Outlander Filming Locations in Scotland: The 2025 Guide

Planning to visit Outlander filming locations in Scotland? This comprehensive 2025 guide covers 15+ real filming sites from the hit STARZ series—including Castle Leoch (Doune Castle), Cranesmuir (Culross), and Lallybroch (Midhope Castle). Whether you’re booking an Outlander tour Scotland adventure or visiting locations independently, you’ll find contact details, opening times, estimated visit duration, and insider tips for the perfect trip.

From the mystical stone circle at “Craigh na Dun” to Edinburgh’s Royal Mile where Jamie and Claire reunite, we’ve compiled every essential Outlander filming location Scotland fans should see. Use this guide to step through time and experience the magic of Diana Gabaldon’s world firsthand.

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Quick Reference: Top Outlander Filming Locations (Central Belt & Highlands)

• Doune Castle (Castle Leoch) — Visit 2–3 hrs • Difficulty: Easy • Typical Entry: ~£10

• Culross Palace & Royal Burgh (Cranesmuir) — Visit 3–4 hrs • Easy • ~£10

• Falkland Village (1940s/60s Inverness) — Visit 2–3 hrs • Easy • Free (village)

• Blackness Castle (Fort William HQ) — Visit 1–2 hrs • Easy • ~£7.50

• Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) — Visit ~1 hr • Moderate (car needed) • Exterior only

• Palace of Holyroodhouse (Royal scenes) — Visit 2–3 hrs • Easy • ~£17.50

• Kinloch Rannoch (Craigh na Dun filming area) — Visit ~1 hr • Difficult (remote) • Free

• Clava Cairns (real stone circle inspiration) — Visit 45–60 mins • Easy • Free

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Top Filming Locations (Season 1 & 2 Essentials)

1) Doune Castle — “Castle Leoch”

Why go: Home of Clan MacKenzie in S1; superb medieval great hall and 100-ft gatehouse.
Contact: +44 1786 841742 • Castle Hill, Doune, Stirling FK16 6EA • historicenvironment.scot
Opening:

• Apr–May: Daily 10:00–17:00 (last entry 16:15)

• Jun–Sep: Daily 09:30–17:30 (last entry 16:45)

• Oct–Mar: Daily 10:00–16:00 (last entry 15:15)
  Getting there: Bus 59 from Stirling to Doune (~30 mins) + 10-min walk. Free village parking.
  Visit time: 2–3 hrs • Best: Weekday mornings
  Scenes: Great hall, courtyard, clan gatherings (plus Monty Python & GoT history).

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2) Culross Palace & Royal Burgh — “Cranesmuir”

Why go: Geillis Duncan’s house, witch-trial streets, Castle Leoch herb garden scenes. A remarkably preserved 16th–17th-century village.
Contact: 01383 880359 • Culross KY12 8JH • nts.org.uk
Opening:

• Apr–Sep: Daily 10:00–17:00

• Sep–Oct: Daily 10:00–16:00 (occasional maintenance closures)
  Extras: Palace tours on select days; Bessie’s Café; kids’ LEGO trail.
  Visit time: 3–4 hrs • Best: Early morning/late afternoon for photos
  Scenes: Geillis’ parlour, herb garden, witch-trial locations.

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3) Falkland Palace & Village — “1940s/60s Inverness”

Why go: Mrs Baird’s B&B (Covenanter Hotel exterior), Bruce Fountain (Jamie’s ghost), Renaissance palace.
Contact: NTS: 0844 493 2100 • KY15 7BY • nts.org.uk
Opening:

• Mar–Oct: Daily 11:00–17:00

• Nov–Feb: Thu–Mon guided tours only (winter)
  Visit time: 2–3 hrs • Best: Morning for fountain light
  Scenes: Frank & Claire honeymoon; ghost sighting; 1960s sequences.

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4) Blackness Castle — “Fort William Prison”

Why go: “Ship that never sailed”; Jamie’s flogging; Black Jack Randall HQ.
Contact: HES 0131 668 8800 • EH49 7NH • historicenvironment.scot
Opening:

• Apr–Sep: Daily 09:30–17:00 (last 16:15)

• Oct–Mar: Daily 10:00–16:00 (last 15:15)
  Note: Limited parking; avoid parking on access road.
  Visit time: 1–2 hrs • Best: Late afternoon light
  Scenes: Courtyard flogging; British stronghold exteriors.

