Seven beautiful Outlander locations you can visit that are perfect for a day trip

Outlander is currently part-way through its seventh season - but the mid-series break has left some fans worried that we are facing another Droughtlander.

The term was coined by diehard viewers who hated the long breaks in between the seasons of the historical fantasy epic. The wait won't be quite as long this time, with series seven set to resume in November.

And while the beloved characters are getting on with life in America after heading across the Atlantic in the earlier seasons, there is still a very Scottish heart to the show. And with it still a few months before the show returns to our screens, we look at some of the filming locations that are perfect for a visit for those missing their Outlander fix.

Falkland, Fife

The picturesque town of Falkland in Fife is used for 1940s Inverness, where the epic show begins. As well as having the acclaim of kicking off the series, Falkland is well worth a trip in its own right.

The building that starred as Mrs Baird's B&B in the early episodes is really The Covenanter, and you can stay there yourself. The hotel overlooks the Bruce Fountain, where Jamie Fraser's ghost is first seen and the mystery of the story starts kicking into gear.

Culross, Fife

While you're in the Kingdom, you should make your way to the south of the region and pop into Culross (pronounced 'Coo-riss'). The village centre (with its instantly recognisable Mercat Cross) was chosen to double as Cranesmuir in the first season of filming, with the fictional hamlet being the closest settlement to Castle Leoch and the home of Geillis Duncan.

The white-washed walls of the stunning buildings may look different to any visiting viewers, however, as they were painted a blue-grey for filming. The grounds of Culross 'Palace' were also used for several scenes in the second series.

Blackness Castle, near Linlithgow

If you head across the Firth of Forth, you can make your way to Blackness Castle. The 15th-century fortress, located close to the village that gives it its name, doubled as Fort William in the series.

The formidable castle serves as the backdrop for some key scenes in the early seasons, with Jamie being punished by the wicked Black Jack Randall within the castle and the Highland warrior's father passing away there.

Midhope Castle, South Queensferry

A short trip east brings you to Midhope Castle, a 16th-century townhouse just 30 miles from Edinburgh. Like Blackness, it was used for a location far from the Central Belt, with crucial scenes at Lallybroch shot at the South Queensferry estate.

The castle was used as Broch Tuarach (north-facing tower in Gaelic) in the first two seasons, the home of the Fraser family. Showrunner Ronald D. Moore revealed that Midhope Castle matched their "mental image" of Lallybroch and was among the initial first scouted for the show.

Finnich Glen and The Devil's Pulpit, Dumgoyne

Finnich Glen is a much-loved beauty spot in its own right, though it has seen its popularity surge after its inclusion in Outlander. With its towering moss-covered walls and rust-coloured waters, this atmospheric gorge has been used for several shows.

The imposing rock walls provided the perfect backdrop for the scene where Dougal MacKenzie uses the "truth-inducing waters" to test the trustworthiness of heroine Claire Beauchamp.

Doune Castle, Stirlingshire

Staying in Stirlingshire, you can travel to the village of Doune. The hamlet's castle featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail and doubled as Winterfell for the pilot of Game of Thrones. Much like Finnich Glen, after it starred in Outlander as Castle Leoch - the seat of Clan MacKenzie - its popularity skyrocketed.

Claire and Jamie spent much time there during the early seasons of Outlander, under the hospitality of cunning clan chief Colum MacKenzie and his suspicious war-mongering brother Dougal.

Culloden Moor, near Inverness

The early seasons of Outlander are inextricably linked with the Jacobite rebellion, and as any Scottish historian will tell you about this era: All roads lead to Culloden. The defeat to the Redcoats led to the death of the Jacobite dream of restoring the Stuarts to the throne - as well as the death of many warriors.

One who survived the ordeal - though neither he nor Claire expected it - was Jamie Fraser. He fought and killed Black Jack Randall and was due to be executed after being discovered but fortune smiled on the Outlander hero.

While Inverness is a longer trip that the others on this list for most Scots, it is well worth a visit due to its incredible significance to the fantasy tale and the historical revolution that inspired it. The Old Leanach cottage still stands guard over the battlefield, even after hundreds of years, and is a must-see if making the journey to Culloden.

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