After a
stressful couple of months, I decided I wanted to do something fun. Something
for me. I’ve been obsessed with Outlander since the first episode and my
latest Mills & Boon medical romance is set on a private estate somewhere outside Glasgow.
My soundtrack
while I was writing this was Caledonia, sung by Richard Rankin, on a loop. We all love Jamie Fraser but after following Richard Rankin, who plays Roger, I've realised he's my kind of people. He's funny as fook! Coincidentally,
my heartbroken Scottish doctor occasionally wears a kilt, plays guitar and
sings. (Therefore I thought it only fair to acknowledge my hero inspiration in the
dedication!)
When I saw
news that filming was about to begin on season five I decided to book myself a
spur of the moment trip to Scotland. There were posts of the cast doing a table reading so I told myself the chances of seeing anyone were small. Then, on Monday all hell broke loose! They were filming on location!!!!
Okay, it was
a longshot, but I love Scotland and knew I’d enjoy travelling the country
regardless of whether or not I spotted Jamie Fraser in the wild. Up until my
mum died ten years ago we used to holiday there every year and I thought I knew
that area fairly well.
Although Richard didn't appear to be in attendance, Sam Heughan kept us up to date with pics from on set.
With a little investigation I was told Callendar and
Loch Katrine were possible locations.
The weather
was beautiful and the scenery breath-taking, but as I drove aimlessly around
the area I had to concede defeat. I had no clue where to begin looking.
Unfortunately, there was no sign of the Frasers in the fudge shop I visited in
Callendar either.
It had been
an early start in Belfast, up at 5am to get the ferry, with little sleep due to
my excitement. Determined not to go back to the hotel empty-handed, I tracked
down the studios in Cumbernauld for a quick pic. Tomorrow, I was going to be
more focused in the planning.
I trawled
the net practically begging for some information. In the
end I reached out to a lovely woman through social media and she shared the
tips she’d been given that Dunblane was a possibility. There also seemed to be
a consensus of opinion that Gleneagles was in the frame. Excited with a new
lead, I set off bright and early for Gleneagles.
Now, it’s a
much bigger place than the golf course if you don’t know exactly where you’re
supposed to be looking. Around and around, we circled the hotel grounds until I
was sure there was a possibility of being reported for suspicious activity.
Every time I spotted any trucks nearby I was convinced I’d found Nirvana.
Unfortunately, I hadn’t.
At the end
of a very long morning there was a sighting of some trailers parked down the
road from the hotel. Cue much clapping of hands. Only to be met with
disappointment to find that’s all that was there, along with a security guard.
I’d missed them filming by a day. They were long gone.
Sensing my
disappointment, he agreed to my request for a photo. Although, as he put it, “I
don’t see the fascination with taking photos of an empty trailer.” I explained
I wanted something to show for having driven around for hours like an eejit.
On to Dunblane
then. Again, with no actual idea of where exactly filming might be taking
place. I consoled myself in the lovely tearooms with a slice of hummingbird
cake.
By this
point I’d heard from my new best friend that they’d been tracked down to Doune.
Security was tight and those who had inside knowledge and made it to the
site, couldn’t get past the end of the road. They’d stood for hours and seen
nothing. As it turned out, Sam Heughan had the day off and had been snapped in
Glasgow with a lucky few.
I know they’re
all simply trying to do their jobs and get the show made, but we’re only human,
right? We're fans and we know where they are – well some people do – and we wanna seeeeeee.
I’d given up
at this point and met up with my writing buddy, Raven McAllan, for several
glasses of wine in the sun. So it wasn’t a total waste.
Okay, last
morning and with no further reports we set off for Callendar. News began to filter
in that this was a possibility but after so many false leads I made the decision
not to stay.
Instead, I
thought Doune Castle would make a good stop. It was used as the setting for
Castle Leoch and there were plenty of photo opportunities. Having Sam Heughan
talking to you on parts of the audio tour was memorable too.
At the end
of the visit I found the gift shop, stocked with Outlander goodies and a chance
to dress up. I don’t usually make a tit of myself on purpose, it just
happens. However, I couldn’t miss the chance of indulging in some fancy dress.
God, those dresses are heavy. The shop provides a castle background for taking
pics but was that enough for me? Hell no! Thankfully I was allowed to prance
about the castle steps and play make believe for a while, totally not caring
about anyone watching.
Best of all,
as I was leaving, a guy in a kilt walked in. He was wearing Fraser tartan. He
matched my bag. I had to have my photo taken with him, my fake Jamie Fraser. It
was as close as I was going to get. Of course, I had my eyes closed. Can I get
a do-over?
Last stop
before heading home was Cumbernauld Glen, where they have filmed in the past.
Not only is it a vast nature reserve, as I realised, most trees and streams pretty much
look alike. They literally could’ve filmed anywhere and I wouldn’t be able to
tell the difference.
Mission
failed.
Regardless,
I had a bloody good time and laughed and carried on like an eejit for the first
time in ages. I’ve booked another trip in a few months so watch this space.
Oh, and if
Richard Rankin and Sam Heughan are available, call me.
