Mercat Tours has launched the Edinburgh Outlander Experience, a walking tour that takes in locations featured in the bestselling books by Diana Gabaldon. VisitScotland, the national tourism organisation, reported a huge surge in popularity in Outlander tours, among American visitors in particular, since the show premiered in the US in August 2014. Historical fantasy series Outlander, which launched in the UK on Amazon Prime on March 26, follows the story of Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe), an English combat nurse, who is mysteriously transported from 1946 back to the 18th-century Scottish Highlands. There she meets handsome young warrior Jamie Fraser, who is portrayed by Scottish actor Sam Heughan.
Award-winning family business Mercat Tours – which also holds a five-star Quality Assurance rating from VisitScotland, guides Lara Benne and Jason Martin dressed as literary heroes Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser for the launch of the tour on the Royal Mile.
Claire and Jamie have captured the imagination of people across the world and Scotland’s stunning landscape is a breathtaking backdrop to their adventures. We’re delighted to reveal the sites featured in the historical drama and share the true stories of turmoil and romance during the Jacobite rebellion,” said Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours.
Manuela Calchini, Regional Director at VisitScotland, said, “Diana Gabaldon’s books enjoy a massive global following and the launch of the television series has sent Outlander’s popularity into the stratosphere. We know that 40 per cent of visitors to Scotland are encouraged to visit this country after seeing it on film or on television, and Mercat Tours’ new Edinburgh Outlander Experience will give fans a fantastic opportunity to learn about the capital’s fascinating history, while following in the footsteps of their favourite fictional characters.”
Historical fantasy series Outlander produced by Sony Pictures Television, has already been commissioned for a second series in the United States, where it was named “Most Exciting New Series” in the Critics’ Choice Television Awards.
At a premiere screening of the first episode in Glasgow last week, Executive Producer Ronald D. Moore described the series as “a love letter to Scotland” during a live video link-up with fans.
The Edinburgh Outlander Experience by Mercat Tours will be at 11:00am every Saturday from April to October 2015. Lasting 2 hours, tickets are £14 adult, £12 concession. For more information, visit www.mercattours.com
