Walk Through the World of Outlander
Some stories stay with us long after the final page is turned or the credits roll – Outlander is one of them.
Perhaps it’s the enduring love between Jamie and Claire. Perhaps it’s the sweeping Highland landscapes, ancient castles and windswept battlefields that become characters in their own right. Or perhaps it’s because, beneath the romance and drama, Outlander is rooted in a Scotland that is very real—a land where history still lingers in the stones beneath your feet and every glen seems to whisper another forgotten story.
From the towering walls of Castle Leoch to the haunting silence of Culloden Battlefield, Scotland remains the true heart of Outlander. Many of the series’ most iconic filming locations lie just beyond the beaten path, waiting to be discovered amongst ancient villages, medieval castles and landscapes that have remained remarkably unchanged for centuries.
Our private Outlander Tour of Scotland has been thoughtfully designed for those who want more than photographs of filming locations. It’s an opportunity to stand where Jamie and Claire stood, uncover the real stories that inspired the series and experience the landscapes that have captured the imagination of millions around the world.
Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Diana Gabaldon’s novels, devoted to the television series, or simply captivated by Scotland’s rich history, we’ll guide you on a journey where fiction and history become beautifully intertwined.
"I swore an oath before the altar of God to protect this woman"
The Locations That Brought Outlander to Life
Scotland doesn’t simply provide the backdrop for Outlander, it is Outlander.
Its castles, villages, battlefields and ancient landscapes don’t just appear on screen, they shape every chapter of the story. Some have stood for centuries. Others carry memories far older than the Jacobite Rising itself. Together, they create a journey through a Scotland where history and imagination become almost impossible to separate.
These are the places that continue to draw Outlander fans from across the world – places where the story feels wonderfully close, and Scotland quietly reminds you that long before the cameras arrived, these landscapes were already telling remarkable stories of their own.
Lallybroch (Midhope Castle)
Every Outlander fan remembers their first glimpse of Lallybroch.
Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home is more than simply a beautiful castle, it represents family, belonging and the place Jamie always longs to return to. Although known in reality as Midhope Castle, its weathered stone walls and quiet courtyard have become one of the most recognisable locations in the entire series.
Standing within its grounds, it’s easy to picture Jamie riding through the gates or Claire waiting patiently in the courtyard. Time seems to move a little slower here, allowing the imagination to quietly fill the silence.
Long before television cameras arrived, Midhope Castle had stood proudly overlooking the surrounding countryside for centuries. Today it remains one of Scotland’s most treasured Outlander filming locations and an essential stop for anyone wishing to experience the story where it truly began.
Castle Leoch (Doune Castle)
Few castles have become as closely associated with Outlander as Doune Castle, forever remembered as the formidable seat of Clan MacKenzie.
It was here that Claire first found herself immersed in Highland life, meeting Colum, Dougal and the clan whose loyalty, politics and traditions would shape so much of her journey. As you walk through its great hall and climb its ancient staircases, scenes from the series come flooding back, each room carrying memories of conversations, feasts and quiet moments that defined the story.
Built in the late fourteenth century, Doune Castle has witnessed centuries of real Scottish history, making it the perfect setting for a drama so deeply rooted in Scotland’s past. Standing beneath its towering walls, it’s impossible not to feel transported to another time.
Fort William (Blackness Castle)
Perched dramatically on the shores of the Firth of Forth, Blackness Castle became one of Outlander’s darkest and most memorable filming locations.
Its thick stone walls portrayed the infamous Fort William, where Captain Black Jack Randall’s cruelty cast a long shadow over Jamie Fraser’s life. For many fans, these scenes remain some of the most powerful in the series.
Yet beyond Outlander, Blackness Castle has guarded Scotland’s coastline since the fifteenth century. Often described as “the ship that never sailed” because of its distinctive shape, the fortress offers breathtaking views across the water while quietly reminding visitors that Scotland’s castles hold stories every bit as compelling as those written for television.
Wentworth Prison (Linlithgow Palace)
For many Outlander fans, Wentworth Prison is remembered as the setting for one of the series’ most emotional and difficult chapters.
