Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other

by Sam Heughan, Graham McTavish, Charlotte Reather (co-writer)

Two Men. One Country. And a lot of whisky.

As stars of "Outlander", Sam and Graham eat, sleep and breathe the Highlands on this epic road trip around their homeland. They discover that the real thing is even greater than fiction.

"Clanlands" is the story of their journey. Armed with their trusty campervan and a sturdy friendship, these two Scotsmen are on the adventure of a lifetime to explore the majesty of Scotland. A wild ride by boat, kayak, bicycle and motorbike, they travel from coast to loch and peak to valley and delve into Scotland's history and culture, from timeless poetry to bloody warfare.

With near-death experiences, many weeks in a confined space together, and a cast of unforgettable characters, Graham and Sam's friendship matures like a fine Scotch. They reflect on their acting careers in film and theatre, find a new awestruck respect for their native country and, as with any good road trip, they even find themselves.

Hold onto your kilts ... this is Scotland as you've never seen it before.

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel, History, Audiobook, Scotland, Memoir, Humor

297 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2020

About the author

Sam Heughan was born April 30, 1980 in New Galloway, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. An accomplished stage and screen actor best known for Outlander (2014), A Princess for Christmas (2011), and A Very British Sex Scandal (2007). He is an active patron of Youth Theatre Arts Scotland and Leukemia and Lymphoma Research. He attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) located in Glasgow, Scotland.

Reviews

[Sue Russo Rogers · Rating 5 out of 5]

IMHO, all readers (and fans) MUST have the audio accompaniment in order to fully appreciate the humor, inflections, & accents! I read along whilst listening in order to visually remember the travel locations and track the Gaelic terms, but the narration is the draw of this manly adventure between Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) and Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie), a seemingly unlikely pair of travelers. Gabaldon offers a very witty foreword as well, answering the question that started it all: "Why a man in a kilt?"

The colleagues set out to make a video documentary of their Highlands road trip (for upcoming Men in Kilts TV pitch), the idea being they will connect with the Highland culture, see the beauty of Scotland, drink some whisky, and share reminiscences/experiences as "cross-generational" friends. The one-liners and puns and jabs at each other's manhood are quite hilarious, always with references to Outlander episodes (Black Jack Randall's abuse of Jamie liberally sprinkled throughout). Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh) features prominently as a hotel crasher and tipper of the elbow. Readers will enjoy the many references to the Diana Gabaldon novels, historic texts, Scottish poets, muses, and of course, Macbeth.

As the story unfolds each man launches litanies of clever epithets for the other: Ginger Nuts, King of Men, Lady McTavish, The Grey Dog. Incessant teasing focuses around Sam's ever-present makeup and wardrobe entourage AND entrepreneurial projects/corporate sponsorships, while Graham is portrayed as a high-maintenance epicurean with a love of lattes, Pinot Noir (more so than whisky) and luxury hotels. Graham's preoccupation with safety (and Sam's inability to drive a stick-shift) emerges often in matters of the camper van, two-man kayak, rickety ski lift, tandem bicycle and 1940s motorcycle w/ sidecar.

Readers (those not already Outlander fans) will learn about the complicated history of the Highland Clans, the key landmarks (both real and from the filming locations), subsequent clearances after Culloden, and a bit of the authors' early years in Scotland and their acting careers. The book narration is expressive and genuine (BTW, Graham McTavish's speaking voice is velvety smooth, and I now realize why he's done so much voice-work). Readers will lose something by not hearing the guys tell the story in their own, animated voices.

The authors recognize and truly appreciate that Outlander fandom has been instrumental in creating a resurgence in Scotland's tourism, an increase ultimately providing for the financial upkeep of many castle ruins, battle sites, and museums. It's really phenomenal to imagine such an outcome from a romantic historical fiction series!

The relationship between Sam & Graham is as sweet and poignant as their love for Scotland.

[Nataliya · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don’t care much for Outlander books, I’ve always been partial to Outlander the TV show (the horror of liking the movie more than the book! Book gods are about to smite me!). To borrow the description that this book provides about it, “The show can be best described as tartan and soft porn”.

