Castle Pictures

stay in a castle in Scotland

2026-09-18T07:49:05.537-07:00

The Best Scottish Castle Stays – and the Latest News on Lallybroch

Scotland is one of the few countries in the world where visitors can genuinely live like royalty. Across the country, historic castles have been transformed into luxury hotels, exclusive-use retreats and unique holiday accommodation, allowing guests to sleep within centuries-old walls while enjoying modern comforts.

For many visitors from North America, a castle stay is the ultimate Scottish experience. It combines history, romance, dramatic scenery and the chance to immerse yourself in the stories of Scotland’s kings, queens, clans and legends.

One of the most famous castle hotels in Scotland is Inverlochy Castle near Fort William. Set beneath the slopes of Ben Nevis, this 19th-century castle offers luxury accommodation, fine dining and spectacular Highland scenery. Rooms typically start from around £400 – £600 per night, with suites costing significantly more during peak season.

Another popular choice is Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh. Dating back to the 13th century, it offers visitors the chance to stay in a genuine medieval fortress while remaining just 20 minutes from Scotland’s capital city. The castle has just been totally refurbished .Prices generally begin around £200-£350 per night depending on the season. Find out more about staying in Dalhousie Castle

Melville Castle is another stunning Scottish castle which customers can stay in

For those seeking a truly exclusive experience, Crossbasket Castle near Glasgow combines castle grandeur with modern luxury. Guests can enjoy elegant suites, fine dining and beautifully restored interiors. Prices typically range from £250 to over £700 per night.

Perhaps the most famous castle stay of all is Glenapp Castle in Ayrshire. This magnificent baronial castle has won numerous awards and offers one of the most luxurious castle experiences in Scotland. Expect room rates from approximately £500 per night upwards.

Dalhousie castle hotel , stay in a Scottish castle

Explore Dalmunzie Castle

For travellers looking for a more affordable castle experience, there are also self-catering castle apartments and holiday rentals throughout Scotland. These can often be found from £150-£300 per night and provide excellent value for families and small groups.

Can You Stay in Lallybroch ?

For Outlander fans, the ultimate dream is to stay at Lallybroch, Jamie Fraser’s ancestral home.

The real-life Lallybroch is Midhope Castle, located on the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry. For years visitors could only admire the exterior of the castle, which was used extensively throughout the Outlander television series.

The exciting news is that accommodation is finally becoming a reality. Newly renovated Midhope Castle cottages are being made available for guests, with bookings now open . Each cottage can accommodate up to six guests, allowing fans to enjoy their own Lallybroch-inspired getaway.

As Private Tours Edinburgh explains on its own website:

“Visitors can now go inside Lallybroch for the first time ever.”

stay in Lallybroch ( Midhope Castle)

The website also notes that redevelopment plans include accommodation facilities and additional visitor experiences connected with Midhope Castle. For the first time Outlander fans will be able to stay in Lallybroch .

Private Tours Edinburgh further explains:

“This tour is unique as it now features a visit inside Lallybroch for the first time ever.”

For Outlander fans, this represents a remarkable change. After years of only viewing the exterior, visitors can now have a special experience and go inside the castle itself while looking forward to staying in Lallybroch as accommodation options continue to develop.

Whether you choose a luxury Highland castle hotel like Tulloch Castle , a medieval fortress near Edinburgh or the ultimate Outlander Castle , Scotland offers an opportunity few destinations can match: the chance to spend a night surrounded by centuries of history while enjoying the comfort and romance of a genuine castle stay.

Fine out more about the best hotels in Scotland

Outlander news - new Outlander Blood of my Blood filming location

2025-04-01T03:41:00.000-07:00

Outlander: Blood of My Blood – Filming the Prequel in Luss

The ever-growing popularity of Outlander continues with its much-anticipated prequel series, Outlander: Blood of My Blood, currently expected to be broadcast in June . The new series promises to explore the lives of Jamie Fraser’s parents, Brian Fraser and Ellen MacKenzie, offering fans a deeper look at the generations that shaped the iconic love story of Jamie and Claire. Filming for this new chapter of the Fraser story took place last May and June, at the picturesque village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond .

Find out more about Outlander Blood of my Blood tours

We already know that Outlander filming took place last year in Glasgow , Lallybroch ( Midhope Castle ) and Castle Leoch ( Doune Castle ) . Outlander fans are getting excited about seeing the first episodes of Blood of my Blood which is expected to be

out on TV in June .

Luss has stunning views of Loch Lomond and its preserved 18th-century cottages, proved to be an ideal setting for a show steeped in Scottish history and romance. Production crews were seen transforming parts of the village into a historic Highland settlement, complete with costumed extras, horse-drawn carts, and dramatic period details. Luss is one of the prettiest locations in Scotland and it is perfect for this story.

The area around Luss is steeped in natural beauty and historic charm, providing a rich visual backdrop for the drama and emotion that Blood of My Blood is expected to deliver. . Filming in such authentic locations enhances the series’ dedication to historical detail and emotional depth.

