Outlander enthusiasts have collectively raised £10,115 in just over a month for Scotland's Culloden battlefield, honoring actor Sam Heughan's birthday. The National Trust for Scotland site is renowned as the location of the Battle of Culloden on April 16, 1746, and is a central part of the Outlander story.
Fundraiser Inspired by Fandom
The battlefield was pivotal in the fictional life of lead character Jamie Fraser, portrayed by Sam Heughan. The show inspired Australian Outlander fan Tash Pow to designate the trust's Culloden Fighting Fund as the recipient of her fundraiser. The money will support the trust's conservation of Culloden and help interpret the battle while telling the stories of those present.
"As fans of Diana Gabaldon's books and the Outlander series, Culloden is one of the central and most emotionally charged elements in the saga," Ms Pow said. "Defining and haunting the entire series, it shapes Jamie Fraser's life and Culloden Moor is where fans go to honor the history behind Jamie and his story. It is our 21st-century bridge between Jamie and his 18th-century Scottish heritage."
She added: "With the series ending this year, the National Trust for Scotland's Culloden Fighting Fund seemed the perfect recipient, honoring both Sam Heughan and the fictional character he portrays."
Real-World Impact
Ms Pow noted that the fundraiser allowed supporters to "leave a small part of their hearts on the battlefield, just as so many others had done before." She said: "The generosity and passion for both Outlander and Scotland's heritage have made this possible. It demonstrates what the fandom does best – turning our love for the story into real-world impact."
Six out of eight seasons of Outlander were filmed at trust locations between 2013 and 2024, including Falkland Palace, Preston Mill, Culross Palace, and Newhailes House.
Film Tourism Legacy
Anna Rathband, the National Trust for Scotland's filming manager, said: "I spent more than a decade working with the brilliant Outlander production team to bring Diana Gabaldon's story to life on screen, and to see the legacy of this work continuing to inspire visitors, and incredible donations like this one for Culloden, is such a joy and really shows the importance of film tourism."
In honor of the show's final season, the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA has made the Outlander effect on Scottish tourism the recipient of its annual Great Scot award. Chosen by the foundation's board of trustees, the award is presented to a Scot or American who has contributed to the countries' shared heritage.
Diana Gabaldon, the American author of the Outlander novels, won the award in 2022. This year's award was accepted by Outlander's executive producer and showrunner Matthew B. Roberts, and cast members John Bell, Richard Rankin, and Jamie Roy.
