Author: Barry Pickard
Contents
In celebration of the fact that Outlander Season 6 will premier early 2022, and to help you through the remaining days of Droughtlander (the time in-between series – yes, this period of time has a name!), we have made another round up of filming locations and inspirations, this time from the second season (and don't forget to read both our posts on Season 1).
We are big fans of the TV phenomenon Outlander and we enjoy watching the trials and tribulations of the two main characters Claire and Jamie. For us, however, there is a third main character on the show, one that does not appear in the credits, and that is the stunning location of Scotland itself. Whether it is the amazing landscapes, imposing castles or historic towns, the beauty of Scotland is never off the screen while watching Outlander. We hope that you enjoy our selection of stunning locations from the second series.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these Outlander locations appeal to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the Outlander locations, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland.
Craigh na Dun
Under the gaze of the imposing Scheihallion (the Fairy Hill of the Caledonians), and nestled between the scenic Lochs Rannoch and Tummel, lays a fairly unassuming knoll, frequented by sheep and the occasional deer. This idyllic location is so understated, that there isn’t a carpark or even a sign for it. Yet this is the fictional site of Craigh na Dun.
Outlander Filming Location: The stones used in the filming were props, but took their inspiration from the hundreds, if not thousands of stone circles that can be found in the Scottish countryside. Craigh na Dun plays a prominent part in season 1, but it is also used at the end of season 2 when Jamie says farewell to Claire and also in the 1960s, when Brianna, Roger and Claire follow Geillis, watching her leave through the stones.
Dysart Harbour
Dysart Harbour dates to 1450 when the trade of local salt and coal blossomed with the Low Countries. This trade then expanded to the Baltic Countries during the 16th and 17th centuries. Dysart earned the nicknames of “Salt Burgh” due to its trade and "Little Holland" due to its buildings which showed a heavy Dutch influence. However, the demise of the uneconomic Lady Blanche Pit in 1929 saw the end of the coal trade from the harbour. The most distinguished building at Dysart is the Harbourmaster's House which dates to the 17th century. Today, the building hosts a great bistro.
Outlander Filming Location: The Harbourmaster’s House and the west part of the harbour were turned into the French port of Le Havre during Season 2 when Claire, Jamie and Murtagh escape to France.
Deanston Distillery
Deanston Distillery was originally a cotton mill and was converted into a Whisky Distillery in 1965, making the distillery one of the youngest in Scotland. Deanston Distillery produces its own energy by using turbines at a dam in River Teith a few miles from the distillery. The water used for the whisky is also from the River Teith. The distillery offers tours and tastings. We can also highly recommend the café and the shop is lovely too.
Outlander Filming Location: The dunnage warehouse of Deanston Distillery provided the setting for the wine warehouse owned by Jared at the port of Le Havre. It is here that Claire notices that the Comte St Germain’s men are ridden with plague, costing him his wine cargo.
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Glasgow Cathedral
The first stone-built Glasgow Cathedral was dedicated in the presence of King David I in 1136. The present building was consecrated in 1197. Not everything, however, is old and the Cathedral has one of the finest post-war collections of stained-glass windows to be found in Britain. Unusually, the church is Crown property and is cared for by Historic Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers.
Outlander Filming Location: The crypt of Glasgow Cathedral was used as the inside of the L’Hopital des Anges. This iconic Scottish church helped bring us memorable scenes involving Mother Hildegarde and the nuns of the Couvent des Anges.
Drummond Castle Gardens
Drummond Castle Gardens are often referred to as the best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland. The gardens date to the 1630s, although they were restructured in the 19th century. The castle comprises a tower house built in the late 15th century, and a 17th-century mansion, both of which were also rebuilt in Victorian times. The lands of Drummond were the property of the Drummond family from the 14th century, but after supporting the Jacobite cause in the Jacobite uprisings of 1715 and 1745, the properties were declared forfeit and seized by the state.
Outlander Filming Location: Drummond Castle Gardens easily stepped into the guise of the Gardens of Versailles. While there, Claire and Jamie unexpectedly come across “Black Jack” Randall.
Callendar House
Callendar House is a mansion set within the grounds of Callendar Park in Falkirk. During the 19th century, it was redesigned and extended in the style of a French Renaissance château fused with elements of Scottish baronial architecture. However, the core of the building is a 14th-century tower house. During its 600-year history, Callendar House has played host to many prominent historical figures, including Mary, Queen of Scots, Oliver Cromwell, Bonnie Prince Charlie and Queen Victoria. Today, Callendar House is the principal museum in Falkirk district, as an art, history, and historic house museum. Many of the house interiors have since been restored to their former Georgian style glory. The house lies on the line of the 2nd-century Antonine Wall, built by the Romans.
