Castle Leoch

July 18, 2024 -- Castle Leoch is the fictional seat of Clan MacKenzie. In the series, Doune Castle served as Castle Leoch. Much of the castle was used in filming. An interesting exception was the kitchen, which was replicated in a studio. There was a guided tour of the castle, with headsets. At some of the stops, Sam Heughan, the actor who portrays Jamie, did the speaking.

Doune Castle, a.k.a. Castle Leoch

The courtyard

Tower

Great room

Me at Castle Leoch

In reality, Doune Castle is a medieval stronghold on the fringe of the Scottish Highlands. It occupied a strategic site, being at the geographic center of Scotland, only 5 miles from Stirling Castle, "the crossroads of Scotland." During the Jacobite Rebellion of 1754, the castle was occupied by Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite Highlanders. The castle was originally built in the 13th century, rebuilt in the 14th century, and restored in the 1880s. 

There are many films besides Outlander that have filmed at Doune Castle, including Outlaw King, a historical movie about Robert the Bruce.