In on the action

action IN ON THE

Ahead of the release of the sixth series of Outlander, here’s how you can have your own adventure in some of the show’s key locations

Words by ROBIN MCKELVIE

THIS IMAGE:

Culross village in Fife, which poses as Cranesmuir in Outlander INSET: Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan, with Claire Randall, played by Caitriona Balfe, in Outlander

Touring Scotland on a bus, peering out the window at those spectacular locations you’ve already fallen in love with from the time-travelling historical TV romance Outlander, is a glorious experience.

But how about actually immersing yourself in the locations and landscapes, and taking centre stage on a hike, cycle ride or boat cruise around the show’s most spectacular locations?

THE OUTLANDER WAY

A real-life Scotsman leads the way on Outlander-themed hiking. The John Muir Way honours the man who had a pivotal role in setting up America’s national parks. In the Lothians you can take in a trio of the most famous Outlander settings along this walking route

First up on Edinburgh’s fringes is Hopetoun House. Outlander fans will recognise it as the Duke of Sandringham’s home. The Red Drawing Room stars in the show, as does the West Lawn, in the scene of the duel involving Sandringham and the MacDonald clan.

Enjoy afternoon tea in the Stables Tearoom, which doubles as France in Series Two. And, of course, on the Hopetoun Estate you’ll discover Midhope Castle – Jamie’s home of Lallybroch.

The John Muir Way pushes west to Blackness Castle, a striking fortress on the banks of the Firth of Forth, the rugged backdrop for numerous scenes, including Jamie’s brutal ogging. Finally, there is Linlithgow Palace, a Stuart stronghold where Mary, Queen of Scots was born. In Outlander, it’s baleful Wentworth Prison, scene of ‘Black Jack’ Randall’s excruciating degradation of Jamie. johnmuirway.org

Outlander Series 6

will be released by Starz in early 2022

© VISIT SCOTLAND/KENNY LAM/NATALIYA HORA/JOHN CARROLL PHOTOGRAPHY/ALAMY

CLOCKWISE, FROM THIS IMAGE:

Hopetoun House in South Queensferry; Doune Castle, near Stirling; Blackness Castle, near Linlithgow

CRUISE OR CHOO CHOOS

Crave a more sedentary experience? Hop on the Forth Belle (they run a transfer from Edinburgh) and cruise your way to Blackness Castle, enjoying afternoon tea, as well as views of the world-famous trio of Forth Bridges.

From the water you’ll realise how dangerous it would have been in ‘The Reckoning’ for Jamie and Clare to leap into the water to escape. Or take a trip on one of the steam trains run by the volunteers at the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway (their station is just a few miles to the west). You can conjure up Frank and Claire living out their World War Two ‘London’ drama on the steam-filled platform. forthtours.com; bkrailway.co.uk

FREE-WHEELING THE FORTH

On to two wheels now on the Sustrans ‘Round the Forth’ cycle route. The highlight is Culross, also the start of the Fife Coastal Path. This postcard-perfect heritage village is Cranesmuir in Outlander due to its rich treasure of 16th- and 17th-century buildings. Wandering around feels like you’re in the midst of Outlander filming. Claire works in the herb garden at Culross Palace. On the south side of the Forth you can dip into the green country parks of Beecraigs and Muiravonside, which both appear in Outlander. sustrans.org.uk/find-other-routes/round-the-forth

FEEL THE WIND IN YOUR HAIR

Heading north towards the Highlands, why not follow in the tyre tracks of Frank and Claire, hiring a classic car to tour

the sites? McKinlay Kidd offers a range. Gun your way to Castle Leoch (Doune Castle), seat of Outlander’s Clan MacKenzie, then head north in search of the mysterious Craigh na Dun standing circle that rst spiralled our heroine through time back to 1743. Of course, the ‘stones’ were just erected for lming, but the setting in Kinloch Rannoch is unmistakable; deeply dramatic too, with Highland hills brooding all around.

If you want more time in Highland Perthshire, stay at the Dunalastair Hotel Suites and get the hotel to organise an intimate guided four-seater car tour with Highland Travel on an Outlander theme. Some of the cast stayed here during lming, so you might glean a nugget of insider gossip. mckinlaykidd.com/classic-and-sports-car-touring; dunalastairhotel.com; highland-travel.co.uk

TIME TRAVEL YOURSELF

Deeper into the Highlands, the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore lets you wander through a replica settlement of old croft houses. You half expect kilt-clad Highlanders to vault around the corner chasing British ‘Redcoat’ soldiers. The village really offers a poignant insight into the epochal period of Scottish history that Outlander explores so vividly.

The Highland historical vibe reaches its zenith with the pivotal action of the early series when Jamie and ‘Black Jack’ Randall nally ght to the death on Culloden Moor as the battle that changed the world of the Highlanders forever rages. Walking across the moor is an experience so much richer than just peering out from the museum or a bus. Indeed, the more you put into your Outlander explorations, the closer you get to both Diana Gabaldon’s stories and the history behind them. highlifehighland.com/highlandfolkmuseum; nts.org.uk/visit/places/culloden

LEFT:

Malva Christie (Jessica Reynolds), Tom Christie (Mark Lewis Jones), and Allan Christie (Alexander Vlahos) in the all-new Outlander BELOW: The Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore

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