Please sign in to post.

Outlander

I'd appreciate your thoughts on Outlander and whether watching it is of value prior to visiting Scotland.

The only thing that gives me pause is the apparent "extreme violence and sex." I understand the violence is probably realistic, but the graphic sex stuff seems gratuitous, imo. Is it necessary to propel the story, or just lurid voyeurism? It seems easy to imply sex without getting into borderline X-rated material. I get it. They're having sex. I don't need to see the precise nature of the act.

Again, your thoughts are appreciated.

Posted by
755 posts

It’s quite graphic and sometimes disturbing and often unnecessary for the storyline. You might try reading the books if you want to know what it’s all about, although I haven’t read them and don’t know how explicit the writing is. But no, certainly not of much value prior to a trip to Scotland. It would be more worthwhile to read up on Bonny Prince Charlie and the Jacobites.

Posted by
4217 posts

Outlander is the story of a time traveling nurse--very entertaining, but not gonna give you much insight into Scottish history. Oh, except there is the battle of Culloden--just get a book to know about that.
There are some scenes that would be blush-worthy and some are downright disturbing depictions of sexual violence.

Posted by
82 posts

Before our first trip to Scotland, over 20 years ago, it was suggested I read the book for its historical value. I focused on the historical aspect and found it extremely valuable to the point that during our day in Nairn, we made time to go see the Culloden battlefield. I had a better understanding of the political history of Scotland during that period of time. I remember there was violence and sex in the book, but it was background noise for me. The time travel part didn't bother me, as I am accustomed to suspending disbelief at times, when reading both fiction and historical fiction.

I tried watching the TV version when it first came out and didn't even last halfway through the first episode. Ugh. I didn't remember the book being quite like the TV version, where viewer ratings are so important for advertising dollars. At least with a book, I can skim over the parts I'm not interested in and likely that is what happened. ;-)

Try reading the book; amazon often has used copies at good prices.
HTH

Posted by
1936 posts

The book has as much sex and violence as the show. It's one part science fiction and one part steamy romance novel. The show does give some good history of Scotland.

Posted by
4024 posts

The first two seasons are outstanding and gave us a deep insight and understanding of what we were seeing at Culloden. Lurid voyeurism....yes, I'm surprised my wife hasn't bought me a kilt and Scottish accent lessons. The wedding night scene though is hilarious.

Posted by
3067 posts

I am of Scots descent, have family there still, lived in Scotland as a child, then as a student and then worked there for a number of years.
I loved all the books, and the tv series.
I think it is worth watching.
You get a notion of the accents, quite a bit of the history, and it is is entertaining.
There was violence back then, and the English were unbelievably cruel to the Scots.

Also, the author Diana Gabaldon, was a marine biologist who just decided to write a book for the first time, and chose Scotland in the 18th century.
I find that amazing in itself!

Posted by
1634 posts

Its initial run in the UK was delayed until after the 2014 independence referendum. For those interested I voted in a school sports hall with a pencil and put a piece of paper in a box.

Ultimately it is your choice, but a heads up on the content. Several of the seasons has a UK 18 certificate from the BBFC. In terms of UK certs 18 indicates violence and more steamy sex scenes, a 15 cert has less violence but can have a fair amount of sex. Ireland puts 18 on the sex and 15 on the violence, if you see a UK 18 and an Irish 18 it will have both. These are the minimum ages the DVD/Blu Ray can be sold to, by law. Ultimately sex sells, and it has great production values. Did not click for me despite knowing via friends a few people involved in making it!

So that might give an idea on what to expect, so you'd be going in more eyes open.

Posted by
1275 posts

I’ve not seen it, bar the odd clip and part episode. I’m not sure on that basis that I’m especially qualified to pass judgement on it, but, as a wild stab in the dark, I’m going to suggest that unless you are attracted (sexually or otherwise) to good looking young men in kilts and like good old soppy romance, it’s probably not for you.

