Outlander must have carefully picked their filming locations as there are so many amazing places and sights which feature in every episode in every season. Here we have picked our top 10 film locations in Scotland based on seasons 1, 2 and 3. You don't have to have watched Outlander or read the books to appriciate these places either, as they are all magnificant in their own right!
And be aware there may be spoilers!
Also check out our season by season guides (linked below) to try avoid any spoilers!
Falkland
Falkland is a small town in Fife and was used to portray the city of Inverness in the 1940’s when Claire and Frank arrive there on their second honeymoon. They stay at Mrs Baird’s BnB which is the real-life Covenanter Hotel, as well as going in for a drink or a meal, you can also stay in one of the hotel rooms, including that rented by Frank and Claire. It also features in other episodes in season 2, meant to portray different locations. Falkland is a charming village, be sure to also visit Falkland Palace a Renaissance palace which is stunning inside and out- and featured in season 2 as the apothecary
Price: Free in village / Falkland Palace £13 **
Location: East Port, Falkland, Cupar KY15 7DA
Culross
The historic village of Culross makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time to the 17th and 18th centuries with its cobbled streets and rows of cottages. Culross doubles up as the village of Cranesmuir, where Geillis lives. The outside of her house can be seen from near Mercat Cross, where we see Geillis dragged out during the witch trial, and when we see a young boy pinned to a post in the village. The inside of Geillis’ house was filmed inside Culross Palace, while the garden behind Culross Palace stands in for Claire's herb garden at Castle Leoch. Also look out for Culross West Kirk which featured in the episode when Claire saves Tammas Baxter’s life in season 1.
Price: £10.50 **
Location: Blair Castle, Culross, Dunfermline KY12 8JH
Midhope Castle South Queensferry
Midhope Castle is a 16th century tower house. You can visit the outside of this castle, although the inside is now derelict and unsafe to enter. Midhope is better known as Lallybroch, or Broch Tuarach in Outlander- as Jamie Frasers ancestral home, we see Midhope in the first 3 seasons.
Price: £10 for small car permit and £40 for large car/ motor home
Location: Head to Hopetoun House for ticket and directions.
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle is known as the ‘second castle of Edinburgh’ and definitely one to visit. It is set on lush green grass and although now in ruins, you can climb up the various spiral staircases to see what the rooms would once have looked like, the views from the top of the castle are wonderful with views to the city of Edinburgh and Arthurs Seat. The castle was also once a refuge for Mary, Queen of Scots during the last years of her turbulent reign in the 1560s. In Outlander Craigmillar depicts Ardsmuir Prison in season 3.
Price: £6 *
Location: Craigmillar Castle Rd, Edinburgh EH16 4SY
Culloden Moor
Culloden Battlefield is where on 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head in one of the most harrowing battles in British history. Jacobite supporters, seeking to restore the Stuart monarchy to the British throne, gathered to fight the Duke of Cumberland’s government troops. It was the last pitched battle on British soil and, in less than an hour, around 1,600 men were slain – 1,500 of them Jacobite’s. The Culloden Battlefield visitor centre is very informative and laid out telling the story of the rebellion campaign from both the Jacobite and the Government (English) perspectives - on opposing walls. There is also an audio guide which takes you through the windswept moor and gives and in-depth perspective of what happened where. In season 3 we see Culloden from Jamie and the Jacobite’s perspective as well as Claire’s when she visits the site in later times.
Price: £11 **
Location: Culloden Inverness IV2 5EU
Blackness Castle, West Lothian
Blackness Castle on the banks of the Firth of Forth was built in 15th century and strengthened in the 16th century as an artillery fortress. In season 2 we see Brianna and Roger visit ‘Fort William’ where Brianna feels a chill in the air- thus being as we know from season 1 this was Black Jack Randall’s Fort William headquarters, where we saw Jamie at the hands of Jack Randall during his flogging.
Price: £6 *
Location: Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots and is a stunning place to visit, the palace stands in for the fictional Wentworth Prison in season 1.
Price: £7.20 *
Location: Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL
Doune Castle
The striking Doune castle plays a leading role in the show, playing the location of Castle Leoch, home to the MacKenzie clan. It also features in the 20th century episode when Claire and Frank visit the castle in ruins on a day trip. Take the audio guide as you wander around this royal castle with audio descriptions from Sam Heughan, look out for the kitchen, Great Hall and courtyard which all feature in season 1.
Price: £9 *
Location: Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry
Hopetoun House and its grounds featured in the first 3 seasons of Outlander. In season 1 as the Duke of Sandringham’s residence, in season 2 as Parisian streets and bedrooms in the Fraser’s Parisian apartment, and in season 3 represent the stables at Helswater, the main, front entrance of Hopetoun is also used briefly as the exterior of Ellesmere.
Price: £10.50 for House and Grounds / £4.75 Grounds only
Location: Queensferry, South Queensferry EH30 9RW
Finnich Glen/ Devils Pulpit
Located near Loch Lomond you will find Finnich Glen or as its better known- The Devil’s Pulpit, this location was used as St Ninian’s Spring, also known as Liar’s Spring. In season 1 when Dougal asks Claire to drink from the spring to see if she is a spy or not, when she does, he accepts that he should trust her.
Price: Free
Location: Stirling, Glasgow G63 9QJ google maps
* Historic Scotland
£90.90 for a joint membership- 12 months
£52.20 per adult- 12 months
Explorer pass 5 Day Explorer Pass £35 / 14 Day Explorer Pass £45
** National Trust for Scotland
£102 for a joint membership- 12 months
£60 per adult- 12 months
Prices correct as of August 2019
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