Outlander Filming Locations Scotland
The complete guide to every Outlander filming location you can visit. 30+ locations with show-to-real mappings, visiting tips, and tour suggestions.
Outlander has been filmed across Scotland since 2013, using castles, villages, battlefields, and Highland landscapes as the backdrop for Claire and Jamie’s story. This guide covers every significant filming location you can visit, organised by region, with show-to-real name mappings, practical visiting information, and suggestions for how to combine them into a tour.
Many locations are Historic Scotland or National Trust sites with good visitor facilities. Others are atmospheric ruins, working villages, or private estates with limited access. We have included practical tips for each one.
Want to visit these locations with a knowledgeable local guide? See our private Outlander tours – available as day trips from Edinburgh, Inverness, or Glasgow, or as multi-day Highland journeys.
Highlands Outlander Locations
Culloden Battlefield
The most emotionally powerful Outlander location. On 16 April 1746, the Jacobite army was destroyed in just 40 minutes on this moorland east of Inverness. The battlefield is preserved by the National Trust for Scotland – you can walk among the clan grave markers, see the memorial cairn, and visit the immersive visitor centre with its battle simulation. For Outlander fans, this is where Jamie's story reaches its darkest point.
Visiting tips
NTS site. Visitor centre has entry fee; the battlefield itself is free. Allow 2+ hours for the full experience. 6 miles east of Inverness. Excellent visitor centre with cafe. Audio guides available.
Clava Cairns
A 4,000-year-old ring of standing stones and passage cairns near Inverness. Diana Gabaldon has confirmed these atmospheric Bronze Age monuments inspired the Craigh na Dun standing stones where Claire travels through time. While the actual filming location for Craigh na Dun was near Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, Clava Cairns is the spiritual home of the concept and is far more accessible.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. Just 1 mile from Culloden – always combine the two. Best in early morning for quiet and atmosphere. Small car park. Allow 30–45 minutes.
Castle Leod, Strathpeffer
The actual ancestral seat of clan Mackenzie, whose chiefs held the title Earl of Cromartie. Diana Gabaldon confirmed Castle Leod as the inspiration for Castle Leoch. It's a L-plan tower house set in parkland with ancient yew trees. While Doune Castle was used for filming, this is the real Mackenzie home.
Visiting tips
Privately owned – only open on specific days (check Clan Mackenzie Society events). Visible from Knockfarrel Hill Fort above Strathpeffer. 30 minutes from Inverness.
Beauly Priory
The ruins of a 13th-century Valliscaulian priory in the Highland town of Beauly. Deeply connected to the real Fraser history – the name 'Beauly' comes from the French 'beau lieu' (beautiful place). The nearby Wardlaw Mausoleum is the burial place of Fraser clan chiefs.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. In the town centre of Beauly, 15 minutes from Inverness. Allow 30 minutes for priory and mausoleum. Good lunch options in the town.
Glencoe
Scotland's most dramatic glen, used for sweeping landscape shots throughout the series. The Three Sisters, the Pass of Glencoe, and the surrounding mountains provide the iconic Highland scenery that defines Outlander's visual identity. Also the site of the 1692 Massacre of Glencoe.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. Multiple layby stops along the A82. NTS visitor centre. 2 hours from Glasgow, 1.5 hours from Inverness via the Great Glen. Allow half a day if combined with Fort William.
Edinburgh Outlander Locations
Craigmillar Castle
A well-preserved medieval castle on Edinburgh's south side, used as Ardsmuir Prison where Jamie is held after Culloden. The castle has impressive intact rooms and sweeping views over Edinburgh. Less crowded than Edinburgh Castle and genuinely atmospheric.
Visiting tips
Historic Scotland site. 20 minutes from the Royal Mile by bus. Allow 1 hour. Often quieter than city-centre castles.
Edinburgh Royal Mile – Bakehouse Close
The atmospheric close off the Royal Mile where Jamie and Claire reunite after 20 years apart – one of the most iconic scenes in the series. Bakehouse Close (Huntly House) is a real 16th-century courtyard that can be visited for free.
Visiting tips
Free, open access, on the Royal Mile near Canongate. Look for the sign 'Bakehouse Close' – easy to miss. Allow 10 minutes. Best combined with a wider Royal Mile walk.
Signet Library, Edinburgh
The stunning Neoclassical library on Parliament Square, used for the Governor's residence in Jamaica scenes. The interior is one of Edinburgh's most beautiful rooms – a double-height hall with columns and ornate plasterwork.
Visiting tips
Access is limited – check for open days or events. Located right next to St Giles' Cathedral on the Royal Mile.
Central Belt Outlander Locations
Doune Castle
The medieval stronghold that serves as Castle Leoch, seat of clan Mackenzie. The Great Hall, courtyard, and kitchen are all immediately recognisable. Doune Castle is one of Scotland's best-preserved medieval castles and also featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Game of Thrones (Winterfell pilot). The audio guide narrated by Sam Heughan is entertaining and informative.