Sam Heughan plays Jamie Fraser on the show, and Graham McTavish is his ferocious uncle Dougal MacKenzie. Apparently they have bonded while filming the show, and eventually took a buddy trip in a stick-shift van (poorly driven by Sam) through Scotland while filming their new show “Men in Kilts” (trailer here) with stories of whisky, bromance, Outlander filming anecdotes and general musings on life, universe and everything (but mostly Scotland and whisky).

I’m listening to the audio version because, well, Scottish accents. Sam and Graham narrate this book, and it is absolutely lovely and hilarious. I can listen to this duo talk and bicker and fondly mock each other for days.

It’s part travelogue, part buddy comedy, part Scottish history lesson, part ode to whisky. Sam Heughan gets a bit of good-natured ribbing for being a hunky Adonis who never misses a chance to peddle his whisky brand and whose driving skills may need a bit of refinement, while Graham McTavish gets mercilessly (yet friendly) mocked for his epicurean, latte-loving tastes. Ruminations about whisky are quickly followed by odes to Macbeth, and then punctuated by stories from Scotland’s quite violent and bloody past. We get a few Outlander filming anecdotes, a few asides about the duo’s acting lives and previous acting projects, and then we are back to talking about this trip.

It’s interesting reading the book that in part is the behind-the-scenes of a show that hasn’t been released yet (and I can guarantee I’ll be faithfully watching “Men in Kilts” someday when it hits the screen). I loved it. I loved the back-and-forth teasing, even if at parts things were getting a tad crass, and relentless yet friendly mocking (Sam’s daredevil nature pitted against Graham’s well-justified caution — leading to a near-death incident barely averted), and the outpouring of heartfelt bromance in the end. It’s funny and charming and the silky voice of Graham McTavish is magical to listen to.

Love it. 4.5 stars.

[Isa Cantos (Crónicas de una Merodeadora) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este era el libro que necesitaba para revivir el amor y la nostalgia tan intensa que siento cuando pienso en Escocia. Muchas personas me dicen que exagero un montón, pero les juro que desde que conocí ese país en el 2019 no he podido sacármelo de la cabeza y del corazón. Escocia es un lugar tan mágico y único que realmente te hace sentir como si ese fuera tu hogar, como si toda tu vida hubieras estado perdido y, al llegar allí, por fin te sintieras como si pertenecieras completamente a un pedacito del mundo.

Sam Heughan y Graham McTavish nos llevan por un recorrido de las Highlands de Escocia y, con un gran sentido del humor y un respeto inmenso por la cultura y la historia del país, nos narran los episodios más reconocidos, infames e importantes de los grandes clanes que dominaron los valles, lagos y montañas de Escocia durante siglos.

Si la experiencia de leer este libro fue increíble, me imagino que escucharlo en su formato de audio debe ser otro nivel, así que seguramente luego me lo repita de esa manera.

Creo que este también es un gran libro para quienes somos fans de Outlander, pues mientras Sam y Graham narran todo su recorrido, también nos van contando momentos del detrás de escenas de las grabaciones de la serie, momentos en los que el famosísimo clima escocés amenazaba con congelarles ciertas partes y, sobre todo, los lazos que se fueron formando entre todos los del elenco con el tiempo.

Clanlands me recordó que lo primero que quiero hacer cuando la pandemia esté controlada y ya tenga la vacuna es planear un nuevo viaje a ese corazón de Escocia que me muero por seguir conociendo.

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like a hot Scottish accent as much as the next person & was considering this as a xmas gift for someone so thought I'd give the audiobook a spin. Oh man... these two come off as INSUFFERABLE douchebags. Maybe the smarmy, self-important tone isn't as obvious in print, but I'm currently 2/3 through the audio version and I don't know if I can even finish it. I'm giving it a couple of stars for the historical content (and the accents, which don't disappoint), but oof. Buyer beware.

I'm confused about who intended audience for this is. It can't be women, because they relentlessly call each other women as an insult (women are the reason you have a career, guys. Bros aren't watching your show. Have some goddamn respect) and yammer on about their ultra-typical machismo in the most boring way throughout. With a sprinkling of predictable homophobia, bien sur. It can't be people who are really interested in Scottish history, because they aren't offering any new insights (or any insights, period. "That massacre sounds bad" is not the kind of take people buy books for), and what IS there sounds read off a cue card in bored actor voice. I hope they were nice to whoever researched it for them.

