Tourism boom thanks to Outlander success.
As Scots-filmed drama Outlander continues to garner good ratings in the States, the show is inspiring fans to visit Scotland.
We reported recently how an online map had been created to help them find filming locations.
Now Diana Gabaldon, the author who wrote the hugely successful series of books on which the TV programme is based, has spoken about the series for VisitScotland’s YouTube channel.
And she says there was never any doubt that Scotland would play a starring role in the production, which has already been commissioned for a second series.
“Ron Moore, the producer, said from the beginning when he realised that we could film in Scotland which is what he and I both wanted that it must be as much a character in the show as any of the actual cast members, and it certainly is.
“It’s just spectacular,” she said.
More countries have signed up to show Outlander, with Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland and Japan joining the United States, Canada, Australia and the Netherlands in showing the series and providing a further boost to Scotland’s tourism.
Diana also reveals that she had never visited Scotland prior to the publication of her first novel in 1991, instead carrying out research in libraries.
She said: “The publishers fortunately gave me a three-book contract when they bought Outlander and I said to my husband, ‘Well I really must go and see the place’, so we went to London, rented a car and drove up to the Highlands.
“We spent several weeks roaming around and looking at things.
“I remember standing on the border at Carter Bar next to the big monolith that says Scotland on one side and England on the other.
“I looked out over Scotland and said, ‘Yes, I recognise this place. It’s just as I had been imagining it’.”
Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland, said: “We are seeing a real buzz around Outlander and the starring role Scotland plays in the new television series.
“I’m sure many fans who see Scotland at its dazzling best on the show will be encouraged to come here and see the country for themselves.”
The show was filmed in a variety of spectacular locations around Scotland, including Doune Castle, Blackness Castle and in a specially-built studio in Cumbernauld.
To see the videos, go to visitscotland.com/outlander.
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