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Have you wondered about a beautiful castle in Outlander before? If so - this is the right place for you!
The Outlander story, based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, pulls viewers into the fictional tale of Claire and Jamie. Right from the opening scenes of breathtaking Glencoe in Scotland, you know you’re in for a ride.
For many, the castles featured in the series are majestic. If you’re someone inspired to visit Scotland and explore grand Outlander castles, read on! Our list of castle locations to visit will give you some guidance.
What Castles Were Used In Filming Outlander?
Doune Castle
Our Guide To The Scottish Castles In Outlander Series
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The first castle Outlander fans are introduced to is Doune Castle, or Castle Leoch in Outlander. This is the fictional seat of Colum Mackenzie, war chief Dougal Mackenzie and the Clan Mackenzie.
Built in the fourteenth century by Robert Stewart, Doune Castle combines a fortress and manor house. Doune Castle officially became a royal castle in 1424.
After that, Doune Castle was used as a royal retreat and hunting lodge for the Scottish monarchy until 1603.
The exterior of Doune Castle is as it appears in the TV series! Much of the interior can be explored, and there is a quick audio tour of the site for Outlander enthusiasts.
You can find Doune Castle in the village of Doune, only a fifteen-minute drive from Stirling. Luckily, this is also an easily accessible forty-five-minute drive from Edinburgh or Glasgow.
If you’re visiting Scotland to explore Outlander filming locations, you’ll find The Deanston Distillery on the River Teith. This is close to Doune Castle! Deanston Distillery was used as Jamie’s cousin’s wine warehouse. It runs daily tours, so you get a chance to sample Scotland's famous drink - Whiskey. What’s not to love?
Doune Castle was also used in Monty Python, The Holy Grail, and as the set of Winterfell in The Game of Thrones.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Outlander filming locations, you might be interested in this article about Outlander stats.
Midhope Castle
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Midhope Castle in Outlander is not technically a tourist attraction. The real-life Outlander filming site is located on a private working farm at Hopetoun Estate.
Lallybroch, or Broch Taurach, is the Fraser castle in Outlander- the home and farm of Jamie Fraser. It is also one of the most recognisable Outlander castle locations. In the Outlander story, Lallybroch is managed by Jamie’s sister Jenny, and her husband, Ian Murray.
Claire and Jamie flee to Lallybroch for safety after Claire narrowly escapes being burnt as a witch. You will recognise the location from the iconic scene of Jamie and Claire riding up the path towards Jamie’s home.
The inside of the castle is derelict, and access is prohibited. However, the castle's exterior has retained its authenticity, and you can walk around the outside.
The greater Hopetoun Estate offers several other locations to visit. In the Outlander story, Hopetoun House is part of the Duke of Sandringham’s Estate. Hopetoun House is easy to visit from the main cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. It is open for guided tours from Friday to Sunday year-round.
Blackness Castle
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Blackness Castle is one of the more dramatic Outlander locations! Outlander fans will recognise it as the notorious Fort William.
Blackness Castle, or Fort William, was the filming location of several scenes in Outlander. These scenes include the grim courtyard scene where Jamie is flogged at the hands of Captain Jack Randall.
This castle was built in the 1440s. Although initially intended as a private residence, Blackness served as a military fort and prison for over four hundred years. After World War I, it was decommissioned and passed to the State.
Blackness Castle is a national monument. It is easy to access from Edinburgh and boasts five Outlander locations. Blackness is open to the public year-round but can close at short notice in the event of bad weather.
Aberdour Castle
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Aberdour Castle is one of the oldest standing castles in Scotland. Located in the village of Eastern Aberdour, Fife, Aberdour dates back to the 1200s.
The castle was in the hands of Scottish nobility for centuries, including Mary, Queen of Scots. During the Jacobite uprising of 1715, it served as a garrison. In 1725, the Mortons, who held Aberdour from the 14th century abandoned the castle and it was left to decay.
In 1925, Historic Environment Scotland bought the property. After extensive renovation, it was opened to the public as a visitor attraction.
Several castle areas were used as Outlander filming locations, including the kitchen, gallery and stables. It is at Aberdour where Claire works on Jamie’s wounds inflicted by Black Jack Randall at Wentworth Prison.
The castle is open to visitors year-round - but check before you visit as visiting times may vary.
Linlithgow Palace
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Linlithgow Palace is the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots. It is one of the principal residences of the monarchs of Scotland.
The palace was used through the second Jacobite uprising in 1746 and was visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie. In September 1746, it was destroyed by a fire.
Most of the walls survived the fire and still stand today. The impressive ruins of Linlithgow Palace were used as the Outlander filming location for the fictional Wentworth Prison.
Linlithgow stood in for the prison entrance, corridors, and cell where Jamie was held and abused by Black Jack Randall.
Culross Palace
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Culross Palace was used for several scenes in Outlander. Culross is featured as the fictional village Cranesmuir, which is located in the Scottish Highlands. Cruinsmuire is home to Geillis Duncan and, later in the series, the location of Laoghaire’s home, Balriggan Cottage.
Culross Palace was not a royal palace but rather the lodging of Sir George Bruce, the Laird of Carnock. Bruce was a successful and wealthy merchant who received royal favour from James VI.
After Bruce’s death, the palace and much of the town fell into decline. By the 1800s, the Palace was abandoned and had lost its royal status.
The National Trust now preserves the palace and parts of the town for Scotland. Culross has been carefully restored to be authentic to the time period. You can visit the historic rooms and the model seventeenth-century garden at the back of the palace.
Culross is an easy 22 miles from Edinburgh and 31 miles from Glasgow.
Craigmillar Castle
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Craigmillar Castle stands in as the fictional Ardsmuir prison, where Jamie was imprisoned after the Jacobite rising and the Battle of Culloden. You’ll recognise several Craigmillar spots used for filming the series.
While much of Craigmillar Castle is in ruin, the main structure still stands, and there are plenty of entranceways, stairways and doorways to scout.
The building of Craigmillar Castle commenced in the late 1400s and continued through the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle, best known as a haven for Mary Queen of Scots, was abandoned by the early 18th century and fell into ruin shortly afterwards.
Owned by Historic Environments Scotland, Craigmillar is one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland. The castle is open to the public daily, but opening times vary depending on the season.
Dean Castle
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Dean Castle, built by Sir Thomas Boyd in 1350, will be remembered as Beaufort Castle in the Highlands. This is the Mackenzie castle in Outlander.
Beaufort Castle is Dean Castle in East Ayrshire, South West of Glasgow. The name Dean Castle comes from ‘The Dean’ or the woodland valley in the area.
In the Outlander story, Jamie’s grandfather Lord Lovat refuses to leave his home, Beaufort Castle, when Jamie asks for men to support Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Scenes from Outlander include the castle gates Jamie and Claire ride through, the covered courtyard where Jamie thanks Laoghaire, and the wooden keep where Laoghaire apologises to Claire.
East Ayrshire Council now owns Dean Castle. While the castle is currently closed for renovations, the beautiful surrounding country park covers 200 acres and is free to visit.
Final Thoughts
With over forty Outlander filming locations to visit in Scotland, you may find deciding which sites to visit challenging.
If you’re looking to explore a castle from Outlander or a few, you’re in luck! There are many you can tour. If you want the real Outlander experience, we highly recommend taking some time to immerse yourself in Scottish history.
If planning is not your strong point, or you plan to travel to unfamiliar areas, then booking an Outlander tour of Scotland may be the way to go!