The historical bits are interspersed with drinking stories that are very long and not particularly interesting to anyone who had a life in their 20s, and what I guess would be road trip stories if they weren't on a contrived publicity mission with a full crew. I guess that interspersion is supposed to be what is interesting about the book, and maybe it would be with better stories & storytellers. I guess I don't understand why this book happened. Let's be honest, Sam Heughan could read the phonebook and people would pay to listen to it (including me, apparently), and if you set that as your standard, you will probably enjoy this a lot.

[Nicolette MacGregor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute drivel! This is not about Scotland it’s about the narcissist authors

As an ex pat Scot I looked forward to a reading a modern take on the history and cultures of Scotland.
Forget it! This book is about the self promotion of the narcissistic authors. They are milking their role in Outlander with the deceitful claim of narrating their wild adventures going through the wild and historic Highlands of Scotland. If you are happy reading about how wonderful each of them were in Outlander, what horse the rode in which episode and other drivel - read on MacDuff!
The best part was the Forward by Diana Abaldon...

[Irritated_pacifist · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel terrible for leaving this review but I must say it. I could not stand the way the female gender was consistently diminished. The Lady Mactavish bit is not funny. At all. Full stop. Applying femininity to belittle safety, specific beverages, and “insufficient” stamina really turned me off. Also, body shaming and mocking your fans? Geez. On top of that, the blatant self-aggrandizement and product pushing is just...ick.


That being said, Good on you two for writing a book. You made the most of quarantine, and I commend you for it :-) Now quit with the implicit and explicit misogynistic bias.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

For starters, get the audiobook. It’s very very enjoyable listening to Graham and Sam tell their stories. Feels like listening in on a conversation between the two and made the stories come to life.

If you’re a fan of the TV series Outlander and are new to Scottish history, heritage and culture, this book will be great for you. Not only do Graham and Sam cover the actual story of the Jacobite Risings, they also tell the stories of other famous characters, such as Mary Queen of Scots, William Wallace and Rob Roy. Interspersed throughout stories of Scotland, they share their own personal journeys as well as stories from the set of Outlander.

Personally, having gotten a Masters in Celtic and Scottish Studies, none of the stories of Scotland were new to me. However, they were entertainingly told, and great for anyone unfamiliar with the vast and varied history of Scotland. Aside from one noticeable Gaidhlig error (dualchais does not mean belonging per se, but more cultural heritage) its an entertaining and fairly accurate book.

All that being said, I do have to say that I was rubbed the wrong way by two recurring things. 1. Sam constantly referring to Graham as “Lady McTavish” because Graham loves lattes and fine wine and comfort really got on my nerves. The constant need to emasculate Graham for being cautious and liking specific things, and to “put him down” by calling him feminine really really irked me. The unnecessary gendering of likes and dislikes is just plain dumb and any time I heard Sam say “Lady McTavish” I wanted to scream. 2. I also was not a fan of the cavalier way in which both men referred to Jamie’s abuse and rape at the hands of Black Jack Randall in the TV show. I can understand dark humor being a way to cope with unpleasant topics but it felt a little bit tone deaf to me.

Other than those two things, I did enjoy listening to this book and it did make me want to go back and watch the show again. Also looking forward to watching the STARZ docu-series Men in Kilts.

3.5 ⭐️

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Something is missing from this book. Cohesiveness. It wanders from history to personal asides to a chronology of the trip through Scotland, but not in a way that is seamless. Imagine a good storyteller always getting interrupted from someone making comments meant to rile up the narration. Then add in someone else interrupting the storyteller to describe people who have no relation to the story. It is like that. I'm sure the tv show will be more enjoyable or maybe the book is enjoyable to those who watch the show. But just picking it up, it is not that enjoyable of a read.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forget Jamie and Claire, it’s Sam and Graham that have the real chemistry. These two were clearly having the time of their lives galavanting about the countryside and taking the piss out of each other.

It really made for a fun read and has me aching to return to Scotland - the home of my soul, the land of my blood.