I’d prepare for a Scottish experience by watching ‘Kidnapped’, maybe ‘Tunes of Glory’, ‘Still Game’, early ‘Rab C. Nesbit’, ‘The Munro Show’ and the Scottish bits (Callum Gilhooley, McGlashan, Stoneybridge) of the much missed comedy series ‘Absolutely’. Honourable mentions for Scottish ‘Star Trek’ (otherwise known as ‘Taysiders in Space’) and ‘The Tales of Para Handy’.

Posted by
2380 posts

I am a nonfiction person but I read all of the books and saw some of the tv series. I enjoyed both. Outlander is a romance novel with some history thrown in. I suspect that Outlander appeals more to women than men. A better read before going to Scotland would be How the Scots Invented the Modern World.

Posted by
755 posts

Other films set in Scotland that you might want to watch in preparation for your trip include Braveheart, Rob Roy, Mary Queen of Scotts, Robert the Bruce, and Trainspotting, although count on similar themes of sex and violence and other human activities that aren’t for everyone.

Posted by
6231 posts

I've only seen about 5 minutes of it and chose not to watch it. However, that is mostly because I read the Outlander books (and enjoyed them) and already know what the characters look like in my head, which is not matched by what is on the screen.

FWIW, I've never been able to watch the Harry Potter movies either. :)

That said, there is a decent amount of history in the books - I certainly became much more interested in Scotland's history after reading the books, and the author did her research. There is also sex in the books, but I don't think it's overdone or distasteful. I also would not call it science fiction or steamy romance. It's sort of a weird mixture of history, romance and a titch of fantasy in there. Maybe historical fantasy might be the right genre?

If anyone likes the Outlander books, you might enjoy reading books by Susanna Kearsley. She is a Canadian author who writes historical romances with a bit of the supernatural thrown in. She is a wonderful writer and an incredible researcher. She has several books based in Scotland and I am re-reading them now before my upcoming trip. One of them - The Shadowy Horses - takes place in Eyemouth. And three of them - The Winters Sea, Firebird, and The Vanishing Day - are about Scottish history involving the Moray family. The Winter Sea takes place at Slains Castle and Cruden Bay (with one quick visit to Peterhead), and was the first book of hers that I read. If you are interested, she offers the chance to read the first chapter of her books for free on her website. And she does not have gratuitous sex in her books, if anyone is interested. :)

Posted by
6386 posts

I felt the series started out very slowly and could have been sped up. IMO most of the sex scenes could have been left out without affecting the plot. I didn’t know that most of the first couple seasons were filmed at Doune Castle until I visited it. There are a few filming locations in Edinburgh that are photo worthy, mostly notably the close where Jamie’s print shop was; Bakehouse Close. There are websites that list the main filming locations.

Posted by
1634 posts

If you go to Doune Castle, ask to borrow the coconuts if they are still providing them.

Posted by
6231 posts

Better by far than either of the aforementioned programs, is Braveheart.

Rebecca, I think we'll have to disagree about Braveheart. Not just about Mel, but the many historical inaccuracies in that movie. You should hear my history professor (at the local university where I take classes) rant on about that movie. Even the title is wrong - Braveheart was used to refer to Robert the Bruce, not William Wallace.

Posted by
3719 posts

Mardee, thank you!
I had no idea about all the inaccuracies.
I have studied English history in depth, but not Scottish history at all. I had just enjoyed the movie for the scenery and general story line of the fighting between the Scots and the English.
I would never rely on that or any movie for my history lesson instead of reading a history book on the subject.
What I was meaning is that Braveheart did not waste lots and lots of time on boring explicit sex type scenes like The Tudors did.
Amazing that the name Braveheart was used to refer to Robert the Bruce (in real history) not William Wallace!
Quite a mistake!
Thanks...I have learned something here.
Wow, I would love to take some classes with your history professor.

AMann,
I think we all agree about poor old Mel.
Eyeroll here.

