Outlander Tour

Although Falkland Palace, technically, is still the property of the Crown, since it’s acquisition by the 3rd Marquess of Bute in 1887, the property has been in the keepership of the Crichton Stuart family. The village and palace have appeared a few times in the series. I season 1, the village is used to portray post war Inverness in 1946, where Claire & Frank spend their 2nd honeymoon. Whilst looking in to Frank’s ancestral history, they both secretly watch a pagan ritual at the standing stones. Claire returns alone to the stones and falls through time to 1743.

This is top of the list for many Outlander enthusiasts, and simply must be visited. Highly regarded as one of the finest examples of a Royal Burgh (a Burgh which has been granted a Royal charter from the Crown), from the 17th & 18th century, and a fine jewel in the crown within the Kingdom of Fife. It is one of the most picturesque villages in Scotland, whether you are an Outlander fan or not.

Built in the 1400’s on the site of an earlier fort, Blackness was the main port serving Linlithgow, which was one of Scotland’s monarch’s main residence. It has served both as a state prison and a minor garrison. Although thought to be one of the best and most advanced (at the time) artillery fortifications in the land, after a long siege it fell into the hands Cromwell’s New Model Army. In Outlander, it was used to represent Fort William, where Jamie had received lashes from Captain Randall. It’s also where Jamie’s father died, after watching his son being punished. Later in the season 1, Jamie breaks into the castle, rescuing Claire from the hands of Black Jack, jumping into the water below (I don’t think you would catch me doing that anytime soon).

Doune (pronounced as in June) is a village on the banks of the River Teith, just outside Stirling. In Scottish dialect, we say “let’s go up te Doune” IE the word “down” in Scotland is often pronounced as “doon”, which sound’s the same as the village name of Doune and the word “te” meaning “to”, so, when said together it gives a positive/negative up/down :-) The castle is very dramatic looking and has been used in a few productions, some of which you may recognise the name of, such as Game of Thrones and Monty Python & The Holygrail to name a couple. Built towards the end of the 1300’s it has an absolutely stunning 100ft high Gatehouse, and also has one of the very best preserved “Great Halls” in the whole of Scotland. The castle plays an integral role in Outlander as the fictional Castle Leoch, home to the Clan MacKenzie. It also features in one of the scenes from the 20th century where Claire & Frank visit the castle ruins (as you would see it now), on a day trip they are on.

This is the site of what we Outlander enthusiasts would recognise as Wentworth Prison (where Jamie was tortured by Captain Black Jack Randall. Dating back to the 12th century, Linlithgow Palace was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, as well as some other Scottish monarchs, and was jovially referred to as the “pleasure palace” because of this. The ruins of the palace can be found in the town of Linlithgow, west of Edinburgh, and they are spectacular! Some of the exterior scenes of Wentworth Prison were actually shot at Bamburgh Castle in Northumberland. The castle shape acted as a model for the CGI exterior of Wentworth Prison. In one scene, after a conversation with Mr Fletcher, Claire can be seen being sick. Claire & Murtagh walk out of an entrance gate which is definitely Linlithgow palace, but from a distance shot, it is Bamburgh Castle that can be seen.

A “Doocot” is a structure to house pigeons. Broken down, a “doo” is a Scottish name for a Dove/Pigeon. A “cot” is where someone would sleep (as in a child’s cot). In Scottish pronunciation it would be doo (as in boo) and cot (as in kit) so we would say “dookit” The Mill is very picturesque in a wonderful setting and situated near to the Doocot, and guided tours are available for a small fee. In Outlander, filming took place on a couple of occasions in Season 1. In one of the scenes, Jamie has to hide under the water at the Mill as Claire & Jenny are questioned by the Redcoats (soldiers). The Mill’s exhibition room was also used as a room in the court, where the preliminary hearing of Claire and Geillis took place when they were accused of witchcraft.