One of my essentials for our Scotland trip was visiting some Outlander sites. One of the most important of these is Midhope Castle known to those who are familiar with the TV show as Lallybroch. This post is going to give you the information you need for visiting Lallybroch.
What is Outlander?
For those of you who haven’t read Diana Gabaldon’s epic tale of Jamie and Clare in the 18th Century or caught up with the first 3 series of the TV show on Netflix, you may be wondering what I am talking about.
Outlander is set initially in the 1940s and 1740s mainly in and around Scotland. In later books, some of the locations change but almost all the filming for the show has taken place in Scotland.
It is the beauty of Scotland in the show and books that have encouraged 1000’s of people to visit or revisit Scotland. ( Not that you really need a reason)
I have loved Scotland since my first visit way back in 1995 when I was an Exchange student. The rest of the family had not visited before.
Mr Our Travelling Clan had listened to me rave on about Outlander for years and when I convinced him to watch he did admit it was stunning scenery. So when I suggested we should visit Scotland he wasn’t against the idea and promptly booked himself to run a Half Marathon.
One of the most Iconic locations in Outlander is Lallybroch, The Fraser ancestral home which happens to be filmed at Midhope castle not far from Edinburgh and about an hour from our castle in Peebles.
On the Visit Scotland website there are maps of filming locations. This shows Midhope castle as a filming location that at certain times of the year you can visit.
There is a bit of a process involved but the location is in Queensferry, quite close to Edinburgh. Although it is about an hour from Peebles with our packed itinerary this was the only time we were able to go and see it.
How to visit Lallybroch
If you are looking to visit Lallybroch there are 4 main steps you will have to follow.
- The first step is to check the Midhope castle website to check it is not closed for filming or Grouse hunting. It is on private property- a working farm so there are very strict guidelines in place
. The next step is to go to the “farm shop” to buy your pass for the car. Current cost is £3.50 per person, children under 5 free.- Then drive back down the road to get to Midhope castle. There is a small unsealed carpark which can get a bit muddy in wet weather and a guard/security box. You must approach on foot. One of the best parts of the visit is to see is the amazing house rising in front of you.
- Enjoy! Despite unfortunately arriving just after a mini-bus full of Outlander fans on a tour, seeing Lallybroch made me smile. It is not quite as it appears in the series. (they had to add extra dirt and farm buildings and remove “modern changes”) It is bigger than I imagined.
What to do there
You’re only able to view it from the outside as the inside has been condemned. But you can walk up the steps and touch it as well as take heaps of photos.
Despite obviously never watching Outlander ( it is a show for grown-ups only) my girls were impressed by the look of it. They were happy to come up and have photos on the steps or in the archway. They then happily amused themselves whilst I finished soaking up all the atmosphere of Lallybroch
Things to Note:
Note there are no facilities at Midhope castle as it is not an official tourist site despite the hordes of Outlander fans who visit. If you need food or toilets the closest will
There isn’t anything else around except farms and private homes. It is important not to disturb the neighbours. Once you finish taking photos and reminiscing it is time to leave.
Next time I think I would try to be there first thing in the morning . Potentially buying the pass the day before if possible. Although it is so popular I don’t know if it would be possible to avoid other fans altogether.
Despite it being difficult to get photos without “modern People” in them I am very pleased we were able to fit it in.
My family were very accommodating even though there was not much for the kids to do there. Luckily we were able to return to our own castle which was much more family friendly.
Until next time.