A ‘pilgrimage’ site for Outlander fans at Culloden Battlefield has been sealed off to the public for repair amid the pressures of rising visitor numbers.
The Clan Fraser stone at the historic battlefield has become a key stop off by fans of the book and spin-off television series, many on Outlander-themed tours, who are keen to tick off Highland landmarks with links to story.Outlander news from Outlander tours Scotland
For the latest information about availability and best prices please contact Private Tours Edinburgh by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or contact us online .
Book your day trips from Edinburgh .
To avoid booking fees you can make a booking by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or contact us online .
Clan Fraser is one of the key families in the Outlander story, with lead character Jamie Fraser fighting for the Jacobites at Culloden.
Now, the grave marker, which marks real grave pits dug deep beneath the battlefield, has been cordoned off as the ground becomes eroded, raising concerns about how heritage sites linked to Outlander are conserved amid rising visitor numbers.
Last year, owners National Trust for Scotland sought scheduled monument consent to repair the ground given similar problems. It now appears that these works have not been adequate to deal with the problem, with talks ongoing with Historic Environment Scotland to find a suitable solution.
Raoul Curtis-Machin, National Trust for Scotland’s Operations Manager at Culloden said: “The area around the grave markers had been suffering wear and tear because visitors had been walking off the main footpath to take a closer look at the stones.
“Worst hit recently is the area around the Fraser Stone, which has become a site of pilgrimage for Outlander fans.
“Last year this was not really an issue because the ground stayed hard in the dry weather, but this year it has become very muddy with the heavy rain. Visitors still have full access to the whole area – we have just cordoned off the worst patch immediately in front of the Fraser Stone.
“We will be topdressing and re-seeding the area in the meantime, according to the Scheduled Ancient Monument consent which has been granted, and we are exploring other solutions with Historic Environment Scotland.”
Last year, a 28 per cent increase in visitor numbers was recorded at the Culloden visitor centre with the ‘Outlander effect‘ said to be driving the rise.
VisitScotland is currently analysing how much the Outlander series, which charts the romance of a Highland clansman and his English wife during the 18th Century in Scotland and North America, is worth to the Scottish economy given its huge popularity, particularly amongst the American market.
These castles have provided the backdrops for bloody battles or famous films, and are the most popular castles in Scotland
Stirling Castle.
Midhope Castle.
Blackness Castle.
Doune Castle.
Mel Gibson decided to direct the film, as well as star as Wallace. Braveheart was filmed in Scotland and Ireland from June to October 1994. Book your Braveheart tour online
Yes, Midhope Castle is the real life location for Lallybroch , the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser . You can visit Lallybroch on our unique Outlander tours . Lallybroch, or Broch Tuarach, is Jamie’s fictional home in the series.
Outlander tours from Edinburgh can be booked online . In real life it’s an ancient 16th-century tower house outside Edinburgh. The castle stars in a number of Outlander episodes as the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser , played by Scottish actor Sam Heughan . You can visit the castle on one of our tours and take a look around the outside . Unfortunately the inside of Lallybroch is derelict and not accessible at the moment , although plans have been announced to build accommodation inside the castle . 
What is Broch Tuarach ? And can you take a tour to it ? It is an old broch on the land, Broch Tuarach means “north-facing tower” in Gaelic. Lallybroch, as the estate is known among those who live there, in turn means “lazy tower”. Lallybroch , ancestral home of Jamie Fraser , is also known as Broch Tuarach .
Broch Tuarach tours can be booked online . For last minute bookings phone / Whatsapp us on +447305-294773
Discover more from Private Tours Edinburgh
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
You must be logged in to post a comment.