Saturday 6th June marked a milestone — our 10th Outlander Day at the Highland Folk Museum, organised in partnership with Inverness Outlanders. Operations Assistant Lucy McIntosh was at the heart of making it happen, and here she shares a look back at everything that made it such a special day.
A milestone worth celebrating
Ten years. That's how long Outlander Day has been bringing fans together at the Highland Folk Museum — and this year felt every bit as exciting as ever. Running from 11am to 4pm in the 1700s township, the day was busy, warm (in atmosphere, if not always in weather) and full of the kind of energy that only a room — or in our case, a whole historical township — full of passionate fans can create.
People had travelled from across the UK and beyond to come — including visitors from across Europe who book their trips specifically around the event. It really does draw a remarkable crowd.
Talks, history and a bit of healthy debate
This year's programme included two talks that gave the day real depth.
Marion Smart, one of our long-standing seasonal staff members and a self-taught spinner, weaver and dyer, gave a fascinating session on traditional dyeing and weaving techniques. Marion has worked at the museum for over a decade and knows these crafts inside out — she brought along her extensive collection of samples to show how different plants and fibres produce different results.
Dr Alex Dold's talk, "Outlander: The Portal into the Past," took a thoughtful look at how the series works as a form of public history — arguing that Outlander's real value isn't historical accuracy, but its power to spark curiosity and inspire audiences to explore the past for themselves. Around 30 people listened in, and it clearly struck a chord.
The Badenoch Waulking Group | Comhlan Luadh Bhàideanach
One of the highlights of every Outlander Day is the Badenoch Waulking Group — a local group of ladies who have been demonstrating the traditional art of waulking wool for 30 years. Waulking is an ancient Highland practice of softening and finishing newly woven cloth, traditionally done communally, with groups gathered around a table beating the fabric in rhythm while singing Gaelic waulking songs together. If you've seen Season 1, Episode 5 of Outlander ("Rent" — which was also partly filmed right here in our township), you'll have seen waulking in action.
Their demonstration is something to witness. They open with traditional Gaelic waulking songs as they work the wool together, before inviting visitors to join in and have a go themselves. Some Outlander fans get genuinely moved when they see them — and it's easy to understand why. There's something about seeing a living, breathing connection to the world of the show that lands differently when you're standing in an 18th-century township.
Some Outlander fans get genuinely moved when they see the Badenoch Waulking Group — and it's easy to understand why.
The Outlander Effect panel
A relaxed panel discussion hosted by Lorraine Cullin of Clan Pictures brought together Grant McGregor — a former offshore geophysicist turned writer who spent more than 50 days on set as an extra in Outlander, including as part of Jamie's Army for the Battles of Prestonpans and Culloden — and members of Inverness Outlanders. The conversation celebrated the friendships, creativity, stories and shared experiences that the show has inspired over the years.
Costumes, crafts and a few surprises
The costume competition drew around 20 entrants this year and for the first time, we introduced a dedicated children's category, which felt very right given how many younger visitors were dressed up on the day.
Judging was done by two previous winners – Lorraine and Noemi, who chatted with each entrant about their costume and what Outlander means to them. It's always a mix: some people put together an outfit for the occasion, while others have spent months making historically accurate pieces. This year's adult winner was a familiar face — a returning visitor who always looks the part.
Alongside the competition, there was plenty more to get involved with. A member of Inverness Outlanders demonstrated the art of lace making — a craft that's featured in the show and is sadly becoming increasingly rare. Hannes Schnell, our Crafts Skills Supervisor, was on hand with pole lathe demonstrations, showing how traditional woodworking was done. And for those wanting something a little more active, there was a shinty goal to practice on — fitting, given that shinty features in the series and is very much part of the landscape here in the Highlands.
Visitors could also try on traditional plaids and bodices, and even have a go with a sword, courtesy of Mary and Steve Maclennan.
This year also saw our first outside exhibitor: Jackie McColm of The Outlandish Jacobite, who makes custom 18th-century Outlander-inspired clothing. She was on hand to showcase her work and take orders — giving fans the chance to get their hands on something a bit more special than a generic online purchase.
The museum's own Outlander story
If you're an Outlander fan who hasn't visited us before, here's something you might not know: the Highland Folk Museum’s 1700s recreated township – Baile Gean – was used as a filming location for Season 1, Episode 5 — "Rent." Some of our long-standing staff were here when the cameras rolled and can point out exactly where different scenes were filmed. It's a small but genuinely exciting piece of history that visitors love discovering.
See you next year
Outlander Day will be back next year — and we'd love to see you there. In the meantime, the Highland Folk Museum is open daily until the 25th of October, and if today's highlights have sparked your curiosity, there's plenty more to discover in the township any time of year.
Come and visit us
The Highland Folk Museum is open daily until 25th October — we'd love to welcome you.
