We’ve been hearing from so many Sassenach’s wondering when Claire’s Jacket will be ready to buy.  Well, brown haired lasses, the day has almost arrived! A great deal of time has been spent tweaking seam allowances, sorting through dozens of fabric swatches, selecting a quality complimentary lining plus holding and admiring the luxurious bits of faux furs! We can almost compare it to tasting rich, velvety chocolate!!

It's all in the details! 

Original Coat worn by Claire	Selecting the Fabrics and Buttons!

Original Buttons on Claire's Jacket	Screen Accurate Replica Buttons

Eco-Friendly Faux Fur to match Claire's luxurious look

Outside shell made in Harris Tweed

So, why is Harris Tweed? Here are 10 reasons to love Harris Tweed

While we’ve loved the process, we are ready to let these beauties go out into the world!

So take out that measuring tape and check your dimensions against the chart to see what size will fit you best! We are experts in fitting so feel free to send any questions you may have about sizing prior to placing your order!

Final Product!

Finally wrap a piece of Jamie Fraser around your waist with the Jamie Fraser Leather Belt inspired by Outlander, The Series™!

This belt will make you feel like a natural leader from the homestead to the battlefield.

Designed to match its namesake, the Jamie Fraser’s Leather Belt is the perfect staple in your wardrobe. The soft leather is as rugged as Jamie himself and will only improve with age. We have added length in order to properly tie it around the belt, just like Jamie!

Whether you’re completing your Scottish wedding kilt outfit, throwing it on over a tartan stole or shawl or tying on your sporran and dagger to head out in the wilderness like the dashing Highland warrior, Jamie Fraser’s Leather Belt will keep you buckled in!

Pairs beautifully with the Outlander tartans and purse collection.

Our Jamie Fraser's Leather Belt is now Re-Stocked!

1. Sawny Snake

A perfect gift for any Heughan’s Heughligan, this is truly a piece to cherish! 

2. Claire's Ring

A replica of the wedding ring worn by Claire in the Outlander TV series (series one). This timeless piece is part of our official Outlander Collection, designed by Teresa Shearer in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products.

3. Fraser Neck Tie

We believe that everyone should own at least one tie, and what's better than a one from your favorite TV Series, Outlander. 

4. Outlander Arm Warmers

Our Outlander Arm Warmers are a must-have for any Outlander fan. Our knitwear is crafted in Scotland from a 100% Merino wool yarn with a historical look and feel.

5. Craigh na Dunn Scarf Ring

Based on the Craigh na Dun stone circle featured in the Outlander TV series, this official collection is designed by Teresa Shearer, in collaboration with Sony Pictures Consumer Products.

6. Outlander Knitted Cowl

Like our Outlander Arm Warmers, Our Outlander Knitted Cowls are a must-have for any Outlander fan. Our knitwear is crafted in Scotland from a 100% Merino wool yarn with a historical look and feel.

7. MacKenzie Bow Tie

We believe that everyone should own at least one bow tie, and what's better than one from your favorite TV Series, Outlander.

8. Outlander Umbrella

Don’t let the weather keep you from discovering your destiny!

9. Claire Fraser's Riding Gloves

These luxury leather gloves are an exact replica of the ones Claire wears to accompany Jamie to collect rent in the Outlander series. 

10. Fraser Lambswool Scarf

There is nothing better than the traditional feel and look of the Fraser Lambswool Scarf to protect your neck from the harshest winds of the Scottish Highlands!

What are your favorite Outlander products? Let us know :)

We have seen some amazing costumes over the years! We love to see your cosplays all year ‘round but Halloween just hits different! From Doctor Who to Outlander we'd love to see them all!

Here is some inspiration from our awesome customers!

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If you haven’t decided on your costume this year, we think dressing as your favorite Sassenach or red headed Highlander would look amazing! Here are 12 accessories to help you pull off your best Scottish Highlander look!

Jamie Fraser:

• Jamie Fraser's Leather Belt
• Jamie Fraser's Leather Coat (Pre-Order Only)
• Sawny Snake
• Thistle Pin

Claire Fraser:

• Jamie Fraser's Leather Belt
• Mo Nighean Donn Arm Warmers
• Claire's Cowl
• Outlander Tartan Shawl
• Claire’s Ring

Brianna Randell Fraser:

• MacKenzie Arm Warmers
• Fraser's Ridge Leather Crossbody Sporran
• Fraser Tartan Stole

Let us know if you have a Halloween Costume picked for this year and send us pictures to info@abbyshot.com!

Pin for Later!

For many of us Diana Gabaldon fans, June 1st holds a special place in our hearts. It's a day to stand united as Outlander fans! Twenty-six years ago, I never imaged that the following for this book and t.v. series would have grown to reach such a massive global audience of 32 million fans and counting!

Well, I suppose I am not truly surprised! After all, I have been singing her praises and recommending her writing for years. And now look at us! I mean, #WorldOutlanderDay???

We couldn't be more thrilled!

So, how do millions of drought-filled Outlander fans spend their day celebrating?

There are so many ideas to pick from! Here are but just a few suggestions on how to bring out your own inner Sassenach/Scotsman.

1. Host an Outlander themed dinner party. You can dress like your favorite character from the show and even have a whiskey tasting table.

https://outlanderpartyideas.blogspot.ca/

http://outlanderkitchen.com/


Photo: Cosplayers of Claire and Jamie at FanExpo Toronto 2016

2. You could gather/join your local Outlander Fan group and coordinate a binge-watching session combined with a dram of whiskey.

https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/70285581

https://www.starz.com/series/outlander/episodes
 

Photo: Underbelly, St John's, NL with the Outlandish NL Canada group.

