For years, the Outlander series, based on Diana Gabaldon’s enthralling novels, has transported us to a world of epic romance, gripping history, and, of course, the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland.

From Claire Fraser’s first tumble through the stones at Craigh na Dun to the sprawling adventures across continents, the series has not only captured hearts but has also cast a luminous spotlight on its primary filming backdrop: Scotland. As we eagerly await the final chapter, Season 8, which wrapped filming in late 2024, the desire to walk in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire has never been stronger.

Departure from: Edinburgh | London | Paris

Outlander Filming Locations Map

Many fans dream of creating their own Outlander filming locations map to trace the Frasers’ steps. While the production uses a variety of locations, some stand out for their historical significance and their magical on-screen transformations.

When stepping into these places, you’ll find that the real Scotland is every bit as captivating as its fictional portrayal, particularly when considering the layers added by Outlander Season 7 and the hints of what’s to come in the final season.

View the full map: Outlander filming locations

---

15 Outlander Filming Locations in Scotland

• Doune Castle: The Imposing Castle Leoch
• Midhope Castle: The Enduring Lallybroch
• Linlithgow Palace: The Infamous Wentworth Prison
• Culross & Culross Palace: The Charming Cranesmuir
• Blackness Castle: The Stern Fort William
• Hopetoun House: A Multifaceted Gem
• Falkland: Stepping into 1940s Inverness
• Pollok Country Park: Grounds of Castle Leoch & French Countryside
• Drummond Castle Gardens: The Gardens of Versailles
• Tibbermore Church: Cranesmuir Church & Witch Trials
• Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot: Lallybroch’s Mill
• Deanston Distillery: Jared’s Wine Warehouse in Le Havre
• Glencoe: The Majestic Opening Credits & Landscapes
• Highland Folk Museum: Mackenzie Village Life
• Fraser’s Ridge and Beyond: Scotland as North Carolina
• Callendar House: Kitchen at Bellhurst Manor

---

Doune Castle: The Imposing Castle Leoch

Castle Leoch, the seat of Clan MacKenzie and a pivotal location in Season 1, is represented by the formidable Doune Castle near Stirling. This 14th-century courtyard castle, with its impressive gatehouse and expansive great hall, needed little alteration to become the bustling Mackenzie stronghold. Its robust architecture and well-preserved state make it easy to imagine Claire navigating its walls, tending to the wounded, or Jamie standing his ground.

Doune Castle has a rich history of its own, once serving as a royal retreat and a dower house. Today, visitors can even enjoy an audio tour narrated by Sam Heughan (Jamie Fraser) himself, offering insights into both the castle’s history and its Outlander connections.

Midhope Castle: The Enduring Lallybroch

For many, Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home, is the heart of Outlander. The real-life location for this iconic broch is Midhope Castle, a 16th-century tower house located on the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry. While the exterior is instantly recognizable as the cherished Fraser estate, it’s important for visitors to know that the interior is largely derelict and not used for filming (interior Lallybroch scenes are studio sets).

Nevertheless, standing before its weathered stone walls, it’s impossible not to feel a connection to Jamie and the generations of Frasers who called it home. Its appearance throughout the Outlander series filming locations roster, likely including poignant moments in Season 8, cements its place as a must-visit.

*Visiting Lallybroch often requires a permit from the Hopetoun Farm Shop, so planning ahead is key.

Linlithgow Palace: The Infamous Wentworth Prison

The birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, the magnificent ruins of Linlithgow Palace, became the notorious Wentworth Prison in Outlander. It was within these historic walls that Jamie suffered horrifically at the hands of Black Jack Randall.

While the palace itself is a beautiful and historically significant royal residence, its Outlander transformation showcases the series’ ability to find the perfect, atmospheric settings for its most dramatic scenes. The contrast between its regal past and its fictional role as a place of torment is striking for visiting fans.

Culross & Culross Palace: The Charming Cranesmuir

The picturesque village of Culross in Fife, with its cobbled streets and beautifully preserved 17th and 18th-century buildings, served as the fictional village of Cranesmuir. This is where Geillis Duncan lived and where Claire’s knowledge of herbs was both a blessing and a curse, leading to the terrifying witch trials.

The Mercat Cross area of Culross was central to Cranesmuir’s layout. The gardens behind Culross Palace were transformed into Claire’s herb garden at Castle Leoch. Walking through Culross feels like stepping back in time, a testament to the National Trust for Scotland’s preservation efforts.

