Midhope Castle

You can't actually get inside Midhope Castle - it's private property, and that's rather the point. The 16th-century tower house sits on the banks of the River Almond west of Newbridge, and its real draw is that it's recognisable to anyone who watched Outlander. The castle doubled as Black Jack Randall's garrison in the TV series, which means it's been absolutely hammered by fans wanting the perfect photo angle from the nearby path.

The walk to it is straightforward enough - you approach from a public right of way that skirts the grounds, and you get a decent view of the old stone tower without needing permission to trespass. It's maybe twenty minutes on foot from the nearest parking, depending on where you manage to stop the car without annoying locals. The actual building is modest, not imposing, which somehow makes it more appealing than some of the grander castles scattered across the Lowlands.

Truth is, this works best as a short diversion rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at Linwater Caravan Park near Newbridge, it's worth adding to a wider walk through the area - combine it with exploring the River Almond valley or head towards the bigger attractions near Edinburgh if you're after proper indoor touring. Families with young kids might find fifteen minutes of staring at a castle from a distance underwhelming, but for Outlander devotees or anyone after a quick historical landmark stop, it fills an hour nicely.