Book your Outlander: Blood of My Blood tour by phone / Whatsapp +447305294773

The popularity of the Outlander franchise has had a significant impact on Scottish tourism. Since the original series aired, fans from around the globe have flocked to filming locations such as Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Doune Castle (Castle Leoch), Blackness Castle, Falkland, and Culross. Now, with Luss added to that growing list, fans are eager to explore new corners of Scotland connected to their favourite characters.

Check out our unique Outlander Blood of my Blood tour

controversial end to Outlander season 7

2025-01-20T03:59:00.000-08:00

Controversial season 7 ending and the season 8 storylines

January 20, 2025 season 8 Comments 0 Comment

Outlander Author Diana Gabaldon has criticized the season 7 ending as it is totally made up and not based on the books.

Gabaldon lightly criticizes the reintroduction of Master Raymond saying the character could have been brought back more elaborately. Still, the author acknowledges the budgetary limitations of television:

“I agree that the ending of 716 is flat-out weird, partly owing to their (evidently) having exhausted their budget. They could have made a more convincing visitation by Master Raymond with blurry special effects, rather than having him just walk through the door and stand there. Better to have kept it soft-focus and leave it up to question as to whether he’d actually been there, or perhaps Claire imagined or dreamed the whole thing. But easy for me to talk; I don’t have to figure out the logistics.”

“I’m frequently pleased that I can do things easily in a book, that are incredibly difficult [not to say expensive] to do in a visual medium. A book is a remarkably useful [and economical] way to tell a story.”

Gabaldon also shares that she conversed with Outlander showrunner and executive producer Matthew B. Roberts about her idea for how Faith might’ve survived and how it connects to Master Raymond:

“They actually did get the (general) idea from me, though. When chatting with [showrunner] Matt [Roberts] about All Things plot wise, I mentioned that if I had written a second graphic novel (I didn’t, for assorted reasons), I would have shown what actually happened after Faith’s presumed death at the Hopital des Anges, and how/why Master Raymond resuscitated and nurtured the baby secretly, but wasn’t able to come back with her before Claire and Jamie left France. So, they liked that idea and ran with it.”

Lallybroch Castle tours & the home of Jamie Fraser

2025-01-14T03:28:00.000-08:00

Lallybroch, also known as Lallybroch Castle or Castle Lallybroch, is one of the most iconic and emotionally significant locations in the Outlander series. Lallybroch castle tours with Private tours Edinburgh are available year round and can be booked below . Phone / Whatsapp +447305294773 for more information . The ancestral home of Jamie Fraser, Lallybroch serves as more than just a setting; it is a symbol of identity, belonging, and family heritage. Its importance is woven deeply into the narrative, resonating with themes of love, loyalty, and the enduring connection to one’s roots. For Outlander fans , check out our unique Lallybroch Outlander tour .

Lallybroch Castle first appears in Outlander right at the beginning of the story when Claire Randall accompanies Jamie to his family home after their escape from danger. Located in the Scottish Highlands, Castle Lallybroch is portrayed as a welcoming and warm refuge amidst the challenges faced by the characters. It represents Jamie’s connection to his lineage and his role as Laird of Broch Tuarach. His sense of duty to Lallybroch and its people drives many of his decisions throughout the series. Lallybroch appears in season 7 of Outlander when Roger and Brianna make it their home in the 1960s .

Outlander Lallybroch jigsaw puzzles make the perfect gift for Outlander fans

From the moment Lallybroch is introduced, it becomes clear that it is more than just a physical place. For Jamie, Castle Lallybroch is tied to his memories of his parents and his deep sense of responsibility to preserve the Fraser legacy. The castle grounds, its halls, and even the surrounding land are imbued with stories and traditions that shape Jamie’s character. He often refers to Lallybroch as his sanctuary, a place where he dreams of building a life with Claire, away from the constant turmoil of war and political strife. Lallybroch tours in Scotland are one of our most popular tours . Check out our five star tours

Lallybroch also holds a pivotal role in the development of Claire and Jamie’s relationship. As Claire integrates into the life at Castle Lallybroch, she becomes part of its history and its future. The scenes set in Lallybroch reflect a quieter, more intimate aspect of their lives, offering a stark contrast to the dangers and adventures they face elsewhere. The moments spent at Lallybroch are among the most poignant in the series, showing the couple’s shared vision of home and family. Lallybroch is certain to appear in season eight of Outlander , the final season .

The Outlander domain is one of intense emotions , high drama and many twists and turns .

Castle Lallybroch is also a place of resilience. It has just appeared in the 60s in season 7 part 2 episodes . Roger and Brianna live their with their 2 children . Even during times of hardship, such as when Jamie is forced to leave for war or when the Frasers face external threats, Lallybroch stands as a beacon of hope. It is a constant reminder of what Jamie and Claire are fighting to protect. The legacy of Lallybroch extends to future generations as well, symbolizing the enduring strength of the Fraser family.

