If you have recently found yourself immersing in the mystical world of Outlander and want to learn where it was filmed, you have come to the right place. Outlander was filmed in Scotland and we run tours to the top iconic locations.

The TV series Outlander is adapted from the best-selling books by Diana Gabaldon. It tells the story of Claire Randall (a nurse in WWII) who on her second honeymoon in Scotland touches some mystic stones and is transported back to the 18th century. For survival she marries Jamie Fraser and is caught between two vastly different men in two inharmonious lives.

Outlander Iconic Locations

Many people wonder where the standing stones are from the first episode; however they were Diane Gabaldon’s imagination so not real. Probably made of polystyrene or some other material, but sadly they were completely fake. However the scenery that surrounded them was real and it’s Rannoch Moor. It’s an area of boggy moorland which is located to the west of Loch Rannoch in Scotland. The scene where Claire and Frank are driving along the country lane in the vintage car, it’s the mountains of Rannoch Moor in the background they are passing. There are many of standing stones and stone circles in Scotland each with a tale to tell. Orkney and Shetland is the place to head as they have a number of stones there as does Dumfries and Galloway. Back to outlander…

Doune Castle in Perthshire doubles as Castle Leoch which you can see when they stop outside the castle (the interior shots were fabricated in a studio). Once she has touched the rocks and is transported back to the 18th century, this castle is home to the MacKenzie Clan. Doune Castle is located in Doune near Stirling, next to the River Teith. The medieval castle has a high gatehouse and it was also a former Monty Python filming set.

The village of Cranesmuir where Claire bonds with Geillis Duncan is actually the village of Culross, in Fife. It is a treasure trove of filming locations and as you enter the town it’s like you are going back in time. Remember the herb garden in Castle Leoch? This was actually the garden at Culross Palace which is a 17th century merchant’s house. It is actually a Jacobite garden meaning they try to only grow plants from that era. Geillis Duncan’s home is here and the village square where the child gets his ear nailed to a post. It’s not hard to see why they used the village of Culross with its cobbled streets and picturesque setting. Also this was the location for Black Kirk which in reality is West Kirk.

Broch Tuarach, otherwise known as Lallybroch is Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home. They used Midhope Castle in South Queensferry for the external shots. Today its derelict and you can walk around the grounds; however it’s not safe to go inside. You will have to use your imagination to fill it with the furnishings of Jamie’s family home. Here you can stand in the archway where Jamie is brutally whipped by Black Jack Randall.

The scenes where Jamie is nursed back to heath in Sainte Anne de Beaupré’s monastery in France is actually Aberdour Castle. This location can be found off the coast of Fife in Aberdour, Burntisland. You can see the old kitchen and long gallery which were used for filming.

Visiting the Outlander Filming Locations

If you’re planning on visiting the locations you have to remember that for filming the houses were painted grey to look for authentic. Once filming was finished they were painted back to their original colour.

Why not join us on one of our Outlander tours where you can learn more about the filming of Outlander as well as lots of fascinating 18th century Scottish History. We have a 9 hour tour and a 2 day tour. So why not book up with us and walk in the very footsteps of Claire and Jamie along with other fans of the show.

Season 3 Release Date

Amazon Prime have just announced that the first episode of Outlander season three will be available to stream from Monday 11th September here in the UK. In the states it airs a day early on Starz at 8pm.

Season three will consist of 13 episodes, based on the third book in the series, “Voyager.” It will be based on her return to the 20th century and her life with first husband Frank. However she is pregnant with Jamie’s child, and he is not too far away in her mind.