Looking for Outlander filming locations in Edinburgh? Scotland’s capital appears in multiple Outlander episodes – sometimes as itself, other times standing in for Paris, prisons, or distant estates. From the echoing stone of Bakehouse Close to the regal halls of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh’s Old Town offers some of the series’ most atmospheric locations. All sites featured here are easily walkable or just a short drive from Queensferry, making this the perfect Outlander-themed city adventure for cruise visitors or fans staying in town.
Outlander Sites in Edinburgh’s Old Town
Bakehouse Close – Jamie’s Print Shop
Tucked just off the Royal Mile, Bakehouse Close became one of Outlander’s most iconic locations. It’s where Claire reunites with Jamie in Season 3 — stepping into the print shop above Carfax Close. This atmospheric alley needed no set dressing, with its 17th-century stone and staircases matching the show’s look perfectly.
One of the best-preserved closes off Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Bakehouse Close, dates to the 16th and 17th centuries. It originally housed tradesmen and merchants, and parts of the close were once home to a working bakehouse and city workshops. Its authenticity – worn stone steps, timber-framed galleries, and vaulted entrances – makes it one of the Old Town’s finest surviving architectural corners.
Holyroodhouse Palace – Royal Paris Interiors
The grand chambers of Holyroodhouse stood in for Parisian salons and aristocratic homes during Seasons 2 and 3. It doubled as the apartment of the Duke of Sandringham and featured in courtly scenes tied to Claire and Jamie’s political intrigue abroad. While photography is restricted inside, the exterior and grounds are open to visitors.
Holyroodhouse has been a royal residence since the 16th century, famously associated with Mary, Queen of Scots, who lived here during some of the most turbulent years of her reign. Located at the base of the Royal Mile, the palace remains the official Scottish residence of the monarch and is open to the public year-round. Its mix of royal grandeur and dramatic real history made it an ideal fit for Outlander’s Paris court scenes.
Outlander Edinburgh
Craigmillar Castle – Ardsmuir Prison
Craigmillar Castle featured in Outlander Season 3 as Ardsmuir Prison, where Jamie is held after the Battle of Culloden. The rugged stone towers and enclosed courtyards made it the perfect stand-in for a 1700s Scottish prison. Its imposing profile and hillside location gave the scenes a bleak, dramatic authenticity — fans will instantly recognise the worn staircases and high battlements.
Built in the 14th century and expanded over time, Craigmillar Castle is one of Scotland’s most complete medieval fortresses. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed here in 1566, and the castle is famously linked to the “Craigmillar Bond” — a plot to murder her husband, Lord Darnley. Today, visitors can explore its layered towers, vaulted chambers, and panoramic rooftop views over Edinburgh.
Where Next?
Outlander Locations Near Queensferry
Discover filming sites just minutes from the cruise port, including Hopetoun House, Midhope Castle (Lallybroch), and Blackness Castle. These Outlander landmarks are easily visited from South Queensferry and featured in some of the show’s most iconic scenes.
Explore the full route in our Outlander guide near Queensferry
Outlander in Culross (Cranesmuir)
Step into Claire and Geillis’s world in Culross, the filming stand-in for the village of Cranesmuir. Explore the palace, herb garden, and eerie Black Kirk ruins — all real locations you can walk today.
Plan your visit with our Outlander Culross guide
Edinburgh Old Town Walking Tour
Want to see more of Edinburgh beyond Outlander filming? Follow our self-guided walking tour through the historic Old Town — perfect for cruise passengers or first-time visitors.
Start with our Edinburgh Old Town walk
Bakehouse Close Enric, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Holyroodhouse Palace: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Craigmillar Castle: Ad Meskens, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Bakehouse Close Royal Mile N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Bakehouse Close Courtyard Paul Farmer, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
John Knox House: Mike McBey, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Craigmillar Castle from the air Gunther Tschuch, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
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Scott grew up in South Queensferry and knows the town like the back of his hand. He writes practical travel guides based on lived experience — tender days, cruise traffic, shortcuts into Edinburgh, local food spots, and the quirks only residents notice. His articles focus on clear directions, accurate timings, and grounded advice for visitors exploring Queensferry and the east of Scotland.