True facts about Outlander

Now that we are all confined at home in quarantine, I have some more free time to watch some series on Netflix. I’m actually re-watching my favorite show at the moment: Outlander. I was wondering which facts were true…

The books

The story, based on the books of Diana Gabaldon, tell the story of Claire Randall, a former British combat nurse, who just has reunited with her husband after WWII. While on their second honeymoon in Scotland, she walks through the stones of Craigh Na Dun and lands in Scotland in the year… 1743. Her only chance to survive the many dangers is to marry Jamie Fraser, a gallang young Scott warrior.

Claire and Jamie

Claire Randall is played by Caitriona Balfe and Jamie Fraser by Sam Heughan. I’m not reveiling the other cast members as they can be seen as spoilers if you haven’t seen Outlander yet.

True facts about the series

• The Scottisch castles are real, though named differently

Castle Leoch, the home to Jamie’s Uncle Colum Mackenzie is actually the medieval castle known as Doune Castle in Perthshire and was built in the late 14th century.

Fort William is actually known as Blackness Castle, an ex-artillery fortress in reality and a 15th-century marvel of a castle.

• The Battle of Culloden took place on the 16th of April 1746

The Jacobites were indeed led by Bonnie Prince Charlie into the infamous battle where many Scots’ lives were stolen that day. It was a bloody fight that the Jacobites quickly lost. The clans were forever changed after this battle.

• Is it true what they say about Scots and their kilts?

Yes… In true Scottish fashion, the actors aren’t wearing anything underneath their kilts. “I’m a true Scotsman, and it’s one of the joys of working on the show is wearing the kilt,” Sam Heughan, who plays Jamie, admitted during an interview. “It can actually be very comfortable.”

Outlander Podcast

If you like to listen to podcasts, I can recommend the AfterBuzz podcast. Every episode of every season has it’s own podcast; a real treat!

Are you also a fan of Outlander and you have some other comments or podcast tips, please leave me a message.