Throughout the series, Lallybroch Castle serves as a physical and emotional anchor. Whether it’s Jamie reflecting on his responsibilities as Laird, Claire finding solace within its walls, or the family gathering to celebrate milestones, Lallybroch is ever-present. It is not just a castle but a living representation of home, love, and legacy. By revisiting Castle Lallybroch repeatedly in the narrative, the series emphasizes the importance of heritage and the power of a place to shape identity. Book Outlander tours online

what are the top iconic locations in Scotland ?

2021-04-21T08:08:00.003-07:00

Scotland has many iconic landmarks from stunning landscapes to castles and monuments.

My top five landmarks in Scotland are

the Kelpies

From the opening of the Forth and Clyde Canal in the 1770s, the barges were pulled by one or two horses which had to be changed at various stages.

The Kelpies were inspired by the Clydesdale horses used to pull barge along the canals of Scotland. Buy Kelpies gifts online – t-shirts, phone cases, throw pillows and prints

Eilean Donan Castle

Eilean Donan Castle in the Highlands is the most photographed castle in the world due to its unique position on an island in the middle of three lochs. Buy Eilean Donan Castle prints and gifts in the Eilean Donan Castle gift shop

Glencoe Glencoe in the Highlands of Scotland consists of the three Paps of Glencoe . This iconic mountain is in the heart of the Highlands

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle , Scotland is the most popular visitor attraction in Scotland. The castle dominates the city skyline of Edinburgh . Edinburgh Castle is Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction . More than 1 million visitors are drawn each year by its spectacular location and history. They can see the Crown Jewels, the One O’Clock Gun and the Stone of Destiny as well as the Great Hall, St Margaret’s Chapel, and Mons Meg. Edinburgh Castle is a world-class attraction and today’s well-traveled tourists have high expectations. The vaults at Edinburgh Castle were constructed around 1500 and later used as soldiers’ barrack-rooms and a bakehouse. However they were used for many years as prisons of war from the 1750s into the early 1800s. The Castle is at the top of the Royal Mile . If you walk down the Royal Mile you can see a large number of gift shops , pubs and restaurants . At the foot of the Royal Mile is the new Scottish Parliament building and the Palace of Holyroodhouse , the official residence of the Queen in Scotland

Loch Lomond

How much does it cost to visit the Kelpies ?

There is no entrance fee to pay to see the Kelpies. The first car park near the entrance is free all the year round . During the summer if you go between 10am and 5pm then there is a parking fee at the second car park of £3 . The Helix’s own tour of the Kelpies costs about £2 and they run all summer . The tour includes going inside one of the Kelpies

Jack Vettriano - genius or clown ?

2020-07-17T04:24:00.002-07:00

In less than ten years, Jack Vettriano has emerged from obscurity to become Britain's foremost contemporary narrative painter despite having never received any formal art school training.

Diva By Jack Vettriano for sale online at Photogold

Born in St Andrews, Scotland in 1954, Vettriano left school at sixteen to become a mining engineer in the local coalfields. For his twenty- first birthday, a girlfriend gave him a set of watercolour paints and, from then on, he spent much of his spare time teaching himself to paint. The local art gallery, The Kirkcaldy Museum and Art Gallery, with its renowned collection of 19th and 20th century Scottish paintings, was particularly inspirational. It was fourteen years before Vettriano felt ready to show any of his work in public. In 1989 he offered two works to the Royal Scottish Academy's annual exhibition; both were accepted and sold on the first day. The following year, an equally enthusiastic reaction greeted the three paintings, which he entered for the prestigious Summer Exhibition at London's Royal Academy. In the last nine years, interest in, and desire for his work, has grown rapidly. There have been sell-out solo exhibitions in Edinburgh, London, Hong Kong and Johannesburg. In November 1999, Vettriano's work was shown for the first time in New York, when twenty paintings were displayed at The International 20th Century Arts Fair at The Armory. Fifty collectors from the UK flew out for the opening night of the Fair and all twenty paintings were sold out within an hour of the opening. In March 2000, BBC Scotland produced a half-hour documentary about Vettriano for their Arts Series EX-S; aired initially in Scotland only, the documentary is likely to be aired UK-wide later this year. Jack Vettriano prints had a major exhibition, Lovers and Other Strangers, was at the Portland Gallery in London in June 2000. After its London run, the exhibition transferred on loan to The Kirkcaldy Museum & Art Gallery in Fife. Attendance figures indicated that more people visited the Museum during the Vettriano exhibition than had done so in the whole of the previous year. A book about the artist was published to coincide with this exhibition.

The Singing Butler is Jack Vettriano's best selling print. Vettriano has made millions from this single image. His art deco style captures the public's imagination. Published by Pavilion Books, Lovers and Other Strangers features over 100 paintings selected from the work of the last ten years and biographical text by Anthony Quinn. In 2010 the new Jack Vettriano exhibition, Days of Wine and Roses, started in Kirkcaldy before transferring to London and Milan Jack Vettriano gifts In September 2001, Vettriano donated a painting to a charity auction, which was held at Sotheby's in aid of Help the Hospices.