In reality, these imposing walls belong to Linlithgow Palace, the magnificent birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots and one of Scotland’s grandest royal residences. Standing beside the peaceful loch today, it’s almost impossible to imagine the palace transformed into such a place of darkness for the screen.
Walk through its vast courtyard, admire the Renaissance architecture and take in the sweeping views across Linlithgow Loch. It’s a place where television, royal history and centuries of Scottish heritage become beautifully intertwined, reminding us that Scotland’s greatest stories often existed long before Outlander ever brought them to life.
Inverness (Falkland)
Before the standing stones. Before Jamie. Before history changed forever. Claire’s journey begins in Inverness.
Although the real city lies further north in the Highlands, the charming village of Falkland was chosen to portray 1940s Inverness in the series. Wander its quiet streets, stand beside the iconic Bruce Fountain, and you’ll instantly recognise the place where Frank and Claire first explored Scotland together—before fate took an entirely unexpected turn.
Unlike many filming locations, Falkland hasn’t lost the character that made it so special. Independent cafés, traditional buildings and cobbled streets continue to create an atmosphere that feels wonderfully untouched, making it one of the most authentic and enjoyable stops on the entire journey.
Cranesmuir (Culross)
Golden stone cottages. Narrow cobbled streets. Hidden gardens. Few places capture eighteenth-century Scotland quite like Culross.
Transformed into Cranesmuir for Outlander, this remarkably preserved village became home to one of the series’ most intriguing characters, Geillis Duncan. Walking through its quiet lanes today, it’s easy to understand why the producers chose Culross. Very little has changed here for centuries, allowing visitors to step effortlessly into Claire’s world.
Yet Culross is far more than a filming location. Once one of Scotland’s busiest trading ports, its history stretches back hundreds of years. Every wynd, courtyard and weathered building tells another story, rewarding those willing to wander slowly and look a little closer.
Culloden Battlefield
There are places in Scotland where history still feels incredibly close, Culloden Battlefield is one of them.
It was here, on 16 April 1746, that the Jacobite Rising came to its tragic end, forever changing the Highlands and the lives of countless Scottish families. For Outlander fans, Culloden represents one of the story’s defining moments. For Scotland, it remains one of its most poignant and significant historic sites.
We invite our guests to experience Culloden quietly. To walk amongst the clan markers. To stand beside the Clan Fraser Stone. To listen to the wind crossing the moor and reflect upon the lives that were lost here.
It’s not simply another stop on the itinerary. It’s a place of remembrance, and one that deserves to be experienced with the respect its history commands.
Clava Cairns (Craigh na Dun)
Long before Outlander introduced the world to Craigh na Dun, these ancient stones had already stood quietly for more than four thousand years.
Clava Cairns is one of Scotland’s best-preserved Bronze Age burial sites and is widely believed to have inspired Diana Gabaldon’s famous standing stones. Surrounded by towering trees and steeped in mystery, it’s easy to understand why this remarkable place continues to capture the imagination of visitors from around the world.
Whether you’re hoping to recreate Claire’s unforgettable moment or simply experience one of Scotland’s most atmospheric prehistoric sites, Clava Cairns offers something far deeper than fiction. It reminds us that Scotland’s oldest stories are often the ones written not in books, but in the landscape itself.
Highland Folk Museum
Outlander doesn’t simply tell the story of remarkable people, it tells the story of ordinary Highland life.
The Highland Folk Museum offers one of the most authentic glimpses into that world, with carefully reconstructed crofts, cottages and historic buildings that bring eighteenth-century Scotland vividly back to life. Fans of the series will instantly recognise several filming locations used to portray Highland villages throughout Outlander.
But perhaps its greatest strength lies in what it helps us understand. How families lived. How communities survived. How life was shaped by the seasons, the land and one another.
It’s an opportunity to step beyond the television series and experience the everyday Scotland that inspired it.
Le Havre (Dysart Harbour)
By the time Claire and Jamie set sail for France, the story had already taken countless unexpected turns.