3. Now if you are really adventurous you can plan a group vacation to Scotland and attend some events!

Photo Credit: IslesofSkye.com, Old Man of Storr, The Isle of Skye,  Infamous for the Jacobite Rebellion and Bonnie Prince Charles

http://scotlandwelcomesyou.com/june/

https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/isle-skye/

https://www.isleofskye.com/

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/search-results?q=Outlander

http://www.nts.org.uk/

http://www.clanmackenzieroutes.com

4. As someone with a Scottish background, I strongly recommend digging deeper into discovering your Scottish roots.

Photo: Scotland's national flower, the thistle. Credit to Bernadette Morris Photography

http://www.scotclans.com/tracing-your-scottish-ancestry/tracing-your-roots/

https://www.ancestry.com/

5. Play some games.  Board game night is always a success! If you're really adventurous, you can create your own game. Guess what Jamie carries in his sporran? or Test your Scottish Trivia.

https://www.sporcle.com/games/tags/scottish

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Geography/Scotland-9737.html



Photo: Contents of Jamie's Sporran, Wentworth Prison

Have fun no matter what you decide to do! Help celebrate World Outlander day in your own fashion. Gather the Clans, sound the pibroch loud and high and settle in for an adventure of your own making. This is our day!

Be sure to keep an eye out on our Outlander, Coming Soon page for up and coming products!

 

And when all else fails, spend the day reading your favorite book. ;)

Slainte, to one of my favorite storytellers of all time!

Je suis prest! Es-tu?

Devoted Fan,
Grace Shears

#WorldOutlanderDay

Need Some Droughtlander Relief?

SURVIVING THE DROUGHT!

Now that we know when to expect Season 3 (September 2017 for those of you who may not know!), doesn’t it make you want to touch some stones so you can travel AHEAD of time and watch the entire season NOW??!!!

While we are waiting during this prolonged shortage, we are very busy here at AbbyShot playing dress up as we receive samples of products we are perfecting!

You know one thing that really bothers me about our product development process? It keeps me awake at night knowing I have to make all you fans wait so long for new product! Imagine if I could create sketches one day and the next...POOF! We have an entire collection of Outlander goods to fill your boots!

OK, BACK TO REALITY! Ha!

One of the newer projects we’ve been working on is Jamie Fraser’s Leather Coat. Oh my, this coat is a looker (just like Sam himself)! Terry Dresbach and her team are such talented designers and we are so fortunate to be able to replicate their garments. Keep reading below and join us in this step by step journey in bringing this handsome coat to fruition.

OUR DUTY TO DETAIL

We started our hunt to find as many details as possible (with some of our fans’ help of course)! Thankfully, one of our Outlander friends, Heather Insley, visited the FIDM Museum in LA while the Outlander costume exhibit was on display. She captured many pictures in order for us to learn more about Jamie’s leather coat and could clearly see details such as whip stitches, corded buttonholes, button details, fullness in the back skirt, pockets, distressing and much more!

To be able to choose the right color leather, guessing was just not an option! Because the leather coat is distressed, finding the right color is more of a challenge. We connected with FIDM and mailed them four Pantone chips that we felt would best match. We were happy to hear that 1 out of those 4 was an almost perfect match. Thanks for your help FIDM!

Sometimes, it is difficult to get EVERY detail exactly right due to the fact that we manufacturer in bulk. This is the case for the thick whip stitch found on most seams in this coat. Our manufacturer isn’t able to do this stitch in bulk manufacturing, so instead, they’ll take their thickest thread and topstitch all the same seam to give a similar effect. To be honest, at first, we thought not having the whip stitch would ruin the look of our coat, but after seeing the first sample, I think you will agree, that the coat still looks stunning! I mean…really…if Jamie Fraser cut his hair shorter, would it really make a difference to how stunning he looks? Point made!

Another detail that is problematic to replicate exactly is distressing the leather. The process will make each coat appear a little different, however, we are still able to achieve the look very closely to the original Outlander coat.

ZIPPER OR NO ZIPPER? THAT IS THE QUESTION!

The original coat worn by Jamie in Outlander, doesn’t have a zipper. We did incorporate a zipper just in case you would want to have your coat to be more functional, but it’s not too late if you would much rather the coat to be like Jamie’s. Comment below and let me know!

WANTED: BUTTONS!

The buttons on Jamie’s leather coat are mystical…and pretty sure…nonexistent! Ha! We have been searching high and low for this treasure and still nothing at the end of the rainbow. We are working closely with our manufacturer trying to develop the same button but it is always a challenge without an actual sample.

PLEASE…if you have ANY information regarding this button, email us!

How important is it to you that the button be EXACTLY the same?

What if it had the Fraser crest on it instead?

I would love your feedback on this topic so please comment below. In the meantime, I will show you how our first button sample turned out.

Our first button sample has a similar shape but doesn’t have the dimension we were looking for. Still a work in progress!!

FIT AS A FIDDLE

Before fitting our first sample, we check all our measurements against our tech pack. Are the pockets the right size and angle? Are the back tabs the right width? Is the topstitching all in the correct places? Is the collar point lying the way it is supposed to be? So many details to check!

Once all the measurements are recorded, then we get to fit the sample to see how it looks! This is the REAL test! Most times, the first sample can look as if it just came out of battle, but in this case, our manufacturer impressed our socks off and the first sample looks pretty damn good if I say so myself!

Even though we are impressed with the first sample, there is still a fairly long list of things to improve. We have sent our revisions along to our manufacturer so that means a sample two will be completed in the near future! I wonder if I could fit that sample on Sam Heughan? What a treat that would be! Pretty sure the coat would get approved no matter what it looked like on him (Wink! Wink! Whistle! Whistle!).

HIS OR HERS?

The name Jamie is commonly used for both Men and Women. We have had many requests to make this coat in a Lady’s fit as well! Comment below if you are one of those ladies who would love to own one of these! If there is enough demand, well of course we will offer it for you! It would be like cuddling Jamie whenever you would like.

Until the 2nd sample arrives….

2ND & FINAL SAMPLE!

It only took 2 samples to get this masterpiece right! We are so happy with this coat that I think it has to be our new favorite. I believe everyone in our office had a turn of trying JAMIE FRASER’S LEATHER COAT on!

