Fashion Friday {Date Night}

This last weekend I had the best time downtown! I was finally lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. I've lived in Georgia for a couple years now and have never done the SCAD film festival even though I've always wanted to. I randomly saw on Facebook that they were going to be premiering the first episode of my favorite show WITH a q&a panel with the cast and creators. I just about jumped out of my skin and hoped that the tickets weren't outrageously priced. I waited at my computer for the tickets to go on sale. I counted down the minutes and kept refreshing the page. I was ecstatic to see they were only $15 a ticket and it was also when my husband would be home. I couldn't believe how awesome that was! 

 

We got there a few hours before it started hoping to have a nice dinner downtown beforehand. However, people were already lining up to go in. So we had to settle for subway since it was across the street. We got a decent spot in line and talked with other Outlander fans the whole time. They had us line up on the opposite street from where they did the red carpet. I was obviously too excited to be thinking straight because I missed that opportunity. They finally ushered us in and I scored a few seats third row back from the stage. I had never been to the Lucas theater either and it was so gorgeous I definitely want to go back again. The opposite was amazing and I can't wait for the new season to start and the cast was so amazing in person and hilarious! I loved every minute of it. Especially with my handsome husband. We definitely came full circle from him starting this show and getting me into it. Then going to Scotland on our anniversary trip and going on the Outlander tour to seeing the premiere and the cast. It's been so awesome!

Scotland {Outlander Tour} part 2 - Midhope Castle

After last nights episode of Outlander I thought I would jump to "Lallybroch." Most of the episode was shot there so I thought it would be fitting. This by far was the best part of our tour. The whole tour was great don't get me wrong. This part though we had the WHOLE place to ourselves. Which was perfect since we only had one other person on our tour and our tour guide James. We got to take as many pictures we wanted. Take as much time as we wanted. The weather was absolutely perfect that day. Everyone says it's like always rainy, and dreary. But we had sunshine almost the entire time. I'm not sure I could ever top this trip by going again. But I'm sure going to try!

Lallybroch is actually Midhope Castle a tower house from the 16th century located on the Abercorn of the Hopetoun estate.

Just like Doune Castle they didn't film any of the interior scenes inside. It's all pretty much in ruins on the inside. But all the outside scenes were filmed here. They brought everything in for this. I think it's fascinating how they come in with all their dirt, plants, stables etc. Turn into Lallybroch in the 17th century and then when they are done they leave it just as they found it. As if they were never there. They do this everytime they film. Which in some of these locations are more than once throughout all three seasons so far. Even as far as painting buildings and then painting them back.

They brought whiskey for the tour. They all made me try it. I don't really drink but they said I had to because I was in Scotland and that's just what you do. I figured the more for my husband right? Well, I gave it a try because they were all staring at me. I told them I wasn't going to like it. I think they just wanted to see my face when I tried it. Surprise, surprise I didn't like it. But at least I tried it for them. The hubby sure enjoyed it!

 Had to get my picture of me looking at my "Jamie"

Check out part one of our Outlander Tour Doune Castle

Outlander Tour: Slainte Scotland

Scotland Trip - Outlander tour {part 1} Doune Castle

This week season 3 of Outlander finally premiered after a 14-month break. Yes! I said 14 months. It's not your typical time-frame between seasons. The fans have deemed it "droughtlander" and that it was. I've literally read one of the books and rewatched both seasons a million times probably. I have also recruited quite a few new fans. 

So it was only fitting that I get this part of my trip blogged. {It would've been on Sunday but I was traveling home and had delays because of Hurricane Irma.}

Our tour was with slainte scotland. We were met by our tour guide James at city centre in Glasgow. The only tour we went on that provided bottled water and snacks as well as some whiskey which was awesome! There was only one other person on our tour with us. How great was that! It felt like a little private tour. You can't beat that on vacation. The hubby does not like crowds and I love not having extra people in my pictures. 

First was Doune Castle. Which luckily enough we were able to stop here twice on two separate tours. So we were able to explore the grounds more the second time. Some of Monty Python and the holy grail was filmed here as well. But specifically for the outlander fans this is Castle Leoch in season 1. Sam Heughan even recorded some of the tour for various Outlander spots. Such as the kitchen, the courtyard etc. I took a million pictures because this was one of my favorite tours. So I am going to have to split it into multiple posts. It was like going to a movie set. We actually started watching season one over again just to refresh our memories. I'm so glad we did because it made it that much more exciting to go to these same places. I was in Outlander heaven!

Outside the grounds if you recall is where Claire rode up with the highlanders. Also where her and Frank did their private tour.

Inside the courtyard where Mrs. Fitz comes down to greet them all and sees Claire for the first time.

We were told that when they came in to film they obviously brought all the mud and hay and laid it down on top of everything to make it look like how it is in the show.

Kitchen

They didn't actually film inside the castle because of the lack of light and cramped areas. They came in and took a scan of the whole castle and recreated it in their studios.

The view from the top of the castle

Where Catriona Balfe walked across (with no problem)and looked down to see Dougal playing with his son/nephew. It looked like she was gliding do you see how uneven that is. They have it blocked off now. I had to take a picture with  my phone through the slits in the door.

Scotland Day 3

I can't believe I was in Scotland a year ago already! Not only that but I have yet to finish blogging about it. I have to admit that life is overwhelming and I get so behind on stuff. I'm just trying to keep up and I am failing. I'm so terribly sorry. So with that said I am going to be hitting you with blog post after blog post til I'm all caught up. 

Scotland Day 3:

Every tour we met up across the street from the City Chambers in Glasgow square. So we walked around it while we waited for the driver. We didn't even realize that some scenes in Outlander were filmed here too. My goodness can I go back yet?

 Evan's favorite movie is Braveheart so of course we had to do a William Wallace tour. Even if you aren't a Braveheart fan it's still a huge part of Scottish history. Not to mention the monument itself is so incredibly gorgeous! I love intricate architecture and this was just amazing. The view from the top was just phenomenal and we had the best weather! It was only raining when we were in the tour bus or inside. Definitely blessed on this trip!

Evan at Glen Eagles

 We had a tour at the Famous Grouse distillery in Glenturret where you could taste the whiskey and try and find the different flavors. Funny story: We had lunch there in the cafe and I wasn't seeing anything I liked. I'm not super adventurous in the food department. I like to stick to what I know I like. I ended up getting a kids meal to go. It looked like happy meal box. The server came out looking for a kid and I'm like no that's for me! Everyone on our tour bus was giggling at me. But I ended up with more food than them. That kids meal fed me twice! Who's laughing now?

Then we ended the day at a little italian restaurant across from our hotel. Who knew great italian food in Scotland.