If you’ve been making your way through the binge-worthy TV show ‘Outlander’ while in lockdown, you might be curious about where this popular historic drama was filmed. Here, we take a look at some Outlander filming locations in Scotland which you can visit once you’re ready to take a ferry to Scotland.
Midhope Castle as Lallybroch
As the home of Jamie Fraser, Lallybroch plays an important part in the Outlander series. Also known as Broch Tuarach, Lallybroch scenes were filmed at the striking Midhope Castle, which is located on the Hopetoun Estate – not too far from Edinburgh. This 16th century tower house is a category A listed building, and features five storeys and a garret. Although Outlander fans will love seeing the castle, you’ll be unable to go inside as the building itself is derelict and unsafe. However, no scenes were filmed inside the castle, so hopefully you won’t feel like you’re missing out!
In the TV series, Jamie Fraser was left Lallybroch by his parents, and it is also the home of his sister Jenny, her husband, and their children. It is said by Jamie that the tower is called Lallybroch, which translates to ‘lazy tower’ in gaelic, due to the fact that it leans slightly to the north. The gaelic translation of Broch Tuarach is ‘north-facing tower’, as the tower’s door faces north in the show. There are a number of great photo opportunities when you visit the Lallybroch filming location, including the path to the castle, the castle steps, and the Lallybroch archway, all of which appear at least once in the series.
Despite welcoming Outlander fans at certain times of the year, Midhope Castle isn’t set up to be a tourist attraction, and the estate in which it sits is still a working farm with its own residents. To visit, you’ll need to purchase a vehicle pass which will give you access to the small car park. We suggest getting there early for the best views. A number of Outlander tours visit this spot, but they often only stay for around 15 minutes so you won’t have to wait long for crowds to die down should you visit later in the day.
Linlithgow Palace as Wentworth Prison
Set on the road between Edinburgh and Stirling is Linlithgow Palace, also known as Wentworth Prison to Outlander fans. Although not all of the series’ Wentworth Prison scenes were filmed here, some took place at Bamburgh and Carlisle castles, this is still an Outlander filming location worth visiting. The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and a number of other Scottish monarchs, Linlithgow Palace boasts high towers, plenty of greenery, and even a loch which is full of nature. The castle served as a great stopping point for those travelling between Edinburgh and Stirling castles, and was built in the 12th century.
You’ll spot Linlithgow Castle a number of times during Jamie’s imprisonment in Wentworth Prison, where he is tortured by Black Jack Randall, and filming mostly took place on the castle’s bottom floor. It’s featured a number of times in scenes when Claire is trying to find Jamie within the labyrinth of the castle, including the winding staircase she walks down, tunnels she goes through, and even the prison cells that she discovers. If you’re unsure of what to look out for during your visit to the castle, ask the friendly staff who will be more than happy to point you in the direction of Outlander filming locations within the building.
You’re sure to enjoy your trip to Linlithgow Castle at any time of year, as it is now a very popular tourist attraction with both Outlander and history fans. You can explore the Scottish royal family’s fascinating past, admire the striking architecture, and even take part in a fact finding quiz. During the summer, you might be lucky enough to catch the castle’s jousting event, and each Sunday in July and August you’ll be able to see the site’s elegant fountain in action too.
Falkland as Inverness throughout time
The picturesque village of Falkland is located in Fife, and plays a role in seasons one and two of Outlander. Set at the foot of the Lomond Mountains, this village is best known for its palace, which is one of the best examples of French Renaissance architecture in the UK, and served as accommodation for royalty who came to hunt deer and wild boar in the surrounding forests. It was also Scotland’s first conservation village, which only secures the fact that this is a place of historical interest, and you’re guaranteed to enjoy wonderful walks in the pretty Falklands Estate.
In Outlander, Falkland is best known as being Frank and Claire’s second honeymoon destination when Claire returns from her role as a nurse in WW2 – Inverness in the 1940s. Here, they secretly watch a pagan ceremony by some stones which Claire is fascinated by and returns to later on, by herself. It is at this point that she travels back in time to 1743. In season two, Falkland appears again as Inverness in both the 18th and 20th centuries. There are some standout buildings that you’ll recognise as you explore Falkland, including the Covenanter Hotel, which is the guesthouse owned by Mrs Baird, the Bruce Fountain, from which Jamie’s ghost watches Claire, and a couple of shops which are used as the locations for Campbell’s Coffee Shop and Farrell’s Hardware and Furniture Store.
Now that you know where to find some of the best Outlander filming locations, start planning your TV themed trip to Scotland and get ready to travel back in time yourselves!
