True Stories Of Outlander Filming Locations

The beauty of Scotland makes it an incredible place for Film & TV and if there’s one show that’s done wonders for Scottish tourism then it’s Outlander. Thousands of viewers have been inspired to visit Scotland, some purely to tour around the Outlander filming locations! There are plenty of places to keep fans busy. Even when Jamie & Claire are exploring France or America, in reality they’re often still somewhere here in Scotland.

Over the seasons the crew have racked up dozens of iconic Scottish landmarks in their portrayal of the 18th century. Many of these places have their own stories outside of the TV screen, a fascinating history worth exploring. If you’re going to follow in the character’s footsteps, then make sure you learn some true stories of Outlander filming locations!

Many places that feature in Outlander are inconspicuous or unrecognisable, so I’m only covering 10 of the biggest. I’ve focused on those that featured heavily in Outlander and that you’ll definitely recognise while visiting!

Lallybroch – Midhope Castle

The first of the Outlander filming locations is probably the most iconic – Lallybroch, the home of Jamie Fraser. Standing in for Lallybroch is the real life Midhope Castle, just outside of Edinburgh. It’s part of the Hopetoun estate and visitors can pay a small fee to wander around the outside. Unfortunately it’s ruined internally so you can’t go rummaging through Jamie’s drawers!

Midhope Castle goes back to at least the 15th century when the tower was owned by John Martyne, Laird of Medhope. Remodelled by Alexander Drummond around 100 years later, his initials are carved above the famous arch with the date 1587. Soon after, a new up and coming family moved in, led by Sir John Hope of Hopetoun.

He wasn’t an aristocratic landowner, but a shrewd lawyer and industrialist. Sadly, John didn’t enjoy Midhope Castle for long, he was aboard the HMS Gloucester when the ship hit a sandbank and sank. Sitting safely in a rescue boat, John willingly gave up his space to save the Duke of York. The heroic John drowned, but when the Duke became King James VII, he made his saviour’s son the 1st Earl of Hopetoun.

As quaint and pretty as Midhope Castle is, it was no place for an Earl to live. The Hopes moved into their new mansion Hopetoun House and Midhope became accommodation for farm workers. At one point 53 people shared the castle and buildings around it. There’s no doubt that if Midhope hadn’t become Lallybroch, few people would have heard about this little place. One of the many benefits of being an Outlander filming location!

Ardsmuir Prison -Craigmillar Castle

Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie along with several other Jacobites were held after Culloden is an entirely fictional place. Its corresponding Outlander filming location is the very real Craigmillar Castle, often called Edinburgh’s “other” castle and very worth visiting!

Constructed in the early 15^th century by the Preston family, Craigmillar became a convenient escape for the Scottish monarchy. James III kept political prisoners there and James V used it to avoid an outbreak of plague in Edinburgh. However, if there’s one person Craigmillar is most associated with, it’s Mary Queen of Scots.

In November 1566, the Queen recovered here after one of the most eventful and dramatic periods of her life. Earlier in the year, her secretary David Rizzio was murdered before her eyes by a group of rebellious nobles, led by her husband Darnley.

Mary then gave birth to James VI, falling gravely ill and making her way to the safety of Craigmillar Castle. While she lay recovering upstairs, her most loyal nobles gathered in the castle’s hall, agreeing that something must be done about Darnley. With or without Mary’s knowledge, a scheme was hatched there that would become known as the Craigmillar Bond.

Three months later, the Queen’s husband was suffering from his own illness at Kirk o Field in Edinburgh. In the middle of the night, an enormous explosion reduced the building to rubble and Darnley’s body was discovered in the garden. Not killed by the blast, but strangled and half naked as if trying to flee into the night.

Castle Leoch – Doune Castle

Another large castle that’s instantly recognisable is Castle Leoch, otherwise known as Doune Castle. It’s not just an Outlander filming location, it also appears in Game of Thrones and Monty Python. It’s much more than just a film set though!

There’s a real no nonsense feel about Doune Castle, a little like Clan Mackenzie in the TV show. It’s big, it’s strong and even the name is blunt, simply meaning “Fort”. This sense of quiet power perfectly sums up it’s most famous inhabitant, Robert Stewart the Duke of Albany.

Albany was younger brother to the very weak King Robert III, essentially ruling Scotland for over 30 years in his place. He’s a controversial figure, cunning and ruthless in his pursuit of absolute power. This real life villain got away with all of his scheming, supported by Scotland’s nobles right to the very end.

Doune Castle was his primary seat, but Robert’s son King James I would take his revenge on Albany’s son Murdoch. The entire family were executed and Doune went from possibly the most important castle in Scotland to a country retreat. Gifted to three consecutive Queens on their coronations, it became steadily less important as the years went on.