The bustling French port of Le Havre was, in reality, beautifully recreated at Dysart Harbour, a historic Fife harbour whose weathered stone walls and traditional waterfront required remarkably little transformation for the screen.
Standing beside the sea today, watching fishing boats gently move with the tide, it’s easy to imagine the anticipation, uncertainty and hope that surrounded Jamie and Claire as they embarked upon the next chapter of their journey.
It’s a fitting reminder that Scotland’s coastline has always connected people, places and stories—and that sometimes the most remarkable adventures begin by simply looking out towards the horizon.
"Ye are Blood of my Blood, and Bone of my Bone"
Beyond the Screen
The landscapes of Outlander are breathtaking. The castles are unforgettable. The characters have become part of the lives of millions around the world.
But the greatest story Scotland has to tell isn’t fiction – it’s history.
Long before cameras arrived, these castles witnessed real battles. These villages raised generations of Highland families. These battlefields changed the course of a nation. The Jacobite Rising, the Highland clans, Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Battle of Culloden weren’t simply inspiration for Outlander; they were chapters of Scotland’s remarkable past.
At Bonnie Scotland Tours, we believe that’s what makes an Outlander tour truly unforgettable.
We don’t simply guide you to filming locations, we help you understand the Scotland that inspired Diana Gabaldon to write her novels – bringing together history, folklore and local stories that breathe life into every place you visit. It’s this deeper connection that transforms an Outlander tour from a sightseeing trip into an experience that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.
"Time doesn't matter Sassenach, you will always be beautiful to me."
Follow in Jamie & Claire's Footsteps
Whether you’re looking for a single unforgettable day exploring Scotland’s most iconic Outlander filming locations or a more immersive journey through the landscapes that inspired the series, we’ve created a range of private tours to suit every traveller – each of which you can book directly from our website below.
1-Day Outlander Tour - "Sassenach" Adventure
Follow the path of Claire and Jamie Fraser, from the quiet streets of Inverness to the dark chambers of Wentworth Prison, from the rugged walls of Castle Leoch to the rolling fields of Lallybroch/Broch Tuarach. This is more than a tour, it is a passage through time.
2-Day Outlander Tour – “Dinna Fash” Adventure
On this two-day Outlander adventure, follow the footsteps of Jamie and Claire Fraser, standing where love, war, and destiny intertwined. Includes the tragic battlefield of Culloden, and the magic of Clava Cairns, this is more than a journey, it is a return to a world lost in time.
3-Day Outlander Tour – "The Jacobite" Adventure
This three-day Outlander journey is a true-fans pilgrimage into the landscapes and legends that shaped both Outlander and Scotland’s real history. All locations from our 1 & 2 day tours + spectacular adventure through the Highlands, Glencoe, Loch Ness & Glenfinnan Viaduct.
Continue Your Scottish Story
For many of our guests, an Outlander tour is only the beginning.
After standing in the courtyards of Scotland’s ancient castles, walking the cobbled streets of villages unchanged for centuries and reflecting upon the history of Culloden Battlefield, many choose to continue their journey deeper into Scotland.
It’s often here that the real adventure begins.
Imagine waking beneath the towering peaks of Glencoe. Watching the mist drift across the Cuillin Mountains on the Isle of Skye. Standing on the shores of Loch Ness in the quiet hope of spotting Scotland’s most famous resident. Or simply following a road that disappears into the Highlands, with nowhere to be except the next remarkable place waiting to be discovered.
Our bespoke private multi-day tours allow you to combine the very best of Outlander with the wider Scotland that inspired it. Together with Noel and Carol, our expert tour planners, you’ll create a journey shaped entirely around your interests, allowing more time to slow down, explore and experience Scotland in a way that feels personal from beginning to end.
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Use the Tour Enquiry Form below to start planning your private tour of Scotland.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Planning an Outlander tour of Scotland is incredibly exciting, but it’s natural to have plenty of questions before you travel. From filming locations and Jacobite history to the best time of year to visit, we’ve answered some of the questions we’re most often asked by our guests.
If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, simply get in touch – we’d be delighted to help you start planning your own unforgettable Scottish adventure.