The descriptions of Graham having a near heart-attack at Sam trying to drive a stick shift were worth it alone 😂

Clanlands by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish is best enjoyed snuggled under a blanket with a glass of whiskey (Sassenach, anyone?). It’s part-travel-memoir, part-history lesson, all fun and essential reading for any Outlander tragic 🙋‍♀️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Bonus points if you grab the audio...those Scottish accents are always a treat!

Thank you to @hachetteaus for the review copy of this book 💕


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[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars for Clanlands (audiobook) by Graham McTavish, Sam Heughan, and Diana Gabaldon read by the authors.

This was a great story. I haven’t seen the authors TV show but I have read Outlander. There adventures sounded like a lot of fun. And it was fascinating to hear about their Scottish ancestry. I hope to catch their TV shows someday. And I have Dragonfly in Amber on hold at the Library right now.

[Jess☺️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clanlands by Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish is a charming laugh out loud read about two friends traveling up and down Scotland taking us on the history trip we all want, it has a touch of memoir about it to (there's also plenty of drinking i.e making it more boys trip sometimes ) whilst poor Graham tries to survive and keep his life in tacked.
Do I think you need to be an Outlander fan to read and enjoy this??(Theses are two Scottish actors from the show) I don't think so, there are many mentions about Outlander but not enough to confuse someone who has no idea what they mean.
It's just light hearted and fun to read especially if you need a few giggles.
Definitely one to recommend 📖
(Biggest giggle for me was Graham in a side car and a wet proof poncho stuck in side car wheel and yes I'm sorry to admit that because he really did nearly die the poor man)

[Brooke — brooklynnnnereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book truly surprised me and I liked it way more than I originally expected. Prior to reading, I really didn't know much about this book and was curious to see how they would integrate the lives of two authors and Scotland.

The writing style and organization of this book was wonderfully done in that it read as part memoir, part adventure, and part historical fact. Although that may sound strange, it combined excellently into an enjoyable and balanced read.

There's an obvious friendship that comes out through this book and both of these men came across as relatable and down-to-earth in a world where the life of a 'celebrity' is very different compared to the average person. This was a surprise and made the book that much more enjoyable to me.

One cautious warning in regards to this book is that if you have not caught up on the Outlander television series to season five, wait to read this book. You will be spoiled for the show if you decide to read this first.

After reading this book physically, I can't help but want to listen to the audiobook which I believe is narrated by the authors. This book was hilarious and I think the narration would make it even funnier.

As well, I know there is a show coming out based on the adventures in this book called "Men in Kilts" and now I will definitely be watching!

[Ben · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh. Really only for Outlander superfans who know every scene of every episode and swoon at the sight of the co-stars. The writing is terrible.

[Kirsty · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I could give it zero stars I would.
It’s not about Scotland, it’s a opportunity for both actors to stoke the fires if their own egos. The mere mention of Macbeth brings on a multiple page diatribe about which Shakespeare productions each man has been in, in which role and with which company, both trying to one up the other.
I’ll grant you that Graham is slightly more favourable of the two but Sam is ridiculous. As Graham points out, he truly does take any opportunity to mention his whisky and try to shill a bottle. Sam frequently refers to his friend as “lady” or in a derogatory feminine manner for enjoying a latte or some other nonsensical reason. It’s not banter, it’s misogyny. Don’t even get me started on his need to point out that their female producer orders a “Jack Daniels and Coke (full fat!)”. Do we really need to know and would he have pointed it out if she was male?

Oh! And shall we not forget the thinly veiled homophobic comments, alongside how they don’t feel “manly” and comparing the kilt to a dress, despite being oh so proudly Scottish?

Outlander is obviously a huge show and has loyal fans - absolutely nothing wrong with that. Sam himself admits his career was at a standstill before the show and he was working in a hospitality job with no money. And I do understand overly keen fans must drain you. But to openly mock a mother and daughter, referring to them as “Glenn Close” and giving a description of them - that’s disgusting. If they’re such huge fans, they’re going to buy your book and I’d be appalled if I were them reading my hero talk about me like that.

