It was the scenery of Scotland that fired the imagination of author Diana Gabaldon and provided her with the inspiration to write the mystical and enchanting Outlander saga. The TV adaptation of her novels is a world-wide phenomenon with Scotland’s landscapes, castles and villages taking centre stage. Follow in the footsteps of Claire and Jamie’s adventures, and discover the Outlander film locations for yourself.

Fortingall is an ideal location for exploring the following list of locations used in the filming of the TV series.

Kinloch Rannoch

Dunalastair Estate near Kinloch Rannoch provides the famous backdrop to Claire’s mysterious disappearance through the standing stones. You won't find the Craigh na Dun stone circle there, but you can still admire the natural beauty of this evocative area.

Kinloch Rannoch is a 15-mile scenic drive from Fortingall. Take a look at the impressive shape of Schiehallion, our local Munro, as you drive to Kinloch Rannoch and maybe take time out to climb to its summit.

Doune Castle

The stunning Doune Castle, near Stirling, plays a leading role in the show substituting for the fictional Castle Leoch – home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in the 18th century episodes. It also features in the 20th century episode where Claire and Frank visit the castle in ruins on a day trip.

Doune Castle is no stranger to the TV and film screen. It achieved widespread fame when it starred as Swamp Castle, Castle Anthrax and Camelot in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and more recently it was used as a location in the pilot for Game of Thrones.

A former royal residence, Doune Castle is full of charm. Tour the castle and find out how grand banquets would have been prepared in the kitchen as well as admiring its 100-foot-high gatehouse and stunningly preserved great hall.

Highland Folk Museum, Newtonmore

Visit these replicas of 18th century turf-roofed Highland crofts at the Highland Folk Museum in Newtonmore. These basic buildings stood in for period scenes, including the background for the scene where Claire, Jamie and his clansmen shelter in the first episode, in an around the MacKenzie village, and later when Dougal collects the rent.

The museum is a fascinating and interesting visitor attraction that is well worth a visit. It brings to life the domestic and working conditions of Highland people from 300 years ago and shows how they built their homes.

Tulloch Ghru

The hilly and wooded area of Tulloch Ghru hosts several key scenes from the series, including the journey Claire takes with Jamie and the Highlanders from Craigh na Dun to Castle Leoch, as well as featuring in the opening credits.

Located just outside Aviemore, in the Cairngorms National Park.

Falkland

Falkland has to be one of the prettiest villages in Scotland. Tucked in on the north side of East Lomond, Falkland is a delightful mix of stone cottages, narrow streets and tempting coffee shops. It is also now famous for its appearances in Outlander, where it substitutes for 1940s Inverness.

See if you can recognise the familiar cosy look of Mrs Baird's Guesthouse in The Covenanter Hotel, stand by the Bruce Fountain where Frank witnesses the ghost of Jamie looking up at Claire in the first episode - Campbell's Coffee Shop is just across the road - or further down the street is Fayre Earth Gift Shop which stood in for Farrell's Hardware and Furniture Store.

Culross

The tiny rural village of Culross in Fife saw its Mercat area transformed into the fictional village of Cranesmuir - the home of Geillis Duncan and her husband Arthur. A stroll along the charming cobbled alleyways of Culross is about as close to stepping back in time to the 18th century as you can get.

Behind the impressive historic Culross Palace you can find the gorgeous herb garden that Claire works. It’s planted with lawns, herbs and vegetables of the period - a real highlight for a true Outlander fan.

Aberdour Castle

The delightful 12th century Aberdour Castle doubles as Sainte Anne de Beaupré’s monastery in France which Jamie flees to. The castle’s Old Kitchen and Long Gallery were used in the filming of Outlander.

Situated on the Fife coast, this splendid ruined castle was once the luxurious Renaissance home of Regent Morton, at the time Scotland’s most powerful man. Aberdour was originally built as a fortified residence in the 1100s, making it one of the oldest stone castles in Scotland and it is now amongst the oldest standing masonry castles in Scotland. The spectacular walled gardens and doocot are worth exploring

So, let yourselves be swept away to Claire and Jamie's world, and explore the many Outlander film locations from your own historic base at Fortingall Hotel.

After all, we have had Outlander film crews stay at the hotel, and they know a thing or two about the most interesting places that Scotland has to offer.