Filming locations across all eight seasons of the global hit TV series Outlander have been published for the first time ever. The locations - including four in Ayrshire - are contained in an official new guide by national tourism organisation VisitScotland, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Television.
Called Scotland: The Home of Outlander, the new guide details 48 Scottish filming locations from the fantasy romantic drama series, based on the books by Diana Gabaldon, which concluded in May this year. All seasons are now available to stream on Starz in the US and on MGM+ in the UK.
Guide marks series conclusion and tourism impact
The guide is part of a wider campaign by VisitScotland, in association with Sony Pictures Television, to mark the conclusion of the series which has had an extraordinary impact on Scottish tourism and to celebrate Scotland's place as the home of Outlander.
The special 40-page guide will be available to download from visitscotland.com, with a limited run of printed copies available exclusively for guests of The Caledonian Sleeper on its Outlander-wrapped trains.
What the guide includes
The Scotland: The Home of Outlander guide includes 48 filming locations from across all eight seasons, a timeline on prominent moments in Scotland's history related to the series, features on Gaelic, tartan and textiles, and clans and ancestry, a special section focused on Scotland's food and drink, and two 'journal' pages for readers to write about their Outlander journey in Scotland (printed version only).
Ayrshire locations detailed
The guide contains the lowdown on locations in Ayrshire and their relevance to the story and series.
Dunure Harbour, South Ayrshire (seasons 3 and 4): The guide states: “This little harbour stands in for Ayr Harbour where Claire and Jamie left Scotland in pursuit of young Ian in Season 3 and where Brianna and Roger are reunited in Wilmington, North Carolina in Season 4. Nearby, is Dunure Castle which featured as Silkie Island in Season 3.”
Eglinton Country Park, Kilwinning (season 8): The guide says: “Located in the grounds of the old Eglinton Castle estate in Kilwinning, the grounds are used as the exterior of Lord John Grey's house where William and Amaranthus discuss the future while Lord John returns home. It is here also that Claire gives William advice on parenthood while Jamie and Lord John share possibly their final moment together.”
Dean Castle, East Ayrshire (season 2): The guide says: “Set in a wooded glen, this 14th century castle doubled as Beaufort Castle where Claire and Jamie asked Lord Lovat for aid for Charles Stuart. Although presently closed for restoration, you can explore the castle grounds. Discover its history and collections at the nearby Dick Institute Museum and Gallery.”
Troon (season 3): The guide says: “The quaint seaside town of Troon was the setting for the scene where Claire, Jamie and Murtagh arrived at the coast and boarded a 17th century ship to deliver Jamie to France. Overlooking the Isle of Arran, Troon boasts stunning sandy beaches and is a wonderful destination for a relaxing seaside holiday.”
Impact on Scottish tourism
Since it began airing in 2014, Outlander's popularity across key international markets, such as France, Germany and North America has coincided with an increase in visits from those markets to Scotland, particularly from the US.
Matthew B. Roberts, Executive Producer and Showrunner on Outlander, writes in the guide: “From day one, the people of Scotland welcomed a small group of Sassenachs from Los Angeles with open arms. They didn't just let us film here - they embraced us, shared their stunning landscapes and culture, and made us feel like we belonged.”
Visitor attractions that doubled as filming locations – or those associated with the real history of the series – have seen an impact. According to tourism and travel researchers, the Moffat Centre, the total number of visitors to all Outlander attractions rose from 2,138,398 in 2014 to 3,016,291 in 2025 (a 41% increase), with some attractions seeing huge jumps in visitor figures, i.e. Doune Castle, which starred as the fictional Castle Leoch, has seen a 168% rise since 2014, Blackness Castle, which starred as the Fort William headquarters of Black Jack Randall, has seen a 363% rise since 2014, while Newhailes House, which played Governor Tryon's home in North Carolina, has seen a massive 8000% increase in visits since 2014.
Outlander has been a major contributor to screen tourism activity which is worth £161.4 million to Scotland's economy, according to the latest report by Screen Scotland.
Quotes from officials
Jenni Steele, Film and Creative Industries Manager at VisitScotland, said: “It is our history, heritage, culture and landscapes that have transfixed fans since the Diana Gabaldon books hit the small screen more than 10 years ago. Scotland is a big part of the Outlander story, so it feels right to call it the Home of Outlander.
“In collaboration with Sony Pictures Television we are using imagery from the series mixed with real-life locations as part of a major drive to celebrate the final season and inspire fans to plan a trip to the many regions of Scotland.
“Already this year we've delivered a successful digital campaign targeting US audiences and supported the iconic Caledonian Sleeper as it wrapped its carriages with images of Claire and Jamie.
“There's no doubt that Outlander has had an extraordinary impact on Scottish tourism on the global stage and is a clear example of the power of screen tourism.”
Steven Marshall, Head of Sales and Marketing at Caledonian Sleeper, said: “Outlander has inspired millions of people around the world to discover Scotland, and we're proud to play a part in helping those visitors experience the landscapes, history and heritage that brought the story to life.
“Our Outlander-wrapped trains have captured the imagination of guests travelling between London and Scotland, creating a memorable start to their journey before they've even arrived. We're delighted to offer guests exclusive printed copies of the Scotland: The Home of Outlander guide, helping them explore the remarkable filming locations and destinations that have made the series such a global phenomenon.”
