'Outlander': The exotic locations in Scotland that you must visit to 'immerse yourself' in the Starz series
Author Diana Gabaldon has received a special award for services to Scottish tourism as the country witnessed meteoric rise in tourists following Starz's 'Outlander' series
Ever since the premiere of Starz's 'Outlander' in 2014, based on Diana Gabaldon's 1991 book series of the same name, Scotland has seen a sharp rise in tourism to the country all thanks to the show.
Scotland's tourism authorities reported that attractions that feature in the 'Outlander' TV series have seen visitor numbers soar by 67 percent since 2013, from 887,000 to 1.5million. On March 14, author Diana Gabaldon received an International Contribution to Scottish Tourism award at the Scottish Thistle for boosting Scottish tourism through her fantasy saga.
After receiving the award, Gabaldon told the BBC: "It's fabulous. I hear a great deal from fans of mine who have read the books and seen the TV show, who come to Scotland because they all write to tell me how wonderful it was and they send me souvenirs of their trips. I have a stack of postcards as well as a small number of Loch Ness monsters scattered around the house."
Sam Heughan, who plays the lead role of the Scottish highlander Jamie Fraser, praised Gabaldon and said: "‘I first met my character Jamie Fraser six years ago when asked to audition for the TV adaptation. Little did I realize how popular and widely read Diana’s books are, or I may have been more nervous! I’ve seen thousands of fans each year travel to Scotland, visit our locations and try to immerse themselves in our world in any way possible."
The show is a time-travelling series revolving around a 20th century nurse-cum-doctor Claire Randall Fraser who time travels to the 18th century and falls in love with a Highlander named Jamie Fraser.
MEA WorldWide shortlists the places 'Outlander' fans can visit to really "immerse" themselves in 'Outlander' experience.
Doune Castle
The primary 'Outlander' location to get the largest tourism surge of 226.5 percent between 2013 and 2017 has been the Doune Castle, which stands as Castle Leoch in 'Outlander', home to Jamie's uncle Colum Mackenzie and his clan. This medieval structure was built in the late 14th century by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany.
Blackness Castle
This 15th-century castle overlooking the Firth of Forth near Linlithgow has witnessed an increase of 181.7 percent. This is the setting for Black Jack Randall's Fort William headquarters in the series. This castle is often referred to as "the ship that never sailed" because of its unusual shape.
Glasgow Cathedral
Screened as a French Hospital in 'Outlander,' Glasgow Cathedral, which is also the oldest cathedral on mainland Scotland, witnessed an increase of 66.8 percent in tourist.
Besides these, here are some Scottish locations doubling as France, the Caribbean, and North America in the time-travelling drama.
Rannoch Moor
The locations where it all started, Craigh na Dun, a stone circle that transported Claire to the 17th century, and Brianna Randall Fraser too, was filmed at Rannoch Moor.
Culross
The Royal Burgh of Culross has retained the same look since the 17th century and serves as the village of Cranesmuir, home to the villainous and now dead Geillis Duncan.
Falkland
The opening scene set in the 1940s was filmed at the picturesque town of Falkland which stands in for the bigger city of Inverness.
Glencorse Old Kirk
This 17th-century church where Claire and Jamie tied the knot lies in the foothills of the Pentland Hills.