Outlander Filming Location: Callendar House was used as the kitchen at the Duke of Sandringham’s home, Belhurst Manor. While here Murtagh learns that Sandringham organised the attack in Paris that resulted in the rape of Mary Hawkins. He swiftly decapitates the English Duke.
Battle of Prestonpans
The Battle of Prestonpans was fought on 21 September 1745, near Prestonpans, in East Lothian. The battle was the first significant engagement of the Jacobite rising of 1745. Jacobite forces led by Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated a government army under Sir John Cope, whose inexperienced troops broke in the face of a Highland charge. The battle lasted less than thirty minutes and was a huge boost to Jacobite morale. Today, you can survey the battlefield from an elevated viewpoint that has a set of very handy information boards describing the battle.
Outlander Book Location: The Battle of Prestonpans is won with a spectacular charge led by Jamie. However, the actual filming location of the battle is at Muiravonside Country Park near Linlithgow.
Falkland Palace
Falkland Palace's origins were a hunting lodge which had existed on the site in the 12th century. This lodge was expanded in the 13th century and became a castle which was owned by the Earls of Fife. Between 1501 and 1541 Kings James IV and James V transformed the old castle into a beautiful royal palace. A Royal Tennis Court was even built in the grounds of the Palace which was completed in 1541. The court still survives to this day and is the oldest in Britain.
In 1654, however, a fire partially destroyed the palace during its occupation by Cromwell's troops, and it quickly fell into ruin. That was until in 1887 John, 3rd Marquis of Bute purchased the estates of Falkland and started a 20-year restoration of the palace. Today, the King’s and Queen’s Rooms have been re-created to allow us to visualise their former splendour. Visitors can also walk through the physic garden, laden with fragrant Renaissance-era herbs, bedded in the foundations of what was once the Great Hall.
Outlander Filming Location: Falkland Palace is used briefly as the apothecary where Claire meets Mary Hawkins, who is buying medical supplies to attend to the sick Alex Randall. After visiting the palace, check out the area around the Covenanter Inn, which was used as Inverness during filming for season 1.
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Duncarron Medieval Village
Duncarron is a modern reproduction of a fortified village from the early Middle Ages of Scotland. It is the reconstruction of a typical residence of a Scottish clan chief from the early part of the last millennium. The medieval village is being built with the help of volunteers, and is intended to preserve and disseminate Scottish culture and heritage through education, active participation and entertainment. We visited during their ‘Travellers in Time’ festival and were treated to exciting fight re-enactments and demonstrations.
Outlander Extras: Although the village itself has not been used during filming, the volunteers have been used as extras in many scenes and a trip to Duncarron really brings this to life.
Tullibardine Chapel
Tullibardine Chapel was built by Sir David Murray of Tullibardine and added to by his grandson Sir Andrew Murray. The chapel is one of the few medieval churches to have survived the Reformation unaltered. The chapel served as the private church of the Murrays until the Protestant Reformation of 1560. Bonnie Prince Charlie’s general Lord George Murray buried his infant daughter here in 1740. Lord George would have been buried here too, were he not forced into exile after leading the Jacobite army to defeat at Culloden in 1746.
Outlander Filming Location: Tullibardine Chapel is the church where Jamie, Claire, Dougal, Fergus and an injured Rupert shelter/hide out on their journey north to Inverness. While there, they are harassed by a band of Redcoats who force them to ‘release’ Claire who they believe is a prisoner of the Scots.
Culloden Battlefield
Culloden Battlefield is the powerfully emotive and atmospheric battlefield where the 1745 Jacobite Rising came to a tragic end. The visitor centre boasts a 360-degree battle immersion theatre, which puts you right in the heart of the action. Discover the true story of the 1745 Rising, from both the Jacobite and Government perspectives, in the newly accredited museum, where unique artefacts from the time are displayed. Visit the memorial cairn around which lie the graves of 1,500 fallen Jacobite soldiers.
Outlander Filming Location: In the 1960s Claire visited the actual battle site, sitting at the grave stone marking the mass grave of Clan Fraser.
Conclusion
There are many more locations used during the filming of season two, as well as sites that feature in the storyline, so watch this space, since we will follow up with more Outlander content next year.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out about the Outlander filming locations around Scotland, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Comment below and let us know what was your favourite location from Season 2.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of these Outlander locations appeal to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the Outlander locations, or indeed, a general tour of Scotland.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
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