The Hermitage, River Braan and the Falls of Braan in Outlander Season 5

One of the most atmospheric filming locations used in Outlander Season 5 is The Hermitage, a beautiful stretch of woodland near Dunkeld in Perthshire, Scotland. Managed by National Trust for Scotland, this historic forest is famous for its towering Douglas fir trees, winding paths, and the dramatic waterfall scenery of the River Braan and the Falls of Braan. The location’s wild beauty made it a perfect setting for the series’ portrayal of the North Carolina wilderness.

The Hermitage appears in later episodes of Season 5 when the storylines venture deeper into the forests surrounding Fraser’s Ridge. The production team frequently uses Scottish landscapes to represent colonial America, and The Hermitage provides exactly the kind of rugged, untouched terrain needed for these scenes. With dense woodland, rushing water, and steep gorges, the area convincingly evokes the Appalachian frontier where much of the season’s drama unfolds.

Outlander tours of Scotland . To avoid booking fees for tours of Scotland you can make a booking by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or contact us online 

Outlander tours of Scotland . To avoid booking fees for tours of Scotland you can make a booking by phone / WhatsApp on +447305294773 or contact us online 

   

One of the most striking natural features in this filming location is the River Braan, which flows through a narrow gorge carved through ancient rock. In several background shots throughout the season, observant viewers may notice this distinctive river and its surrounding woodland. The filmmakers used the natural curves of the riverbank and the heavy canopy of trees to create a sense of isolation and danger as characters travel through the wilderness.

The most dramatic visual element of the area is the Falls of Braan, a powerful waterfall cascading through the gorge beneath Ossian’s Hall, an 18th-century viewing pavilion overlooking the falls. The thundering water and steep cliffs give the setting a cinematic quality that fits perfectly with Outlander’s sweeping outdoor scenes. While the pavilion itself is not always clearly visible in the series, the surrounding gorge and waterfall provide the atmospheric backdrop for sequences set deep in the frontier forests.

The Hermitage has long been admired for its romantic landscape design. Originally created in the 18th century as a pleasure ground for the Dukes of Atholl, the woodland was designed to inspire awe and contemplation. Visitors would walk through dark forest paths before emerging suddenly at the spectacular viewpoint over the Falls of Braan. This dramatic reveal mirrors the kind of visual storytelling often used in Outlander, where characters move through dense woodland before arriving at breathtaking natural vistas.

Today, fans of the show often visit The Hermitage to explore these filming locations in person. Walking along the River Braan and standing above the Falls of Braan allows visitors to step directly into scenery that helped bring the world of Outlander Season 5 to life. The location perfectly demonstrates how Scotland’s landscapes continue to double for historical America in one of television’s most visually striking historical dramas.

Outlander Episodes Featuring the Location

The Hermitage area was used in the final filming block of Season 5, appearing mainly in:

• Season 5, Episode 11 – “Journeycake”
• Season 5, Episode 12 – “Never My Love”

These episodes feature several atmospheric forest sequences filmed in the dense woodland surrounding the River Braan.

Scenes and Story Context

In these episodes, the landscape stands in for the rugged wilderness surrounding Fraser’s Ridge, where the story becomes darker and more intense as the season approaches its finale.

In Episode 11 (“Journeycake”), characters travel through the remote forests of the American frontier. The Hermitage’s towering Douglas fir trees and steep river gorge provided the perfect setting for scenes showing the isolation of the Carolina backcountry. The fast-flowing River Braan and the surrounding woodland help create the sense that the characters are far from civilisation and deep in dangerous territory.

The production team often relies on Scottish landscapes to represent colonial America, and the forests around Dunkeld are especially effective because the Douglas fir trees are native to North America. This helps the scenery convincingly double for the Appalachian wilderness seen throughout the series.

In Episode 12 (“Never My Love”), the wilderness setting becomes even more dramatic as the story reaches one of the most emotional and disturbing moments of the season. The dark forest environment surrounding Fraser’s Ridge contributes to the tension and danger experienced by the characters. The rushing water and deep wooded gorge of the River Braan area add to the powerful atmosphere of these scenes.

Why The Hermitage Was Chosen

The Hermitage is particularly well suited for filming because of its cinematic natural features. The river cuts through a narrow rocky gorge before plunging over the Falls of Braan, creating a dramatic landscape that looks both ancient and wild. Directors often use the woodland paths, stone bridges, and steep riverbanks to frame characters against towering trees and rushing water.

Today, many fans of Outlander visit The Hermitage to walk the same trails and viewpoints used during filming. Standing near the Falls of Braan or along the River Braan offers a chance to recognise the landscape that helped bring the wilderness of Fraser’s Ridge to life on screen.

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1 . Hermitage Bridge Over the River Braan

Just a short walk from the entrance you reach Hermitage Bridge, which crosses the fast-flowing River Braan.

This stretch of river is one of the places where Outlander production crews reportedly filmed travelling and wilderness sequences.

Why this area works so well on screen:

• The river bends through deep woodland, hiding modern features
• The bridge and path feel remote and historic
• The forest is thick enough to resemble Appalachian backcountry

The riverbanks nearby are very cinematic, with mossy rocks and rushing water—perfect for scenes of characters moving cautiously through the frontier forest.

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2 . The Tall Douglas Fir Forest

One of the most important reasons this location works for Outlander is the giant Douglas fir trees.

These trees are native to North America, which helps the Scottish landscape convincingly double for colonial North Carolina. The towering trunks and deep forest floor create the perfect environment for:

• travelling scenes
• tense encounters in the woods
• characters moving through remote wilderness

The tall straight trees also create beautiful cinematic framing for wide shots and tracking scenes.

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✅ Tip for visiting:
The full Hermitage walk is only about 1 mile (1.6 km), making it one of the easiest Outlander filming locations to explore.