Blackness Castle: The Stern Fort William

The imposing 15th-century Blackness Castle, located on the shores of the Firth of Forth, provided the grim setting for Fort William, Black Jack Randall’s oppressive headquarters. Its ship-like structure, often called “the ship that never sailed,” lent itself perfectly to the formidable and fear-inducing atmosphere required for scenes of Jamie’s incarceration and brutal encounters with Randall

The castle’s stark courtyards and ramparts witnessed some of the series’ most harrowing moments. Visiting Blackness Castle offers a glimpse into Scotland’s defensive architecture and a chilling reminder of Outlander‘s darker plotlines.

Hopetoun House: A Multifaceted Gem

Hopetoun House, a magnificent stately home near South Queensferry, has been one of the most versatile Outlander filming locations. Its grounds and various parts of the house have depicted multiple settings: the Duke of Sandringham’s residence (Belhurst Manor), Parisian streets for Season 2, the Hawkins Estate, the stables at Helwater, and the exterior of Ellesmere in Season 3.

The sheer scale and grandeur of Hopetoun House, along with its meticulously maintained interiors and expansive estate (which also includes Midhope Castle/Lallybroch), have made it invaluable to the production. Its continued use across various seasons highlights its importance.

Falkland: Stepping into 1940s Inverness

The charming village of Falkland in Fife, with its traditional stone buildings and central fountain, was the perfect double for 1940s (and later 1960s) Inverness, where Claire and Frank Randall begin their second honeymoon in the very first episode. Fans will immediately recognize the Covenanter Hotel as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouse, and the Bruce Fountain where Jamie’s ghost is seen looking up at Claire’s window.

Wandering through Falkland, it’s easy to see why it was chosen; the village square and surrounding shops feel like they’ve been lifted straight from the past, providing an authentic start to Claire’s incredible journey.

Pollok Country Park: Grounds of Castle Leoch & French Countryside

Located in Glasgow, Pollok Country Park has served multiple purposes. Its extensive woodlands and open spaces were used for scenes set in the grounds surrounding Castle Leoch in Season 1, and also doubled for the French countryside as Claire and Jamie traveled between Le Havre and Paris in Season 2.

The park’s natural beauty and accessibility have made it a practical and picturesque Outlander filming location. It’s a place where fans can easily imagine the characters riding or walking through the Scottish or French landscapes.

Drummond Castle Gardens: The Gardens of Versailles

When Outlander’s storyline took Jamie and Claire to France in Season 2, the stunning formal gardens of Drummond Castle near Crieff were chosen to represent the opulent Gardens of the Palace of Versailles. These impressive Italianate terraced gardens, with their intricate parterres, statues, and grand avenues, provided a suitably lavish backdrop for the French court scenes.

While the castle itself is not open to the public, the gardens are a breathtaking sight and one of Scotland’s most important formal gardens, offering a taste of continental elegance right in Perthshire.

Tibbermore Church: Cranesmuir Church & Witch Trials

The atmospheric Tibbermore Parish Church, located near Perth, became the setting for the Cranesmuir church where Claire and Geillis Duncan were tried for witchcraft in Season 1. Its historic interior, with its simple pews and pulpit, provided an authentic and chilling backdrop for these intense scenes. Visiting this unassuming country church offers a powerful connection to one of Outlander‘s most dramatic early storylines.

Preston Mill & Phantassie Doocot: Lallybroch’s Mill

The charming Preston Mill in East Lothian, with its distinctive Dutch-style conical roof, is one of Scotland’s oldest working grain mills. In Outlander, it features as the mill on the Lallybroch estate.

Fans will remember the iconic scene where Jamie hides underwater from Redcoats while repairing the mill wheel. The nearby Phantassie Doocot (dovecote) also makes an appearance. This picturesque filming location offers a glimpse into Scotland’s agricultural past.

Deanston Distillery: Jared’s Wine Warehouse in Le Havre

When Claire and Jamie arrive in France in Season 2, Jared Fraser’s wine warehouse in Le Havre plays a key role. These scenes were filmed at Deanston Distillery, a former cotton mill on the River Teith near Doune Castle.

The distillery’s historic stone buildings and vaulted cellars were perfectly repurposed to represent the bustling 18th-century port warehouse. Visitors today can tour the working whisky distillery and perhaps raise a dram to Jamie and Claire’s French adventures.

