Recently updated on October 7th, 2025 at 04:53 am
If you don’t watch Outlander for the storyline, you watch it for Scotland’s breathtaking landscapes and historic sites that bring this tale (woven with Scottish history) to life. Soon the rest of Season 8 – the final Outlander season – will drop, giving Claire and Jamie’s epic love story a finite conclusion. It was a decade ago that stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe first took to the small screen as the lead characters, taking us on a journey through 18th-century Scotland thanks to the many Outlander filming locations.
From rugged highlands to ancient castles, fans of Diana Gabaldon’s novels and the hit TV series can visit these filming spots in Scotland that offer a window into Jamie Fraser’s world, the Battle of Culloden, and more. Let’s dive into all the Outlander filming locations you can visit.
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Scottish villages and towns featured as Outlander filming locations
Did you know Trafalgar has a tour called Highland Trail inspired by Outlander? The 13-day trip takes you to notable film locations and other highlights of Scotland, including the Scottish Highlands, Orkney Islands and the Isle of Skye.
What village is Outlander filmed in?
Falkland in Fife
The very charming village of Falkland in Fife stands in for 1940s Inverness, where Claire and Frank visit in Season 1. Falkland was once the country residence of the Stewart kings and queens as they hunted deer and wild boar in the forests of Fife. Here, Outlander fans can explore landmarks like Falkland Palace, where Jamie Fraser’s ghost appears outside Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouse.
Culross
Another Scottish village used as an Outlander filming location is Culross. This little village, with fewer than 400 residents, is famous for its remarkably preserved 17th-century architecture. Culross doubles as the fictional village of Cranesmuir, home to characters like Geillis Duncan. The village has a rich mercantile history, and you can still see 17th-century painted houses along the cobbled streets.
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Scottish castles and estates
Midhope Castle (Lallybroch)
The iconic Lallybroch, lead character Jamie Fraser’s home, is actually Midhope Castle. The site is privately owned and located close to Edinburgh. It’s possible for fans to access and photograph the exterior. It’s possible for fans to access and photograph the exterior, and you can see it as an optional extra.
Blackness Castle
Blackness Castle, known as “The Ship that Never Sailed,” doubles as Fort William, where Black Jack Randall infamously tortures Jamie. Located on the Firth of Forth, this 15th-century castle is one of the most memorable Outlander filming locations.
Doune Castle
Doune Castle plays its part as Castle Leoch, the seat of Clan MacKenzie and where Claire was hosted upon her arrival in 18th-century Scotland. This is one of those Outlander filming locations rich in history with stunning medieval architecture.
Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House, an elegant Georgian mansion located near Edinburgh, plays the lavish home of the Duke of Sandringham in the series. Used across multiple seasons, it shows the aristocratic and opulent side of 18th-century Scotland.
In addition to its showtime in 1940s Inverness, Scotland’s Falkland Palace has deep connections to the country’s history and provides visitors with a glimpse of the life of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s ancestors.
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Battlefields and stone circles
Craigh na Dun / Kinloch Rannoch
A bit of magic binds the storyline, so where better to film than mystical stone circles? Kinloch Rannoch and Craigh na Dun are the standing stones where Claire time-travels back to 1743. Claire visits the place repeatedly as she tries to return to her life.
Clava Cairns
Near Inverness, the Clava Cairns is a real prehistoric burial site that’s said to inspire Craigh na Dun, which is in fact fictional.
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden took place in 1746. Many Highlanders lost their lives as Bonnie Prince Charlie led them into battle. The historic location outside Inverness has been preserved as a memorial to those who fell in the battle.
These windswept moors played a significant role in the Outlander series too, but the on-screen drama is not quite aligned with history. On Trafalgar’s Outlander tour you’ll visit the Culloden Battlefield and Visitor Centre to learn more about the Jacobite Rebellion.
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Historic Scottish sites
Highland Folk Museum
One of our favorite stops on the Outlander tour is the Highland Folk Museum, a special destination that celebrates rural Scottish heritage. Here an 18th-century township – complete with thatched roof houses and artefacts – offers a glimpse at the past.
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace was used as Wentworth Prison, where Jamie was imprisoned and tortured by Black Jack Randall. The ruins also have connections to Mary, Queen of Scots.
Preston Mill
And finally, Preston Mill, a Scottish site used for scenes with Jamies and his clansmen, who hide after the Battle of Prestonpans. This is actually a historic, fully functioning mill on the River Tyne. It’s a great stop for fans exploring Outlander filming locations.
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Other Featured Locations
Some other Outlander filming locations include:
- Covenanter Hotel
- Glencorse Old Kirk
- Abercorn Parish Church
- Craigmillar Castle
- Bakehouse Close
- Dysart Harbour
- Drummond Castle Gardens
- Glencoe
- Faskally Forest
Common Outlander Questions
Where were the North Carolina scenes in Outlander filmed?
Although the Outlander story takes Jamie and Claire to North Carolina, most of these scenes were actually filmed in Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire and other areas of Scotland, with some forest areas and private estates used for Fraser’s Ridge. So, if you’re dreaming of the American South, you might just end up enjoying a wee bit of Scottish mist instead! You could even pop by Faskally Forest nearby, which starred as part of the scenic backdrop.
What village is Outlander filmed in?
Outlander scenes were filmed in Falkland, Culross, and other historic villages across Scotland. These villages are so picturesque, even your camera might ask for a dram of whisky before snapping! Don’t miss the chance to wander through charming streets near Bakehouse Close or stroll along Dysart Harbour for extra cinematic vibes.
What castles are used in Outlander?
Key castles include Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, Hopetoun House, and Craigmillar Castle. If walls could talk, these castles would have more gossip than a Highland ceilidh! And for bonus exploring, check out Drummond Castle Gardens nearby for some truly regal scenery.
Is Outlander historically accurate?
While the series depicts real events like Culloden, some liberties were taken with timelines and characters. History might wink at you here and there, but that’s part of the fun of time-travel drama. While wandering, you might spot iconic spots like Glencorse Old Kirk or Abercorn Parish Church and imagine the stories those walls could tell.
Is there an Outlander tour in Scotland?
Yes, Trafalgar offers a 13-day Highland Trail inspired by Outlander. It’s the only time you can chase Jamie Fraser without needing to dodge any Highland swords yourself! Along the way, you might even stay at the historic Covenanter Hotel.
Where is the house in Outlander located?
Movie magic has it’s tricks! The interior scenes are filmed on sound stages, and the outdoor scenes for Fraser’s Ridge are shot near Kinloch Rannoch. This location is beloved for its rolling hills and dense forests, representing the rugged beauty of colonial America.
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Ready for a tour of Scotland that brings Outlander filming locations to life? Don’t miss Trafalgar’s 13-day Highland Trail inspired by Outlander that gives fans a chance to see where Claire and Jamie’s journey unfolds and experience the historical settings of 18th-century Scotland.