Night in the City is one of the artist's sexy images, still available as a limited edition print. The painting, Beautiful Dreamer, was the second highest bid for Lot, making £25,000. UK Portland Gallery exhibited twenty- one paintings at artLONDON, an annual contemporary art fair, in May 2002. All twenty-one paintings were sold within the first hour of the opening night. Aside from his exhibitions, Vettriano has acquired a vast following through the posters and prints of his paintings that are distributed worldwide. This year the two best selling art posters in Britain are both Vettriano images.

Dance me to the End of Love and Dancer in Emerald are 2 of Vettriano's top selling posters at the moment. To date, more than 1,000,000 posters of Vettriano's paintings have sold worldwide A University spokesperson said, "It is a privilege for the University to honour one of Scotland's leading contemporary artists and a particular pleasure to do so because of the amount of time which Jack Vettriano has invested in helping the University's students fulfil some of their own artistic aspirations."

Vettriano's most recent work is the limited edition print Lunchtime Lovers published in June 2020. Lunchtime Lovers is in the artist's typical art deco / romantic style, featuring a lady and a man leaving a restaurant for a secret lunch date .

Lunchtime Lovers is the latest Jack Vettriano limited edition print , framed £650.00

300gsm Museum Etching paper
Signed and numbered by the artist
Edition size: 125 + 15 Artist’s Proofs
Certificate of Authenticity
Image Size 39 x 31 cm
Mount Size: 62 x 52 cm
Frame Size: 72 x 62 cm

One framed print in stock .

Please note that all framed prints will come framed with true colour acrylic.

Photogold are official Jack Vettriano stockists

Doune Castle tours

2018-12-26T09:13:00.002-08:00

Doune Castle was built in 1400 for the first Duke of Albany and provides the setting for Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Visit Doune Castle on a unique private tour of the Game of Thrones Castle in Scotland – Winterfell . Phone 07305-294773 for more details or contact us online .

Doune Castle Game of Thrones tour costs £180 for up to 4 passengers on a private tour from Edinburgh .

doune castle tours

Doune is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Scotland.

The Great Hall is 20 metres by 8 metres , and 12 metres high to its timber roof, again a 19th-century replacement.The hall has no fireplace, and was presumably heated by a central fire, and ventilated by means of a louvre like the one in the modern roof. No details of the original roof construction are known, however, and the restoration is conjectural.Large windows light the hall, and stairs lead down to the three cellars on ground level.

The hall is accessed from the courtyard via a stair up to a triangular lobby, which in turn links the hall and kitchens by means of two large serving hatches with elliptical arches, unusual for this period. The kitchen tower, virtually a tower house in its own right, is 17 metres (56 ft) by 8 metres (26 ft). The vaulted kitchen is on the hall level, above a cellar. One of the best-appointed castle kitchens in Scotland of its date, it has an oven and a 5.5-metre (18 ft) wide fireplace. A stair turret, added in 1581 and possibly replacing a timber stair, leads up from the lobby to two storeys of guest rooms. These include the “Royal Apartments”, a suite of two bedrooms plus an audience chamber, suitable for royal visitors.

Doune Castle has featured in several literary works, including the 17th-century ballad, “The Bonny Earl of Murray”, which relates the murder of James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray, by the Earl of Huntly, in 1592. In Sir Walter Scott’s first novel, Waverley (1814), the protagonist Edward Waverley is brought to Doune Castle by the Jacobites. Scott’s romantic novel describes the “gloomy yet picturesque structure”, with its “half-ruined turrets”.

The castle was used as a location in MGM’s 1952 historical film Ivanhoe which featured Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor. The BBC adaptation of “Ivanhoe” in 1996 also featured Doune as a location. The castle was used as the set for Winterfell in the TV series Game of Thrones(2011–present), an adaptation of the A Song of Ice and Fire series of novels by George R. R. Martin. The castle was used as a stand-in for the fictional “Leoch Castle” in the TV adaption of the Outlander series of novels.

Game of Thrones Castle

Find out more about Doune Castle tours – phone 07305-294773 or book online .

Five castles tour
Our private group visits five castles used as film locations. This tour visits Doune Castle ( Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Castle Leoch ) , Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison ) , Aberdour Castle and Blackness Castle
The Outlander TV series continues to be a smash hit in the UK and America . Five Scottish castles in particular feature heavily in the story lines – Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) , Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison ) , Aberdour Castle ( Sainte Anne de Beaupré’s monastery ) and Blackness Castle ( Fort William army headquarters ) .
1 Midhope Castle – Lallybroch
Those seeking a glimpse of the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser won’t find the real Lallybroch deep in the Highlands.
Scenes were shot at Midhope Castle on the fringes of the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry.
Midhope was built in the 15th Century and was built by John Martyne, laird of Medhope. It was rebuilt in the mid 1600s and remains much the same today.
Visitors are asked to admire Midhope from a distance as the interior remains largely derelict.

doune castle tours

five castles tour Scotland . Visit five amazing Scottish castles – Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) , Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison ) , Aberdour Castle and Blackness Castle ( Fort William army headquarters ) .

