Where is Lallybroch? Finding Outlander at Midhope Castle
Are you an Outlander fan visiting Scotland and are asking “Where is Lallybroch?”?
Not too far outside of Edinburgh, you can visit the film location used for the iconic Lallybroch in the tv series Outlander. This was one of my favorite stops in Scotland!
Shamelessly join other Jamie Fraser fans dragging their supportive husbands/boyfriends to fantasize themselves in the world of Outlander. I confess, I was one of them, and Michael handled it like a champ!
I’ll show you where to find Lallybroch, what to expect when you get there, and share a few other nearby Outlander locations you can visit while in Scotland.
Is Lallybroch Real?
Outlander’s Lallybroch is not a real place.
Lallybroch is a fictional estate and family home of Jamie Fraser featured in the Outlander book series by Diana Gabaldon and its television adaptation.
In the series, Lallybroch is located in the Scottish Highlands, near the village of Broch Tuarach.
While the exact location of Lallybroch is not specified in the books or the TV show, it is depicted as being situated in the general vicinity of Inverness.
Where is Lallybroch?
So if Lallybroch isn’t a real place, where is Lallybroch the film location in Scotland?
Midhope Castle is a 15th-century tower house that was used as the film location for Lallybroch and is situated within the privately owned Hopetoun Estate in Abercorn, South Queensferry.
Just 1.5 miles off of the M9 highway, you’ll take some narrow backcountry roads, down a forested ravine.
Beware of pheasants crossing the road; we almost hit one even going slow.
How Far is Lallybroch From Edinburgh?
From Edinburgh, Lallybroch/Midhope Castle is about 15 miles away. Depending on where exactly you are coming from in the city, traffic will make a huge impact on how long it will take you. Assume it’s a 30-40 minutes drive.
How Far is Lallybroch From Stirling?
Lallybroch/Midhope Castle is also and easy day trip from Stirling at about 25 miles away. You’ll face less traffic issues, so assume it will also be about a 30-40 minute drive.
How Far is Lallybroch From Inverness?
Inverness is about 150 miles away from Lallybroch/Midhope Castle. I do not recommend making this into a day trip, but rather make it a detour on your way from Inverness to Edinburgh or vice versa.
Visiting Lallybroch
Now that we know where Lallybroch is, let’s find out what it’s like to visit it.
The parking lot is a small gravel plot with no clear parking spaces. Just park adjacent to the next car to make room for other drivers.
There is a small shed where you buy your entrance ticket or check in if you bought your tickets online. You’ll see sun-faded Outlander scene photos taped on the windows. They also sell a couple of kitschy Outlander souvenir items, nothing exciting though.
Then it’s up the gravel driveway you go.
The castle is visible the whole way and you can just hear in your head the Outlander theme song playing as you are walking towards it.
🎶”Sing me a song of lass that is gone. Say could that lass be I?”🎶
Sometimes when you visit a film location, you have to use your memory and imagination on how it looked in the movie. But not here!
Midhope Castle looks everything as you would imagine Lallybroch to be. It’s a surreal feeling to stand before a place that is almost its own character in the show.
Walk through the arch like Jamie coming home. Stand on the steps and expect Jenny to welcome you with open arms. Expect British soldiers to come threaten you in the “courtyard”. It all looks so familiar.
If there aren’t many people, the setting is very serene and quiet. Birds are chirping and wind is rustling through the trees.
Give yourself some time to just soak it all in.
Now, you may be asking, can I go inside Midhope Castle?
Unfortunately, the interior of the castle is too run down and dangerous to go inside, so the door is locked and the windows on the first floor are boarded up.
But don’t worry. As the inside of Lallybroch was filmed on a set, you aren’t missing any Outlander scenes anyways.
So other than seeing the arched gate and the front door of the castle, honestly, there isn’t much else to see. There are no plaques to read or tour guides to tell stories (see the next section about Outlander tours)
You can circumnavigate the castle, but the view doesn’t change much. You’ll see some run down outbuildings and gated off areas.
The castle is on a working farm and in the “backyard” are some modern buildings and equipment, but don’t let it distract from the historical glory before you.
Really, you’ve come to get your Lallybroch selfie and bragging rights! 😜
Scotland Tours that Include Lallybroch
If you are looking for a more in-depth Outlander experience, you might want to consider taking an Outlander tour that makes Midhope Castle one of their stops as well as other film locations.
A guided tour will give you more information and backstage stories than you’ll get touring the grounds yourself.
Rabbies Tours
Outlander Adventure Tour from Edinburgh
⭐Rating: 5/5 stars | ⏳Tour Length: 9.5 hrs
>> Check Rates and Availability for Rabbies Tours Here! <<
Outlander Scene Stops:
- Midhope Castle – Lallybroch
- Blackness Castle – Fort William
- Linlithgow – Wentworth Prison
- Doune Castle – Castle Leoch
- Culross – Cranesmuir
❗Important Note: Entrance fee to Blackness Castle and Doune Castle is included. Entrance fee to Midhope Castle is NOT included.
