When we decide to go on a road trip through Scotland with the Isle of Skye as our final destination, we also plan to visit several locations where scenes from the series Outlander were filmed. Since we’re in the area anyway… And as fans of the popular STARZ series, it’s only fitting to see a few filming spots in real life. In this article, you’ll find an overview of these Outlander filming locations in Scotland.
Read this article in DutchWhat is Outlander about?
Outlander follows the story of Englishwoman Claire Randall. Shortly after the end of World War II, during which she served as a nurse in the British army, Claire travels through Scotland with her husband Frank on a second honeymoon. Frank is a historian and together they take a particular interest in Scotland’s rich history.
During a visit to the standing stones of Craigh na Dun, Claire is mysteriously transported back in time to the year 1743. A Scottish warrior rescues her from the clutches of Jonathan Randall, better known as Black Jack Randall. Jack turns out to be an ancestor of her husband Frank (and an uncanny lookalike), but he has far darker intentions. To escape his grasp, Claire marries the Scottish Highlander Jamie Fraser.
Claire and Jamie form a deep bond. As they struggle to survive in the turbulent world of the 18th century, they become entangled in political intrigue and dangerous events. Claire’s knowledge of the future occasionally helps her prevent disasters, but she also learns how difficult it is to change the course of history.
I could go on and on about what happens next, but to avoid spoilers, I’ll leave it at that. Seven seasons of the series have aired so far and I can say this: Outlander keeps surprising you!
Where are all the Outlander filming locations?
As I start looking for various Outlander filming locations, I’m surprised to discover that many of them are actually located near Edinburgh and not in the remote Highlands, as you might expect. That’s also why many Outlander tours are organized from Edinburgh: you can visit four or five locations in a single day. During our trip, we see quite a few of these tour vans on the road. At several locations, we hear that tourism has grown significantly since the first season was filmed.
We fly into Edinburgh, pick up our rental car and we head toward our first stop. For our first night, we stay at the Hopetoun Estate, where scenes were filmed in two different locations: Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) and Hopetoun House. We sleep at Parkhead House B&B, located near Lallybroch, an absolutely lovely place to stay.
Combining Outlander filming locations with other Scottish highlights
Want to see more of Scotland than just Outlander filming locations? Consider spending a few days exploring the Isle of Skye. Edinburgh is a city you really shouldn’t miss when visiting Scotland; here are over 20 must-see sights in Edinburgh. Not sure how to explore the Highlands from Edinburgh and nearby areas? These day trips to the Scottish Highlands might come in handy.
Midhope Castle as “Lallybroch” or “Broch Tuarach”
In Outlander, Midhope Castle serves as Lallybroch (also known as Broch Tuarach), the Fraser family estate. After the death of his father, Jamie inherits the small estate, which includes the village of Broch Mordha.
Midhope Castle is located on the Hopetoun Estate, a private property in South Queensferry. It is about a 20-minute drive from Edinburgh Airport. You can visit Midhope Castle by car, but you’ll need to purchase a parking permit at the Hopetoun Farm Shop near the entrance of the estate.
Since the castle is situated on farmland, there are certain days or periods during the year when visiting is not possible due to agricultural activities. We stay at Parkhead House B&B on the estate itself, so we are able to walk there. It’s a great way to enjoy the surrounding scenery.
Preston Mill
One scene that many women might feel tempted to rewind is the one where Jamie hides (naked) in the water to escape the redcoats. This scene was filmed at Preston Mill, a watermill located in the village of East Linton. Inside the mill, there is an exhibition space that was transformed into a courtroom. In season 1, this is where Geillis and Claire were put on trial during the witch trial.
Hopetoun House as the “Residence of the Duke of Sandringham”
Also located on the Hopetoun Estate is Hopetoun House, a stunning stately home used for several scenes in the series. Various rooms in the house serve as the residence of the Duke of Sandringham.
Some of the small streets behind the house were used as the streets of Paris and part of Jamie and Claire’s Paris apartment was filmed inside the house as well. The stables also appear in season 3, where they represent the stables of Helwater. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see the house. We plan to walk by, but it’s pouring rain and we also want to visit Culross and West Kirk that same day.
Drummond Castle gardens as “Versailles”
The beautiful gardens of Drummond Castle were used as the setting for the gardens of Versailles in season 2 of Outlander. The castle itself is not open to the public, but you could easily spend hours exploring the gardens. Even the 1.6-kilometre-long driveway will keep you busy for a while.