If you considered this for historical facts and stories, don’t bother. It’s few and far between. Probably 10% history and Scottish information, 90% them talking absolute drivel - stereotypical lads lads lads behaviour mostly from Sam. Graham seems sick of his s**t most of the time and I don’t blame him. The type of person to regale you with tales of how they can’t believe how drunk they got and what they did when they were steaming...oh wait, isn’t that in chapter 2?!

Don’t waste your time.

[Luke Johnson · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Clanlands", a brief synopsis: Two actors from the tv show "Outlander" set out to make a mini-documentary about the history of the clans and historical battles of the Scottish Highlands. Sounds interesting, I'm not a fan of the tv show but I don't have anything against it either. Romantic historical fiction isn't my genre, and thus I know it's not for me. However, the subtitle suggests it's full of whisky, warfare, and adventure and those things do interest me. But instead of that, the book is full of an arguably comedic formula that gets old, and gets there very fast. I would describe that formula as something like the following:

-Sam devises a plan for the sake of the show that is really just to torment Graham
-Graham, the elder of the two, has an ego that won't let him say no to Sam
-Sam teases Graham for needing a latte
-Graham teases Sam about being a ginger
-Sam teases Graham about being bald
-Graham teases Sam about the constant promotion of his (in name alone) whisky
-Sam talks about a movie he was in once
-Graham talks about a play he was in once
-There's a bunch of pictures of Sam and not the beautiful Scottish landscape all around them
-There's a bunch of pictures of Graham and not the beautiful Scottish landscape all around them
-Graham teases Sam about the amount of time he spends with his bare bum on camera
-Finally, something of interest like a battle or a castle or some Scottish history
-Start back at top of the list and repeat ad nauseam


As a "buddy road trip" book it scratches the surface of enjoyability. But it didn't take me long to realize I wouldn't be getting much more than an advertisement for The Sassenach - a Scotch blend - curated by Sam Heughan, our co-author. I was already highly dubious when on page 22, Heughan lists the regions of Scottish whisky as, "the Lowlands, Campbeltown, Highland, Isle and Speyside." Umm, you totally forgot Islay - home to such amazing, peaty whiskies as Laphroaig, Ardbeg, Lagavulin, and more. In that same paragraph, just a few sentences before, one reads "It's [scotch whisky] a huge part of Scottish culture and has been produced all over the world for hundreds of years." Umm, no it hasn't. Scotch can ONLY be produced in Scotland, and not from "all over the world" and to compare Scotch to say Irish Whiskey or Bourbon would be incorrect to all, and downright offensive to many, namely the Scottish themselves. Heughan may be an enjoyable actor to watch on the screen, with enough money to put out his own blend, but I wouldn't take his words on Scotch as gospel any more than I would take Ryan Reynold's advice on gin, or Geroge Clooney's on tequila though each man has his own brand.

Maybe I'm being too harsh. Heughan is an actor, not a writer or master blender. But to me, the real problem of the book can be boiled down to the overuse of one word, "I". Everything of interest in the book about Scotland is quickly diverted into something about one of the actors. The people the two men meet in their adventure are nothing more than flits on the page before they're gone in another round of jabbing at each other. The book reads like a compilation of two men's vacation diaries and I'd say is about 2/3 about them, 1/3 or likely less about Scotland.

If you love Outlander, if you're a "Heughligan" (yes he even name drops his own fans) you'll probably love this book. But if you're looking for a book full of "Whisky, Warfare, and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other" I think you'll be pretty disappointed.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Full of history and witty banter between Sam and Graham. I think I'll like this much better as a travel series when Starz finally airs it.

[Megan Trainor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book came out at just the time when I needed a laugh: America’s election week. i listened to it on Audible and got such a kick out of it - it’s fun, interesting, and heartfelt. Sam and Graham like to poke fun at each other (and are both humble, good sports), but seem to have discovered some really important things about themselves, each other, and life in general. Their travels in the little RV are a hoot, and thanks to Graham’s interest in Scottish history, I learned quite a bit about a beautiful (and previously QUITE violent), amazing land. After re-listening to it, my initial impressions of a great “light read” have moved to seeing a real labor of love and self-discovery in a story told with humor and honesty. There’s a great deal more depth to the book than I initially understood, which is why I listen to my favorite books more than once; I love to discover new bits and the feeling baked into the tale that I missed the first time around.