The benefit of that was the castle wasn’t changed or updated to match new fashions like so many others. That makes it a remarkably authentic medieval castle, restored in the 19th century and perfect for the big screen!

1940’s Inverness – Falkland

From the busy central belt, we’re heading into Fife which boasts several Outlander filming locations. First of all, the quaint little village of Falkland stood in for 1940’s Inverness. It’s a beautiful place with more than meets the eye, including great woodland walks and the looming Lomond Hills high above.

Just out of shot from the main square featured in Outlander, you can’t miss the impressive gates to Falkland Palace. Back when this was a much more modest castle, it was another seat of power for the devious Duke of Albany.

Albany only faced one direct challenge to his unrivalled control and Falkland sits right at the heart of the drama. The King’s eldest son David came of age in 1399, being granted the new title Duke of Rothesay and proving himself a much tougher figure than his father. As heir to the throne, he was appointed as the new Lieutenant of Scotland.

Of course, Albany wasn’t pleased, but he was forced to bide his time. Three years later, the unhappy uncle was ready to strike and did so in a typically ruthless manner. The prince was ambushed and arrested on while travelling through Fife to St Andrews.

Dragged to Falkland, hooded and riding backwards on a mule, the royal prisoner was thrown in the dungeon. Abandoned like a common criminal, David the Duke of Rothesay was found dead in his cell just a few weeks later.

Albany pled innocence, claiming it as an unavoidable tragedy, the poor prince dying of natural causes. However, it was strongly suspected that the heir to Scotland’s throne had been starved to death by his own uncle. With David out of the way, there was nobody left powerful enough to challenge Albany’s story!

Cranesmuir Village – Culross

Walking around Culross in Fife is just like walking into a TV set. It’s the most authentic 17th century village left in Scotland and the obvious location for Outlander to film Cranesmuir. You can see Geillis Duncan’s House along with the Mercat Cross where an unfortunate child had his ear nailed. Wander down the cobbled streets to Culross Palace and discover the “Claire’s Herb Garden” transported from Castle Leoch.

The building known as the Palace had nothing to do with royalty, actually owned by wealthy businessman Sir George Bruce. His ingenious technique for extracting coal from beneath the Forth was the reason that Culross grew into what we see today. Prosperity filled the small village and by the time George passed away, it was booming.

Soon after, industry began to decline and the fortunes of Culross along with it. By the early 20th century, it was little more than a slum, not even worth improving the roads with tarmac or making way for more modern housing. That harsh decision is our benefit, leaving the village looking almost exactly as it did 300 years ago.

In front of Culross Palace you’ll spot a Chilean flag flying over the bust of Admiral Thomas Cochrane. A daring sea captain who grew up here, he was the inspiration for fictional characters like Horatio Hornblower. Leaving Britain after trumped up charges, he put his skills to better use helping win independence for Chile and Brazil!

Don’t leave the village without heading up the hill to Culross Abbey. It’s not one of the Outlander filming locations, but still a beautiful ruin to explore.

Le Havre Harbour – Dysart

When Jamie, Claire & Murtagh arrive in France, they land at Le Havre and immediately get into trouble. In reality, they’ve sailed into Dysart Harbour in Fife and this is an Outlander location with a personal connection. My Dad just happens to be Commodore of the Dysart sailing club!

Once a small but busy trading port, ships from Dysart regularly sailed back and forward between the Low Countries. Salt was panned and coal was dug here, shipped across the sea with distinctive orange tiles coming back on the return voyage. You can still see them on the roofs of the restored buildings!

St Serf’s Tower behind Pan Ha’ looks like a medieval towerhouse but the name should give us a clue. This is the remains of a church dedicated to St Serf with a cave in the grounds where he supposedly slept around 1500 years ago. The church tower was extended in the mid 16th century into something a little more defensive.

There’s an American connection here, an 18th century Dysart minister’s son was John Pitcairn, a Major in the Royal Marines. Pitcairn led the Marines at Lexington, doing his best to avoid any bloodshed. Of course he failed and the first shots of the American Revolution were subsequently fired. He was later killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill.

By the 20th century, Dysart was no longer a commercial port and was badly silted by the now closed coal-pit. The future looked bleak and there were plans to fill the entire thing in! Thankfully, the formation of the sailing club saved it otherwise Outlander would have struggled for an appropriate harbour. Today, you’ll spot a vibrant fishing community catching plenty of mackerel before checking their creels for lobster!

Fort William – Blackness Castle

Fort William is an incredibly important place in both the Outlander story and real Scottish history. Built at an important junction in the Highlands, it was a despised symbol of oppression. Since there’s little of the real Fort left, Blackness Castle stepped in to play the part of this Outlander location.