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5) Palace of Holyroodhouse — Royal Court Scenes

Why go: Working royal palace; State Apartments; Mary Queen of Scots rooms.
Contact: +44 131 556 5100 • EH8 8DX • rct.uk
Opening:

• Apr–Oct: Daily 09:30–18:00 (last 16:30)

• Nov–Mar: Daily 09:30–16:30 (last 15:15)

• Closed Tue–Wed (except Jul–Sep) • Opening may change at short notice.
  Visit time: 2–3 hrs • Best: Early/late to avoid crowds
  Scenes: Audience with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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6) Kinloch Rannoch — “Craigh na Dun” Filming Area

Why go: Filming site on private farmland near Rannoch Moor; foamed-stone circle props were used.
Access: Private farm with visitor car park provided by landowner; limited signage.
Visit time: ~1 hr • Best: Early morning atmosphere • Difficulty: Moderate–Difficult (car required)
Scenes: Time-travel sequences.
Alt: Clava Cairns near Inverness for an authentic prehistoric stone circle experience.

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7) Clava Cairns — Real Ancient Stone Circle (Inspiration)

Why go: 4,000-year-old Bronze Age burial cairns & standing stones. Free and always open.
Address: IV2 5EU • historicenvironment.scot
Visit time: 45–60 mins • Best: Sunrise/sunset
Connection: Inspiration for Craigh na Dun.

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8) Midhope Castle — “Lallybroch”

Why go: Jamie’s ancestral home (exterior only).
Address: EH30 9SL (near South Queensferry) • Very limited parking.
Visit time: ~1 hr • Best: Midday for even exterior light • Difficulty: Moderate (car required)
Scenes: Fraser family home and courtyard moments.

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9) Preston Mill — Fraser Estate Mill

Why go: Jamie repairing the mill; unique conical roof and red pantiles.
Contact: NTS 0844 493 2100 • EH40 3DS • nts.org.uk
Visit time: 45–60 mins • Best: Morning light
Scenes: Mill repair; nearby courthouse interiors used in witch-trial sequences.

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10) Glen Coe — Opening Credits

Why go: Scotland’s most dramatic glen; features in opening credits of every S1 episode.
Visitor Centre: PH49 4LA • 01855 811307 • nts.org.uk
Visit time: 2–4 hrs (centre + short walks) • Best: Clear mornings; Three Sisters viewpoint.

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11) Culloden Battlefield — Final Jacobite Battle

Why go: 1746 battlefield; powerful visitor centre and moor walk.
Contact: 01463 796090 • IV2 5EU • nts.org.uk
Opening: Apr–Oct 09:00–18:00; Nov–Mar 10:00–16:00
Visit time: 2–3 hrs • Best: Late afternoon for reflection
Scenes/History: Frank & Claire 1946 visit; Jamie & Claire pre-battle return; defeat of Jacobite cause (16 April 1746).

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12) Edinburgh’s Royal Mile & Old Town — Print Shop & More

Why go: Bakehouse Close (print shop exterior), Tweeddale Court, atmospheric closes.
Info: Edinburgh.org • Tourist Info: +44 131 473 3868
Visit time: Half day walking tour • Best: Early morning on the Mile
Scenes: Jamie’s print shop; Jamie & Claire reunion.

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13) Craigmillar Castle — Edinburgh’s “Hidden Castle”

Why go: Various interior/exterior scenes; quieter than Edinburgh Castle with excellent preservation.
Contact: HES 0131 668 8800 • EH16 4SY • historicenvironment.scot
Visit time: 1–2 hrs • Best: Afternoon city views.

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14) Pollok Country Park (Glasgow) — Castle Leoch Grounds & French Countryside

Why go: Doubles for Leoch grounds (S1) and several French scenes (S2); also home to the Burrell Collection & Pollok House.
Contact: 0141 287 5064 • G43 1AT • glasgow.gov.uk
Visit time: 1–2 hrs • Best: Spring blooms; autumn colours.

