If you’ve ever been a fan of Braveheart, then you’ve probably been enjoying the Outlander series. It has history, romance, drama, and thrilling action scenes all while having a beautiful backdrop. The scenery alone is enough to make you want to watch this series. But where was Outlander filmed? Let’s check it out.
Where Was Outlander Filmed?
The show is primarily filmed in Scotland. The primary filming location is located in Cumbernauld, a town approximately ten miles north of Glasgow. Many of the outdoor scenes are filmed at various locations throughout Scotland including Doune Castle and Falkland.
In addition to these two locations, other popular filming sites include Glencorse Old Kirk in Midlothian, Culross and Cumbernauld House, Isle of Skye, Appin in Argyll and Bute, and the Scottish Borders.
The show has also used a few other international locations such as Prague, Paris and South Africa. As far as interior shots go, much of the filming for Outlander takes place at Wardpark Studios in Cumbernauld.
What was Outlander All About?
Outlander is a drama television series based on the novel series by Diana Gabaldon. The show follows the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously transported back in time to 1743. She finds herself thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. To survive, she marries Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic Highland warrior, and becomes embroiled in the Jacobite risings. Along with her husband Jamie, they embark on an epic adventure of love, loss, adventure and tragedy.
Who Was In The Cast of Outlander?
The cast of Outlander includes Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall/Fraser and Tobias Menzies as Frank Randall/Black Jack Randall. Other main characters include Duncan Lacroix (Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser), Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall-Fraser), Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield MacKenzie) and Graham McTavish (Dougal MacKenzie).
Outlander also features an impressive array of guest stars, including Tim Downie as Governor Tryon, David Berry as Lord John Grey, Ed Speelers as Stephen Bonnet and Robert Cavanah as Prince Charles Edward Stuart.
Who Directed Outlander?
Outlander has been directed by multiple directors, including John Dahl, Anna Foerster and Brendan Maher. The show’s executive producers are Ronald D. Moore, Maril Davis and Jim Kohlberg.
Technical Information
The series is still in production and uses the following camera equipment:
- ARRI ALEXA Mini LF (Season 5)
- Arri Alexa
- RED DSMC2 Gemini S35
- Red Epic (Sseason 4, second unit camera)
Did Outlander Receive Any Awards?
Outlander has been praised by both critics and audiences alike, garnering multiple awards and nominations. The show has won two People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show (in 2015 and 2017) and four Saturn Awards for Best Presentation on Television (in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). It has also been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, as well as numerous other awards.
Fun Facts About Outlander
- Liam Neeson and Sean Connery were both considered for the role of Jamie Fraser.
- The character, Jamie Fraser, was loosely based on a real-life survivor of the Battle of Culloden.
- Lord Lovat was actually a real person but wasn’t related to Jamie Fraser’s character.
- Jamie Fraser is wearing the wrong color tartans. The real color for the clan uses red dye but they used green to cut down on costs. Red dye is apparently too expensive.
Can You Visit the Set of Outlander?
Yes, there are actually Outlander tours in Scotland! The show has become so popular that tours of its filming locations have been organized. This allows fans to explore the same sites they’ve seen in the series, including a variety of iconic Scottish castles and landscapes.
Visitors can also enjoy a variety of activities during their tour, such as visiting the picturesque castles used in the show and learning about Scotland’s culture and history.
What is Scotland Famous For?
Scotland is famous for its breathtaking landscape, unique history and culture. The country is home to a variety of stunning sights, including picturesque castles and lochs. Additionally, Scotland has a rich history and boasts some of the oldest universities in Europe.
The country is renowned for its music, literature and art. Famous authors such as Robert Burns, J.M. Barrie and Sir Walter Scott were all Scottish. The country is also home to a variety of traditional instruments such as the bagpipes and the Highland Harp.
But let’s not forget the obvious–the Loch Ness Monster, Nessie! Surely, you’ve heard of that, right? Nessie is fabled to live up in the Scotish Highlands which are breathtakingly beautiful. I will confess that when we visited the Scotland Highlands we did casually look around for her. Alas, she never made an appearance for us. But the scenery will not disappoint.
Unique Places in Scotland
The Isle of Skye has to be on your itinerary if you go to Scotland. It’s the largest of Scotland’s inner isles. It has over 200 species of birds. You can get there by ferry or by driving. It’s connected to the mainland by a bridge. Here are a few other places to consider:
- The Highlands
- The Isle of Arran
- The site of the Battle of Culloden
- The Burns Heritage Trail
Robert Burns is a famous Scotish poet. The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, located in Alloway, would also be worth a visit.
Things to Do in Scotland
Scotland may look like a small country, but there’s plenty to do and see. Since you’ll probably fly into Edinburgh, here’s a few places for you to check out:
- Edinburgh Castle
- City of Edinburgh
- Golf at St. Andrews
- Riverside Museum and Tall Ship, Glasgow
- Take a cruise in Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal
If you like whiskey, plan to make a stop at the Oban Whisky Distillery. We visited the distillery once and was given a free sample of 200 year old single malt whisky. Now, I’m not even much of a whisky drinker but it was the smoothest sip of whisky I’ve ever tasted!
You Asked.. We Answer
What part of Scotland was Outlander filmed in?
Outlander was primarily filmed at the Wardpark Studios at Cumbernauld near Glasgow.
Is Jamie from Outlander Irish?
James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser is a Scottish soldier and landowner. But Ireland and Scotland both have Gaelic ancestry and have a history of speaking the Gaelic language.
Do the Scots like Outlander?
They may not love Outlander but most Scots agree that it is far better than Braveheart.
And That’s a Wrap!
Outlander highlights Scotland’s beauty and culture to an international audience. It’s the perfect place to explore and uncover the secrets of Outlander. Even if you are not an Outlander fan, Scotland is indeed a beautiful country with very friendly people. It’s definitely worth a visit.
I have many fond memories of Scotland. My favorite place would definitely be up in the HIghlands. It’s a long drive but very beautiful! If you go in the summer months, you’ll have daylight up to 11pm!
If you decide to check it out, let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment below.