HAPPY OUTLANDER DAY!

It’s truly hard to believe that it’s been 26 years since Diana Gabaldon released her first book from the Outlander series. I was first introduced to Outlander through the TV Series and I immediately felt an emotional attachment to the characters and storyline ever since! This day makes me think about all the stories shared with us by so many of you loyal Outlander fans. Since we partnered with Sony over three years ago, we’ve heard numerous accounts from so many of you on the endless forming of bonds and relationships across the miles that we’ve witnessed growing stronger and stronger. With every tear, smile and even for every moment of suspense experienced within this beautiful representation of Outlander, it’s like the world breathes together in unison. It has been an amazing experience getting to know you and we look forward to meeting even more of you along the way!

So, how will you be celebrating Outlander Day? We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by offering you the opportunity to add to your collection of Outlander memorabilia. JAMIE FRASER’S LEATHER COAT & JAMIE FRASER’S LEATHER BELT are now available for PRE-ORDER! How does the Pre-order work? Order today (or before June 15th) to reserve your coat from our first shipment. Production time will take about 8 weeks, which means your coat will be ready to ship around the end of August. We’ll keep you updated during the process!

We know a lot of you have been waiting for this day. We listened, and we heard you loud and clear that this coat is more than just a coat to you. It’s a piece of a timeless love story that you will cherish because of what it represents to you.

Written by: Leanne Avery

The wait is finally over to Pre-Order your very own masterpiece!

From one group of Sassenachs to another, I think we can all agree that Claire Fraser has stolen the hearts of many. She has quickly become the envy of every Outlander fan and is the epitome of the kind of woman we all strive to be. She helps put the capital S in Sassenach, don’t you think?

What better way to honour her character than to bring to life these iconic pieces worn by her throughout the series? We mentioned previously in other blogs that our designers, Leanne and Julia traveled to Cumbernauld, Scotland. They visited the production and screening facility of our beloved Outlander TV series. While there, the girls briefly met with the costume designers and were given access to many of the pieces worn by Claire and Jamie. Here are just two of the amazing masterpieces created by Terry Dresbach and her team.

Our photographer, Adam, connected with Equine Meadows and coordinated a time for our shoot at their stable. We felt that he picked the perfect location to build a true connection with  the Outlander fans.
 

Scotland and Newfoundland are very similar in both the terrain and climate patterns and we didn’t have to travel far to take our photo shoot into the forest. Scotland happens to be on the top of my bucket list so I have yet to experience the weather there personally. I do understand that Scotland is known to be the windiest country in Europe! Not to disappoint you, Newfoundland's strong winds have also been known to wreak havoc up to 180 kilometers per hour! The forest proved to be the perfect escape from the cold and heavy winds we were experiencing that day. We chuckled with the model when she said that she was SO happy it wasn't a swimsuit photo shoot! 

My Mom and I have recently started watching Season One, AGAIN. Funny the things you notice the second and third time around! There are so many scenes that we see Claire wearing her riding coat! The one that resonates in my mind the most is the scene from By the Pricking of Our Thumbs when Geillis warns Claire to leave the changeling baby be. Of course, Claire does not pay mind and follows the sounds of the crying infant deeper into the forest. 

The superstition goes that when a fairy steals a human child, it leaves a fairy child in its place. There are many theories to why the fairies would steal a human child in the first place including ailing, unattractive or weak to name few. The Scots believed that if that changeling child is left out overnight, the fairies will return the human child unharmed. Otherwise, the human child will live the remainder of their lives with the fairies. You can almost taste Claire’s pain and frustration as she tries to come to grips with this superstition until she is finally led away by Jamie, begrudgingly accepting her defeat.

Site Location: Equine Meadows, Newfoundland

Equine Meadows were so helpful in saddling Duke up for us. He was a true gentleman during the entire shoot and allowed our model to work with him very closely! 

This wasn't Courtney's first time around horses so she felt quite at home with her new friend.

And don't forget our feline friend! Such a purrrfect companion!  As Adam works his magic, I too love to snap off a few shots from behind the scenes. 

Well, that's a wrap for today! Where will we venture for our next photo shoot I wonder?

Keep those reviews coming! We love hearing your feedback about our products and our customer service.

Claire Fraser's Riding Coat Is a Dream Coat!

I purchased the coat in XL and hoped that wearing it would not make me look large. When it arrived, I was struck by its quality and beauty. I slipped it on and was pleasantly surprised that the coat fitted my frame perfectly and moved easily as I moved! While it will be warm and cozy on a brisk, cold, raw day, it is not heavy! The color is gorgeous, and the coat is elegant! The faux fur trim on the hood frames my hair and face: I feel beautiful in the coat! Thank you AbbyShot for creating this beautiful replica!

– Donna

Gorgeous coat, brilliant attention to detail! Can't wait to wear it when we visit the Highlands this October!

– Natalie

Meet our lovely model Courtney Langille!

When characterizing Claire's personality the word powerhouse immediately comes to mind. That is why it was a no-brainer when we chose Courtney to model our  Claire Fraser's Riding Coat. Speaking of powerhouses! This girl rocks!

 
She works full time for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of NL. She also works closely with her partner in life, Jon Chafe, managing their local business, East Coast Conditioning, and Cirque’letics. Health and wellness are very important to her personally and professionally, and she considers herself super lucky to have these two areas of her life compliment each other so well. She's a bit of a ‘movement junkie’, pursuing everything from yoga, to partner acrobatics, circus arts, running, swimming, strength training, and conditioning. All of their programs are based on 3 pillars: Movement, Mindset, and Recovery. Unlike most similar private facilities, ECC is Personal Training and group class based, also offering private workshops, corporate wellness options, and even birthday parties. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read our story!

Stay tuned with us here at AbbyShot for MORE exciting Outlander pieces!