I enjoyed hearing the life lessons these two have experienced thanks to this otherwise awful pandemic. My life has always been slower (and far less exciting) than theirs, but I know a few people who were living life at breakneck speed prior to the pandemic, just as these two seemed to be. It appears to be the only way to do it at the time, but being forced to slow down and contemplate what’s really important is such a blessing in disguise. This fun ride turned out to be not just a journey about discovering Scotland, but also discovering themselves. And that’s a special thing to witness.

I’m a big fan of the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon as well as the series that Sam and Graham are/were in on Starz for the same reason I loved this book-there’s greater depth than you might expect at first glance. These are two good guys it’s rather a privilege to get to know better through this read. (I recommend listening to the Audible version as the guys read it themselves; their repartee really adds to it.) I should add that I’m surprised this is a first book for these two- it’s really well done.

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, co-written by Sam Heughan & Graham McTavish, explores the ancient primitive Pagan past of Scotland, alliances and feuds between the different clans, the beginning of the Scottish Kings, Jacobite rebellions, and the very sobering battle of Culloden; this book is also about the adventures of Heughan and McTavish as they explore the beauty of Scottish highlands, the glory of whisky, Scottish sports, food, culture, the Gaelic language, and the filming of the popular Outlander series based off the books by Diana Gabaldon. This book has me even more excited about going on holiday to Scotland in September!
Parts of this book were quite funny as Heughan and McTavish constantly poke fun at each other. I was amused at the beginning chapter called "Taken for a Ride" when Sam Heughan changes a quote from J.R.R.Tolkien by saying, "It's dangerous business, Graham, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Sam Heughan on behalf of J.R.R.Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings.
When reading the last chapter "The Journey Ahead" I was also amused when I read the iconic quote from Monty Python's The Meaning of Life which says, "Try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." That film is hilarious.
I highly recommend this book!

[Jeffrey Caston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book. I sadly have no frame of reference for the Outlander series having not seen the show or read the books. (It's on my LOOOONG list though, to be sure). So there was a teensy bit missing (for me) in terms of context. But I still enjoyed it. In fact, I think this was one where the audio book was a way better experience than reading it off the page would have been.

The book is basically a narrated bromance masquerading as mutually directed barbs. Okay. I get it. I trade barbs and insults with my own friends. It can be funny. And by and large it was. It did, however, on occasion get a bit tiresome as I listened to it.

Were it really shined was the narration of events in Scottish history, particularly the Battle of Culloden. It really came alive.

You could tell both men were very proud of their heritage, even when they acknowledged that it had been historically difficult to be a highlander. I respected that a great deal.

Oh, and I am TOTALLY buying a bottle of scotch tomorrow.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An immensely hilarious book

I will buy anything related to Outlander and this is a profound book, along the lines of the Ewan McGregor/Charlie Boorman, Billy Connolly or Bill Bryson books.

But at the heart of this is the great friendship between Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish. The endless teasing and snide remarks will have you laughing within the first couple of pages and there was a point where I was laughing so hard, that I was crying. They just take the absolute pee out of each other constantly and other members of the Outlander cast as well. (Duncan Lacroix - Murtagh - being described as Outlander’s answer to Oliver Reed was genius.)

This book takes you through different parts of Scotland, via different modes of transport (not all of them Lady McTavish ended up in). Some places I was aware of (they walk on Culloden towards the end of the book) but others I wasn’t, and have definitely made me curious about some of the places they visited. They discuss various clan fights and many famous figures who also ended up between the pages of Outlander and on screen too. There are lots of anecdotes about Outlander itself and many more about each star’s acting career up until this, while not feeling too biographical. It does feel like they try to outdo themselves with name dropping quite frequently (Sylvester Stallone, Brian Blessed, Vin Diesel, Peter Jackson etc) but this may have been the camaraderie between the two.

But at the heart of this book, some of which was written during the lockdown/COVID situation that we are currently in the midst of, is a real reflection of their lives. Whether it’s being forced to slow down and not have multiple projects on the go at once, or spending more time with family/friends/children or drinking more, you feel that the two actors, like many others, will come out the other side of this changed.

A really excellent book, that has made me want to see more of my home country once all this craziness is over.