West Kirk as “Black Kirk”
West Kirk is located just outside the centre of Culross and dates back to the 1500s. It’s completely in ruins, overgrown with ivy and moss. The gravestones are leaning or have toppled over. On a gloomy, windy day, the place feels truly eerie. A perfect location to serve as Black Kirk, a place believed to be a gathering spot for demons. In Outlander, Black Kirk is where boys go to prove their bravery, but many return gravely ill. Everyone thinks it’s the work of demons, but Claire discovers that lily of the valley is the real culprit. The boys mistake the plant for wild garlic and eat the leaves, not knowing how poisonous they are.
Glencorse House & Kirk as the ”wedding location of Jamie and Claire”
Glencorse House and Old Kirk definitely deserve a mention, as this is the place where Jamie and Claire get married in the series. Any fan who has watched that scene more than once will instantly recognize the church. The 17th-century kirk is located in Milton Bridge and is privately owned. It now serves as a residence, so this filming location is not freely accessible. However, if you contact the owner in advance, it is possible to visit the church by appointment. You can find more information on the Glencorse House website.
Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway
In Bo’ness you’ll find the Scottish heritage site Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway. For the series Outlander, this location was transformed into an English train station from the World War II era. It’s here that Claire and Frank say goodbye to each other. Next to Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway is the Museum of Scottish Railways, which is definitely worth a visit if you’re interested in trains or railways. Another great idea is to hop aboard a vintage steam train that runs between Bo’ness and Manuel Station. It’s especially fun if you’re visiting Scotland with children.
Culross as “Cranesmuir”
Walking through Culross feels like stepping back into the 17th and 18th centuries. You’ll find rows of historic houses and cobbled streets that add to the timeless atmosphere. In Outlander, Mercat Cross in the centre of Culross serves as the village of Cranesmuir, where Geillis lives. The square is instantly recognisable thanks to the monument in the middle, where Claire pretended to faint while Jamie rescued a boy who had been nailed by his ear to a post.
Culross Palace
The strikingly yellow Culross Palace was built around 1600 and is owned by the National Trust for Scotland. It has been used multiple times as a filming location for Outlander. For example, the kitchen appears as a tavern and the Withdrawing Room serves as Geillis’s salon.
Claire pulls a tooth in the courtyard and Murtagh waits there for Jamie while he meets with Prince Charlie. The oath Jamie swears to Prince Charlie takes place in the palace hall and the royal chamber is shown as Claire and Jamie’s lodging while travelling. Behind Culross Palace lies a beautiful garden, which in the series serves as Claire’s herb garden at Castle Leoch.
Culross itself is a lovely village to wander through. One house is even older than the next—it feels almost like a doll’s village. Narrow stairways run between the houses, leading up to a viewpoint where you can enjoy a great view over the palace garden.
Blackness Castle as “Fort William”
Blackness Castle appears several times in season 1 of Outlander. This 15th-century fortress sits on the shores of the Firth of Forth and serves as Fort William, the headquarters of Jack Randall. The castle’s courtyard is featured in the scenes where Jamie is whipped by Randall and it is also where Jamie is later held captive. Blackness Castle has a dramatic location right by the water. You’ll instantly recognise the wall Jamie climbs at night using a rope to rescue Claire from Jack Randall. It’s a beautiful and atmospheric place to visit.
Linlithgow Palace as “Wentworth Prison”
Linlithgow Palace appears in season 3 of Outlander as Wentworth Prison, where Jamie is held for several years. The palace is also of interest to fans of the Stuarts: Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, was born here. When she was just seven months old, her mother took her to Stirling Castle and not long after, she was sent to the French court to grow up. Twenty years later, she returned to Linlithgow Palace.
Linlithgow is easy to reach by train from Edinburgh, it takes only about 20 minutes. It’s a great idea to combine a visit to the palace with a city trip to Edinburgh.
Falkland as “Inverness”
Inverness is where it all begins in Outlander, when Claire and her husband Frank are on their honeymoon. But in reality, Inverness wasn’t used as a filming location. Instead, the picturesque village of Falkland in Fife took its place. Like Culross, Falkland is full of beautiful, historic houses and charming little streets. Each one feels more idyllic than the last.
According to locals, filming brings quite a transformation. Buildings are repainted, window frames replaced and entire shopfronts are turned into authentic 1940s sets. I always assumed most of the look was created in post-production, but that’s not true. I saw photos showing that even the lions on the fountain in the middle of the square were painted grey. Campbell’s tearoom originally had a different name. After the shopfront was redesigned for Outlander, the owners chose to keep the look and continue using the name. A fun detail for fans.