Slainte!
Grace Shears

For more information on East Coast Conditioning and Cirque'letics - http://www.eastcoastconditioning.ca/
For more information on Equine Meadows - http://www.equinemeadows.ca/
For Coming Soon Outlander merchandise - https://www.abbyshot.com/collections/coming-soon

Travel Through The Stones Now!

As a woman that has worked on a farm, I know the importance of having movement and the women in Outlander are no different. The toil on the farm required one not to be bound by their clothes. Yes, I know there is the corset issue but that was the 1740s solution to breast support. The skirt design of the time period was full enough to allow a woman to ride a horse without clothing restrictions. On the other hand though, the jacket that was commonly worn over the corset could be tight and I am speaking from experience. This snugness was a necessity due to the fact that typically the only closure was a lacing up the front, which made the jacket adjustable to many different sizes along with holding the stomacher in place. While not much could be done about this restrictive nature of the jacket around the corset, the sleeves were another matter.

The solution to this restricting problem was lacing. The working class women of this time period would have lacing running in and out of the sleeves at the armpit level. This allowed the wearer to have freedom of movement but it also was a way of distinguishing between the working class and the upper crust. In the Outlander series, Claire represents both classes. When found, she is clothed with peasant type of clothing, which gives her the freedom of movement to wash clothes and perform her duties as a healer. But when she and Jamie go to France the clothing style changed to fit their new position. While she still performed as a healer and needed unrestricted movement, style became more important than function.

Written by: Mindy McIntosh-Shetter   

Bio: Mindy McIntosh-Shetter is a blogger, video blogger (vlog), and author. Check out her blog and YouTube channel to learn more about agriculture, plants, history, and ethnobotany.

Website: www.outlanderbotanist.com
Twitter: @outlandbotanist
Facebook: outlanderbotanist

View AbbyShot's Growing Outlander Collection!

Claire’s second portal jump however was by design – eyes open, heart willing, and for this trip there was time to think ahead and look to her wardrobe, although instead of a suitcase she’s reliant on deep pockets in her voluminous skirts. But much like anyone that’s packed for a trip, I bet she agonized over what to take and what to leave behind – it’s the same the world over really, whether it’s a wee city break, a jolly beach holiday, or a trip back in time to the Scottish Highlands circa 1743, there’s always that last minute packing scramble.

I crave parts of Claire’s wardrobe – it looks so durable, comfortable and functional – but I may not be able to get away with much of it on the morning commute or in the office. Layering is great – especially as the cool autumn days approach – but being mindful of Claire’s first experience of being dressed like an 18th century women when she was brought to Castle Leoch in Season 1 of “Outlander”. I’m conscious I’d be running late for work every day if I did try dressing like her – the layering was endless! I do yearn though to try a long swishing traveling cape or perhaps some homespun woolen stockings secured by ribbons – could I factor that into my daily ensemble I wonder?

There’s much to admire about the sparky and determined Claire Beauchamp Randall Fraser (and the actress that beautifully plays her, Caitriona Balfe). She could have fallen at the first hurdle after plummeting through time – she could have suffered a nervous breakdown, easily got mortally injured, or could have instantly been subject to some barbaric treatment by mystified Highland physicians. But she didn’t – she fought through all the trials thrown her way with guile, intelligence and ingenuity. She’s someone to root for – she’s fearless, funny, and has great taste in men.

She strikes me as the kind of woman who would be great fun on a night out.
Claire’s the constant beating heart of Outlander and I can’t wait to see what she does (or wears) next.


RoseThistleLady
2017

Get your Claire Fraser replica apparel at AbbyShot!

This fashion statement began in the 16th century and the term “kilt” can be traced to the Scandinavian language where it means “to grid or tuck up” around the body. The reason for this is the fact that the only thing that held up the kilt was a belt. To make this “one-size-fits-all” piece of clothing, seven and half to eight yards of woolen fabric is used. Due to the amount of material used, this type of kilt was known as a “Great Kilt”. Later on, kilts were designed to use less fabric and were referred to as “Walking Kilts”. While both types of kilts are available today, a more modern design with pockets has emerged on the fashion scene and is referred to as a “Utility Kilt”.

For the Outlander series on STARZ, the Great Kilt is worn by the actors. Yes, in general each kilt is made with the same amount of fabric, but that does not mean that the kilts are worn the same. Each actor chooses how their kilt is belted to their body according to their personality, need and role.

While the excess fabric did make fitting the kilt easier, it also allowed this Scottish clothing staple become multi-purpose in a time when you would not have a large wardrobe. When not needed, the extra fabric could simply hang down in the back or thrown over the shoulder and secured with a pin. It could also be used to hide oneself while hunting or being hunted. This is especially true when draped over the head, since everyday kilts where dyed from natural materials which created muted tones.

When out and about in the Highlands, the extra kilt material could be draped over the shoulders as a cloak, keeping one dry and warm along the trail. Also, if you could not make it back to more traditional lodgings during your trip, the excess material could be used as a blanket to cover oneself or placed on the ground to create a dry seating area alongside the campfire. If there is enough material due to the size of the wearer, it can also be folded in half to create a makeshift sleeping bag.

Finally, and the most important element of the Great Kilt, is the fact that it always contained enough fabric to swaddle a bairn and/or a loved one.

Written by: Mindy McIntosh-Shetter

Official Outlander Apparel & Accessories

It’s the tartan that gets me every time – there’s a sudden quickening within me on sight of it. I’m 50% Scot so I’m beginning to wonder if there is some deeply embedded facet of my DNA that is switched on when I see it – the Scot in me resurgent. There seems to be an advancement, discovery or new testing procedure announced every week by the science boffins leading our way through the 21st Century; I’m half expecting the geniuses investigating our genes to identify that our individual predilections and preferences are embedded in our familial DNA and mitochondria.

You never know, my DNA might be tartan coloured after all.

