The mythical Scottish love story may be coming to an end, but thankfully, fans can still revisit all the locations where it was filmed.
When married World War II nurse Claire visits Scotland with her husband, she is quickly captivated by the magical local folklore which seems to draw her in mysteriously. A portal hidden among the stones at Craigh na Dun transports her to 18th-century Scotland, a dangerous world of clan battles and wars against the English. There, Claire’s desire to return to her own time and husband is gradually overshadowed by Jamie, a charming red-haired Highlander who helps her discover beauty in such a perilous place. Eight seasons and twelve years later, the time-transcending love story which began on Scotland’s vibrant cliffs is finally coming to an end.
Outlander has become a remarkable journey across time and space. From the Parisian court to the adventurous Caribbean islands and a growing America, the series has evolved in the most unexpected ways, with love always at its core. The final season brings all the characters’ storylines to a close, ending with an emotional last scene which raises questions and leaves the door open for possible continuations. Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, Outlander’s final season is not to be missed.
Fraser’s Ridge, North Carolina
Photo by @sonypicsathome.caOutlander’s eighth season may be set in the Southern colonies that would later become part of the United States, but Scotland remained the show’s main filming location. Established by Jamie Fraser in the 1770s, Fraser’s Ridge is a North Carolina settlement which serves as the home of his family and numerous Scottish immigrant tenants.
Set in the rugged Appalachian foothills near present-day Boone and Blowing Rock, this rural area is not so different from Lallybroch, Jamie’s ancestral home. Fraser’s Ridge is actually closer to the Scottish Highlands than we think, since most of the scenes were filmed near Kinloch Rannoch in Perthshire, the warm heart of the Highlands. Situated on the eastern edge of Loch Rannoch, the picturesque village is surrounded by stunning scenery and is perfect for walkers and water sports enthusiasts alike.
The trading post, North Carolina
Photo by @sonypicsathome.caWithin Fraser’s Ridge, a new trading post is established, becoming a “rich emporium” which supports the settlement’s growing and bustling community. There, residents can easily access provisions without needing to travel far, as the trading post becomes a thriving hub well worth visiting. The scenes set there were filmed at Wardpark Studios near Glasgow, Scotland’s only fully integrated film studio. All seasons of Outlander were filmed there, making use of its 200,000 square feet of space and five sound stages.
Fergus Fraser & Sons, Savannah
Photo by @sonypicsathome.caInspired by his adoptive father’s past in Edinburgh, Fergus establishes a successful print shop in Savannah, where his business flourishes as he continues spreading political propaganda against the British Crown. Although the interiors were also constructed in the studio, the exterior scenes for the print shop, as well as Fergus and Marsali’s family home in Savannah, were filmed at Calke Abbey. This popular National Trust property in Derbyshire provided the old brick façades and aging architecture that the production could not find in Scotland.
