Autor: explorewithiveta

Scotland is a country that was once brought to life for many readers by the novels of Sir Walter Scott. In more recent times, millions of readers have discovered it all over again through the books of Diana Gabaldon. Because who wouldn’t want to experience Scotland for themselves after reading Outlander?

Walter Scott created a romantic image of Scotland in his novels – a land of history, heroes and dramatic stories. Many years later, Diana Gabaldon followed in his footsteps in her own way. Outlander takes readers into a world of Scottish clans, Jacobites, ancient castles and the rugged landscapes of the Highlands.

And Outlander made me even more curious about experiencing Scotland for myself. Not just reading about it, but walking through its streets, seeing its ancient castles and discovering what the country I had imagined so many times while reading was really like.

I had been planning a longer trip around Scotland for some time. And when we finally decided to go, I didn’t want to simply pass through Edinburgh or leave it for another time. We started right here – in Scotland’s capital.

I thought four days would be enough for a first introduction. Edinburgh quickly convinced me otherwise. Four days were not enough.

And now, looking back at our trip, I have realised something else. We visited some places connected with Outlander without even knowing the stories behind them. And we completely missed others.

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Walter Scott and Edinburgh

Walter Scott was a famous Scottish writer of the late 18th and early 19th centuries and one of the pioneers of the historical novel. He became famous for books such as Ivanhoe and Rob Roy. His stories, filled with history, heroes and dramatic events, had a major influence on the way people imagined Scotland’s past.

Edinburgh also has one of the most striking monuments dedicated to him – the Scott Monument. When you catch a glimpse of it among the buildings and bustle of the city, you may not immediately realise how fascinating the story behind its name is.

As you walk through the city centre and see this enormous Gothic tower, it is a reminder of just how closely Edinburgh and Scottish literature are connected.

Many years later, Diana Gabaldon came along with Outlander, giving Scotland another story capable of bringing readers all the way here.

Outlander brought Scotland into our books

For me, Outlander is not just the story of Claire and Jamie. It is also a story about Scotland.

When you read about ancient castles, Scottish landscapes, the Jacobites and life in the 18th century, you begin to picture these places in your mind. And the more you read, the more you want to find out what they really look like.

I think this is where the magic of travel begins. First, you fall in love with Scotland through a book. Then you want to stand in the places you had previously imagined only in your mind.

And Edinburgh is a wonderful place to start.

The Edinburgh we discovered

I had been planning a longer journey around Scotland for some time. But before heading further north, I wanted to experience Edinburgh too – a city so important to Scottish history.

Edinburgh felt like a city of contrasts. You can walk for just a few minutes and find yourself leaving a busy street behind for a quiet corner surrounded by old buildings, graveyards and stone walls. Above it all stands the castle, while in the distance there are views across the city and towards the sea.

We planned four days as enough time for a first introduction. In the end, we discovered that Edinburgh had far more to offer, and even four days were not enough.

Looking back, I also realised just how many places connected with Outlander we had actually walked past without knowing it.

Edinburgh Castle: Scottish history brought to life

Of course, we also visited Edinburgh Castle. We bought our tickets online in advance and spent around two hours there.

Even the walk uphill is a reminder that Edinburgh is definitely not a city without hills. 😊 But once you pass through the gates, a completely different world opens up before you.

We explored the different courtyards, discovered places connected with Scottish history and, of course, enjoyed the views across Edinburgh. The castle feels enormous, and you could easily spend an entire afternoon exploring it.

What I enjoyed most was being able to experience the history we had previously only read about. And when I later began looking at Edinburgh through the eyes of an Outlander fan, visiting the castle took on another dimension.

Edinburgh Castle is not a place where we would look for Jamie and Claire. But it is a wonderful place to begin understanding Scotland, its history and the atmosphere that inspired Diana Gabaldon.

The Royal Mile: Edinburgh as we know it from Outlander

Of course, we couldn’t miss the Royal Mile. This historic route connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and as you walk along it, you gradually experience different sides of the city.

We walked along it without any particular plan. We stopped here and there, looked into the narrow closes and simply took in the atmosphere of the Old Town.

At the time, I had no idea that after returning home I would be coming back to these very streets while writing this article and looking for places connected with Claire and Jamie’s story.

And that is one of the wonderful things about travelling. Sometimes you first discover a place simply as a tourist. Only later you realise that there is another story waiting to be discovered there.

If you are an Outlander fan, it is therefore worth looking at the Royal Mile a little more closely.

Jamie’s print shop – the place we missed

And here comes my confession.

It was only while researching this article that I discovered we had missed a place in Edinburgh that I would definitely look for today as an Outlander fan.

Bakehouse Close is tucked away just off the Royal Mile.

In the series, it represents the location of Jamie’s print shop, where Claire reunites with Jamie after many years. The interior of the print shop was created elsewhere for filming, but Bakehouse Close provides its exterior setting.

And I had been so close.

At the time, it never occurred to me to look for Outlander locations in Edinburgh. Now I know that Bakehouse Close will definitely be on my list next time.

Outlander locations I’m saving for next time

The more I researched Outlander locations while writing this article, the more I realised just how many of them I had missed during my first visit to Edinburgh.

And perhaps that is a good thing. At least I have another reason to return.

Some of these places are right in the city centre, while others are just a short journey from Edinburgh. This time, however, I will know exactly where to go.

Tweeddale Court

Tweeddale Court is just a short walk from the Royal Mile. This unassuming historic passageway appeared in the Outlander series and represented part of old Edinburgh. Scenes from the third season were filmed here, including Claire’s meeting with Fergus.

During our visit, I walked past places like this without paying any attention. Today, I would definitely stop and explore it.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Another place I missed on this trip was the Palace of Holyroodhouse, located at the opposite end of the Royal Mile.

For Outlander fans, it is particularly interesting because of Claire and Jamie’s story. In the books, they meet Bonnie Prince Charlie here at a time when the Jacobite Rising is being planned.

So when I return to Edinburgh, the Royal Mile will no longer end for me at the castle. This time, I will walk all the way down to Holyroodhouse.

Craigmillar Castle

And if you want to extend your Outlander journey beyond Edinburgh, you can head just outside the city.

Craigmillar Castle is only a few miles from central Edinburgh, and fans of the series will recognise it as the location that represented Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie was imprisoned.

I missed this place on our trip too. And the more I discover about it, the more I regret not knowing about it at the time.

So I have another place on my list for my next trip to Scotland.

Edinburgh brought me even closer to Scotland

Perhaps this is one of the best things about travelling. You return home thinking you have already experienced a place, only to discover while looking through your photographs or writing about the trip that there is still so much you haven’t seen.

We enjoyed Edinburgh in our own way. We explored the castle, the Royal Mile, Grassmarket and Calton Hill, visited a museum and even made our way to the Forth Bridge. We wanted everyone to enjoy Edinburgh, not just Outlander fans.

And yet, I now feel that I left so many stories unfinished in Edinburgh.

Outlander has given me another perspective on the city, but Edinburgh itself has something to offer everyone.