RoseThistleLady
2017

Get Your Official Outlander Tartan Accessories here

Okay, today we have products to remove urine but in the past, urine, believe it or not, was a cleaning agent. In Roman times, pots were placed in alleys along streets specifically for urine or chamber lye collection. These were collected daily and placed in large vats. Soiled clothing was placed in these vats along with some water. To wash the clothes, one would stir them in the urine/water combo with a long wooden rod. Once that was done, an individual whose job it was to wash clothes would climb into the vat and agitate the clothes with their feet. This action mimicked our modern day washing machine.

In the Outlander series though, Claire just happens upon wash day in a village when she was riding to collect rent with the MacKenzie clan. While the women did not have a vat of urine, their use of this liquid appeared to be as a stain remover and/or dye setter for the clothing since it was poured on. To keep the supply coming since fresh urine is best as a detergent, drinking was encouraged and even Claire took a few swigs and a squat over a bucket to do her part.

Today, the idea of cleaning your clothes with urine sounds disgusting and unhealthy but believe it or not, science can easily explain how this works. First, urine has a high ammonia content, which allows it to neutralize dirt and grease that tends to be a little acidic. Once the dirt on the clothes has been neutralized, it is easily removed from the fabric. This neutralizing process not only removes stains but also brightens whites.

What makes chamber lye such a wonderful stain remover and brightener also makes it a useful mordant or substance that binds dye to cloth. Since 1740 clothing dyes were made from naturally found substances, a dye setter had to be used to prevent the colors from bleeding. Urine, in this case, was the answer. The process was simple. Clothing dye is made up of chromosomes, which are little molecules of color. To keep them from being washed away, these color molecules need to be surrounded by a bigger or group of molecules that will protect the color. The ammonia in chamber lye was the perfect mordant that would allow the color to show thru while protecting and binding the color to the fabric.

Today, we have other means by which to whiten whites and brighten colors but one of the top cleaning agents still remains to be ammonia. While the idea of washing your clothes in chamber lye may be revolting, the relationships developed over a dram and dirty clothes were irreplaceable.

Written by: Mindy McIntosh-Shetter 
@outlandbotanist 

Shop Our Official Outlander Collection!

As confirmed by the Victoria and Albert Museum, knitting had been practiced by both men and women since the 16th Century in the British Isles. When Jamie was a wee lad it is likely that he may have been taught by his mother or his older sister Jenny how to knit, as knitting had already been a much practiced and valued skill for nearly 200 years.

Perhaps Jamie whiled away his time knitting while he was waiting to raid the cattle in the Scottish Borders after his return from France? Or, was it possible that Jamie spent some of his evenings in front of the fire showing Claire how to work the needles, while creating a beautiful cowl to adorn her lovely neck?

In my mind, their conversation might go something like this:
Jamie: “Cast on, wrap, pull the loop; repeat, Sassenach.”
Claire: “Oh Jamie, I’m trying, but this is more difficult than field surgery!”
Jamie: “Steady Lass, you canna be so rough with the wool!”

With the dawn of the second Jacobite rising, and the increased surveillance of the Highlanders by the British Army, there would have been little time for Jamie to devote to such a task as knitting.

Add to that Jamie’s troubles with protecting Claire and himself from the likes of Black Jack Randall, and it would have made it highly unlikely that he had the time, or desire, to knit.

While Jamie would have certainly had the opportunity to learn how to knit, it would be unlikely that he would have taken to the needles at any time later in life after his ordeal at Wentworth prison. His hand would have been far too damaged from his encounter with Black Jack to make knitting an easy or neat task for him to accomplish. The person whom would have been responsible for creating the lovely knit items that Claire wore would have lovingly crafted them over a period of hours or days, from locally sourced wool. We are very fortunate that the craft of knitting has endured for so many centuries, so that we, too, might wear and enjoy hand-knit reproductions of such lovely items, like Claire's Chunky Cowl.


Written by:
Pamela

Shop Our Official Outlander Collection!

Image below: Ardsmuir Prison
 
To remind Murtagh of who he was, he kept a little piece of his tartan fabric hidden in a stone pillar. If caught with the fabric a dire punishment would be administered, possibly to all the men that shared the cell with Jamie and Murtagh! But it was worth the risk and keeping true to one’s roots and the clan was of utmost importance.

When Jamie comes back from visiting the captain of the prison, he mentions that the British soldiers cannot tell one Scot from another to Murtagh. He, in turn, tells Jamie that they could if they would allow them to wear their tartans. While this interaction between Jamie and Murtagh during their stay at Ardsmuir Prison may seem trivial, the owning of the weapons is common sense but tartans? Really? Before I answer this question, I must define some elements of the story.

In North American, we tend to use the term “plaid” as a pattern in a fabric. You can see this in ads and such when they advertise a “plaid” skirt or shirt. Actually, plaid is a fabric with a pattern of tartan on it. It also refers to the rectangular piece of cloth that goes over the left shoulder as part of the Scottish national costume. The tartan itself can be defined as a pattern of unevenly spaced stripes that cross the fabric at right angles. This pattern would repeat creating a fabric that represented a clan.

This was extremely important in a time when few people could read. Wearing the tartan told everyone else what Clan you belonged to and made it easy to find your group especially during battle. Without the tartan, the identity of the men was taken away and as it was believed so was their ability to cause an uprising.
 

If the power of the tartan is not clear, let me tell you a true story. I went to the Scottish games in Columbus, Indiana. While I was not there to represent my Clan, the talk around the celebration was who this stranger was. After being approached by several people, the truth came out. As I was walking around the hidden message of my tartan was being read. Frankly, I felt like Claire when she wore the red dress at Versailles. I stood out but no one could really say why. At the end of the day, it was clear. Just as Claire, I stepped back in time with my tartan but no fellow Clan members to share the day.

I was a woman they felt that needed protection and in doing so many Clans took me in under their tartan. While in their charge, they shared the history of their Clan along with their individual message weaved into a simple fabric with the unique pattern called a tartan.