[Scottsdale Public Library]

Part history, part memoirs, and a whole lotta endearing banter! Seriously, these two nincompoops (I say that lovingly) are the best way to introduce Scotland to the masses.

Sam had the idea to travel around their homeland and visit the most iconic and a few alcoholic locales and to raise just a little hell… and Graham’s hackles.
Traveling with a small crew and an even smaller hippie van, these two describe the battle of Culloden, clan rivalries, and a bit of their own personal reminiscences.

The book is witty, informative, and so very amusing. Sam and Graham’s exchanges are my favorite, along with Graham’s, The Grievances of Graham list. However, listening to the audiobook will be an even better experience.
I want to listen to Sam and Graham again and again.
I think I will…
… after a wee dram.
Sláinte!
-Sara S.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Clanlands: Whisky, Warfare and a Scottish Adventure Like No Other”, by Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish is a combination of Scottish history (including the history of the country itself, the tartans/kilts, its clans and its whisky), with a little bit of comedy mixed in. Narrated completely by the stars themselves, Heughan and McTavish dictate their journey across the Scottish countryside in an attempt at learning about themselves, and the country they call home.

There is a little bit of behind-the-scenes “Outlander” stories throughout the novel (mostly about Duncan LaCroix—Murtagh—and his drunken exploits) , but if you are looking to this novel for a deeper look into the “Outlander” world, don’t. This novel is Graham and Sam (not Jamie and Dougal) , and their adventures through the highlands (although some of the places visited by our two narrators have been featured on “Outlander” many times) .

Graham and Sam are both starring in an upcoming television show, “Men in Kilts”, which will be broadcast by the Starz Network in February- “Clanlands” is the book version of this show. It is very history rich, and explores (in much detail) , the various feuds and wars that have plagued Scotland since its inception, mostly the feuding families and clashing clans that are so pertinent to its history.

It is interesting to learn about Heughan and McTavish as people (apart from their characters) , and their interactions with each other are by far the most entertaining part of the novel. The practical jokes played, and the kindly joking between the two had me literally laughing out loud in a few spots.

This novel is perfect for history buffs, especially those with an interest or connection to Scotland. Each chapter features both Sam and Graham as narrators, so you can experience each part of the road trip through the eyes of both participants. My interest and love of Scotland (and my family history therein) is what drew me to this book (and in fact, to the Outlander books and shows themselves) and those who share that connection will find what they are looking for. “Clanlands” is a historical examination of Scotland, through the eyes of two of its citizens, who narrate the story while they drink whisy and share witty banter.

[Jocelyn Leigh · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a 294-page promo for the newly-released Starz program, "Men in Kilts." Do not read it.

I say this as a fan of both the Diana Gabaldon series and the TV show itself - this book should never have been brought into existence. There was no substance. There were plenty of cringe-worthy rape jokes. The only historical or cultural fact that the "authors" seem to have gained revolved around the banning of Scottish garb (kilts, tartans, broadswords, dirks, weapons of any kind) following the Jacobites' defeat at Culloden...which they should have learned while filming Season 1-3 of the Outlander series. They trotted this same fact out towards the end of nearly every chapter. Och wheesht and get oan wae it!

For a series with an almost entirely female fan base, Sam & Graham managed to eliminate all women from the history of Scotland. I love Scotland, and Sam's easy enough on the eyes, but I cannot in good consciousness call this a "book." No stars for this Starz-sponsored advert parading as a novel.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend it. It is 10 hours long but very entertaining. The interaction between the authors/narrators was fun and their love for Scotland was obvious. It also included some very interesting history.

[Cody · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I have known Sam for a while now. I love him as a dear friend. I admire his work ethic, his passion for charity work, climbing, his enthusiasm, and his ability at lifting heavy things, but the key thing you have to understand about Sam is that he is a nine-year-old masquerading in adult clothes. I have no doubt whatsoever that if I hard agreed to climb into a kayak with him he would have done his very bets to tip me out of the kayak. Probably more than once. He wouldn't have been able to help himself, He would have seen it as his duty." (207) -Graham McTavish

"I admit, I have a childish obsession with tormenting Graham." - Sam Heughan

The charm and glory of Scotland come alive between two friends on a historical journey. Sam and Graham's book Clanlands is such a treasure to read whilst being both equally informative and hysterical. There were so many laugh out loud moments that fans of the show Outlander and general lovers of this wee country will really enjoy as these buddies tour famous and influential places in the Scottish Highlands, showcasing the waring Clans, whiskey tastings, breathtaking views and eccentric Scotsman and Scotswomen they come across.

