The Outlander Effect: How Scotland’s Filming Locations Captivate Fans
Since the hit TV series Outlander first aired in 2014, Scotland has experienced an extraordinary tourism boom with a huge increase in demand for Outlander tours . The phenomenon, now known as the Outlander Effect, continues to inspire fans from across the world — especially from the USA and Canada — to explore the real-life filming locations that brought Claire and Jamie Fraser’s story to life. A new survey just published ( October 2025 ) has proved that the Outlander film locations have achieved a huge increase in visitors.
Last year, Outlander attractions across Scotland drew nearly two million visits, highlighting the show’s lasting impact. According to recent figures, Doune Castle in Perthshire, which became Castle Leoch, saw visitor numbers soar from 47,069 in 2014 to 119,392 in 2024, an increase of over 150%. Blackness Castle in West Lothian, featured as Fort William, recorded an astonishing 366% rise, welcoming more than 77,000 visitors. Meanwhile, Glencoe Visitor Centre—immortalised in Outlander’s opening credits—grew by 176%, and Culloden Battlefield near Inverness, the heart of the Jacobite story, surged by almost 280%.
30 years ago the Braveheart film had the same result , boosting visitors numbers from North America and giving rise to the ” Braveheart effect ” .
On Private Tours Edinburgh, this phenomenon is celebrated through carefully curated Outlander tours of Scotland that bring fans face-to-face with the country’s cinematic and historical heritage. Outlander fans travel from all over the world to walk in the footsteps of their favourite characters — to stand in the courtyards, glens, and castles that shaped the love story.
Each tour offers an immersive experience, blending history, myth, and television magic. Visitors can explore Doune Castle, Blackness Castle, Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), and Culross, among other key filming locations. “Each Outlander location tells its own story — from the brooding walls of Doune Castle to the windswept beauty of Glencoe. For many, it’s more than a journey through film; it’s a journey through time,” as Private Tours Edinburgh beautifully puts it.
No doubt the prequel Outlander Blood of my Blood will have the same effect on all the new film locations , such as Balvaird Castle ( Castle Leathers ) and Luss village
For fans, these places hold deep emotional resonance. Standing on the moors of Culloden or at the gates of Lallybroch evokes a powerful connection to both the fictional world of Outlander and Scotland’s real, dramatic past. Many describe these visits as pilgrimages — a chance to feel the history, romance, and wild spirit that the series captures so vividly.
Beyond fan devotion, the Outlander Effect has delivered tangible benefits to Scotland’s economy. Local cafés, inns, and independent artists have all seen growth as new waves of visitors arrive each year. For photographers and creatives, the demand for Outlander-inspired prints and landscapes has also grown — evidence of how storytelling continues to shape visual culture and tourism alike.
Ultimately, Outlander has done more than showcase Scotland’s breathtaking scenery — it has rekindled global fascination with the nation’s heritage. To visit these places is to step inside a legend — where every stone and every hill seems to whisper a part of the story.