Written by:
Mindy McIntosh-Shetter 
@outlandbotanist 

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For me, this is a bit of an understatement, as I have found myself getting way off the main trunk of my family tree and involved with following so many teeny, tiny “branches.” It is very time consuming, but also so much fun! The one piece of advice that always holds true while searching for your ancestors is to start with yourself, then work back through your “proven” relationships. If someone in your family told you that you are of Scottish descent, or are related to Bonnie Prince Charlie or even William Wallace, you must start with yourself and work your way back to prove the connection. Or, in my case, while hiking the West Highland Way in my youth, I phoned home and my great-grandmother told me “did you know that your 3rd great-grandmother was born in Scotland?” That was news to me, but years later as my affinity for Scotland grew, I researched my GGG-grandmother and her family, along with many other ancestors with diverse origins and very interesting stories.

Today’s pursuit of the people from your family tree looks very different from the search that Claire, Brianna, and Roger set out on to find a record of Jamie after Culloden. The days of having to go from local county records offices to parish churches, then to local libraries and various archives is no longer a necessity. You can now find many resources through any electronic device via the internet, from any location. Keep in mind that not all public records have been digitized, but thank goodness today’s technology has provided us with so many online databases that we can utilize from home; many of which are FREE!

Here are some of my favorites:

Familysearch.org

Access to worldwide genealogical records. FamilySearch contains the “largest collection of genealogical and historical records in the world.” There are also over 4,000 FamilySearch Centers that can be visited worldwide.

Chronicling America

Search America's historic newspaper pages from 1789-1963. Jointly sponsored by the National Endowment for Humanities and the Library of Congress. 

Ellis Island

American immigration records. There is a fee to download copies.

Fulton History

Historical newspapers from the US and Canada.

The National Archives (UK) online collections

Link to the research guides for searching the 5% of records that have been digitized thus far.

National Archives (US) online collections

Link to the US National Archives genealogy resources webpage, with links to a variety of records.

Scotland’s People

A website of the National Records of Scotland.

Visit Scotland.com

A webpage of fantastic guides and suggestions on researching your ancestors in Scotland.

 

Visit Scotland.org

A wonderful webpage of resources for Scottish ancestry research.

Library and Archives Canada: Ancestors Search

Births, Marriages and Deaths Recorded in Canada.

Also check with your local libraries to see which databases/resources they may have available for genealogy research.  These may be available for use at your local public library, or from home utilizing a remote login provided by your library. They may include access to:

American Ancestors

Ancestry (library edition)

Heritage Quest

Fold3

Newspapers.com

World Vital Records

Many public and private libraries also have genealogy specialists who are available to assist you with your research in their collections. Some even have the names of independent genealogists who will do research for a fee.

Obviously, these are not all of the databases that are available for genealogy research online, but they are some of the best that I have found that are free. They will hopefully get you started in your search and lead you to other relevant sources on your ancestors. I recommend that you exhaust them as much as possible before turning to pay or subscription services. Keep in mind that these databases are usually constantly updated, so return frequently to see if new information has been added.

If you have done your research from home and have managed to locate an ancestor’s place of origin, you may want to contact the local records office or parish church to see what they may have available for you to take your research further. It may, or may not, require that you travel to that location to search their collection of records. Don’t forget to include military and court records in your searches, many times they can provide you with more information than you might imagine. As Roger found during his search for Jamie, precious nuggets of information may show up in the most surprising places.

If you never find your ancestral connection to Scotland, don’t be disappointed, you have a Scottish heart! I guarantee you will certainly find some interesting stories, along with a few surprises. Remember that we are all related to each other, and our genealogy is interwoven like the Outlander tartan we wear to show our love of Jamie, Claire, and all things Outlander. Have fun unraveling the unique story that led to the creation of you!

Written by:
Pamela 

In Outlander, season 1, episode 1 “Sassenach”, we see an apparition of a Highlander who is looking intently at Claire through the window of Mrs. Baird’s Bed & Breakfast in Inverness while she is brushing her hair.

Frank comes upon the scene and notices the Highlander watching Claire. As Frank approaches the Highlander to ask if he can help him with something, the Highlander brushes past him and vanishes into thin air. We later surmise that this was an apparition of Jamie who was staring at Claire, but how, or why, did he come to be there?

The Outlander fandom has been hypothesizing quite a bit about how Jamie might come to be at that particular time and place and if, indeed, he is a ghost. Diana Gabaldon, author of the Outlander series, has stated that Jamie cannot time travel, and has repeatedly said that all will be revealed in the very last book of the series.

I decided to reach out to a couple with whom I am acquainted, who have been investigating the paranormal together since 1997. They also happen to be, in their words “MEGA” fans of Outlander, The Series. Neither of them have read the books. They’ve ran three successful paranormal research groups in the US (one in Delaware and two in Alabama) and are now starting their fourth - Haunted Investigations: New Jersey. I wanted to see what they might think is the explanation for Jamie’s presence there observing Claire at that particular time and place.

I asked Tom and Jen if they would answer a few questions for me about Jamie’s ghost, and they graciously agreed:

I very much appreciate Tom and Jen’s perspectives on Jamie’s ghost. It is wonderful to think that Jamie and Claire have a bond that even death cannot break. While I’m sure we are all curious to see how Diana explains Jamie’s presence in that moment, and whether or not he is actually a ghost, we are in absolutely no hurry to come to the end of Jamie and Claire’s epic love story.

This is just one example of how Outlander keeps us guessing and entertained. Eventually, all these questions will be answered. Hopefully, we will be enjoying the continued adventures of Jamie and Claire for many years to come.

If you’d like to learn more about Tom & Jen:
Haunted Investigations: New Jersey website: www.hi-nj.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HauntedNew
Facebook: https://facebook.com/HINJhauntedhelp

Written by: Pamela

Although umbrellas were not commonly used in the Highlands of Scotland until years after Culloden, both Jamie and Claire would have enjoyed the ease of having a lightweight, travel-size umbrella to hold over their heads and keep dry. In their time, their woolen tartan garments would have been used for their warmth and water repellent qualities to protect them from the elements. However, those garments would have become heavy and sodden from the rain, making movement and travel much more difficult and uncomfortable to accomplish in a timely manner.

