Picture credit: Outlander Fandom Wiki
If you have some questions about the Outlander stones location - you’re in luck! We’ve got all the information you need, right here.
In season one, Claire travels back in time through mysterious standing stones in the Scottish Highlands. She’s thrown right into the middle of the Jacobite rebellion, which had taken place two centuries earlier.
The ancient standing stone circle that Claire introduces us to is in Craigh na Dun. This location is pivotal in the series!
Let’s cover some of the top FAQs about the Outlander stones location.
Outlander Stone Location FAQs
The Outlander saga has captured the imagination of millions of people worldwide. If you’re interested in the Jacobite history behind the series, consider reading up about Jacobite King James II. You might also be interested in the Jacobite family names, or how many Jacobites survived the battle of Culloden.
While the story by Diana Gabaldon is fiction, Outlander fans remain intrigued by the Craigh Na Dun stones. But, are the Outlander stones real?
Where is Craigh Na Dun?
You can visit many of the Outlander locations in real life, but the Craigh na Dun stone circle is a fictional place. However, the Outlander stones filming location is real!
The Outlander standing stones location is based on the privately-owned Tullochcroisk working farm. This farm is named Rannoch Moor and can be found near the village of Kinloch Rannoch in Perth.
Whilst the Outlander stones location won’t be as you see it in the series, you can still enjoy the scenic view.
Where Is The Outlander Stones Location (& Top FAQs Answered)
Picture credit: Wikimedia
The family has kindly made accommodations for Outlander fans to visit the actual Outlander stones location. If you visit, stick to the designated parking area and paths. Of course, if access is denied, don’t trespass!
Can I See Craigh Na Dun?
As we’ve already mentioned, Craigh na Dun is a fictional place. However, technically, you can visit Craigh na Dun.
Outlander executive producer, Ronald D. Moore, revealed that the standing stones were carved from styrofoam. For the Outlander scenes, these structures were painted to look authentic.
It’s no surprise that Outlander fans were convinced the stones were real. There are similar stone circles in Scotland that do exist. The Callanish Stones of the Outer Hebrides are particularly well known.
Much folklore surrounds the 5000-year-old stones, and there are many stories of strange powers felt at these sacred sites.
What is Craigh Na Dun Based On?
Outlander author, Diana Gabaldon, did not visit Scotland before she described the standing stones in her books. Because of this, there is some conflict about which real stone circle inspired the writer.
The best substitute for the Outlander rocks location is the Calanais Standing Stones. These are located on the Isle of Lewis, of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides Archipelago. Also referred to as the Callanish Standing Stones, some believe the stone circle was a place of ritual activity. Others think it was most likely an astronomical observatory.
In the 17th century, people of Lewis called the stones ‘fir bhrèige’ or ‘false men’. According to the beliefs of the time, the Callanish stones were petrified giants.
Picture credit: Wikimedia
It has also been suggested that the stone circles at Clava Cairns - near Culloden Battlefield, Inverness - inspired Outlander's fictitious standing stones.
At Clava Cairns, you’ll find three burial cairns that are surrounded by stone circles. These date back an astonishing 4000 years.
On the hill above Inverness, you can find the remains of a monolith (a single stone) and a small stone circle. These structures date back to the time of the Picts - from around 300AD to 900AD. This place is called Craig Dunain.
What Are The Druids At Craigh Na Dun?
In the very first episode of Outlander, Claire and Frank watch a group of Druid women participating in a ritual during the festival of Samhain. Druids were spiritual leaders among the ancient Celts who were repressed by Christians.
Druids celebrated certain holidays at sacred sites. This nods to the perceived spiritual power of the stones.
When Could Characters Travel Through the Stones?
In Outlander’s first season, Frank desperately searches for his wife, Claire. Mrs Graham, Reverend Wakefield’s housekeeper, is a Druid. She mentions that depending on the time of the year, people might be able to cross over to a different time.
The belief was that during specific Celtic festivals, the veils between our world and another realm were thin, allowing time travellers to move between them.
Claire’s travels through the stones coincided with Samhain, which marks the Celtic New Year, and Beltane, a Mayday festival. Travel was only possible if the time traveller could hear the stones humming.
Picture credit: Outlander Fandom Wiki
Can Anyone Time Travel Through The Stones At Craigh Na Dun?
Not everybody could time travel through the outlander stones in Scotland. The ability to time travel is inherited.
We don’t know who Claire descended from. We do know that her daughter Brianna was able to travel through the stones, as was her husband Roger. Rodger was a descendant of Geillis Duncan - a fellow time traveller.
What Role Do Gemstones Play In Time Travel?
There is no certainty that gems are required to travel through the stones. Diana Gabaldon does not specify that gems are required in her early books.
However, in the TV series, Claire does wear a ruby ring on the trip back to her own time.
After Brianna indicates to Claire that Geillis believed gems were necessary, the travellers in the series made sure they had gems on them to go through the stones.
In the later Outlander books, the author does make the gemstones relevant because they protect and guide the traveller.
Are There Other Stone Circles I Can Visit?
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland records sixteen stone circles across Scotland and hundreds more across the British Isles.
If you’re heading out to Drumlarig Castle in the west, consider visiting the largest circle of stones in Scotland - the Twelve Apostles in Dumfries and Galloway (shown below).
Picture credits: Wikimedia
If you’re visiting Outlander filming locations in Scotland, there are plenty of places on the Jacobite trail worth visiting!
You’ll be pleased to know there are several stone sites you can visit. You will find Croftmoraig in the Perth and Kinross area. If you’re heading to Doune Castle or Linlithgow Palace, you can visit Killin Stone Circle near the village of Killin Stirling.
Final Thoughts
The stones location is integral to the Jacobite Outlander storyline. Unfortunately, the standing stone circle at Craigh Na Dun does not exist. But the location that was used to film Craigh na Dun is incredible and deserves a visit!
There are many other locations in Scotland where you can immerse yourself in some Outlander magic. Why not take a peek at some of the real standing stones that Scotland has to offer?
