Outlander Guide To Scotland, Filming Locations

You can find many Outlander film locations throughout Scotland. Learn where you can visit the inspirational sights that were used in the Outlander books and show. In this guide, I will show you a few of my favorites from season 1!  So, at last, here is the best Outlander Guide to Scotland!

Falkland – Mrs. Baird’s Bed and Breakfast in Inverness, season 1 episode 1

Falkland was used as the film location for Inverness. In the first episode, Claire and Frank are enjoying their second honeymoon. They relax in Mrs. Baird’s Bed and Breakfast and do some window shopping throughout the town. Be sure to grab that famous photo of the Highlander watching Claire in the window.

Culross – Crainsmuir, A fictional village in season 1 episode 3

Right outside Edinburgh is the quaint town of Culross. You will feel as if you have been transported back in time as you explore the narrow cobblestone streets and the Culross Palace. Plus the houses and buildings are still in their 1600s form, thanks to the National Trust for Scotland.

Culross was used as a filming location for the fictional village of Crainsmuir. Crainsmuir is where Claire visits her friend Geillis and where the boy gets his ear nailed into the post.

Highland Folk Museum – MacKenzie village season 1 episode 5

This was the set used for one of the villages Claire, Dougal, and the MacKenzie clan stopped at to collect rent.

This is an open-air museum, so visit when the weather is nice (closed during winter months). The museum will show you how the Scottish Highlanders lived and worked back in the 1700s! There are about 6 featured houses that are open for you to explore as well as live reenactors that will answer any questions you have!

Doune Castle – Fictional Castle Leoch season 1, episode 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, and 10

Doune Castle is northwest of Edinburgh and is the sight for many different movie sets, including Outlander, the Outlaw King, Monty Python, and the Holy Grail. Of course, it was used in Outlander as the fictional Castle Leoch, home of Colum MacKenzie.

◾General Admission: 6 euros.

◾Opening times: Opens daily at 9:30 am. (Last entry at 4 or 5 pm depending on the time of year you go).

Blackness Castle – Fictional Fort William season 1 episode 6, 8, 9, and 12

Another great location to check out for Outlander fans is Blackness Castle! Also, known as the ship that never sailed. Due to its triangular shape, it is similar looking to a ship’s sail. It is only about a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh. Outlander fans will recognize this location as the infamous ‘Fort William’ where Jamie was held prisoner (and the heartbreaking whipping scene).

Midhope Castle – Lallybroch, Scotland home of Jamie and Claire Fraser season 1 episode 2, 12, 13, and 14

Midhope Castle is the outdoor set for Lallybroch! It is such a cool sight to see and has so much history behind it. You can no longer go inside the castle, but it is such a beautiful property to visit! Be respectful too, there is a private property close to the castle.

There is no public transportation that will take you close to the castle, so we took a cab. (It was around 40 euros round trip from Edinburgh). This was a bit pricey, but the cap driver was so kind, and he even stopped the meter and waited the whole time we were exploring!

Another great way to see Midhope (and other exciting Outlander sights) is to take an Outlander tour! The tour company we used was Rabbies and we loved every second of it!

Midhope Castle – Hiding place of the Donn Bonnet season 3, episode 2

Head down the path through the trees, right next to the Midhope Castle welcome center. You will come across a street and a huge boulder to your left. This is where they filmed the scene where Jamie was hiding in a cave from the Redcoats in season 3!

Linlithgow Castle – Fictional Wentworth Prison season 1 episode 15 and 16

Close to Edinburgh is Linlithgow Palace. We only saw this castle from afar, but it is so beautiful! There are paths to walk around the castles and a gorgeous lake for perfect photo ops. Hard to believe this was the filming location for Wentworth Prison in Outlander – the infamous prison where Jamie is held by Blackjack Randell and gives himself up for Claire.

◾General Admission: 6 euros.

◾Opening times: Opens daily at 9:30 am. (Last entry at 4 or 5 pm depending on the time of year you go).

Culloden Battlefield

Near Inverness, is one of Scotland’s most famous sites. The Battle of Culloden was a turning point in Scottish history. After a long and hard-fought rebellion, the Battle of Culloden marked the defeat of the Jacobites. It marked the end of the clan system, the end of the Highland culture, and even the ban on the Gaelic language.

Although they did not film on the battleground itself, this is where Jamie and Claire said their tearful goodbyes, and Jamie fought against the Redcoats.

Castle Leod

Castle Leod has been the home to the Clan Mackenzie Chieftains for over 500 years! This would have been the home to the fictional character Colum Mackenzie in the book, Outlander.

You travel down a single road to get here, it is a residential area, so please be respectful. You cannot park all the way up to the front of the house, as there is a barricade that will prevent you. On the castle grounds, there is an awesome tree walk you can explore (free to walk through). There were so many unique trees! We found a tree that dates to the 1500s!

Clava Cairns

Throughout the British Isles, there are many ‘standing stones’ (e.g. Stonehenge). The Clava Cairns have standing stones as well as massive tombs, or cairns. This place is full of mystery and speculation as to why they are there. Clava Cairns is where Diana Gabaldon got her inspiration for the Craigh Na Dun standing stones. Although the filming location for Craigh Na Dun was in a different place, it was still cool to see these mysterious stones! Go early! The parking lot is small and fills up quickly. And you want to get those photos before the tour buses show up.

Thank you for reading!

If you have any specific questions, do not hesitate to comment down below! Or you can email us!

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