You’ll instantly recognise the B&B where Claire and Frank stayed. In real life, it’s called The Covenanter Hotel and yes, you can actually stay there. Even in the room where Claire stood by the window brushing her hair while Jamie watched her from beside the fountain. That is, if you’re quick enough to book it, since it’s very popular among Outlander fans. If it’s already taken, no worries, Falkland has plenty of other charming places to spend the night.
Bakehouse Close as “Alexander Malcolm’s print shop”
A lovely spot to visit in Edinburgh is Bakehouse Close. In the series, this narrow street is home to Jamie’s print shop, officially known as Alexander Malcolm’s print shop. You will immediately recognise the staircase. The wooden canopy with the shop’s sign that appears in the series is no longer there, so you’ll have to imagine it as you visit.
Loch Katrine
In the series, Roger and Brianna drive past the stunning Loch Katrine after their meeting in Inverness and get to know each other better during the car ride. The spot where they step out of the car and look out over the water was filmed along the shores of this beautiful loch.
The Devil’s Pulpit
Hidden in Glen Finnich lies The Devil’s Pulpit, a spot that can be a little tricky to find. The gorge, where Dougal tells Claire she must marry Jamie to stay out of Jack Randall’s hands, is located on private land but is open to visitors. Finding the staircase down can be a bit of a challenge and once you do, it takes some courage to descend. Some steps are missing, others have sunk and it can be extremely slippery because of mud and moss. But once you reach the bottom, the scenery is absolutely stunning.
Doune Castle as “Castle Leoch”
Doune Castle is located a bit further from Edinburgh, about an hour’s drive from the airport. In Outlander, the castle serves as Castle Leoch. Several episodes in season 1 take place in and around the castle, which is the home of Colum MacKenzie and his clan. Unfortunately, during our visit, the castle is largely covered in scaffolding as it undergoes much-needed renovations due to the sharp increase in visitors. Since the start of the series, the number of people visiting the castle has doubled.
Glen Coe
The stunning Glen Coe appears in every episode of Outlander during the opening credits. It is also featured in the very first scene of episode one, where Claire begins to tell her story. It’s hard to put into words what makes Glen Coe so special. It doesn’t look like Austria, Switzerland, or Canada. It’s different, but in a way that’s hard to describe. One thing is certain: this valley leaves a lasting impression on everyone, whether the weather is sunny, cloudy, rainy, or windy. It is breathtakingly beautiful.
Aberdour Castle as the “Abbey of Father Anselm”
Aberdour Castle appears in Outlander as the abbey where Father Anselm takes care of Jamie after he is rescued from the hands of Black Jack Randall by Claire and the men. Filming took place around the grounds, inside several rooms and in the corridors. Aberdour Castle is one of the oldest stone-built castles in Scotland. You can find more information about this beautiful estate on the official Aberdour Castle website.
Dunalastair Reservoir as “Craigh na Dun”
One of the most iconic and memorable locations from Outlander is Craigh na Dun, the place with the standing stones that send Claire 200 years back in time. In reality, the stones are not there. Instead, you’ll find covered molds in the ground where the replica stones are placed whenever filming takes place. The hill with its cluster of tall trees is instantly recognisable. It is located on private land south of Dunalastair Reservoir, near Kinloch Rannoch, in a section of Tay Forest Park. The area is accessible as long as you do not disturb the grazing sheep. From the hill, you have a stunning view over Dunalastair Reservoir and the surrounding landscape.
Clava Cairns
Many people who book an Outlander tour end up feeling slightly disappointed when it comes to the stones. They expect to visit the hill where the famous stones from the series stand (as seen in the photo below), but in reality, the tours often take them to the Clava Cairns near Inverness. The Clava Cairns are the remains of burial sites dating back to the early Bronze Age. They mostly consist of large collections of stones grouped together, surrounded by several separate standing stones.
Druim an Aird as “Pattack Falls”
A truly beautiful natural spot that we happen to come across and immediately recognise from the series is Druim an Aird, also known as Pattack Falls. It’s a stunning long stretch of rapids ending in a wide, low waterfall. In the series, you only see this location briefly, but I recognise it instantly because of its distinctive colours. The rapids are located in Cairngorms National Park and you can enjoy a lovely 4.5-kilometre hike along the river upstream. There is a parking area nearby and several great viewpoints to take in the scenery.