Midhope Castle – Lallybroch
Midhope was built in the 15th Century and was built by John Martyne, laird of Medhope. It was rebuilt in the mid 1600s and remains much the same today.
Visitors should admire Midhope from a distance as the interior remains largely derelict. Midhope Castle is the external location for fictional Lallybroch, the family home of Jamie Fraser , and it is located on the Hopetoun Estate . Midhope Castle dates back to the 15th Century and the exterior is intact but the castle is derelict inside .

Doune Castle – Castle Leoch

Dating to the 13th Century, Doune Castle near Stirling plays Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan.
It is in the 20th century episode when Claire and Frank Randall visit the castle on a day trip.
Once a Royal residence, Doune Castle was rebuilt by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany in the late 14th Century.

Doune Castle tours , Doune featured in Monty Python , Game of Thrones , the Outlaw King and Outlander.
Doune has appeared several times on screen and was used in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It was also the castle Winterfell in Game of Thrones.

Falkirk tours , visit the Falkirk Wheel

Scottish Highlands tour – visit the amazing scenery of Scotland

Falkirk Wheel tours

tours of Scotland

Outlander tours of film locations in Scotland

Visit the Kelpies with Airport taxis Falkirk

Edinburgh tours

Book your tour on 07305-294773 or contact us online.

Eilean Donan Castle tours – Eilean Donan Castle t-shirts

Kelpies tours, visit the amazing 30 metre high Kelpies in Falkirk

Falkirk tours and transfers, visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, two unique attractions connected by the Union Canal

Airport taxi transfers Falkirk offer a professional airport transfer service from Falkirk to Edinburgh Airport

Private tours Edinburgh offer a wide range of tours of Scotland’s castles , film locations and landscapes , visit Outlander , Monty Python and Outlander film locations

Lallybroch castle is the ancestral home of Outlander star Jamie fraser , real life Midhope Castle is just 25 minutes from Edinburgh

Doune Castle pictures , Doune featured in Monty Python , Game of Thrones and Outlander

Glentana Coaches – airport transfers from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport

Outlander tours , tour the real film locations used in Outlander, including Lallybroch and Castle Leoch

Falkirk tours – visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel on a day tour .

The Kelpies are the largest equine sculptures in the world.
Private tours of Falkirk’s greatest attractions
Falkirk tours available five days a week .

2018-10-29T04:54:00.001-07:00

Looking for things to do in Edinburgh ? How about a tour of Scotland's castles , landscapes or film locations from Edinburgh ?

private Outlander tour of six film locations

Private outlander tour

Our private group tours take up to four people to three Outlander filming locations. We also offer bespoke private tours. This tour visits Falkland ( Inverness ) , Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) and Blackness Castle ( Fort William ) .

Superb day trip to Falkirk to visit the world famous Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel

The Kelpies sculptures are the largest works of art in Scotland, and the largest equine sculptures in the world.

Sculptor Andy Scott was on hand for the opening, along with Duke, a Clydesdale horse which was one of the models for the 30m (100ft) works.

More than 1m people have visited the Kelpies since they were completed in April 2014.

The Kelpies, the centrepiece of the 350-hectare, £43m Helix parkland project, have boosted the local economy by £1.5m per year.

They have won a number of design awards, and were named "Scotland's national treasure" by the National Lottery.

A £1.8m visitor centre has opened at the attraction .

The pair of sculptures are made from 600 tonnes of steel and more than 10,000 special fixings, and tower over the nearby M9 motorway.

The Kelpies sculptures in Falkirk were open to the public in April last year. An exhibition of local schools kids artwork celebrating The Kelpies and The John Muir Way will also be unveiled by Kelpie artist Andy Scott. The artwork will be on display inside The Kelpies for three weeks afterwards for tour guests to admire.

The completion of the £5 million venture marked a significant stage in the £43 million Helix project, which has transformed 865 acres of land between Falkirk and Grangemouth.

Game of thrones castle tour

visit the Game of Thrones castle - Doune Castle - on our unique tour. Visit Doune Castle on a unique private tour of the Game of Thrones Castle in Scotland – Winterfell .

Doune Castle is Winterfell in Game of Thrones and Monty Python’s Holy Grail. Visit Doune Castle on a unique private tour of the Game of Thrones Castle in Scotland – Winterfell . Check availability by phoning us now on 07305-294773 or contact us online . Toll free number 1-866-233-2644

Doune is one of the best preserved medieval castles in Scotland.

Five Scottish castles tour

Our private group visits five castles used as Outlander film locations. This tour visits Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) , Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison ) , Aberdour Castle and Blackness Castle.

