My Most Memorable Day of Tour Guiding: A Brush with Jamie Fraser

September 2019 will forever be etched in my memory as the day my Outlander tour of Scotland took an unexpected turn – the day we found Jamie Fraser!

As a passionate tour guide with a deep love for all things Outlander, leading a group of twelve fellow enthusiasts on a four-day journey through the Scottish Highlands felt like traveling in a big mobile Outlander snow globe. Each day was filled with excitement and anticipation, but nothing could have prepared us for what was about to unfold.

It was Day 3 of our tour, and we had just finished an exhilarating morning watching dolphins at Channory Point. With the weather drawing in, I made a spontaneous decision to change our itinerary and head to Clava Cairns near Culloden Battlefield.

As we arrived at Clava Cairns, we were greeted by a film crew – a not entirely uncommon sight in Scotland during the summer months. Little did we know, our day was about to take an extraordinary turn.

As my passengers excitedly ventured off to investigate, one of them returned within minutes, breathless with excitement. "It's HIM, It's HIM," she exclaimed. At first, I dismissed the idea, thinking they must have encountered a tour guide dressed as Jamie Fraser. But to my astonishment, it was indeed the actor himself, Sam Heughan, along with Graham McTavish, filming scenes for their new TV show, "Men in Kilts."

Suddenly, I found myself in a whirlwind of excitement as my group completely lost control. The director of photography kindly asked me to help keep them in check, and amidst the chaos, I managed to negotiate a photograph with Sam for my thrilled passengers once filming was complete.

Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish filming scenes for ‘Men in Kilts’.

Afterwards, we followed the crew to Culloden Battlefield, where they continued filming with a full pipe band, adding an extra layer of magic to an already unforgettable day.

It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that perfectly encapsulated the essence of our Outlander tour – a day filled with unexpected surprises, magical encounters, and cherished memories that will be treasured for years to come.

Myself with my group and Sam Heughan at Clava Cairns - Sep 2019,