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Wander Like a Bookworm: Your Trip to Scotland

Cobblestone street in Scotland, lined with ivy-covered stone buildings. A clock tower looms under a cloudy sky. Text: "Wander Like a Bookworm: Scotland."

For Lovers of Outlander, MacCoinnich Time Travelers, & All Things Highland Romance


You read Outlander and suddenly found yourself Googling “kilts near me.” Then came the MacCoinnich Time Travelers series and suddenly you're mentally redecorating your life with swords and wool. It’s not a phase — it’s a Highlander era.


Scotland isn’t just a moody setting for time-traveling romance and historical intrigue — it’s a book-lover’s paradise. From castles that whisper secrets to stone circles that might (might) send you back in time, it’s practically begging for a literary pilgrimage.


Here’s your travel guide — plus book recs with similar vibes for every stop.


Inverness


Book Inspo: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Also Read: The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley


Inverness is where Claire’s time-traveling tale begins — a gateway to magic, myth, and heartbreak. The Winter Sea delivers similar vibes with a rich dual-timeline narrative steeped in Scottish history and aching romance. It’s for readers who love secrets buried in sea air, old manuscripts, and the delicious blur between memory and imagination.


Why Go:

  • It’s a charming, misty town perfect for pondering fate and drinking tea like a protagonist.

  • Central to some of the most emotional spots in Scottish history and fiction alike.



Must-Visits:



Doune Castle


Book Inspo: Outlander

Also Read: A Highlander’s Promise by Aileen Adams


Doune Castle stands in for Castle Leoch on screen, but it’s more than a filming location — it’s the stuff of Highlander dreams. Aileen Adams’ books may not name-drop this exact spot, but they’ll scratch the same itch: strong-willed women, broody lairds, and dangerous kisses under stormy skies. Honestly, you’ll want to twirl.


Why Go:

  • You’ve definitely seen it — even if you didn’t realize it.

  • Your inner Highland heroine will 100% emerge here.



Must-Visits:

  • The castle itself, obviously.

  • The Sam Heughan–narrated audio tour (a must).

  • Nearby hiking trails for dramatic cloak-swirling moments.



The Scottish Highlands


Book Inspo: MacCoinnich Time Travelers series by Catherine Bybee

Also Read: The Clan MacAlister series by Kinley MacGregor


These books are bursting with rugged Highlander energy and time-slip drama — just like the Highlands themselves. If you crave stories where the wind howls, the stakes are emotional, and plaid is practically a character, this is your spot. The terrain is vast, haunting, and romantic enough to make your soul do a full swoon.


Why Go:

  • It’s cinematic and hauntingly gorgeous.

  • Nature, drama, introspection — check, check, check.



Must-Visits:

  • Glen Coe – Looks like it was designed by the gods of melancholy.

  • Loch Ness – Even if Nessie’s shy, the landscape slaps.

  • Jacobite Steam Train – Bonus if you’re also a Harry Potter reader.



Stirling


Book Inspo: The Highland Witch by Susan Fletcher

Also Read: The Devil Wears Kilts by Suzanne Enoch


Moody and mythic, Stirling is where historical fiction gets a little witchy — in the best way. Fletcher’s novel is steeped in magic and mystery, while Enoch’s romance brings courtly secrets and swoony drama. These stories are for readers who want their Highland experience with a bit of danger and spellwork on the side.


Why Go:

  • It’s a mix of medieval and magical.

  • Fewer crowds, more atmosphere.



Must-Visits:



Bonus Book Pairings for Scotland Wanderlust


The Highlander Who Protected Me by Vanessa Kelly (romance, swoon, sass)


The Falconer by Elizabeth May (fae + feminism + steampunk in 1800s Edinburgh)


The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick (for readers craving deep historical detail)



Wrap-Up: Your Highland Novel IRL


Scotland doesn’t just look like a setting from a novel — it reads like one. The atmosphere is thick, the history is wild, and the potential for literary role-play is… embarrassingly high. With each stop, you’re not just checking off sights. You’re stepping into storylines.


Read the books. Walk the moors. Layer your sweaters. Plan your trip to Scotland. Live your paperback fantasy.


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