[caption id="attachment_2642" align="alignleft" width="300"] the Outlander TV series has filmed in Scotland . One of Outlander’s first scenes was filmed in the picturesque town of Falkland, which stands in for Inverness in the 1940s . The show is based on American author Diana Gabaldon’s series of historical novels, which sees nurse Claire Beauchamp Randell mysteriously swept back from 1945 to 1743 Highland Scotland
. Falkland features some familiar sights from the TV series , including Mrs Baird’s Guesthouses (actually the Covenanter Hotel), the Bruce Fountain where Claire comes across the ghost of Jamie, and the building that doubles as Farrell’s Hardware and Furniture Store.
Most of the filming will take place in Scotland, according to the show's executive producer Ron Moore .
Scotland’s stunning landscape, with its rolling hills, rugged mountains, picturesque towns and villages, castles and sprawling beaches has provided the perfect backdrop for the world of cinema.
The show is based on American author Diana Gabaldon’s series of historical novels, which sees nurse Claire Beauchamp Randell mysteriously swept back from 1945 to 1743 Highland Scotland where rebellion and romance are afoot. Executive Producer Ron Moore has commented on Scotland : “The landscape itself is a character in the show. There’s a particular quality to the light in Scotland, even to the grass and the trees.”
Outlander season 2 is expected to premiere sometime in the first half of 2016[/caption]

The Outlander TV series continues to be a smash hit in the UK and America . Five Scottish castles in particular feature heavily in the story lines – Midhope Castle ( Lallybroch ) , Doune Castle ( Castle Leoch ) , Linlithgow Palace (Wentworth Prison ) , Aberdour Castle ( Sainte Anne de Beaupré’s monastery ) and Blackness Castle ( Fort William army headquarters ) .

1 Midhope Castle – Lallybroch

Those seeking a glimpse of the ancestral home of Jamie Fraser won’t find the real Lallybroch deep in the Highlands.

Scenes were shot at Midhope Castle on the fringes of the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry.

Midhope was built in the 15th Century and was built by John Martyne, laird of Medhope. It was rebuilt in the mid 1600s and remains much the same today.

Visitors are asked to admire Midhope from a distance as the interior remains largely derelict.

Unique four Scottish castles tour

Our private group visits four unique Scottish castles. This tour visits Drummond Castle and Gardens , Stirling Castle , Doune Castle and Linlithgow Palace

Four ancient Scottish castles feature in this tour – Drummond Castle and Gardens , Stirling Castle , Doune Castle and Linlithgow Palace

1 Drummond Castle and Gardens

Drummond Castle Gardens, near Crieff, Perthshire, doubles as the French royal Palace of Versailles in TV drama Outlander.The grounds, which date back to 1630, are considered “the best example of formal terraced gardens in Scotland”.

Drummond Castle Gardens, which are protected as a category A listed building — in contrast to the B listed castle — already attract thousands of visitors per year, and are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.The gardens — complete with peacocks — feature ancient yew hedges and the remaining beech tree planted by Queen Victoria in 1842.

Doune Castle

Originally dating to the 13th Century, Doune Castle near Stirling plays Castle Leoch, home to Colum MacKenzie and his clan in Outlander TV series .

It also features in the 20th century episode when Claire and Frank Randall visit the castle on a day trip.

Once a Royal residence, Doune Castle was rebuilt by Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany in the late 14th Century.

Doune has appeared several times on screen and was widely used in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It also represented the castle Winterfell in Game of Thrones.

photo tours of the Highlands of Scotland

Private tours of the Highlands including a visit to Glencoe, Black Mount and Buachaille Etive Mor . Your guide will take you to the best spots for taking pictures of the beautiful scenery of Glencoe and the Highlands .

This photo tour is ideal for beginners/ intermediate photographers . Your photo guide will offer assistance as required with taking pictures.

Our promise – your guide will always be friendly , helpful and informative .

Glencoe - see the stunning scenery of the paps of Glencoe , one of the most impressive peaks in Scotland. Glencoe is a beautiful rocky landscape featuring the Paps of Glencoe – giant mountains of solid rock. In the summer you might hear the piper in the car park playing a lament . When it goes quiet the silence is quite eery . Listen carefully and you might hear the wailing of ghosts from the Massacre of Glencoe. Your guide will take to the two best viewing points in Glencoe . One of the viewing points involves a short walk up the hillside facing the paps of Glencoe .

Kelpies tours, visit the amazing 30 metre high Kelpies in Falkirk

Falkirk tours and transfers, visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel, two unique attractions connected by the Union Canal

Private tours Edinburgh offer a wide range of tours of Scotland’s castles , film locations and landscapes , visit Outlander , Monty Python and Outlander film locations

Lallybroch castle is the ancestral home of Outlander star Jamie fraser , real life Midhope Castle is just 25 minutes from Edinburgh. Our private group tours take up to four people to three Outlander filming locations. This tour visits Lallybroch - Midhope Castle, Blackness Castle ( Fort William ) and Linlithgow Palace ( Wentworth Prison )

Tours start at 10 am . We also offer bespoke private tours with the option of choosing your own itinerary .

Tours start from locations in Edinburgh or Glasgow .

Normal pickup point is Edinburgh/ Glasgow city centre , your hotel or the airport .

Other pickup points can be arranged .

