If you’ve ever watched Outlander and thought I need to go there — you absolutely can. And you probably should.
One of the best things about Scotland, beyond the landscapes and the history and the general feeling that you’ve stepped into another century, is how much of Outlander’s magic was filmed in real places that are open to visitors. We’re talking actual castles, preserved medieval villages, atmospheric cobblestone closes — not sets, not recreations, but the genuine thing. The production leaned heavily on Scotland’s real built history, which means that when you visit these places, you’re not just chasing a TV show. You’re walking through some of the most remarkable historic sites in the country.
The other good news is that a lot of these locations are surprisingly close together, especially if you use Edinburgh as your base. Some are right in the city itself — a short walk from the Royal Mile. Others are an easy day trip away. A handful require a bit more of a journey, but those tend to be the ones that reward you most.
Whether you’re planning a dedicated Outlander trip or just want to weave a few stops into a broader Scotland trip, keep reading for a list of iconic Outlander spots!
Why Edinburgh Is the Perfect Base
If you’re planning an Outlander-inspired trip, Edinburgh is an easy place to start.
From here, you can walk to several filming locations right in the city and take easy day trips to major sites nearby. Most of the “big hitter” locations are just outside the city, so you’ll either want to rent a car, hire a driver, or hop on a guided tour.
The Iconic Outlander Filming Locations Near Edinburgh
Blackness Castle (Filming Location: Fort William)
Often called “the ship that never sailed” because of its shape, Blackness Castle stands in for Fort William in the series, where Jamie receives lashes from Randall, where Jamie’s father passes away after witnessing his son endure so much pain, and where Claire and Jamie were held as hostages by Randall. The castle reappears later in Season 2 as well, when Brianna visits the grounds and begins to feel a connection to the place.
It’s right on the water, a little moody, very chilly, and instantly recognizable once you’ve seen those scenes.
Midhope Castle (Filming Location: Lallybroch)
This is the one for fans.
Midhope Castle is Lallybroch—Jamie’s home—and while you can’t go inside, seeing the exterior in person is still pretty surreal. It looks almost exactly like it does in the show. And you get to feel like you’re “coming home” to Lallybroch.
Your ticket allows access to the castle grounds, the drive leading up to it, the archway, the courtyard, the castle steps, and a countryside walk along the Midhope Burn — where you may even find the location used for Jamie’s cave.
Pro tip: Pair this with Blackness Castle—they’re very close to each other.
Linlithgow Palace (Filming Location: Wentworth Prison)
Yes… that place.
Linlithgow Palace doubles as Wentworth Prison, and while it’s a beautiful ruin in real life, it carries a much darker association for fans of the show. The staircases and basement rooms were used for the prison scenes, and the main entrance appears as the gate through which Claire stumbles out after her desperate attempt to find Jamie inside.
It’s worth a stop—not just for the Outlander connection, but for the history and views.
Doune Castle (Filming Location: Castle Leoch)
One of the most recognizable locations from Outlander Season 1, Doune Castle is Castle Leoch—home of Clan MacKenzie, and the first place Claire finds herself after tumbling through the stones.
The great hall, the courtyard, and the surrounding grounds were all used in the show. Visitors can enjoy an audio tour narrated by Sam Heughan himself, walking through the scenes filmed here, with information points throughout signposting sites of interest.
Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, this one is worth visiting. It’s also been featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Game of Thrones, so it has a bit of a cinematic résumé.
Culross (Filming Location: Cranesmuir)
Culross feels like stepping back in time — and that’s precisely why the Outlander production team chose it.
The Mercat Cross square, the Study House, the gardens of the palace, and the West Kirk were all used for filming — including the square where Geillis and Claire are nearly hanged as witches. Claire’s herb garden scenes were filmed in the raised beds behind Culross Palace.
It’s one of those places that doesn’t require much planning. Just show up and explore.
Falkland (Filming Location: 1940s Inverness)
Falkland stands in for 1940s Inverness in the very first episode. The town square and fountain are instantly recognizable, and it’s one of the easiest places to match what you’re seeing on screen to real life.
The Covenanter Hotel plays Mrs. Baird’s B&B and the fountain featured in the scene where Jamie’s ghost stares up at Claire brushing her hair in the window above.
Craigmillar Castle (Filming Location: Ardsmuir Prison)
Just outside Edinburgh, Craigmillar Castle is often overlooked—and that’s exactly why it’s so great.
It served as Ardsmuir Prison in Outlander Season 3, where Jamie, Murtagh, and other Jacobite rebels are imprisoned following Culloden. The castle’s decaying exterior meant hardly any adaptations were needed for filming — the exteriors, the courtyard, and the stairways all appear in the show essentially as-is. Walking through it, it has this quiet, slightly eerie atmosphere that makes it feel incredibly authentic.
It’s easy to reach by bus or taxi, and far less crowded than some of the bigger sites.
Outlander Locations Right in Edinburgh
You don’t even have to leave the city to find some of the most memorable locations.
Tweeddale Court (Filming Location: Jamie’s Print Shop Exterior)
This is where Claire finally finds Jamie again.