The real highlight, however, is Sam and Graham's friendship. The banter is something to behold and Sam's frequent schemes to make Graham uneasy never get old. Examples include "Lady McTavish" as a moniker meant to speak to the great level of pamper Graham requires or that look of uneasiness he gets whenever Sam cracks his trademark boyish smile continue to delight the more they come up. Knowing a TV show based on these adventures is coming even greater adds to the pleasure of this adventure.

[Lita · Rating 5 out of 5]

A much-anticipated and much-awaited book for any fan of Outlander books and TV series! Imagine taking your bestie on a pretty unusual road trip across Scotland with all kinds of adventures... and trying to get on each other's nerves at every possibility... and then writing a book about it! That's basically what you get in Clanlands. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it but then again I'm totally biased and subjective on all Outlander-related literature. I laughed out loud more than once because the relationship between Graham and Sam was so relatable and genuine (the constant bickering really makes this book lighthearted and entertaining). But above all, the book is full of interesting insights into Scottish history and traditions and Sam's and Graham's life stories, especially their acting careers. We also get quite a lot of references to filming Outlander; therefore, I would say they really are playing into their audience. I honestly cannot wait to see their own series Men in Kilts. 

P.S. I have a feeling that Jack Kerouac is somehow stalking me this year (I don't think my review of his book was that bad...). Anyhow, he's been referenced in the introduction of the last two books I've read. I don't know what Herself was thinking but Clanlands was nothing like On the Road, in my humble and biased opinion. 

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been an Outlander fan for over 20 years and seen Diana Gabaldon speak 3 times so I was excited to read this book by two actors from the series including the handsome Sam Heughan who plays Jamie Fraser. They also made a TV series based on this book that will be on Starz starting in Feb. I think it will be better on TV than in book form.

The book and series is about the two actors traveling around Scotland in a variety of transportation including a camper, kayak, motorcycle with side car and bicycles. I think a visual will be better. Also, Scotland will be served better visually on TV rather than small pictures. The banter between the two actors gets a little tiresome. There are only so many times I need to hear that Graham McTavish drinks lattes and Heughan is a daredevil.

Still you can't get too much Jamie Fraser, I mean Sam Heughan. I enjoyed reading about their early acting careers. I liked hearing about how they got their roles. I found their visit to Culloden Battlefield very moving. The history of Scotland told by McTavish was quite interesting. I love the story of the Glencoe Massacre especially fascinating. I also loved the debate over Rob Roy's burial spot captivating.

Although an interesting book, I am excited to see the TV series. I think it will be even better if for no other reason than getting to look at Sam Heughan. Oops! Did I say that?

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not good. I was disappointed by the misogynistic tone of the whole thing. It’s a book meant to appeal to guys, in a lot of ways. And yet the vast majority of the people who will read it are women. Serious mismatch. It often came off as juvenile. It’s full of conceit trying to be cute. I like Heughan as Jamie but I don’t find him an inspirational person. He seems to still need to do some growing up.
In the end, I gave up on it. Even during the pandemic I’m not bored enough to suffer this. What a disappointment.

[Nasia Alexandrou · Rating 1 out of 5]

the title should be "an endless rant of stories from filming outlander, how we are alcoholics and sexist jokes from sam referring to graham as old woman and ladyship any time he didnt want to do something risky".

During my fascination with outlander i started reading about Scotland. I thought this book would offer something like that, sceneries and stories and history and art.

this book is just another effort to cash on outlander success.

the only positive outcome is the total demystification of Sam Heughan

TOTAL WASTE OF TIME

[Cathrine ☯️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿
Not to be missed if you're an Outlander fan or love all things Scot. Definitely go for the audio.
Sam & Graham really like each other, and have great chemistry. They were often so funny. I learned much about Scottish highlands and culture and now looking forward to their film series Men In Kilts.