Jemima Kirkwood
27 January 2026
If you're a fan of the hit television series 'Outlander', there's no better way to experience Scotland than by visiting the filming locations that brought the beloved series to life. With season eight now confirmed, the final episodes will air on Amazon Prime in the UK from Saturday 7 March 2026, following their US debut on STARZ on Friday 6 March.
This travel guide is your companion through the heart of Outlander country, helping you trace the footsteps of your favourite characters while uncovering the rich history that inspired the show. Whether you dream of standing at the mystical stones of Craigh na Dun (filmed at Kinloch Rannoch) or wandering the cobbled streets of 18th-century Edinburgh (brought to life in the Royal Mile and Bakehouse Close), each location on this journey offers more than just a photo op, it offers a connection to your beloved show.
Read on to discover some of the many filming locations in Scotland and how you can explore them. We quote Claire Fraser when we say, “the world and each day in it, is a gift”. So, grab your tartan and sense of adventure and come on a magical tour of Scotland’s most iconic Outlander filming spots.
Where is Outlander filmed in Scotland?
There are many film locations throughout Scotland from the remote Highlands down to the Scottish borders. It’s not surprising that Scotland offers such a diverse landscape covering all possibilities for inspirational shots. Discover some of our favourites below.
Doune Castle
Located near Stirling in central Scotland, Doune Castle is one of the most iconic Outlander filming locations. In the series, it is called Castle Leoch, the ancestral seat of Clan MacKenzie and home to Colum and Dougal MacKenzie. The castle features prominently in Season 1, and its striking medieval architecture and towering gatehouse provides the perfect backdrop for 18th-century Highland life. Fans can visit the castle and explore its courtyard, basement, interior chambers and surrounding views. Guided and private Outlander-themed tours can be booked in advance, and you can discover the grounds while listening to a bespoke audio guide narrated by Sam Heughan himself.
Good to know:
- Episode featured: Across episodes in Season 1
- Address: Castle Hill, Doune FK16 6EA
- Parking: Limited parking on site, more parking in Doune Village car park
- Fun fact: Before Outlander, Doune Castle also starred in ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’, fans still flock to re-enact scenes with coconut shells in hands
Falkland Village and Falkland Palace
Falkland Village and Falkland Palace in Fife, Scotland, are beautifully preserved locations that double as 1940s throughout the Outlander seasons. The charming village square, which many fans recognise instantly thanks to its distinctive fountain and cobbled charm, appears in episode 1, where Claire and Frank stay at Mrs Baird’s B&B, and where Frank glimpses the ghostly figure of Jamie near the Bruce Fountain. The streets and shopfronts of Falkland continue to appear in Season 2 and briefly in Season 4. Falkland Palace is used heavily for background shots, and its Renaissance architecture adds authenticity to the period feel of the series.
Good to know:
- Episode featured: Season 1 and 2
- Address: East Port, Falkland, Cupar KY15 7BY
- Parking: Public parking available in the village square
- Fun fact: Falkland Palace was once a royal residence of the Scottish kings and Mary, Queen of Scots spent time here and was known to enjoy falconry and tennis on the grounds. The tennis court here is still one of the oldest real courts in the world
Midhope Castle
Located on the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry, Midhope Castle is best known to Outlander fans as ‘Lallybroch’, Jamie Fraser’s beloved family home. Though the 16th-century tower house is ruined, uninhabited and not furnished inside, its weathered exterior is instantly recognisable and features in multiple episodes throughout the series. It won’t take you long to realise the interior shots are studio-made! You can visit the castle grounds, but it is not safe to explore inside so this is prohibited. Booking in advance is advised and guided tours are on offer for those who want to delve deeper into the history of Midhope.
Good to know:
- Episode featured: Episodes across Seasons 1, 2, 3 and 7
- Address: Midhope Castle, Abercorn, South Queensferry EH30 9SL
- Parking: Parking on site purchased with ticket
- Fun fact: The interior scenes of Lallybroch were filmed on studio sets and only the outside of Midhope Castle was used. Despite this, the site has become a pilgrimage destination for fans, who often recreate scenes at the iconic arched doorway where Jamie famously welcomes Claire
Blackness Castle
Perched dramatically on the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh, Blackness Castle appears in Outlander as the imposing Fort William, the headquarters of the sadistic Black Jack Randall in the series. Its dark stone walls and coastal setting made it a perfect stand-in for the grim fortress, most notably featured in the harrowing scene where Jamie is flogged. Blackness is fully open for visitors where you can explore both the grounds and interiors at your leisure. Fans can walk the battlements, stand in the very courtyard where key scenes were filmed, and soak in the chilling atmosphere of Fort William. There is a visitor centre with exhibits so you can learn all about the castle. We suggest taking a picnic, snacks and refreshments as there isn’t a café here.