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15) Hopetoun House — Duke of Sandringham’s Residence

Why go: “Scotland’s Versailles”; State Apartments and working Georgian kitchen used for Bellhurst Manor.
Contact: 0131 331 2451 • EH30 9SL • hopetoun.co.uk
Opening: Apr–Sep Daily 10:30–17:00; Oct–Mar limited
Visit time: 2–3 hrs • Best: Afternoon interiors.

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16) Linlithgow Palace — Wentworth Prison (Entrances & Corridors)

Why go: Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots; intense Wentworth sequences filmed here.
Contact: HES 0131 668 8800 • EH49 7AL • historicenvironment.scot
Opening:

• Apr–Sep: Daily 09:30–17:30

• Oct–Mar: Daily 10:00–16:00
  Visit time: 2–3 hrs (include loch walk) • Best: Late afternoon light.

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17) Drummond Castle Gardens — Versailles

Why go: Formal parterre gardens as French royal setting.
Contact: 01764 681433 • PH7 4HN • drummondcastlegardens.co.uk
Opening: May–Oct Daily 13:00–18:00 (gardens only)
Visit time: 1–2 hrs • Best: Late afternoon.

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Outlander Tours in Scotland (Best Options for 2025)

Guided Small-Group Day Tours

• Typical: Doune, Culross, Falkland, Blackness • From ~£65pp • Max ~16 seats • Stress-free budget day tour.

Private Outlander Tours

• Ideal for families & flexibility • 4–8 hrs/day • From ~£650 a day tour –£900 per day on a multi-day tour • Bespoke photo stops go at your own pace and plan the exact locations you want to see. Check out www.tourguidescotland.com for some inspiration.

Self-Guided (Car Rental)

• Maximum freedom; access remote sites like Kinloch Rannoch • Best for photographers/groups.

Public Transport

• Affordable for solo travellers near cities (Edinburgh/Stirling) • Limited for remote sites (Midhope, Rannoch).

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Maps & Route Planning

Recommended Routes

• Route 1 (2–3 Days, Central): Edinburgh → Falkland → Culross → Blackness → Doune → Stirling → Linlithgow/Hopetoun → Edinburgh

• Route 2 (4–5 Days, Highlands): Add Culloden, Clava Cairns, Kinloch Rannoch (base Inverness/Fort William)

• Route 3 (Weekend): Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile, Blackness, Culross, Falkland.

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Locations by Season (Quick Picks)

• Season 1: Doune (Castle Leoch), Culross (Cranesmuir), Falkland (Inverness), Glen Coe (credits), Blackness (Fort William).

• Season 2 (France in Scotland): Drummond Castle Gardens, Pollok Country Park, Hopetoun House.

• Season 3+: Royal Mile & Bakehouse Close, Holyroodhouse, Craigmillar Castle.

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Budget Planning (Typical)

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  Money-savers: HES Explorer Pass (3-day), NTS membership, off-season rates, picnics, free outdoor sites

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Where to Stay (Handy Bases)

• Falkland: The Covenanter Hotel (Mrs Baird’s B&B) — walk to palace/fountain.

• Edinburgh Old Town: The Witchery; Hotel du Vin — steps from Royal Mile.

• Stirling Area: Stirling Highland Hotel; Premier Inn — central for Doune/Culross/Blackness.

• Inverness: Culloden House; Premier Inn — for Culloden/Clava, day-trips south/west.

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When to Go (Seasonal Tips)

• Spring (Mar–May): Best value; longer days; flowers in palace gardens.

• Summer (Jun–Aug): Peak hours & prices; 10pm light; book well ahead.

• Autumn (Sep–Nov): Photographers’ dream; colours; reduced hours from Oct.

• Winter (Dec–Feb): Lowest prices; limited daylight; some sites guided-only/closed; road/weather checks essential.

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Getting Around (Driving & Public Transport)

• Self-Drive: GPS for Midhope/Rannoch; single-track etiquette; pre-book parking; fuel up before Highlands; speed cameras.