“The driver was very knowledgeable about Outlander and local history. I definitely preferred the small group over a large one. We had plenty of time at each stop. I did not feel rushed at all.”
Rebecca (read more reviews)
Climb aboard a comfortable 16-seat Mercedes mini-coach for a full-day adventure that whisks you away to the heart of Outlander’s captivating world.
As you traverse the stunning Scottish landscapes, the journey takes you to the iconic Midhope Castle, known as Lallybroch, and step foot into the realm of your beloved characters; entrance tickets to be paid while on the tour. Immerse yourself in the storied corridors of Doune Castle and the formidable Blackness Castle, entrance tickets included.
Find lunch in Linlithgow after viewing the palace where scenes of Wentworth Prison were filmed. The trip encompasses a visit to Culross, resembling the fictional town of Cranesmuir, before heading back to Edinburgh.
Timberbush Tours
The Outlander, Palaces & Jacobites Experience from Edinburgh
⭐Rating: 4.5/5 stars | Tour Length: 9.5 hrs | ⚠️Likely to Sell Out!
Check Rates and Availability for Timberbush Tours Here!
Outlander Scene Stops:
- Midhope Castle – Lallybroch
- Blackness Castle – Fort William
- Linlithgow – Wentworth Prison
- Culross – Cranesmuir
- Falkland – Inverness
❗Important Note: Entrance fee to Blackness Castle, Doune Castle, and Midhope Castle is NOT included.
“Had a wonderful experience seeing the spots Outlander was filmed. Our guide Paul B gave us the actual history of the times as well as the tie in to the Outlander story. Great tour.”
Ellen (read more reviews)
Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Outlander set against Scotland’s stunning backdrop on this fun-filled day tour.
Dive into the iconic filming spots that have left their mark on the TV series. Get ready to feel the Outlander magic at Midhope Castle, also known as Lallybroch, and explore Blackness Castle, the Fort William stand-in.
Walk in Claire and Jamie’s footsteps at Linlithgow Palace, aka Wentworth Prison, and soak up the charming vibes of Culross, where Claire’s herb garden and Cranesmuir Village come to life. The journey’s last film stop takes you to Falkland, doubling as Inverness.
You’ll be cruising in a modern, air-conditioned coach with a group of 30 fellow enthusiasts.
Pay for each attraction a la carte, so you don’t have to pay for entrance fees to sights you don’t want to.
Midhope Castle Facts & Tips
Midhope Castle Information
⌚ Midhope Castle Hours: 09:00-17:00 in the summer / 09:00-15:00 in the winter – 7 days a week
🎟️ Midhope Castle Admission:
- £5.89pp – Ages 5yrs+
- Free – Ages 4 and under
🚻 Midhope Castle Facilities:
There are no public restrooms on site, however, there is an outhouse in the parking lot.
When is the best time to visit Midhope Castle?
I was told by the ticket lady that the tours come through first thing in the morning as they are heading out of Edinburgh or last thing in the afternoon as they are coming back. These will be the busiest times.
I feel like I hit a sweet spot around 11:00am as there were only a few other people there when we arrived.
As we were leaving it started to get busy and cars were directed to park in a pullout a little up the road.
If it’s busy, just bring your patience and know that you are only among fellow Outlander fans.
How long will a visit to Midhope Castle take?
You won’t need long to visit Midhope Castle.
I would allow about 20 minutes. This would be unrushed, giving you some time to just soak in the view of the castle and letting your imagination run rampant through Lallybroch.
Depending on the amount of people visiting at the time you arrive, you may have to wait a few minutes for your turn to take a picture under the arch or sitting on the doorstep.
Is Visiting Lallybroch Worth It?
Assuming you are an Outlander fan, then then the answer is yes, Yes, and YES!! Visiting Lallybroch is definitely worth it!
It’s a small entrance fee and there are just no words to explain experiencing a place that brings fantasy to reality.
The last time I had gotten that butterfly feeling of being so excited to step into a fantasy world was when I got to visit Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey.
The only disappointing aspect of visiting Lallybroch is that besides the exterior of the building, there isn’t much else to see. So the visit is short and you might feel like the time is not even worth an entrance fee.
If you are not an Outlander fan, then you can easily pass up on this stop.
Lallybroch Translation
What does Lallybroch mean in Scottish?
Pulling from the source, in the second book of the Outlander series, “Dragonfly in Amber” Chapter 30, it says:
It was called Broch Tuarach, for the ancient cylinder of the stone, built some hundreds of years before, that poked up from the hillside behind the manor. The people who lived on the estate called it “Lallybroch.” Insofar as I could gather, this meant “lazy tower,” which made at least as much sense as applying the term “North-facing Tower” to a cylindrical structure.
…
“What about ‘Lallybroch,’ though? Why is it a lazy tower?”
“It leans a bit,” Jamie replied…”Ye canna see it much from the house, but if you stand on the west side, you’ll see it leans to the north a bit.
So the Lallybroch meaning is supposedly “Lazy Tower”.