Visiting tips
Historic Scotland site. Open daily year-round. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Audio guide included in admission. 40 minutes from Glasgow, 1 hour from Edinburgh. Parking on site.
Midhope Castle
The Z-plan tower house on the Hopetoun Estate that serves as the exterior of Jamie Fraser's ancestral home, Lallybroch (Broch Tuarach). One of the most-photographed Outlander locations. Only the exterior is accessible – the interior was a studio set. The approach drive is exactly as seen in the series.
Visiting tips
Located on private Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry. Exterior only – the interior is not safe for visitors. Small parking area. Arrive early to avoid crowds. 25 minutes from Edinburgh city centre.
Blackness Castle
A dramatic 15th-century fortress shaped like a ship, jutting into the Firth of Forth. In Outlander it doubles as the fearsome Fort William garrison where Black Jack Randall is stationed. The castle's coastal setting is stunning and the interior spaces are atmospheric.
Visiting tips
Historic Scotland site. Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour. Stunning Forth views. Just 5 minutes from Midhope Castle – they pair naturally. Parking on site.
Linlithgow Palace
One of Scotland's grandest royal ruins – birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. In Outlander, the impressive stone interior doubles as Wentworth Prison. The scale of the Great Hall and the fountain courtyard are genuinely impressive. The palace sits beside a loch, making the approach dramatic.
Visiting tips
Historic Scotland site. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Good town centre nearby for lunch. 25 minutes from Edinburgh. Parking near the palace entrance.
Drumlanrig Castle
A grand 17th-century castle in Dumfriesshire that doubles as the Duke of Sandringham's estate. The pink sandstone exterior and formal grounds are impressive. Less visited than many Outlander locations, making it a good off-the-beaten-path addition.
Visiting tips
Open seasonally. Entry fee applies. In Dumfries & Galloway – best combined with a southwest Scotland route. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
A heritage steam railway near Falkirk, used for various train station and railway scenes in the series. The period-correct station buildings and rolling stock make it convincing as a 1940s or Edwardian-era station.
Visiting tips
Seasonal opening – check their calendar. Allow 1 hour if not riding the train. Near Blackness Castle, easy to combine. Run by volunteers.
Hopetoun House
A magnificent Adam-designed stately home near South Queensferry, used for interior scenes of the Duke of Sandringham's residence. The State Apartments are opulent and impressive. Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) is on the same estate.
Visiting tips
Open seasonally. Entry fee. Combine with Midhope Castle. 25 minutes from Edinburgh. Allow 1.5 hours for house and grounds.
Dunure Castle
A dramatic coastal ruin near Ayr on Scotland's west coast, used for the Silkies Island scenes. The castle sits on a rocky promontory above a small harbour, with views across to Arran and Ailsa Craig.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. Near Ayr in Ayrshire. Allow 30 minutes. Dramatic coastal setting best in good weather.
Preston Mill, East Lothian
A picturesque red pantile-roofed water mill near East Linton, used as the mill at Lallybroch. One of the last working water mills in Scotland. The conical kiln building is instantly recognisable.
Visiting tips
NTS site. Seasonal opening. Near Haddington in East Lothian, 30 minutes east of Edinburgh. Allow 30 minutes.
Fife Outlander Locations
Culross
Scotland's best-preserved 17th-century village, with cobbled streets, ochre-painted houses, and the Town House (Mercat Cross) used for Cranesmuir market and trial scenes. Culross Palace gardens feature as the herb garden where Claire gathers plants. The village is genuinely atmospheric – the lack of modern intrusions makes it feel like stepping back in time.
Visiting tips
NTS-managed village. Free to walk around; Culross Palace has an entry fee. Good cafes (The Biscuit Cafe, Red Lion). Allow 1–1.5 hours. Parking near the harbour.
Falkland
This charming Fife village stands in for Inverness in the 1940s and 1960s scenes – the opening of the story where Claire and Frank arrive on holiday and where Claire first encounters the past. The Bruce Fountain in the village square is the most recognisable spot. Falkland Palace, a Renaissance royal hunting lodge, is worth a visit in its own right.
Visiting tips
Free to walk around. Falkland Palace (NTS) has seasonal opening. Good tea rooms. Allow 30–45 minutes. Parking in the village. Often combined with Culross on the same day.
Aberdour Castle
A picturesque medieval ruin on the Fife coast, used for monastery and abbey scenes in the series. The castle grounds include a beautiful walled garden and a dovecote. The coastal setting is peaceful and atmospheric.
Visiting tips
Historic Scotland site. Near Aberdour village in Fife. Allow 45 minutes. Good beach nearby. Can be combined with a Fife Outlander route.