Glasgow Cathedral as “L’Hopital des Anges”
The crypt of Glasgow Cathedral appears in Outlander as L’Hopital des Anges, where Claire works as a nurse alongside Mother Hildegarde and the nuns of the Couvent des Anges. This is also the place where Claire gives birth to Faith, which is considered one of the most emotional and powerful scenes of the entire series.
Glasgow University as “Harvard University”
In season 3, we see Claire walking with Brianna through the cloisters of Glasgow University, which in the series represent Harvard University. It is a stunning setting that invites you to see the cloisters in person and experience their beautiful atmosphere for yourself.
Glasgow City Chambers
On John Street, you’ll find the Glasgow City Chambers. The beautiful archway here is featured in season 1, in the scene where Frank spontaneously proposes to Claire. Right after, they rush into a building to get married.
Dysart Harbour as “Le Havre”
At the beginning of season 2, Claire and Jamie arrive in Le Havre. The picturesque Scottish harbour of Dysart Harbour was used as the filming location for these scenes. The harbour is not far from Edinburgh, making it an easy stop when you’re on a road trip visiting various Outlander filming locations. For centuries, Dysart Harbour was a bustling port where a great deal of trade took place with other European countries.
Highland Folk Museum
Another location where Outlander scenes were filmed is the Highland Folk Museum. Like Pattack Falls, this museum is located in Cairngorms National Park. The distance between the waterfalls and the museum is only about 21 kilometres, which makes it easy to visit both in one trip.
Culloden Moor as “Culloden Battlefield”
Culloden Moor, also known as Culloden Battlefield, is an incredibly moving place to visit. It is not only significant because of its role in the series but also because of the real history that unfolded here. You can explore the outdoor area for free (just don’t forget to pay for parking), but a visit to the visitor centre is highly recommended. Here, you can learn everything about the Jacobite Rising, the Battle of Culloden itself and what happened in the aftermath. Start with the indoor exhibits at the visitor centre and then walk across the battlefield to see the memorial stones. You can truly feel the weight of history here from head to toe.
Tay Forest Park as “North Carolina wilderness”
The area of Tay Forest Park behind Dunkeld House Hotel served as a major filming location for season 4. In the series, Claire and Jamie are in the wilderness of North Carolina. The similarities between Tay Forest Park and the forests of North Carolina are striking, making it an ideal spot for filming several scenes. One of the sequences filmed here is when Roger is sold to the Mohawk and Claire, Jamie and Young Ian set out to find him.
How much time do you need to visit Outlander filming locations?
You can visit many Outlander filming locations in a relatively short amount of time. Of course, it all depends on how long you want to spend at each place. Do you want to explore every castle from the inside, or are you happy just seeing them from the outside? Are you planning on doing longer hikes, or would you rather hop out of the car, take a few photos and move on to the next location?
Many filming locations near Edinburgh can easily be visited in a single day. These include Doune Castle, Blackness Castle, Falkland, Culross, Linlithgow Palace, Midhope Castle and Hopetoun House. If you also want to see the Devil’s Pulpit, Glen Coe, Culloden Moor and Craigh na Dun, you’ll need more time. In that case, a three-day road trip is a great option to cover all the places mentioned in this article.
However, there are many more filming locations beyond the ones listed here. In total, there are around 36 known Outlander filming locations, which makes it impossible to visit them all in a single week. It’s best to make a selection based on your preferences. Which locations are must-sees for you? Which ones happen to be on your route and which are worth a detour?
For a complete map with all Outlander filming locations, check out the Visit Scotland website.
Visiting Outlander filming locations from Edinburgh
Since many filming locations are situated near Edinburgh, the city makes for a perfect base when exploring the world of Outlander. Staying in Edinburgh gives you easy access to numerous iconic spots, allowing you to plan beautiful day trips to see the places where the series was filmed. By staying in Edinburgh, you get the best of both worlds: the charm and history of Scotland’s capital and the perfect starting point to discover the stunning landscapes and historic sites that brought Outlander to life.
Guided Outlander tour
Don’t feel like finding all these locations on your own? Then consider booking an Outlander tour. At the moment, there are plenty of different providers offering a wide range of options. Some tours focus on visiting a single location, while others take you on a full-day journey to several filming spots. It’s an easy and relaxing way to explore the world of Outlander. Just hop on, sit back and enjoy the ride without worrying about time or planning your route.