Lallybroch - Midhope Castle, ancestral home of Jamie Fraser
Linlithgow Palace - Wentworth Prison
Blackness Castle
half day Outlander tour
Take in unique views of three historic castles featured in Outlander
Small private group tour with up to of four people

Doune Castle pictures , Doune featured in Monty Python , Game of Thrones and Outlander

Glentana - airport transfers from Edinburgh to Glasgow Airport

Outlander tours , tour the real film locations used in Outlander, including Lallybroch and Castle Leoch

Castle tours , tour the ancient castles of Scotland and their history in films

Duns Castle hosts art exhibition

2012-04-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

Duns Castle will host its annual exhibition with a top line-up of local artists . Organiser Caroline Hay of Art Amatoria is looking forward to welcoming a host of talented individuals to the grounds of the famous local landscape.

Amongst the number is the talented Earlston teenager William Foyle, who is taking part in one of his first exhibitions.

William uses thick layers of paint to create vibrant and slightly abstracted landscapes, inspired by the Borders and visits to Ireland, and his large canvases are certain to be a talking point.

Berwick’s Kate Philp is a hugely successful landscape artist, and Caroline is thrilled to have some of her new work on show as well as her ever popular prints.

Angela and Brunton Hunter, a couple from Innerleithen, share a studio but work in completely different media, with Angela favouring bronze resin to create wildlife sculptures and Brunton focussing on marble.

The exhibition will also feature two very different wildlife artists in the form of Cornhill’s Claire Weeks and Susan Mitchell, whose lively watercolours are always popular.

Another painter on show is Douglas Davies, a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour.

Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley, damaged by arson after wedding

2011-06-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

100 fire fighters and 20 appliances spent most of Sunday tackling the "major" blaze at the landmark Peckforton Castle, near Tarporley, Cheshire. Up to 100 staff and guests, many of whom were attending a wedding, were evacuated just before 5am, after the fire broke out in a drawing room in a wing of the 19th Century gothic castle.

Such was the severity of the fire, appliances were called in from four different counties amid fears the blaze would completely destroy the Grade I-listed property. It has been claimed that the fire damage could top £1million. The fire started just hours after the groom became embroiled in a dispute with management over the event’s bill. While police declined to confirm the claims, it is believed the groom, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of arson.

Castle for sale in France

2010-05-18T06:56:00.000-07:00

a 15th century listed castle and its listed chapel in the Poitou region is for sale. In the heart of the Poitou region, 380 km (238 miles) south of Paris (330/206 of which are on the A10 motorway), and a little less than 50 km (31 miles) from Poitiers-Briard airport with direct flights to London, Edinburgh and other European capitals.
Close to a small medieval town with a good tourist trade and all amenities, the property nestles in an authentic hamlet situated in the Gatine area

Stirling Castle skeleton revealed as knight Sir John de Stricheley

2010-05-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

A medieval knight whose skeleton was discovered at Stirling Castle has been identified. BBC Two’s History Cold Case series will attempt to discover the identity of the warrior who may have been killed during Scotland’s Wars of Independence with England in the late 13th and 14th centuries. The castle changed hands eight times and scientific tests have been used to work out whether he might have been a Scot, an Englishman or even French. The programme focuses on two of 10 skeletons excavated from the site of a lost royal chapel at the castle. he was almost certainly at the centre of efforts to repel sieges of the castle when Scots were trying to reclaim it in the 14th century. Forensic experts, archaeologists and historians have joined forces on a project that has unearthed a likely name for the warrior – Sir John De Stricheley – after records showed an English knight of that name died in the castle in October 1341. The remains were found with nine other skeletons under a paved floor in a lost royal chapel in 1997, but their identities were shrouded in mystery until recently, when new scientific tests were carried out.
This work will be carried out by Dr Jo Buckberry of the University of Bradford and archaeological scientists Dr Janet Montgomery (University of Bradford) and Professor Julia Lee-Thorp (University of Oxford).

Stirling castle is the second most popular castle in Scotland after Edinburgh Castle. It was built on volcanic rock 36 million years old . In 1110 a castle was built in Stirling , made of wood. During the Wars of Independence William Wallace and his men attacked the castle and set fire to it , burning it to the ground with a garrison full of English soldiers.

Stirling Castle tours are available

Best seller - Half day tours to Falkirk from Edinburgh

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Stirling Castle pictures

2009-08-26T04:46:00.000-07:00

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most impressive castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. Our new free castle pictures gallery features a number of Scottish castles . Stirling Castle features a Homecoming 2009 event this month – Homecoming events .
From Stirling Castle’s ramparts, visitors can take in views of the Forth Valley and Ben Lomond , as well as two of Scotland’s most important battle sites – Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314). The castle is at the head of Stirling’s historic old town.Like Edinburgh Castle , Stirling sits on a volcanic rock dominating the city skyline .
The Renaissance pomp and pageantry of the Royal Court of Mary Queen of Scots returns to Stirling Castle next month when the queen and her entourage come home to Scotland for ‘A Royal Summer Holiday’.

