“For where all love is, the speaking is unnecessary. It is all. It is undying. And it is enough.”
Outlander, Diana Gabaldon
Outlander, originally a book by Diana Gabaldon, is now a hit TV series inspiring Scottish adventures in viewers around the world. If you find yourself in that category (which I imagine you do as you’re here reading this), there’s no shortage of Outlander locations to visit on a trip to Scotland. Here’s the top Outlander filming locations in Scotland.
NOTE: Potential Spoilers!!! If you haven’t watched Outlander or haven’t caught up through the third season, proceed with caution. 😉
Scottish Gaelic/Scots Phrases from Outlander
Sláinte mhath (pronounced Slanj-a-va) – Cheers! (Though it literally means ‘good health’)
A Dhia – oh, god / for heaven’s sake
Bairn – young baby or child
Ken – to know
Greet – to cry
Dinna fash – Don’t worry
mo chridhe (prounced mo cree) – my heart
Edinburgh
Begin your journey in Edinburgh. Both Jamie and Claire spend time in Edinburgh, without giving away any spoilers. Plus, you’ll likely fly into either Glasgow or Edinburgh, so you might as well begin your adventure in the city.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Bonnie Prince Charlie based himself here at this very palace in autumn of 1745. Claire and Jamie also visit the prince at this Outlander filming location in season 2.
There’s a palace, ruins, and a gallery to explore and it’s located at the bottom of the popular Royal Mile. The Edinburgh Castle is on one end and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland, on the other side.
Bakehouse Close
Likely the most significant place in Edinburgh for season 3 fans, Bakehouse Close posed as Carfax Close, where Jamie ran his print shop under his false name Alexander Malcom.
Recall the moments where Claire followed along the alley after 20 years of separation between the couple.
Unfortunately, you won’t find Jamie’s iconic print shop here, but you’ll gather the idea of what 17th century Edinburgh looked like.
Just outside Edinburgh
Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
Such a special place for Outlander fans: Lallybroch, Jamie’s home! Amazingly enough, it’s located just on the outskirts of Edinburgh in a town called Abercorn.
The castle is part of the Hopetoun Estate and tickets are available for £4 a person. So affordable!
Hopetoun House
Also on the Hopetoun Estate you’ll find Hopetoun House’s Red Drawing Room, which you’ll recognize as the Duke of Sandringham’s home in season 1. It’s the main room where both Claire and Jamie come to visit him regarding dropping Jamie’s charges.
There are other notable scenes at Hopetoun House from a dual between the Duke and the head of the MacDonald Clan as well as a courtyard which was frequently used as a Parisian street in season 2.
If you book a tour at the Hopetoun House, your guide will be able to show you all of the Outlander scenes shot here.
Tickets for the house and grounds cost £11.50 or you can get a grounds only ticket for £5.50. Note: The house is only open to the public from Easter until the last Sunday in September.
You can find more details about Midhope Castle and Hopetoun House here.
Glasgow
Glasgow is most often spotted throughout season 3. Its the location for the majority of the Boston scenes, Claire and Frank’s home, and was also the location for Harvard University where we see scenes with Frank, Brianna, and Roger.
Kelvingrove Park
Kelvingrove is seen multiple times during season 3 episode 2 ‘Surrender’. Claire walks through the park once with baby Brianna and again by herself where she passes a bagpipe player.
The exact spot is in the Kelvingrove Park and the bridge that crosses over River Kelvin called the Prince of Wales Bridge.
Find a map at the bottom with the specific locations.
University of Glasgow
The stunning University of Glasgow plays the role as Harvard University in Boston. You’ll seen Frank walking through the courtyard and arches and you’ll remember in season 3 episode 5 when Brianna shows Roger around campus.
Highlands
Kinloch Rannoch (Craigh na Dun)
No list of Outlander filming locations is complete without mentioning Craigh na Dun. Claire would have never found her true love Jamie had she not gone on holiday to Scotland and stumbled upon the stones at Craigh na Dun.
It’s where it all started and it’s probably the most special Outlander location for fans to visit. And good news, you can visit it (well, sort of).
So, Craigh na Dun isn’t actually real, surprisingly to many fans. However, you can visit the setting and the hill at Kinloch Rannoch, a small village about two hours from Glasgow and Edinburgh.
The location is called Rannoch Moor and you’ll still have those surreal feelings as you stand where Claire, Jamie, druids, and others once did in the series.
Culloden Battlefield
Another significant location for Outlander fans is most certainly the Culloden Battlefield. The Battle of Culloden, the final confrontation of the Jacobite rising of 1745, is what Claire and Jamie were hoping to prevent and inevitably the reason why Claire returns to her time in season 2.
Getting to the the Culloden Battlefield from Inverness is easy and well-worth a visit. Besides, it’s much more than just a battlefield. It’s also an interactive museum with friendly and talented staff on hand, too.
I actually wrote up a whole thing on visiting the Culloden Battlefield which fans can read all about below.
READ MORE: Visiting the Culloden Battlefield, the Battle that Changed Scotland Forever
Just outside of Stirling
Doune Castle (Castle Leoch)
Built in the 13th century, Doune Castle served as Castle Leoch in Outlander. This castle is significant as it was basically Claire’s first ‘home’ in Scotland. She spent a lot of time in the castle working as a healer, treading carefully among the Clan MacKenzie and it’s where she met Geillis.
It’s located outside of Stirling in a town called Doune. See here for more details on the Doune Castle.
Mercat Cross (Village from Season 1)
The Mercat Cross in Culross embodies 17th and 18th century Scotland, making it the perfect location for the village scenes in season 1 of Outlander. It’s one of the most beautiful Outlander filming locations as well.
You’ll be familiar with it as Geillis’s store was located here and many villagers gathered also gathered here. Perhaps you remember the boy who got his ear nailed to the pillory and Jamie helps him out? Yep, that’s also in Mercat Cross in Culross, Scotland.
Plus, it’s a beautiful village that is sure to send you back in time as if you had touch the stones at Craigh da Dun yourself.
Map ’em out!
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