Glencoe: The Majestic Opening Credits & Landscapes

The dramatic and awe-inspiring landscapes of Glencoe have featured prominently in Outlander, most notably in the stunning opening credits of Season 1. This famous glen, carved by glaciers and volcanic explosions, is steeped in history, including the infamous Glencoe Massacre of 1692.

Its soaring mountains, moody skies, and sweeping vistas perfectly capture the wild, romantic, and sometimes dangerous beauty of the Scottish Highlands that is so central to Outlander’s identity. While not a specific “set,” its presence is felt throughout the Outlander series filming locations.

Highland Folk Museum: Mackenzie Village Life

To depict 18th-century Highland village life, particularly the Mackenzie village visited by Claire in Season 1, the production turned to the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. This open-air museum features a collection of furnished historic buildings, offering an authentic recreation of past Highland life.

The turf-roofed crofts and bustling atmosphere of the museum’s recreated township provided an ideal setting to show how ordinary Highlanders lived during that period.

Fraser’s Ridge and Beyond: Scotland as North Carolina

A significant question for later seasons is, “Where is Fraser’s Ridge filmed?” While the storyline transports the Frasers to colonial North Carolina, the magic of television means that many of the Outlander filming locations for Fraser’s Ridge and the American wilderness were, in fact, found within Scotland.

Various Scottish forests and landscapes were skillfully used to recreate the rugged beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The production team’s ability to find such convincing doubles in Scotland is a testament to the country’s diverse natural beauty. This approach continued for Outlander Season 7 and undoubtedly for the final Season 8, showcasing Scotland’s versatility.

Callendar House: Kitchen at Bellhurst Manor

The historic Callendar House in Falkirk, with its impressive Georgian architecture, lent its authentic period kitchen to the series. This kitchen was used as part of Bellhurst Manor, the Duke of Sandringham’s estate, in Season 2. The well-preserved kitchen, complete with traditional equipment, added a layer of realism to the scenes depicting life in a grand 18th-century household. Visitors can explore the house and its parklands, stepping into a very real piece of Scottish history used in the show.

What We Know About Outlander Season 8

As the shadows lengthen on our beloved series, anticipation for the eighth and final season of Outlander is reaching a fever pitch. Filming for this concluding chapter officially wrapped in Scotland in late September 2024, with post-production well underway into early 2025. While Scotland once again provide the breathtaking backdrop, often ingeniously standing in for colonial America, fans are eager for every morsel of news about Jamie and Claire’s farewell.

Initially, there was widespread hope among fans for a late 2025 release. However, as of early May 2025, recent updates from Starz suggest that the final season is now expected to grace our screens sometime in 2026. This revised timeline appears to allow the network to first showcase the highly anticipated prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, which is slated for a premiere on August 8, 2025. While a later premiere for Season 8 might test our patience, it promises a grander stage for the Fraser saga’s culmination.

Season 8 will consist of 10 episodes, tasked with weaving together the remaining threads of Diana Gabaldon’s epic tale, primarily drawing from her ninth book, “Go Tell The Bees That I Am Gone,” and potentially incorporating elements from the yet-to-be-published tenth and final novel. Author Diana Gabaldon has reportedly consulted on the show’s ending and, while it may differ from her final book’s conclusion, she has expressed her satisfaction with the direction the series will take.

Plot-wise, while specifics are guarded, some tantalizing hints have emerged. The dramatic reveal concerning Faith Fraser at the end of Season 7 is expected to be a significant storyline. Sophie Skelton, who plays Brianna, has acknowledged the book storyline where Brianna and Roger welcome their third child, Davy, though whether this makes it into the condensed final season remains to be seen. To ensure a focused and impactful send-off for Jamie and Claire, showrunners have indicated that some peripheral storylines and characters might be streamlined. For instance, despite her return in Season 7, Jamie’s sister Jenny Murray (portrayed by Kristin Atherton) is not expected to feature prominently in Season 8, with her character’s emotional arc likely finding resolution through her son, Young Ian. The core focus will undoubtedly be on the central figures: Jamie, Claire, Brianna, Roger, Young Ian, Lord John Grey, and William Ransom, as their intertwined destinies reach their conclusions. The use of established Outlander filming locations season 8 will surely add a layer of poignant nostalgia as we bid farewell to these cherished characters.