Is Outlander filmed in Scotland?
Yes – The vast majority of Outlander was filmed throughout Scotland, using some of the country’s most spectacular castles, villages, battlefields and landscapes to bring Diana Gabaldon’s story to life.
Many of these locations – including Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Culross, Falkland, Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace – can all be experienced on our private Outlander tours.
Where is Lallybroch in Scotland?
Lallybroch is portrayed by Midhope Castle, a beautifully preserved sixteenth-century tower house on the Hopetoun Estate near Edinburgh. Although the interior isn’t open to the public, visitors can explore the courtyard and exterior where many of the series’ most memorable scenes were filmed.
Can you visit Castle Leoch?
Absolutely.
Castle Leoch is portrayed by Doune Castle, one of Scotland’s finest medieval castles. Visitors can walk through its impressive great hall, ancient courtyard and tower rooms while discovering the fascinating history that made it the perfect setting for Clan MacKenzie.
Where are the Outlander standing stones?
While the fictional Craigh na Dun was specially created for filming, it’s widely believed that Clava Cairns, near Inverness, inspired Diana Gabaldon’s famous standing stones. Dating back more than 4,000 years, this remarkable Bronze Age site remains one of Scotland’s most atmospheric prehistoric monuments.
Is Culloden Battlefield included in your Outlander tour?
Yes – when you book our 2 or 3 Day Outlander Tours, or as part of a private multi-day tour itinerary.
Culloden Battlefield is one of Scotland’s most significant historic sites and an essential stop for many Outlander fans. Beyond its importance within the story, it marks the final battle of the Jacobite Rising in 1746—a moment that forever changed Highland life and Scottish history.
How long do I need for an Outlander tour?
Our 1 Day Outlander Tour offers a wonderful introduction to Scotland’s most famous filming locations, while our 2 Day Outlander Tour allows more time to immerse yourself in both the series and the remarkable history behind it.
Many guests also choose to combine Outlander with longer private multi-day tours of the Highlands, Loch Ness and the Isle of Skye.
What are the best Outlander filming locations to visit?
Some of the most popular filming locations include:
- Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
- Doune Castle (Castle Leoch)
- Blackness Castle (Fort William)
- Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison)
- Culross (Cranesmuir)
- Falkland (1940s Inverness)
- Clava Cairns (Craigh na Dun inspiration)
- Culloden Battlefield
- The Highland Folk Museum
Do I need to be an Outlander fan to enjoy this tour?
Not at all.
While Outlander fans will recognise countless locations throughout the journey, every stop also tells an important chapter of Scotland’s own history. Medieval castles, royal palaces, Jacobite battlefields and beautifully preserved villages make this an unforgettable experience for anyone interested in Scotland’s heritage.
When is the best time of year to visit Outlander filming locations?
Every season brings a different atmosphere. Spring fills the countryside with fresh colour, summer offers long daylight hours perfect for exploring, autumn transforms Scotland with rich golden landscapes, while winter creates an especially dramatic setting around castles, battlefields and ancient villages.
Can I combine an Outlander tour with the Highlands or Isle of Skye?
Yes – and many of our guests do exactly that.
An Outlander tour provides the perfect introduction to Scotland before continuing into the Highlands, Loch Ness or the Isle of Skye. Our expert tour planners, Noel and Carol can create a completely bespoke private itinerary, allowing you to combine Scotland’s most iconic filming locations with some of its most spectacular landscapes.
Why choose Bonnie Scotland Tours for an Outlander tour?
Rather than simply showing you where scenes were filmed, we bring Scotland’s remarkable history to life, sharing the stories of the clans, castles and people that inspired Outlander long before the cameras arrived – we’re guides-who-drive, not drivers-who-guide.
Want to spend more time at any specific Outlander location? That’s completely up to you.
Every tour is completely private, allowing you to explore at your own pace and experience Scotland in a way that’s personal, immersive and unforgettable.
From the comfort of your own private modern vehicle, you will not only experience many of the most iconic scenes and locations from Outlander, you will travel across some of Scotland’s most stunning landscapes.
