Scottish Castles Association

Doune Castle can be seen in the background in this scene of Outlander

Warriors in tartan wielding swords, a medieval fortress bustling with livestock, horses, dogs, goats and carts, huge trucks, cameras and action - the biggest TV series to be shot in Scotland has taken over one of its historic castles.

Outlander, a time-travelling US television romantic drama series with a £50 million budget, is shooting on location at Doune Castle, Perthshire, where lead actors Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe are at the centre of the most expensive TV production yet to be shot north of the Border.

Based on the bestselling novels of US author Diana Galbaldon, the show follows the adventures of a 20th century nurse, Claire Randall, played by Irish model and actress Balfe, as she travels back through time to 17th century Scotland and falls in love with a Gaelic-speaking young Scottish warrior Jamie Fraser.

Sixteen episodes of the "high end" TV drama, which is also being shot in a purpose built studio in a warehouse in Cumbernauld, will be shown in the summer on the Starz network in the US. Its co-producers, Sony Pictures Television, are in talks with numerous networks around the world, although no deal has yet been struck for it to be shown in the UK.

Around five of the 16 episodes of the lavish drama have been shot and yesterday cast and crew were at Doune Castle for a second period of shooting at the site.

Doune Castle is playing a role itself: it is now Castle Leoch, the home of the clan MacKenzie in the books, and Historic Scotland, which runs the property, hopes its appearance on the show will lead to an increase in its 40,000 annual visits.

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Source: www.heraldscotland.com