• Rail (ScotRail): Edinburgh–Stirling ~50 mins; Edinburgh–Inverness ~3.5 hrs; consider Spirit of Scotland Pass.

• Bus: Citylink (inter-city), Stagecoach (local).
  Note: No direct public transport to Midhope; limited options for Kinloch Rannoch; reduced Sunday service rurally.

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Accessibility Snapshot

• Good access: Holyroodhouse (lifts, audio-descriptive tours), Glen Coe Visitor Centre, parts of Culross gardens.

• Partial: Doune (ground floor), Blackness (courtyard), Culloden (centre + many paths).

• Limited: Midhope (uneven exterior only), Kinloch Rannoch (farm track/moorland).
  Resources: Euan’s Guide, Tourism for All, RNID/RNIB for loops & audio guides.

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Hidden Gems (For Dedicated Fans)

• Glencorse Old Kirk (wedding church) — private estate near Edinburgh; iconic doorway.

• Dysart Harbour (Le Havre) — 16th-century harbour; pair with Culross.

• Dunure Castle & Beach (Silkie Island) — wild Ayrshire coast; great coastal shots.

• Glasgow George Square (1940s Boston) — easy city add-on.

• Cumbernauld Studios — interiors filmed here (no public access).

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Outlander-Inspired Extras

• Whisky: Edinburgh Whisky Experience (Royal Mile); Malt Whisky Trail (Speyside).

• Highland Games: May–Sep (Braemar, Cowal).

• Cooking & Foraging: Traditional classes in Edinburgh; foraging tours echo Claire’s herb craft.

• Music & Dance: Ceilidh nights; trad sessions (e.g., Sandy Bell’s, Edinburgh).

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Pro Photography Tips

• Golden hour (1 hr before sunset) for castles.

• Weekday mornings to avoid crowds.

• Check interior photo rules; many sites restrict.

• Drones usually prohibited at heritage sites.

• Wide-angle for exteriors; tripod for low light.

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Final Thoughts: Your Outlander Adventure Awaits

Visiting Outlander filming locations isn’t just box-ticking—it’s stepping into living Scottish history. These are real castles, villages, and battlefields that shaped Scotland long before cameras rolled. Use this guide to craft a weekend taster or a week-long pilgrimage—and remember, the journeys between sites (moody glens, coastal villages, heather-clad hills) are part of the magic. Slàinte mhath!

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Resources for Continued Planning

• Official: VisitScotland Outlander page & map; Historic Environment Scotland; National Trust for Scotland.

• Apps: Outlander app (AR), VisitScotland (offline maps), Historic Scotland (audio guides).

• Books: The Outlandish Companion (D. Gabaldon); Outlander: The Official Guide to Scotland (P. Richards).

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FAQ — Outlander Filming Locations Scotland

How many days do I need?
2–3 days for essentials around Edinburgh/Central Scotland; 4–5 days to include Highland sites.

Best order to visit?
Day 1: Edinburgh (Holyroodhouse, Royal Mile) → Blackness → Culross (overnight Edinburgh/Stirling)
Day 2: Falkland → Doune → (optional) Glen Coe
Day 3: Culloden → Clava Cairns → Kinloch Rannoch

Winter visits—possible?
Yes, but reduced hours and weather risks. Falkland Palace often guided-only. Check road conditions for remote areas.

Family-friendly?
Mostly yes. Doune has stairs; Culross great for families; Blackness more suitable for 8+; stone circles are free and fun.

What does it cost to see the main sites?
Entries ~£45–£60 pp for 5–6 major castles, plus transport. Guided day tours from ~£65pp; private tours from ~£650 per group.

Can I stay at filming locations?
Try the Covenanter Hotel (Falkland/Mrs Baird’s B&B). In Edinburgh, stay near the Royal Mile for easy access.

Any locations I can’t enter?
Midhope interior is closed (exterior only). Kinloch Rannoch site is on private farmland (respect signage/parking). Some Old Town closes are residential.

Should I book in advance?
In peak months (Jun–Aug), yes—for guided tours and popular castles. Private tours and Edinburgh Festival dates book out quickly.

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