An interesting, anecdotal, Scottish “umbrella”, which came to be known as the Highlandman’s, or “Heilanman’s” Umbrella, is a railway bridge in Glasgow at Glasgow Central Station. It was a place where displaced Highlanders who came to Glasgow during the second Highland clearances in the 19th century would meet up to share news and information, as well as to seek shelter in inclement weather. The bridge continues to be used as a meeting place today.

Whether shopping in the town, or ambling in the countryside, while carrying your new Officially Licensed Outlander tartan umbrella, there’ll be no doubt on the part of all who are familiar that you are a proud member of Clan Outlander!

Further information on umbrellas and wet weather in Scotland:

History of Parasols and Umbrellas

15 words which can only be used to describe Scottish weather

Seasons and the weather: 14 Scottish word posts

The Highlandman's Umbrella

Heilanman's Umbrella

Written by: Pamela

Order your official Outlander Tartan Umbrella today, click here!

The ties that bind us to each other are invisible and powerful. They weave together to form the fabric of our lives, like threads combining to make cloth. Waft and wend, each thread – each tie – binds to another, the pattern forming slowly. Some threads break – a parting of the ways either permanent or temporary – and others are added; the pattern evolves and changes over time.

I was thinking about this whilst watching an episode of “Outlander” called “All Debts Paid”, when Jamie Fraser and his godfather Murtagh Fitzgibbons Fraser were held in Ardsmuir Prison. Murtagh, dejected from the failures and losses of the Battle of Culloden in 1746, and gradually succumbing to illness in the damp prison confines, clutches at a scrap of tartan like a lifeline. Knowing that the discovery of this forbidden cloth (outlawed by the government after the battle) would mean severe punishment, Murtagh secretes it in a nook carved in the brick wall of his cell, daring to uncover it only when the guards turn the other way. The vital importance of this woven thread is worth risking his life for. His sense of belonging – in this case to his clan, culture and country, represented by the ragged piece of tartan – defines his identity, and gives him hope when all seems lost.

For me, apart from the dynamic, passionate and spellbinding central relationship between the two lead characters in “Outlander”, which keeps me constantly turning the pages of the novels and tuning in each week the show airs, the relationships that have helped forged my devotion to the story – my sense of belonging to “Outlander” - have been those of Murtagh and Jamie, and Murtagh and Claire.

Irascible, blunt, violent, and dishevelled he may be but its Murtagh’s fervent attachment to Jamie, and subsequently to Claire, that has endeared him to me as the story has progressed. He is the catalyst for Jamie and Claire meeting each other in the first place and is instrumental in reuniting our lovers as season one draws to a close. He remains steadfastly at their side in France in season two as they battle to prevent the Jacobite uprising from occurring – trusting and unquestioning in the wake of the revelation about Claire travelling through time. He is loyal, patriotic, a man that won’t hesitate to place himself in harm’s way for the sake of honour, and truthful no matter what the consequence. He’s a man of deep emotions, with a skin so thick they will never show.

Murtagh has long been a fan favourite in Diana Gabaldon’s epic story, and with the casting of Duncan Lacroix as Murtagh in the TV adaptation of “Outlander”, his popularity was given an added boost, so fans steeled themselves for the inevitable as Season 3 aired – as the beginning of “Voyager” foretold;

“Murtagh. He had a terrible feeling about his godfather, but no memory to give it shape. Murtagh was dead; he knew that must be it, but didn’t know why or how he knew."

Except, the inevitable never happened - Murtagh, was alive!

In the novel “Voyager” the fabric of Jamie’s life is irreparably changed by Murtagh’s death. Jamie’s sense of belonging is altered; the pattern of his life begins to change as he is set adrift by his godfather’s passing. Jamie has lost the love of his life – his pregnant wife, Claire – and though he is freed from prison he cannot countenance returning to his family in Lallybroch in disgrace and poverty. His sense of belonging is fractured.

In the TV adaptation of the novel the fabric of the characters’ lives is wending and wafting to form a brand new pattern, that diverges from the pattern set by the book. Though Jamie and Murtagh are separated on screen – forever they believe by the latter’s transportation to some colonial outpost, and the former’s transport to England – keeping Jamie’s godfather alive in the TV version of the story has presented the viewer with the hope – much like clutching at a scrap of tartan - that the two men may yet be reunited and that the threads that once forged their sense of belonging to each other can weave through the pattern of their lives again.

Free of the confines of his print fate, the possibilities for this fabulous character on screen are now limitless. Much like the previous tumultuous ocean journeys taken by Claire and Jamie – which have now washed them up on the shores of pre-Revolutionary America - Murtagh has been cast out on to an uncharted sea, destination unknown, companions unseen, adventures yet unexplained. I for one cannot wait to see what patterns will emerge as the story continues.

After all, where would we be without #MurtaghMonday? 😊

Written by:

RoseThistleLady
@SharmL

Despite all of the dangers, including fear of pirates, shipwrecks, etc., Jamie and Claire set out on their sea voyage aboard the Artemis, determined to get Young Ian back and return him home to Jenny and Ian. Given the chance, I feel that they would have much preferred a more comfortable option. Here are a few of the stark differences between 18th century sea travel and modern day cruising.

Accommodations

Artemis: Cramped, airless compartments that varied in size based upon your status of travel. Unless you had the funds to pay for a private cabin, most likely there were bunks or hammocks to fill every bit of floor space available. It was much worse for the crew below decks, they were likely in hammocks stacked on top of each other. An added concern would be the knowledge that various ship’s vermin might be crawling all over you while you get what little sleep you can on a tossing and turning vessel.

