOUR 2017

Strange goings on in the Borders, from a time past, we think.  Did we stumble through the stones?

Day four of the Borders Tour 2017 and as you can see, we have been to the coast, but the ocean was away.   We have seen rare beasts in the wild, we have eaten amazing sea-food, we have heard the abbey bells call us to Evensong, we have stormed a couple of castles.  Tomorrow, we meet the Romans.  What have they ever done for us?

Calling Lurkers!

Two spaces have become available on the Western Isles Tour, last minute. Move quickly if you want to join us on this most remarkable adventure in September. We'll be there over the equinox, when the balance of light and dark is equal and strange things happen.

Visit the website for this tour.

 

A'Chuilein - The Cullin range above Bay of the White Sheiling

The Strangeness of Skye

 

Three Places Left

Picture from the library of Sir Walter Scott's house, Abbotsford.  What does the great man read?

Borders Tour 2017, still on the trail of Gabaldon.

Only three places left, so don't miss out like last year.

Border Tour Video Diary

Here's a video diary entry from Dale, Amy and Meagan from last year's Borders Tour. It made us laugh. Something for you all to enjoy as you ponder your OWN coming summer adventures.

 And if you want to join us...

The Romantic Borders Tour web page 

SCOTTISH THATCHING

Scot has been away this week doing one of his other traditions - Scottish thatching.  Here's one of the more unusual photos from the job - smoking the roof from the inside.

Bell Poll's House, Ach an Droighinn

Back in the 21st century, there will be an update about the 2017 Borders tour soon. Watch this space.

DAY 3 - MAY TOUR

Secrets from the castle garden of Leoch

May Tour - day two

A Wee photo find from a Highland culture listings magazine we found today.

FROM BENEATH THE PACKAGING

A quick message from himself: "Thanks to all of you who have bought the new album. The office floor looks a bit like the home of under tens on Christmas morning - packaging, scissors and tape everywhere. I've caught up with the orders, so all of you have made one, your CDs are on the way! Thanks again. For those who left me a personal message, I'll respond when the paper flood subsides."

scotansgeulaiche.bandcamp.com

Dear Blog Followers,

Scot's Album is released!
After much anticipation and requests from tour guests to be "kept informed", Gàir nan Clàrsach - The Harps' Cry, is here.

The collection comprises traditional music and Tales (in Gàidhlig and English) from the Highlands, including songs centuries old performed by guest singers Rena Gertz and the national treasure that is Margaret Bennett, with a backdrop of music that is modern yet traditional.

The eleven track CD is limited to 200 hand-numbered copies - like a rare whisky - and comes with a six page booklet giving the fuller details of the Tales and songs. The CD purchase also give you a free download version of the album.  You can of course choose the download version only, if that's the way you like your music.

How to listen and buy?  Go to scotansgeulaiche.bandcamp.com

Thanks to all of you who have supported and encouraged this collection.  We hope you enjoy it.

On Set With Outlander

Sometimes it feels like we're living in the middle of a film set, what with three locations used by Starz in recent weeks in the fields around chez nous. Recently I stood in on a small scene being filmed between Claire and Laoghaire in an avenue of trees. Not sure that one was in the books, but I'm sure all will be clear when it's aired! Anyway, here's a rain-stops-play photo from another local location. 

If the scene is broadcast before the tour season, then I'll add it to the tours this summer. 

The "avenue" location is one that's been part of our tours since the beginning and will be of course part of this summer's tours. 

L'Abbaye

We've been away on a scouting trip for the Dragonfly tour next year.  We've been in Versailles and  Normandie.  Here's a few wee photos to whet your apperite for nexxt July, those who are coming along.

Here's a few from the Abbey, so like the one that Jamie recovered in.  It's still a working abbey, with brothers and it's own Saint Anselm.

A wee Bayeux-by-night shot.  Quite a spectacular place.
 

We were joined for some of the trip by Robert and Theresa, from the Grain tour a few years back.  Remember them? They're the ones that drank all the wine.  Nothing's changed and they brought us some lovely grape to try.

Robert enjoying the port we'll be visiting next year. 

Dragonfly Scouting Trip Photos

Just got back from France and a scouting trip for the Dragonfly in Amber tour next year.  Thought I'd post a few images we made along the way to pique your interest. Here's the first: "Bayeux by night". More to follow when I get done with all the responses to those of you who have already booked. Thanks! Makes it all worthwhile!

Countdown 3 days

Tours booking and dates opens soon, but here's a few pictures to whet the appetite for both J&C newbies and alumni

Calanais (Western Isles Tour)

Amidst the Abbey (Romantic Borders Tour)

"So that's what a broch looks like!" (Western Isles Tour)

In Versailles and Sandringham's place (Starz Extension)

Dancing in the lavender fields (Dragonfly Tour)

See you all in three days; mind the crush!

Countdown 5 days

Yes, 2016 tours (and booking opens in five days)

This year we will be returning to the Western Isles, by much request.

Here's a few pics from previous trips there.

The Peat Hags in one of the older island houses

 The Peat Hags tour is on this blog in 2012 if you want some more inspiration.

Loch Duich, of the Silkies

Lewis, miles of lochs and bogs

See you on the 30th if you're coming along this year.