Experience the Outlander Atmosphere Elsewhere

While the actual Outlander filming locations offer a direct link to the series, Scotland and the wider UK are brimming with other sites that echo the show’s dramatic atmosphere, historical depth, and breathtaking visuals. For fans seeking to prolong their immersive journey, these inspirational spots provide a powerful sense of connection to the world of Jamie and Claire.

Eilean Donan Castle, Highlands: Though not an Outlander set, Eilean Donan is one of Scotland’s most iconic and photographed castles. Its stunning location at the meeting point of three sea lochs, surrounded by majestic mountains, evokes the romantic and rugged feel of many Highland strongholds depicted in the series. Its ancient stones and dramatic causeway could easily belong in the Fraser or MacKenzie sagas.

The Isle of Skye, Inner Hebrides: The entirety of Skye offers landscapes that scream Outlander. From the mystical Quiraing and the Old Man of Storr to the ethereal Fairy Pools and the dramatic cliffs of Neist Point, Skye’s raw, untamed beauty mirrors the wildness of the Highlands that Jamie Fraser calls home. You can easily imagine Claire wandering these landscapes, foraging for herbs, or the Frasers seeking refuge in its hidden glens.

Clava Cairns, near Inverness: While the Craigh na Dun stone circle in Outlander is a fictional creation (with scenes filmed near Kinloch Rannoch), the Bronze Age Clava Cairns are widely believed to be one of its primary inspirations. This ancient burial site, with its well-preserved passage graves, kerbstones, and standing stones, possesses a tangible sense of mystery and timelessness. Standing among these stones, particularly at dawn or dusk, offers a profoundly atmospheric experience reminiscent of Claire’s own journey through time.

Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire: With a name that resonates directly with our hero, Castle Fraser is one of Scotland’s grandest tower houses. Its impressive architecture, historic portraits, and sprawling estate offer a glimpse into the life of Scottish lairds, much like the Fraser family. While distinct from Lallybroch, its atmosphere and preserved interiors provide a rich, immersive step back in time.

Glenfinnan Viaduct & Monument, Lochaber: Though famous for its Harry Potter connection, Glenfinnan is steeped in Jacobite history. The Glenfinnan Monument marks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard in 1745, igniting the Jacobite Rising that forms such a crucial backdrop to Outlander’s early seasons. The surrounding landscape of lochs and mountains is quintessentially Highland, and reflecting on the historical events that unfolded here adds a poignant layer for any Outlander enthusiast.

The Shambles, York, England: Stepping beyond Scotland, The Shambles in York is one of England‘s best-preserved medieval streets. Its overhanging timber-framed houses and narrow, cobbled laneway strongly evoke the atmosphere of 18th-century Edinburgh, particularly the closes and wynds around the Royal Mile where Jamie had his print shop. While in a different country, the visual and historical feel is strikingly similar to some of Claire and Jamie’s urban adventures.

The Royal Mile, Edinburgh: Although parts of Edinburgh‘s Old Town, like Bakehouse Close (Jamie’s print shop), were actual filming locations, the entirety of the Royal Mile itself is an immersive experience. From Edinburgh Castle at one end to the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the other, the ancient buildings, hidden closes, and centuries of history palpable in the air make it a must-visit. Exploring its nooks and crannies feels like stepping directly into the historical world Outlander portrays.

These locations, while not bearing the official “filmed here” plaque, offer incredible opportunities to connect with the essence of Outlander, its historical context, and the stunning landscapes that define it. They serve as wonderful complements to a tour of the actual Outlander series filming locations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Outlander actually filmed?

Most of Outlander’s striking period scenes are shot across Scotland’s historic castles, forests, and villages—from Doune Castle to the Cairngorms—while interior work takes place at Wardpark Studios near Cumbernauld. Although the story spans Europe and colonial America, Prague and Cape Town stand in for Paris and South Africa briefly, but the heart of the series remains Scottish.

Where is Jamie’s castle in Outlander?

Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home, Lallybroch, is represented by Midhope Castle in West Lothian, a partially restored 15th‑century tower that fans now affectionately call “Jamie’s castle”.

Where is Fraser’s Ridge filmed?

Fraser’s Ridge, Jamie and Claire’s North Carolina homestead in Seasons 4–7, is actually constructed in Scotland around the Hill of Row near Doune, blending wooded plate shots with green‑screened backdrops to evoke the Appalachian foothills.