Castle visitors can become courtiers at this family event from Saturday 1st to Monday 3rd August and join the 16th-century VIP visitors as they have some fun. Skittles, quoits, and firing a crossbow are on offer .
Costumed players throughout the castle will be leading special children’s tours of the castle and sharing all of the latest gossip about the lords and ladies in attendance. And kids will also have an opportunity to join the royal guard to help protect the royal party as they take a break from governing the country.
Historic Scotland Interpretation Manager Sheena Garden said: “Stirling Castle is not only one of Scotland’s grandest and most imposing castles, it was also a real favourite with Scotland’s kings and queens. And their investment in it demonstrated just how much they loved to use it, as well as their desire to ensure it both impressed all who visited it, and represented a statement of their power and wealth. James IV created the Great Hall, the largest medieval banqueting hall ever built in Scotland, and James V’s Royal Palace, with its lavishly decorated Renaissance façades, was a masterpiece of the period.

Stirling Castle pictures

2009-07-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

Stirling Castle is one of Scotland’s most impressive castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture. The Great Hall was fully refurbished a few years ago and it is a very impressive building .
Our new free castle pictures gallery features a number of Scottish castles . Stirling Castle features a Homecoming 2009 event this month – Homecoming events .
From Stirling Castle’s ramparts, visitors can take in views of the Forth Valley and Ben Lomond , as well as two of Scotland’s most important battle sites – Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314). The castle is at the head of Stirling’s historic old town.Like Edinburgh Castle , Stirling sits on a volcanic rock dominating the city skyline .
The Renaissance pomp and pageantry of the Royal Court of Mary Queen of Scots returns to Stirling Castle next month when the queen and her entourage come home to Scotland for ‘A Royal Summer Holiday’.

Dunnottar Castle

2008-11-26T02:34:00.001-08:00

Dunnottar Castle has the most impressive location you will ever see for a castle . It is on a huge rock with sheer cliffs on each side . If the castle was under siege it looks as if there is no way into it . The castle is 2 miles from Stonehaven on the east coast of Scotland . If you are taking pictures of the castle you will need a wide angle lens because of the sheer size of it

Eilean Donan

2008-07-10T03:52:00.000-07:00

Eilean Donan Castle is in a rich landscape which is perfect for photography. Eilean Donan sits on an islet in the middle of 3 lochs , surrounded by mountains. "Eilean Donan" means island of Donan , an 11th century religious figure. If you take castle picture from the hillside overlooking the castle you can see Skye in the background. A small row of houses on the hillside must have one of the best views in Britain as they all overlook the castle.
Number 18 in the UK's top 20 camp sites is the Shiel Bridge Campsite, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, Highlands .
Glen Shiel, near the Five Sisters of Kintail and the Forcan Ridge, is a place for some of the world’s most dramatic scenery.

Fordyce Castle for sale

2008-06-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Fordyce Castle in Scotland is for sale at £800,000. The castle also comes with a barony title, entitling the owner to call himself the Baron of Fordyce , not to be confused with Bruce the baron of Forsyth .
The castle is on sale at offers over £800,000, and comes with the option of a four- and five-star self-catering holiday letting business.

Thomas Menzies, former lord provost of Aberdeen, built the pocket-sized castle in 1592. In castle-speak it is a “three-storey L-plan tower house with corbelled stair tower”, and is well supplied with shot holes through which to fire upon besieging enemies.

Eilean Donan castle

2008-06-20T04:37:00.000-07:00

The Telegraph has named its top 25 camp sites in the UK.

In at number 18 is the Shiel Bridge Campsite, Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh, Ross-shire, Highlands
Lying in the crevice of Glen Shiel, surrounded by the Five Sisters of Kintail and the Forcan Ridge, this is a place for in some of the world’s most dramatic scenery. There’s also Eilean Donan Castle a few miles away, if you have small ones to entertain.

This area is fantastic place for photography

Urquhart Castle Pictures

2007-10-21T13:08:00.000-07:00

Urquhart Castle is a ruined castle on the shore of Loch Ness . Many Pictures of the Loch ness Monster have been taken from the castle. The Grant Tower at the North end of the castle grounds is a magnificent old building which has tremendous character.Pictures of the castle can be taken from the grounds or even from a boat travelling up the Loch.

Dunnottar Castle Pictures

2007-10-11T02:51:00.000-07:00

Dunnottar Castle is a great place for taking Pictures. The castle looks spectacular as it sits on a rocky outcrop on the Scottish coast , a mile from Stonehaven .In olden days the castle was impossible to breach because the only way in is through a small tunnel at the foot of the castle which was easy to defend . Mary Queen of Scots stayed in this castle . I have taken lots of Dunnottar Castle Pictures . If anyone wants to publish their Dunnottar Castle Pictures you can join my photo sharing site

Eilean Donan Castle Pictures

2007-09-13T02:17:00.000-07:00

Eilean Donan Castle Pictures are featured on many calendars and greeting cards. The castle looks spectacular in its natural setting in the middle of 3 lochs , surrounded by mountains.The castle was built in the 13th century . Eilean Donan means small island of Donan , a religious figure . In the 18th century the castle was bombarded by 3 English frigates and almost totally destroyed . In 1914 rebuilding began . It took almost 20 years to restore the castle Castle pictures