Day 3 UK Travel Story: Outlander Filming Locations in Scotland

Day 3 was focused on one of the main reasons we planned time in this part of Scotland—visiting Outlander filming locations.

We started the morning with breakfast at the hotel before heading out for a private tour with Mary’s Meanders, a small group Scottish tour company that specializes in Outlander experiences.

This was a full day, but it was well-paced and covered multiple filming locations that are spread out across different parts of the region. Having a guide made a big difference here—these aren’t places you can easily connect on your own without a car and a plan.

Our first stop was Blackness Castle, which was used as Fort William in Outlander.

This is a 15th-century fortress located on the Firth of Forth, and it has a very distinct shape that gives it the nickname “the ship that never sailed.”

In the series, this is where some of the more intense scenes take place, including those involving Captain Jack Randall.

• The structure itself is very well preserved
• You can walk along the walls and see views over the water
• It feels exactly like it does on screen

Even if you weren’t there for Outlander, it’s a strong historical site on its own.

From there, we went to Midhope Castle, better known to fans as Lallybroch—Jamie Fraser’s home.

This is one of the most recognizable locations from the series, and it’s one people specifically seek out when visiting Scotland.

• The interior is not accessible (it’s in a preserved state)
• The exterior is exactly what you see in the show
• It’s located on a private estate, so access can be limited depending on conditions

Standing in front of it, you immediately recognize it. It’s one of those places that doesn’t need much explanation if you’ve watched the show.

Next, we stopped in Falkland, which was used as Inverness in the early episodes of Outlander.

This is an actual working town, not just a filming set, and it’s one of the more interesting stops because it blends everyday life with filming locations.

• The Bruce Fountain (a recognizable filming spot)
• The streets used in the opening scenes
• Small shops and local businesses

It’s easy to walk around and see multiple filming points within a short distance.

We also visited Balvaird Castle, which has been used as a filming location for the Outlander prequel series Blood of My Blood.

This is a quieter stop compared to the others and not as developed for tourism, but it’s a good example of how Scotland continues to be used for film production.

The final major stop of the day was Culross, which was used as the village of Cranesmuir.

This is one of the most visually unique locations on the tour.

Culross is a preserved 17th–18th century village, and it looks very different from modern towns. The streets, buildings, and layout give it a completely different feel.

• The Mercat Cross area (central filming location)
• The narrow streets and historic buildings
• The overall atmosphere—it feels like stepping back in time

This was one of the most immersive stops of the day.

These locations are spread out across different areas of Scotland, and while it’s possible to visit them independently, it would take a lot of planning.

Having a guide:

• Saves time on navigation
• Provides context for each location
• Allows for a more efficient route between stops

For this type of itinerary, it made the day much smoother.

After a full day of touring, we returned to the hotel and had dinner there.

It was a long day, but it didn’t feel rushed. The pacing worked, and we were able to see a lot without constantly watching the clock.

End of Day Thoughts

Day 3 is a good example of how spread out the Outlander filming locations can be in Scotland. What looks close on a map often involves a decent amount of driving between stops.

If Outlander is part of your reason for visiting, this type of tour is one of the easiest ways to see multiple key locations in a single day without having to figure out logistics on your own.

If you’re thinking about London and Scotland, there are a lot of moving parts—trains, hotels, tours, and making sure the flow actually makes sense.

This is exactly what I help with.

If you want help putting together a trip that works (without spending hours trying to piece it all together), you can schedule a consultation here:
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Or feel free to email me at chaney@allaboardtravelandcruise.com

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