Scots tourism feels ‘Outlander effect’ of hit TV show

Outlander fans Jen Obirek, from Chicago, and Sinead Robertson, from Dublin, with their Claire Randall masks at Doune Castle earlier this year. Picture: Lloyd Smith

Following the release of the first series of the show on DVD and blu-ray, Outlander tourists have been heading to its locations in large numbers.

Preston Mill, the doocot in East Lothian which features as a backdrop in several scenes, attracted the most visitors with a 26 per cent increase in numbers compared to the previous 12-month period.

NTS reported visitor increases of 12 per cent in Falkland, the Fife village which portrays 1940s Inverness in the first episode, and 19 per cent at Culloden, he historic Highlands battlefield which plays a key role in the books.

The beautiful backdrops of hit TV show Outlander can be visited by fans throughout Scotland

Historic Scotland has already reported a 44 per cent surge in summer visitor numbers at Doune Castle, which has a starring role as Castle Leoch, while Blackness Castle in West Lothian, which stands in for the stronghold of Fort William, has seen a 31 per cent rise.

Other Outlander filming locations such as Doune Castle, near Stirling, and Culross in Fife, are among the places featured in VisitScotland’s new publication, Set in Scotland: A Film Fan’s Odyssey, which was released last week.

Anna Rathband, filming manager at National Trust for Scotland, said: “Outlander is an excellent example of how film tourism has benefited the Trust and the properties that either inspired the story or were used as backdrops have all seen an increase in visitors compared to last year. We worked closely with Sony to produce a digital guide to our properties that have Outlander connections and we hope this will continue to encourage visitors to explore the real places behind the series.”

Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland, said: “These impressive figures show just what an impact the television series has had on these stunning locations as fans look to discover the land that inspired Outlander.”