We have just had the most amazing few days with Diana Gabaldon, who was justly being recognised for her contribution to Scottish Tourism with The Outlander books and subsequent TV series. And we were honoured at Mary’s Meanders to have been part of the celebration.
On Thursday evening the annual Visit Scotland Scottish Thistle awards gave a very special award for International contribution to Scottish tourism. Diana’s books and the TV show, filmed mostly in Scotland, have been responsible for a huge surge in visitors to both the historic sites and filming locations. This beautiful award, appropriately carved from a book, is by paper sculptor Thomas Wightman.
On Friday evening a number of lucky fans, of which Anne was one, gathered at one of the key Outlander locations, Hopetoun House, to enjoy an intimate audience with Diana. Excellently hosted by James Crawford of Publishing Scotland, it included a Q&A, book signings and photos and time for a tour of Hopetoun House.
And then on Saturday, it was time for Diana, with her husband Doug, and accompanied by journalists from Scotland, Germany and France, to visit some of the filming locations.
The weather was probably the worst it had been all year, snow, sleet and torrential rain. Anyone would have been forgiven for calling off, but Diana Gabaldon is the consummate professional, as we would see throughout the day as she posed for photos, chatted with fans and was extremely warm and friendly to everyone she met.
We started in Edinburgh with the journalists showing them the filming sites at Bakehouse Close and Tweedale Court, before being joined by Diana and Doug for our onward trip.
Given the weather, we were fortunate to be in the very safe driving hands of Paul from Tayforth Travel. After a relaxing brunch, we headed to Culross, which Diana had visited before. Indeed, she was there when they were filming S2 and was able to recollect some of the shots with us. Culross Palace is closed at present, but the National Trust came along to chat and opened Geillis and Claire’s herb garden for us to wander through. We then visited the iconic Mercat Cross, better known to fans as Cranesmuir, where Geillis lives. Finally, as it was so wet, we adjourned to the townhouse, where Graham, the owner of Graham Harris Graham Photography, based there, explained the impact Outlander has had on his Gallery. Some welcomed teas and coffees from Bessie’s Cafe (which has also opened since Outlander tourism came along) and we were ready for the road again.
This time to Falkland, which Diana had not visited before. We had all the traditional shots around the square and fountain, but the streets at this point were pretty slushy and unsafe, so we spent some time in Falkland Palace, with Wendy showing us round. Everyone was very impressed, particularly with the Chapel, and we finished off with the recently opened Apothecary, which was used in Outlander filming.
By this time word had got out that Diana was in town, and when we came out of The Palace a small gathering awaited. Despite it being the end of a long, cold and wet day, Diana took all the time they wanted to chat and have photos.
One lovely Spanish lady, Anna was very emotional, and it was heartwarming to see the relationship with Diana and her fans. This epitomised what the “Outlander effect” is all about. Fans are travelling from all over the world to see the locations and to meet the author at one of them is simply a dream come true.
A huge thanks to all who made this day so memorable: Diana and Doug of course, Visit Scotland for organising, the journalists taking part, NTS, Tayforth Travel for the transport and all those we met along the way.
Month of Mary, Queen of Scots