Known as the Ship That Never Sailed, Blackness juts out into the Forth like a pointed prow. It’s been an important stronghold for Scottish monarchs ever since it was built in the 15th century. When rivers were the easiest way to travel, Blackness was essentially built on a highway. Halfway between the royal centres of Stirling and Edinburgh, it also had Linlithgow Palace very close by.

Unfortunately it never really lived up to the fancy house that it was intended to be. Instead, Blackness spent most of it’s years as a state prison, army barracks and ammunition depot.

The central tower was the prison for fancier “guests” like Cardinal Beaton, while the north tower by the sea had a special pit for less fortunate souls. Twice a day, while the tide was high, their cell would slowly begin to fill with seawater.

The defences were extended and improved over the years and Henry VIII was even told to avoid the impregnable Blackness. However, by the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 1650s, these medieval castles were outdated. His more modern artillery simply blew a hole straight through the tower wall!

Blackness is a spartan looking place, rocks look like they’re bursting through the floor of the courtyard. It lives up to it’s dark sounding name, no wonder it’s become a filming location for more than just Outlander. Keep your eyes open during films like Mary Queen of Scots and Doomsday, you can’t miss it!

Wentworth Prison – Linlithgow Palace

Of all the places used as Outlander filming locations, the infamous Wentworth Prison has to be the furthest from the building’s true story. Linlithgow Palace was once the luxurious playground of Scottish royalty, although it’s fallen on hard times.

It’s best known as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, but there’s another Queen who might even still be here. Linlithgow was a favourite of James IV who gifted it to Margaret Tudor as a wedding present. It continued to hold a special place for the couple and even though they were from constantly warring families, they seemed genuinely in love.

James IV is considered one of the greatest Stewart Kings but his story was cut short, dying at The Battle of Flodden. Margaret remained at Linlithgow, watching from the highest tower every day for her husband’s return. Her spirit is said to still be there, silently watching and waiting for a homecoming that will never happen.

You can still climb what is now known as Queen Margaret’s Bower and see the spectacular view. If you hear the rustle of silk skirts around you then it might be time to climb down.

Versaille Gardens – Drummond Castle Gardens

Even the lavish French gardens of Outlander were filmed in Scotland, with Drummond Castle Gardens becoming Versaille Palace. It’s a very formal, laid out design fit for a French King and amongst the best in the country. You might actually recognise this Outlander filming location from another historical drama too – Rob Roy!

Drummond Castle dates from the late 15th century and may have been another place popular with James IV. The gardens didn’t exist until the 17th century, but the attraction for the King was the owner’s daughter Margaret Drummond! She was his mistress from before his Tudor wife, some think they may even have been secretly married! However, in 1501 Margaret died along with her two sisters, many believe she was poisoned to make way for the King’s political match…

By the time of the Jacobite risings, when Outlander is set, the Drummonds had been elevated to Dukes of Perth. They threw their considerable support behind Bonnie Prince Charlie and suffered because of it. A few years after the 1745 rising, the estate was considered forfeit until Captain James Drummond was able to buy it back.

It was his descendants who restored the castle to what we see today and still live there. Unfortunately, Drummond Castle itself isn’t open to the public, so you’ll need to make do with the gardens.

Craig na Dun – Calanais Standing Stones

Seems strange that I’ve left what might be the Outlander filming location most integral to the story until last. Well that’s because the stone circle on a wooded mound at Craigh na Dun doesn’t actually exist. You can visit the little hill near Kinloch Rannoch, but don’t expect to find any standing stones.

Those used in Outlander were actually copies made from cast of the Calanais stones on the Isle of Lewis. This is a place I would highly recommend visiting if you have time, there are plenty of stories to explore. Most are rooted in folklore, like the mysterious Shining One who walks amongst the stones every Midsummer morning.

My favourite legend is that a white cow once appeared from the sea to save the locals from a famine. That coo produced the richest, most nourishing milk imaginable, promising to fill everybody’s bucket once per day. The witch who had caused the famine discovered what was happening, fitted a sieve to the bottom of her bucket and milked the cow dry!

Other Outlander Filming Locations

Those might be the biggest or the most recognisable Outlander filming locations, but I’ve had to miss plenty more out. Streets in Edinburgh like Bakers Close or Tweeddale Court, the crypts of St Mungo’s in Glasgow and Aberdour Castle in Fife are just a few honourable mentions. Preston Mill in East Lothian is another popular place to visit, although you’re unlikely to find a stripped off Jamie Fraser in the sluice…

For more background to the 1745 Rising that features so heavily in the Outlander story then you can read about Jacobite stories from Lochaber here.

If Scottish Film & TV is more your thing then Men in Kilts is a natural spinoff and of course we can’t forget Braveheart no matter its historical inaccuracies!

Make sure to let me know if there are any other Outlander filming locations that you want to know the truth behind!

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