Dysart Harbour
The historic harbour in Dysart, Fife, doubled as the French port of Le Havre in Season 2, when Jamie and Claire sail to France. The old-world harbour buildings and stone quayside are convincing as an 18th-century port.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. In the town of Dysart, near Kirkcaldy in Fife. Allow 20–30 minutes. Can be combined with other Fife locations.
Perthshire Outlander Locations
Drummond Castle Gardens
The spectacular formal terraced gardens of Drummond Castle stand in for the gardens of the Palace of Versailles in Season 2. The view from the terrace down into the parterre is one of Scotland's most photographed garden views.
Visiting tips
Open seasonally (May–October). Check opening times. Entry fee applies. Near Crieff in Perthshire. Allow 1 hour for the gardens.
Kinloch Rannoch / Rannoch Moor
The actual location used for filming the Craigh na Dun standing stones scenes – a hillside near Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire. The stones are temporary props erected for filming and are not permanently in place. The surrounding Rannoch Moor landscape is wild and beautiful.
Visiting tips
Remote location – best combined with a wider Perthshire or Highlands route. The filming site itself has no permanent markers. The drive through Rannoch Moor is spectacular regardless.
Tibbermore Kirk
A medieval church ruin near Perth used for the Black Kirk scenes. The atmospheric ruin sits in a quiet churchyard surrounded by farmland.
Visiting tips
Free, open access. Near Perth in Perthshire. Allow 20 minutes. Best combined with a wider Perthshire route.
Glasgow Outlander Locations
Glasgow University
The magnificent Gothic Revival main building of Glasgow University doubled as Harvard University in the later seasons, where Brianna studies and Roger teaches. The Cloisters and Main Quadrangle are the most recognisable filming spots. The university sits in the West End, surrounded by great restaurants and the Kelvingrove Museum.
Visiting tips
Free to visit the grounds and Cloisters. The main building is an active university. Best visited on weekdays for access. Allow 30–45 minutes. Excellent public transport from the city centre.
Glasgow Cathedral & Necropolis
The only medieval cathedral on mainland Scotland to survive the Reformation intact. While not a primary Outlander filming location, the atmospheric interior and the adjacent Necropolis (Victorian cemetery with sweeping city views) resonate with the series' themes of Scottish history and religion. The crypt is particularly atmospheric.
Visiting tips
Free entry to the cathedral. Open daily. The Necropolis is free and always accessible. Allow 1–1.5 hours for both. Central Glasgow location.
Want to visit these locations with a local driver-guide? We design private Outlander tours from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness.
Outlander Season 8 & Blood of My Blood – New Locations
Outlander Season 8 – the final season – premieres on 7 March 2026. As new filming locations are confirmed we will update this guide. The prequel series Blood of My Blood, exploring the love stories of Jamie’s parents (Brian and Ellen) and Claire’s parents, is filming across Scotland and will introduce new locations to the Outlander landscape.
Bookmark this page – we keep it updated as new locations are confirmed and opened to visitors.
Outlander Filming Locations FAQ
Where are the Outlander filming locations in Scotland?
Outlander filming locations are spread across Scotland, primarily in the Central Belt (Doune Castle, Midhope Castle, Blackness, Culross, Falkland, Linlithgow), the Highlands (Culloden, Clava Cairns, Glencoe), Edinburgh (Craigmillar Castle, Bakehouse Close), Glasgow (University, Cathedral), Fife (Culross, Falkland, Aberdour), and Perthshire (Drummond Castle, Kinloch Rannoch).
Where is Craigh na Dun in real life?
The actual filming location for the Craigh na Dun standing stones was a hillside near Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire. The stones are temporary props and are not permanently in place. Clava Cairns near Inverness is the inspiration for the stones and has real 4,000-year-old standing stones you can visit.
Where is Lallybroch in real life?
Lallybroch's exterior is Midhope Castle on the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry, 25 minutes from Edinburgh. Only the exterior is accessible – the interior scenes were filmed on a studio set.
Where is Castle Leoch in real life?
Castle Leoch is Doune Castle near Stirling. The real inspiration for Castle Leoch in Diana Gabaldon's novels is Castle Leod in Strathpeffer, the ancestral seat of clan Mackenzie.
Can you visit Outlander filming locations without a tour?
Yes – most locations are publicly accessible. However, a private tour with a knowledgeable guide adds historical context, handles logistics, and allows you to cover multiple locations in a single day without worrying about navigation, parking, or schedules.
How many days do you need to see all the Outlander locations?
The Central Belt locations (Edinburgh departure) can be covered in one full day. Highland locations (Inverness) are a separate day. A comprehensive 3–5 day tour covers everything from Edinburgh to the Highlands. For serious fans, a 5-day itinerary is ideal.
Visit Outlander Filming Locations with a Local Guide
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