Description

Four ancient Scottish Outlander castles feature in this tour – Midhope Castle ( Castle Lallybroch ) , Drummond Castle and Gardens ( the Palace of Versailles )  ,  Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) and Blackness Castle ( Fort William ). Doune Castle and Midhope Castle will also feature in the Outlander prequel Blood of my Blood, due out this summer .  Lallybroch is an important part of the Outlander story, as Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home (Midhope Castle)

1. Castle Lallybroch  ( Midhope Castle )

Lallybroch is the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser, filmed at 15th century Midhope Castle. Midhope Castle tours are a favourite with Outlander fans Exterior scenes were shot at Midhope Castle . Midhope was built in the 15th Century by John Martyne, laird of Medhope. It was rebuilt in the mid 1600s and remains much the same today. Visitors can admire Midhope but the interior remains just a shell and inaccessible . Exciting new plans to refurbish the castle and fit visitor rooms have been announced . These plans will Outlander fans to have the ultimate experience and  stay in Lallybroch . Midhope Castle is the location for fictional Lallybroch, the family home of character Jamie Fraser, and it is located on the Hopetoun Estate. Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th Century and the exterior is relatively intact . Plans are progressing for a new whisky distillery to be built next to the castle Bookings for Midhope Castle tours can be made by phone / Whatsapp on  +447305-294773  or online on our bookings page   2  Drummond Castle and Gardens Drummond Castle and Gardens – the grounds, which date back to 1630, are considered “the best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland”. The castle gardens were used as the Palace of Versailles in an episode of TV drama Outlander. Jamie and Claire meet Black Jack Randall at a garden party and Jamie challenges Black Jack to a duel . Drummond Castle Gardens, which are protected as a category A listed building — in contrast to the B listed castle – attract thousands of visitors per year, and are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.The gardens — complete with peacocks — feature ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree planted by Queen Victoria in 1842.But the grounds — which also featured in 1995 feature film Rob Roy, starring Liam Neeson — have now seen a huge boost in tourist numbers thanks to the so-called “Outlander effect”.

Can you go inside Drummond Castle ?

The owner lives in the castle so you can’t go inside it. The castle tower keep and formal gardens are open to visitors . The formal terraced gardens were the location for a garden party at the Palace of Versailles in Outlander . Bookings can be made by phone / Whatsapp on  +447305-294773  or online on our bookings page 3 Doune Castle Originally dating to the 13th Century, Doune Castle near Stirling was a favourite place for Mary Queen of Scots . Doune Castle has five claims to movie fame –

• Outlander – Doune was Castle Leoch , and it also features in the 20th century episode when Claire and Frank Randall visit the castle on a day trip. Also Outlander prequel Blood of my Blood was filmed at Doune .
• Game of Thrones . Doune represented the castle Winterfell in Game of Thrones.
• Monty Python and the Holy Grail
• Outlaw King starring Chris Pine
• Mary Queen of Scots

Once a Royal residence, Doune Castle was rebuilt by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany in the late 14th Century. Doune Castle Outlander filming

Doune Castle also features in the Outlander prequel Blood of my Blood , the story of the parents of Jamie and Claire Fraser . Filming took place there in January .

Bookings can be made by phone / Whatsapp on  +447305-294773  or online on our bookings page 4  Blackness Castle Blackness Castle was built in 1440 by Sir George Crichton . At that time, Blackness was the main port serving the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, one of the main residences of the Scottish monarch.In 1453 King James II annexed the castle due to a dispute with Crichton, and the castle has been crown property ever since.

In 1650 Oliver Cromwell took the castle when he invaded Scotland .

The castle was used as a state prison, holding Cardinal Beaton and the 6th Earl of Angus

Blackness Castle has four claims to movie fame –

• Outlander – Blackness Castle was Fort William  , where Jamie was whipped by Black Jack Randall
• Outlaw King
• Mary Queen of Scots
• Hamlet , starring Mel Gibson

The Outlaw King tells the story of how Robert the Bruce, who defied England’s King Edward I, became a hunted fugitive but turned the tables to inflict crushing defeat on the English army at Bannockburn and ultimately won Scottish independence. Film tourism is booming in Scotland, with Outlaw King and Mary Queen of Scots some of the exciting new films set to feature the country on screen. Film and TV productions not only showcase the unique mix of stunning landscapes, rich heritage and fascinating stories Scotland offers, but can inspire set-jetting fans to visit, with research showing that one in five visitors come here after seeing Scotland on the big and small screen. Bookings can be made by phone / Whatsapp on  +447305-294773 Exclusions –

• entrance tickets
• lunch and snacks
• Midhope Castle tickets 

Doune Castle Outlander tours

Lallybroch Castle Scotland