Tweeddale Court was used as the exterior of Carfax Close, the entrance to Jamie’s print shop in Season 3. It’s tucked just off the Royal Mile, easy to walk past without noticing — which is part of what makes finding it so satisfying.
It’s free, it’s always accessible, and it takes about 30 seconds to get there from the main street. A perfect quick stop on any Edinburgh walking day.
Bakehouse Close (Filming Location: Print Shop Entrance)
Just around the corner from Tweeddale Court, Bakehouse Close stands in for the actual entrance to Jamie’s print shop — the close Claire walks down before their reunion.
It’s one of those spots that looks almost exactly the same in person as it does on screen. Edinburgh’s old closes are atmospheric at any time of day, but Bakehouse in particular has a moody, candlelit-feeling quality even in broad daylight.
Like Tweeddale Court, it’s free and just off the Royal Mile — combine the two into a short self-guided walk and you’ve got yourself a proper print shop pilgrimage.
The World’s End Pub (Book Location)
This is a real, working pub on the Royal Mile. You can absolutely go in for a pint.
In the Outlander books, Claire and Jamie dine here after reuniting. It’s a fun, low-effort stop to add to your day.
Palace of Holyroodhouse (Historical Connection)
While not a filming location, Holyroodhouse plays an important role in the real history behind Outlander.
This is where Bonnie Prince Charlie held court during the Jacobite uprising. If you’re interested in the historical side of the story, it’s worth a visit.
Don’t Skip These: Outlander Locations a Bit Farther Out
Not everything on this list is a quick drive from Edinburgh — and for some of the most breathtaking stops, that’s actually part of the experience.
Heading further north into the Highlands means longer travel days (or a separate leg of your trip), but it also means the kind of scenery that made you fall in love with Scotland through a screen in the first place. These locations are worth the extra effort, and if you’re already making the trip to Scotland, it would be a shame to miss them.
Glencoe (Filming Location: Opening Credits)
If you fell in love with Scotland just from the opening credits of Outlander—that is Glencoe.
The glen features in the opening credits of Outlander Season 1, with its dramatic mountains and sparkling lochs. It’s a bit farther from Edinburgh, but it’s one of the most breathtaking places in all of Scotland, and the Three Sisters viewpoint in particular is the kind of stunning that makes you stop the car and just stand there for a while.
The scenery alone makes it worth the trip — but knowing this is the landscape that sets the visual tone for the entire series makes it hit a little differently.
Culloden Battlefield (Historical Connection)
No Outlander trip is truly complete without Culloden. While the actual scene in the show was filmed elsewhere out of respect for what this place represents — and when you visit, you’ll feel exactly why that was the right call
The battlefield near Inverness is one of the most moving places you can visit in Scotland — headstones mark the graves of hundreds of clansmen, and an eerie quiet settles over Drumossie Moor that no amount of prior knowledge quite prepares you for.
Craigh na Dun (Filming Location: The Standing Stones)
This is the one that started it all — the mysterious stone circle where Claire touches the ancient rock and tumbles 200 years into the past.
Here’s the thing though: the stones aren’t actually there.
The standing stones at Craigh na Dun were built as props for the show, so don’t expect to find them waiting for you on the hill. What you will find is the actual filming location itself. The picturesque hill where they filmed Craigh na Dun is on Kinloch Rannoch Moor in Perthshire, on a privately-owned working farm. The family has been kind enough to install a small car park and let fans visit the site — access is free, but respect for the private property is a must.
Pro tip: Kinloch Rannoch is a remote part of the countryside, quite a stretch from the main heart of Scotland and other Outlander locations, and there are no bus stops within miles. A car is the only way to get here — but most fans say it’s absolutely worth the detour.
Glenfinnan Monument (Historical Connection)
Glenfinnan isn’t a filming location exactly, but for anyone who wants to truly feel the world of Outlander — the Jacobite rising, Bonnie Prince Charlie, the sacrifice of the Highland clans — this is the place.
This is where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised the Stuart standard on August 19, 1745, beginning the final Jacobite Rising that would ultimately end at Culloden.
It’s worth knowing that Glenfinnan pulls double duty as a filming location pilgrimage for two fandoms: the nearby Glenfinnan Viaduct was made famous by the Harry Potter films, and the two are within walking distance of each other. So if you’ve got a Harry Potter fan in your group who’s less invested in Outlander, you’ve suddenly got buy-in for the detour.
The Must Do Outlander Sites
If you’re based in Edinburgh, short on time and need to prioritize, make it Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), Blackness Castle (Fort William), Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), and Culross (Cranesmuir). Those will give you the biggest “I’m actually in Outlander” feeling in the shortest amount of time — and honestly, they’re stunning enough to justify the trip entirely on their own merits.
Scotland already feels cinematic on a good day. But visiting these locations adds a whole different layer — one that’s equal parts history, storytelling, and that particular magic of standing somewhere you’ve only ever seen on a screen. And even if you’ve never watched a single episode, these are some of the most beautiful and historically rich places in the country.
So if Scotland has been sitting on your list, consider this your sign to finally go.