Posted by
1376 posts

Hi, Rebecca,

Glad you enjoyed the scenery in Braveheart. Most of it was filmed in Ireland!

If you want real Scottish scenery, the Liam Neeson version of Rob Roy was filmed entirely on location in Scotland, as were other wonderful films like Restless Natives, Edie, Hold Back the Night, and The Rocket Post.

Happy movie watching!

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
3719 posts

auchterless, LOL! I guess I need to take a trip to Ireland then!
Because it was lovely.

Posted by
1376 posts

Personally, I stopped enjoying Outlander when the scene switched from Scotland to the American colonies. Yes, I know that it's still filmed in Scotland, but it just ain't the same. I have missed Bill Paterson, Gary Lewis, and Duncan Lacroix, although it has been interesting to see Marsali as Karen Pirie.

I don't know how much longer I can stick with the series. I wish that they could find a way to transport Jamie to the 20th century. I'd love to see something like in Les Visiteurs, with Jamie trying to demolish an automobile with his claymore!

Ah well, I'll stick with it for now!

Mike (Auchterless)

Posted by
6231 posts

Rebecca, the only reason I knew all that Braveheart info was because of him. He is very opinionated about movies and historical inaccuracies, lol!

Posted by
1797 posts

I can't stand Outlander either....

If you want a lighthearted look at Scottish History have a look at the Horrible Histories series by Terry Deary. He has written Horrible Histories Scotland (initially called Bloody Scotland) and Horrible Histories Edinburgh.

Although written for kids they can also be appreciated by adults and are accurate. It is a very alternative take on history and great fun.

Posted by
1634 posts

@ianandjulie I am!

For Braveheart you all need a copy of 'Reel History' by Alex von Tunzelman where she as a historian 'marks' historical movies. Her review of Braveheart had me howling with laughter, to the point a friend said it was the first time in about a month they had seen me laugh as I was suffering with depression at the time.

Her other books are also fantastic, I can recommend 'Indian Summer and Fallen Idols

For Outlander, I have a couple of the Audible books of the actors' trips around Scotland which can be very funny. As a show, it is very well made, it is very well acted, it is relatively loyal to actual history, it is not for me. It does a good job in showing that once you get back about 150 years and before your own country is a foreign if not alien land. 2023 France, Germany, China, even North Carolina is going to be more similar to 2023 Scotland than Scotland in 1870 let alone 1745.

Posted by
4730 posts

I wish that they could find a way to transport Jamie to the 20th century.

Mike, that would be a hoot! Who knows if it's viable, but stranger things have happened as other series have evolved.

Posted by
1936 posts

My dad is a good husband and has watched Outlander with my mom. Although he keeps hoping that the next season is the last. LOL.

I must be the only one who has never watched Braveheart.

Posted by
1634 posts

Rebecca, I think we'll have to disagree about Braveheart. Not just about Mel, but the many historical inaccuracies in that movie. You should hear my history professor (at the local university where I take classes) rant on about that movie. Even the title is wrong - Braveheart was used to refer to Robert the Bruce, not William Wallace.

@Mardee, regarding Braveheart and Wallace v Bruce. Wallace has an important place in Scottish history, and also in English too. But there are reasons why King Robert I is on the money and Wallace is not. That said I now prefer RBS notes to Clydesdale ones.

The Bruce family is a soap opera waiting to happen. The earldom of Carrick folded into the crown, and is a subsidiary title to the heir apparent, in Scotland Prince William is Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick. It came to the throne when King Alexander III sent a handsome young knight of his service to inform Marjorie, countess of Carrick she was to soon remarry to one of King Alexander's retainers. Two weeks later she came out of her castle with her new husband, said handsome knight, Robert Bruce Lord of Annandale.

Who was born in Essex. Of a family that came over from Brix in the Manche deparement of Normandy in France to the extent its main square is Place Robert Bruce.