Cruise Ship: Various cabin sizes ranging from tiny inside cabins with no windows or balconies to huge, luxurious suites with wrap-around balconies. Regardless, any size cabin will have all of the modern conveniences to make your cruise a comfortable one. You will also have your very own team of cabin stewards to keep things clean and ship-shape.

Cuisine

Artemis: Whatever had not spoiled yet, and hopefully would not kill you with food poisoning. Water shortages were common, and what water to be had was of questionable quality. Rum would have been added to hopefully make it potable. Very little chance of any fresh vegetables or produce after the first few days onboard made scurvy a prevalent onboard disease. The great possibility of having to remove weevils or the like from your food, prior to consuming it.

Cruise Ship: Barbeques on deck. Formal and informal dining rooms, room service, and an abundance of food at all hours. Never really feeling hungry while you are onboard. Enjoying watching my husband eat his favorite meal, which I call “second breakfast”, or “pre-lunch”. Going to eat just because it’s dinnertime even though you may not be hungry. Delicious, high quality food that is cooked to perfection. All of it appearing on the table in front of you, with no effort whatsoever on your part, by waiters who anticipate your every want or need.

Seasickness

Artemis: Poor Jamie. So seasick. It’s a shame that he was not able to go to the Ship’s Doctor (Claire) and get a shot in his backside, like my sister did when she went on her first cruise with me. So much less fun to suffer for days with nausea and vomiting. Dehydration was a real worry, and the ship’s water supply was questionable, at best. Even Claire’s ginger tea did not ease his suffering. Thank goodness for Mr. Willoughby’s application of acupuncture to ease his suffering.

Cruise Ship: Anti-nausea medication is available everywhere and dispensed like candy. The ship’s Doctor is available to administer anti-nausea injections for more severe cases of seasickness. The crew is always there to offer a green apple; they swear that it is the best cure for seasickness.

Although it is exciting to think of the possibility of a sea voyage in the 18th Century on a ship similar to the Artemis, the very real dangers that would have been constant companions on the voyage make me very glad that today I can pack my bags and go onboard a cruise ship knowing that the risk of facing real peril is very low. 

I am sure that given the opportunity, Jamie and Claire would have preferred to travel with more conveniences, less danger, and in more comfort than their own problem-wracked voyage aboard the Artemis. I am fortunate that I can travel in relative luxury with my modern day Jamie, who helps me evoke the romance of 18th century sea travel, without all of the dangers!

If you are interested in finding out more about life aboard 18th century sailing vessels, here are some great resources to check out:

BBC - History - British History in depth: Life at Sea in the Royal Navy of the 18th Century

Captain Cook and the Scourge of Scurvy

Colonial Quills: Weevils Anyone?

Eat Like a Pirate

Press Gangs

A Summary of Reproducing the 18th Century English Sea Biscuit

Written by: Pamela

Get ready for World Outlander Day

A connection to Outlander is a sensual experience. For me, at first, it was the tactile pleasure of holding the books in my hands, Diana Gabaldon’s evocative words transporting me to a place I can almost see, smell, and feel. More recently, it’s been watching the wonderful TV series which has delighted my eyes and ears with my imaginings made real. I am hooked by the heart and all five senses.

Touch is of great importance – from the smooth feel of the wooden Sawny toy that Jamie Fraser remembers from childhood and which he re-creates and passes on to his own son, to the exquisite cool feel of the Scottish pearls Claire receives from her husband on their wedding night, to the talismanic scrap of tartan Murtagh cherishes in secret in Ardsmuir prison – the ‘feel’ of time, of place, of memory, is intrinsic to the story. And of course, touch is always at the core of Claire and Jamie’s relationship!

Scent is used evocatively – from the flowers and herbs, Claire gathers for her apothecary, to the visceral result of the violence of the battlefield, to the feelings enhanced by an aroma of a loved ones embrace – each olfactory descriptive links us to our understanding of time and place.

From the haunting melody of the opening theme to “Outlander”, to the extensive use of the Gaelic language, to the way I “hear” the story in my head as I read the novels – my auditory connection to the characters enhances my understanding of them, and attachment to them. Words have the power to resonate deeply, forging a strong empathetic connection within us – a sense of belonging.

There is deep, emotional significance in what I see in the Outlander story – which is highlighted best on screen. The excellence of the cast, of the directors and production designers, of the costumiers and the make-up and hair artists, create layers of magical connectivity drawing me further into the world of the 18th Century.

In both the books and the TV show taste is of huge importance, from the fine wines of Castle Leoch or the Fraser family’s French business to the simple shared dining experience around a campfire or kitchen hearth – eating is an essential activity that helps build the relationships between characters. And thanks to the delights of Theresa Carle-Sanders’ book “The Outlander Kitchen” I can even allow my own taste buds to add another layer of connectivity to Claire and Jamie’s story!

The power of sensory connectivity in the Outlander story for viewers and readers – fans alike – is pivotal to plot and character. In an age when we are increasingly told that we are being distanced from nature and from each other by advances in science and technology, Outlander takes us to a place where connecting, touching, the immediacy of our senses are essential to life and happiness. As we see through Claire’s eyes, what once was past is now thunderously, acutely, present.

Every year I attend Comic Con in London, and every year I perform the same physical ritual. About halfway through the day I sit against the wall of the main concourse for half an hour and people watch. Hundreds of people, of all ages and backgrounds, parade past me – many wearing t-shirts or accessories supporting their favorite character, film or TV show, but the majority are in passionately created cosplay outfits. And every year I marvel again at the power that connectivity has for the fans – a shared, positive, creative connectivity made manifest in their desire to adorn themselves in support for, and celebration of, their passion – to ‘feel’ part of that world. They stop for photos, for jokes or compliments, they interact – it’s a community connected by enthusiasm, dedication, and openness.

This year I’ll be proudly wearing my Craigh Na Dun t-shirt and celebrating my connection to the world of “Outlander”.

RoseThistleLady
2017
@SharmL

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