Love Outlander? Then live the real thing with these top castle locations

Outlander has returned for another season and if you can’t get enough of the Frasers and their family drama, then why not plan a trip to Scotland to see some of the locations used in the show?

There are a host of historic Scottish castles and locations used throughout the show, though we can’t guarantee that Jamie Fraser himself will be there to ogle at, we can guarantee some incredible sights and fascinating revelations into the history of Scotland. Some of the locations are privately owned but others are managed by historic organisations, including Historic Environment Scotland, which means you are free to visit as often as you like!

Midhope Castle

You’ll recognise this one as Jamie’s family home, Lallybroch. Though not a castle in the traditional sense, it is an atmospheric and interesting tower house on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

Midhope Castle is set on the grounds of the Hopetoun Estate, which has also been used for a number of interior scenes on Outlander, including the Red Drawing Room, which was used for the home of the Duke of Sandringham, the West Lawn and the Courtyard.

Craigmillar Castle

These castle ruins can be found in Edinburgh and were used for scenes set at Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie found himself imprisoned in the third series. Often referred to as Edinburgh’s second castle, Craigmillar stands a mile outside the old city walls and Mary Queen of Scots used the castle as a safe haven in 1566.
The original tower house is believed to date back to the 1300s and is thought to be one of the first of this type of castle to be built in Scotland. The courtyard and other areas were added much later and was in frequent use in the 1500s. Visitors can see Queen Mary’s Room, which is on the first floor and is where Mary Queen of Scots stayed for some time during her exile. The castle’s owner at the time was a supporter of hers, though would later become her jailer.

Blackness Castle

Another location near Edinburgh, this imposing looking strong hold was used as Fort William on the show and can be found on the shore of the Firth of Forth in West Lothian. Though initially serving as a residence for one of Scotland’s most popular families, it has spent much more time working as a garrison fortress, a state prison and an ammunition depot, though it was decommissioned after WWI, when it was passed into state care. It began its transition from home to prison in the 1500s when James V began to convert it in response to Henry VIII’s rearmament. Later it became a prison for noblemen.

Doune Castle

This stronghold dates back to medieval times and can be found in the Stirling area, you’ll know it as Castle Leoch though, home of the Mackenzies, Jamie’s relatives.
The castle was built as the home of Regent Albany and has featured in a host of television programmes and film including Monty Python and Game of Thrones as well as Outlander. The castle fell into the ownership of Regent Albany in the 1300s and provided secure lodgings for important people and royals throughout the year but does not appear to have ever had the comfort of nearby Edinburgh or Stirling Castle. It ceased to be a royal retreat in 1603 when James VI inherited the English throne.

Drumlanrig Castle

This beautiful estate in Dumfries and Galloway featured as Bellhurst Manor, the home of the Duke of Sandringham in the second series of the show. It is known locally as the Pink Palace because of the red sandstone of the exterior and the beauty isn’t just confined to the outside, the inside is just as stunning. The Castle has been the home of the Douglas family for generations and contains over 600 years of their family history. As one of the most prominent families in Scotland, the Douglases were close to the royals and James Douglas was one of the lords responsible for driving Mary Queen of Scots into exile in the 1560s. Mary’s son however, visited the castle during his reign and the royal bond was once again reinstated.

Want to find more incredible places to visit in Scotland? Click here.