The History of Midhope Castle
Midhope Castle is a historic 15th-century tower house located within the Hopetoun Estate near South Queensferry, west of Edinburgh, Scotland. While its history goes back hundreds of years, not a lot is known about significant events that took place on the property, if any. What we do know is more about the modification history of the building itself.
Here is an overview of what we know about the history of Midhope Castle:
🏰15th Century: The earliest recorded mention of ‘Medhope’ in 1458 can be found in a document related to a boundary dispute between Henry Levingstone and John Martyne, the laird of Medhope. Following this, John Martyne went on to construct Medhope Castle, where he held the position of laird until his passing in 1478.
🏰16th Century: In 1582 Midhope passed to Alexander Drummond and his wife Marjorie Bruce (not Robert the Bruce’s daughter). They rebuilt the tower and turrets and a stone with the date and their initials can be found on the gateway.
🏰17th Century: The castle saw the most modifications and additions during this time. The present doorway and lintel were installed by ‘G. L.’ George Livingston, third earl of Linlithgow. John Hope took out an entrance tower and the east side of the building was extended as well as a new doorway added with a small courtyard.
🏰19th Century: The 1851 census records that there were 53 people living around Midhope, made up of 10 families, multiple game keepers, foresters, and labourers, as well as a groom, a carter, a gardener, a joiner, and paupers (is pauper an occupation? lol!).
🏰20th Century: By 1926, the castle is already deteriorating, including a fine oak staircase with twisted balusters. Restorations were made in 1988 but never to its former glory.
🏰21st Century: The castle gained attention and popularity when it was selected as a filming location for the portrayal of Lallybroch, the Fraser family’s ancestral home in the Outlander television series. The series’ popularity has brought countless visitors to the site, but still not enough to fund a full restoration of the castle.
Outlander at Hopetoun House
You’ll also find Outlander locations at Hopetoun House, part of the same estate as Midhope Castle.
The exterior of the building was used in Season 2 as various Parisian streets while the garden grounds served as the location for the dual of the Duke of Sandringham as well as Jamie’s swordfight with the head of the McDonald clan.
Inside, one of the drawing rooms was used as the Duke of Sandringham’s house.
This map helps illustrate all the film locations on the property.
Visiting Hopetoun House
⌚ Hopetoun House Hours: 11:00-17:00 Thursday-Monday/closed Tuesday & Wednesday – Spring & Summer months only
🎟️ Hopetoun House Admission: House & Gardens or Gardens Only prices based on varied qualifiers and range from Free-£13.50pp
Constructed between 1699 and 1701 by Sir William Bruce, and later expanded by William Adam in 1721, Hopetoun House is a shining example of 18th-century British architecture.
Originally owned by the Hope family, who were lead mine operators, Hopetoun House has been passed down throughout the generations. Adrian Hope, aka Lord Hopetoun, the 4th Marquess of Linlithgow, resides in the south wing of the house with his family.
Hopetoun House is now a national monument, under the ownership of the Hopetoun House Preservation Trust, a charity established to preserve both the house and its surrounding grounds.
This splendid stately home is open to the public during select days of the year, and is set on majestic grounds with meticulously manicured gardens, and serene woodland areas with nature trails. The house’s interiors boast lavishly decorated drawing rooms, ornate dining areas, and beautifully appointed chambers.
The Stables Kitchen is a cafe on site that offers a delectable range of treats from coffee and cakes to soups, and sandwiches.
Other Nearby Outlander Filming Locations
Blackness Castle
Only 5 miles away from Midhope Castle is Blackness Castle, a historic fortress located on the south shore of the Firth of Forth. There are plenty of nooks and crannies to explore, towers to climb, and fortress walls to patrol.
Outlander fans know it as the film location for Fort William. As soon as you set foot in the courtyard, you immediately recognize it as the site where Captain Randall flogs Jamie Fraser.
Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace is famously known as the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots. But besides the rich history that embodies this medieval royal palace, its also an Outlander film locations 6.5 miles away from Midhope Castle.
Some Wentworth Prison scenes were filmed here, sans Jamie’s cell. Gateways, staircases, and other prison cells were used for scenes involving Claire visiting the prison to try and free Jamie.
Preston Mill
Okay, I guess 40 miles isn’t really consider nearby to Midhope Castle. But as it’s the film location for the Lallybroch Mill, it’s kinda’ve an extension. Yes, you can visit the water wheel mill where Jamie almost gets caught by redcoat British soldiers.
The history of the mill goes back to the 16th century. It was a meal mill commercially used until 1959, making it the region’s last working watermill.. While it’s not used for grinding anymore, the water wheel still works for visitors to enjoy.
Epilogue: Where is Lallybroch?
So now you no longer need to ask, “Where is Lallybroch?”It’s an easily accessible film location set on the Hopetoun Estate at Midhope Castle in South Queensferry, Scotland.
As an ardent Outlander fan longing to walk in the footsteps of Jamie and Claire, seeking out Lallybroch needs to be on your Scottish itinerary. It was a definite highlight on my trip to Scotland!
“Take me home to Lallybroch.“
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