Good to know:
- Episode featured: Season 1, episodes 6 and 15
- Address: Blackness, Linlithgow EH49 7NH
- Parking: Parking for visitors on site with ticket
- Fun fact: Known as ‘the ship that never sailed’ because of its unique shape resembling a stone battleship, Blackness Castle was originally built in the 15th century as a royal fortress and later served as a prison and ammunition depot
Linlithgow Palace
Located in West Lothian, Linlithgow Palace serves as the eerie stand-in for Wentworth Prison in Outlander, where Jamie is held and tortured by Black Jack Randall. Though the palace is a roofless ruin today, its grand stone corridors and shadowy chambers provided the perfect setting for some of the show’s most intense and emotionally charged scenes. Despite its grim role in Outlander, the palace was once known for its elegance and was considered a luxurious stop between Edinburgh and Stirling for travelling monarchs. The palace is open to visitors all year round and you can walk through the very ruins that stood for Wentworth Prison, a deeply atmospheric experience.
Good to know:
- Episode featured: Season 1
- Address: Kirkgate, Linlithgow EH49 7AL
- Parking: Parking available in Linlithgow, with the palace within short walking distance
- Fun fact: Linlithgow Palace was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1542, and was once a favourite royal residence thanks to its scenic setting by Linlithgow Loch
Some more Outlander Filming locations include:
- Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire: Filming location for Craigh na Dun, the stone circle where Claire time travels. Appears throughout Season 1, Season 2 (finale), Season 3 (Ep 5), Season 4 (finale) and Season 5 (finale).
- Culloden Battlefield, Inverness: Used symbolically for the lead-up and aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. Featured in Season 2 finale and Season 3 premiere.
- Loch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor, Highlands: Wild moorland landscapes used for atmospheric exterior shots. Prominent across Season 1 and Season 2.
- Culross, Fife: Stands in for Cranesmuir, Geillis Duncan’s home village. Appears widely in Season 1, with additional scenes in Season 2 and Season 4.
- Aberdour Castle, Fife: Filmed as St Anne de Beaupré monastery where Claire and Jamie seek refuge. Season 1, episode 16.
- Callendar House, Falkirk: Historic kitchen used for the tense confrontation with the Duke of Sandringham. Season 2, episode 11.
- Royal Mile, Edinburgh: Streets re-created as 18th-century Edinburgh, including scenes around the printshop. Extensive use in Series 3.
- Bakehouse Close, Edinburgh: Exterior of Jamie’s printshop, one of the show’s most iconic spots. Season 3, episode 6.
- Summerhall, Edinburgh: Various interiors doubling as 18th-century Edinburgh rooms and passageways. Season 3.
- Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow: Transformed into L’Hôpital des Anges, the Parisian hospital where Claire volunteers. Featured across Season 2.
- Kelvingrove Park, Glasgow: Used for several early outdoor scenes set in the 1940s. Season 1 (notably Claire and Frank scenes).
The Scottish history that inspired Outlander
The Outlander series draws deeply from real Scottish history, especially the turbulent period of the Jacobite risings in the 18th century. Central to the story is the 1745 Jacobite rebellion, led by Charles Edward Stuart (known famously as Bonnie Prince Charlie), as he attempted to reclaim the British throne for his exiled father. The series captures the passionate hopes of the Highland clans, the cultural clash with the British government, and the devastating aftermath of the Battle of Culloden, a real and brutal event in 1746 that marked the end of the Highland way of life. Blending historic events with romantic fiction, it is safe to say the author, Diana Gabaldon, has created something truly evocative and special.
Outlander filming locations map
Explore our interactive map to discover all these locations and more across Scotland.
Stay near the Outlander filming locations
We hope you have enjoyed reading our guide and that you have now got some of these Outlander filming locations on your to-visit list. Plan your holiday to Scotland and stay in our great self-catering holiday homes which can provide you and your friends or family with a great base to explore from. You can even go fully Outlander and rent a Scottish castle!
Scotland cottages
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.