If you're an Outlander fan and you're planning a trip to Scotland, you're going to the right place! With filming taking place all over Scotland, it's safe to say there's no better place to visit. Althoguh the filming takes place all over Scotland (even into the Highlands) there are many of the most iconic filming locations in Edinburgh and just outside the city.

As I'm writing I realise that I've been lucky to visit and explore these locations many times and they are all places that I continually enjoy returning to! Claim to fame of the Thomson family is actually my nephew being held by Caitríona Balfe, who plays Claire Fraser. Now I don't know what is better the beautiful filming locations or the photo of my nephew! It is also a joy to see the face of people on tour seeing the places the recognise. Without any more personal anecdotes, here are the places in and around Edinburgh that I recommend visiting:

Doune Castle – Castle Leoch

Doune Castle became Castle Leoch, home to Clan MacKenzie, and it's one of those places that looks just as impressive in person as it does on screen. It is famous for it's Outlander filming, but it is also used in 'Monty Python and The Holy Grail' and 'Game of Thrones'.

As you walk through the Great Hall and the castle courtyard, it's easy to imagine Jamie and Claire's first encounters here. Personally, what I really like about Doune is just how great it looks, whatever the weather. With it being in such an open location with a great front space, you can get great pictures of the castle. Of course it has great historical importance as it was once a Jacobite prison, but for me it is all about Outlander and the pictures!

It is around 45 minutes from Edinburgh by car. It's easy to combine with Stirling Castle, or other Outlander locations for a fantastic day out.

Midhope Castle – Lallybroch

This has to be my favourite Outlander filming location. For fans of the series, Lallybroch is more than just a house – it's home. Standing in front of Midhope Castle for the first time is one of those moments where you instantly recognise it, and it genuinely feels like you've stepped into the world of Outlander. It isn't the biggest castle you'll visit, but it has something really special about it. Every time I've been, it's been one of those places that people don't want to leave because they're busy taking photos and soaking it all in. It is also one of these locations that looks great whatever the weather.

It's worth mentioning that access is controlled by Hopetoun Estate, so if you plan to visit yourself, I always recommend checking opening arrangements before travelling.

It's around 30 minutes west of Edinburgh.

Culloden Battlefield – Where History Meets Outlander

Even if you've watched Outlander several times, nothing quite prepares you for standing on Culloden Battlefield. Knowing the real history behind the Jacobite Rising gives the story another layer, and walking across the battlefield is a genuinely moving experience. The visitor centre does an excellent job of bringing the events of 1746 to life before you head outside to see the clan memorials and the famous battlefield itself. It is where the Fraser grave sits and many visitors see this and make the Outlander connection.

This isn't just somewhere I'd recommend to Outlander fans – it's one of Scotland's most important historical sites.

This is a lot further away from Edinburgh and is near Inverness, so it is best to visit as part of a day tour. Not many people offer it from Edinburgh but we have a tour dedicated to this, you can view that here.

Blackness Castle – Fort William

Sitting right on the edge of the Firth of Forth, Blackness Castle is hard to miss. In Outlander it became Fort William, home to some of the series' darkest moments, but away from the cameras it's an incredible place to explore. The views across the water are fantastic, and the castle's unusual shape has earned it the nickname "the ship that never sailed."

Because it's so close to Edinburgh, it's one of the easiest filming locations to visit and works brilliantly alongside Linlithgow Palace, which is up next on the list!

It takes around 25 minutes from Edinburgh by car.

Linlithgow Palace – Wentworth Prison

Just a few minutes from Blackness Castle is Linlithgow Palace, which doubled as Wentworth Prison in the series. Thankfully, visiting today is a much more enjoyable experience and there are no explicit images! The palace itself is one of Scotland's most impressive ruins and was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. Even if you weren't following the Outlander trail, it'd still be somewhere I'd recommend visiting.

It's close to Blackness Castle so you can pair these together well if you are planning your own trip. It is about 30 minutes outside of Edinburgh.

Bakehouse Close – Jamie's Print Shop

If there's one place in Edinburgh that every Outlander fan should visit, it's Bakehouse Close. Tucked just off the Royal Mile, this narrow cobbled close became the exterior of Jamie Fraser's print shop, where Claire and Jamie are finally reunited after twenty years apart. It's one of the most memorable moments in the series, and standing here, it's easy to see why the production team chose it. The close has changed very little over the centuries, so it already looked like 18th-century Edinburgh without needing much movie magic. You turn into the close, look up at the stone buildings and wooden galleries, and suddenly it feels like you've stepped onto the set of Outlander. The famous doorway and staircase are real, but the interior scenes were filmed on a purpose-built set. Even so, standing outside and recreating Claire's walk up the steps is a must for any Outlander fan.

This is in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town so is very centrally located in Edinburgh.

Explore Outlander Scotland with Edinburgh Tour Guides

If you have a vehicle then these are places I would recommend visiting!

But if you'd rather leave the planning to someone else, we'd love to show you around.

At Edinburgh Tour Guides, we offer private Outlander tours from Edinburgh that can be tailored around the locations you'd most like to visit. Whether you've always wanted to see Lallybroch, explore Castle Leoch or venture into the Highlands to visit Culloden, we'll help you experience the places that brought the series to life.

Our tours are completely private, flexible and designed around you, giving you plenty of time to explore at your own pace while discovering the stories, history and hidden details that make each location so memorable.

Ready to follow in Jamie and Claire's footsteps? Browse our private Outlander tours and start planning your Scottish adventure today.