Outlander fans can now step inside one of the franchise's newest filming locations as Balvaird Castle reopens to visitors for the first time in more than a decade. The stunning Perthshire castle, which featured in the prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood, is welcoming guests on guided tours throughout the summer.
In the series, the late 15th-century tower house serves as the ancestral home of Simon Fraser, Lord Lovat, played by Tony Curran. The character is the grandfather of Jamie Fraser, portrayed by Sam Heughan in the original Outlander series. The building doubles as Castle Leathers in the show.
Historic Significance and Tours
The historic site of Balvaird Castle is cared for by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and was built in 1495. It is regarded as one of Scotland's most preserved tower houses, with the reopening marking the first opportunity in more than ten years for visitors to access the inside of the castle.
As well as learning about the history of the building, visitors will be able to climb the roof walk of the castle which will give them access to stunning views across the surrounding Ochil hills. Additionally, the tour will include in-depth history about the Murray family, who built and lived in the castle during the 16th century.
Anne-Marie O'Reilly, Regional Visitor and Community Manager for Central Scotland at HES, said: "Balvaird Castle is visually stunning, and it's entirely understandable that it landed a starring role on Outlander: Blood of My Blood. The castle has so much to offer, from wonderful scenery to its fascinating history, and we're excited to welcome visitors inside for the first time in over ten years."
Why Balvaird Was Chosen
Balvaird was chosen by the Outlander team as a filming location due to the fact it is considerably complete, despite being built centuries ago. While many Scottish tower houses now stand in isolation, much of Balvaird's original setting survived, helping bring the world of Outlander to life on screen.
The reopening is likely to prove popular with fans of the hit time-travelling romantic drama, which has transformed Scotland into a must-visit destination for viewers from around the world. The so-called 'Outlander effect' has seen thousands of fans travel from America and across Europe to visit the show's filming locations.
Practical Information
Tours run on selected dates until August 22, with four tours taking place each day at 9:45am, 11am, 2pm and 3:15pm. Each guided tour lasts around 45 minutes, and is only suitable for children aged 7 and above. Each specific tour date can be viewed on the Historic Environment Scotland website.
As the castle is currently undergoing conservation work, visitors taking part in the indoor section of the tour will be provided with hard hats and high-visibility vests, while sturdy footwear is required. Due to uneven surfaces, spiral staircases and access to the roof walk, the experience may not be suitable for everyone.
Adult tickets cost £11, concessions are £9 and children aged seven to 15 can visit for £6.50 when accompanied by an adult. With Outlander now finished and Outlander: Blood of My Blood on its second season, the reopening offers fans a rare opportunity to experience one of the franchise's filming locations up close while exploring one of Scotland's surviving medieval castles.
