Park life for OUTLANDER
Fans of the hit historical TV drama Outlander flocked to East Kilbride as the cameras rolled at Calderglen Country Park. A fleet of film and TV trucks pulled up at the town’s beauty spot to shoot scenes for the highly anticipated fourth series of the time-travelling period drama.
Stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan were spotted dressed up on set.
Fans of the hit historical TV drama Outlander flocked to East Kilbride as the cameras rolled at Calderglen Country Park.
A fleet of film and TV trucks pulled up at the local beauty spot to shoot scenes for the highly anticipated fourth series of the time-travelling period drama.
The action took place in woodland at a highly-secluded and well-guarded stretch of the Rotten Calder last Wednesday and Thursday.
Through the trees one fan managed to get exclusive snaps of Outlander stars Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan on set in full period costume.
Caitriona’s character Claire was filmed galloping back and forth on horseback on the sloping path that connects the football ground and Torrance Linn.
And Sam, who plays dashing Highland warrior Jamie, was being shot having a dagger fight with topless half-shaven headed men resembling Native Americans.
Calderwood historian and Outlander fan Chris Ladds said he was thrilled ‘the Glen’ got the seal of approval from the production team.
He said: “Well known for its excellently researched plot and evocative timeless backdops, the hit 18th century Scottish drama – featuring time-travelling Claire and Laird Jamie – came to the historic Calderglen to film in a suitable sublime location.
“The area chosen by Outlander for filming is very apt as its historical offerings easily match the innate picturesque charms of the beauty spot. How appropriate that Torrance, the location where Bonnie Prince Charlie himself camped with his Jacobite army under the hospitality of his relative Stuart of Torrance, as well as with an historic 18th century designed landscape, should be chosen as the scenic backdrop for this historical drama.
“Hopefully the legacy of Outlander – a series which fires the public imagination worldwide – will see a thriving tourism industry resume to sample the delights that the unspoiled beauty of Calderglen has to offer, and which East Kilbride can hold proud as it has for generations.”
East Kilbride-born Hollywood actor Bryan Larkin, who played Geordie in the first season of Outlander, shared his delight that the most successful TV show ever to be made in Scotland was being shot in the heart of his hometown.
The London Has Fallen and Chasing the Dragon actor, who is currently shooting a new movie in Los Angeles, said: “As a former resident of St Leonards for over 30 years it’s wonderful to know, and not surprising, that the production would choose Calderglen Country Park as a location.
“I have frequented Calderglen and visited Torrance House on dozens of occasions since I was a boy.
“It has an enormous heritage, stunning views and the architecture is ideal for the period setting of Outlander.
“East Kilbride has enormous potential as a filming location. It’s an untapped ready-made movie set. I’m delighted Outlander has recognised one of its many gems.”
Scenes for the Amazon Prime programme were also being shot in a park in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, early last week where Caitriona was spotted trudging through the mud in costume.
A notice was posted notifying park-goers of closures, reading: “We ask that any members of the public exercise a degree of caution near any crew, vehicles or equipment.
“Members of the public may be asked to wait for short periods whilst we are filming. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The News contacted Movie Makers for comment but they said they were not allowed to reveal any information about what was being filmed.
South Lanarkshire Council’s head of facilities, waste and grounds services Alistair McKinnon said: “We can confirm we agreed to allow filming to take place in Calderglen Country Park.
“South Lanarkshire has a range of locations that are ideal for various types of productions, and so we are always happy to discuss requests from companies who wish to use them.”
• To find out more about the rich heritage, folklore and scenery of Calderglen, visit www.facebook. com/groups/calderglenheritage/
EK has enormous potential as a filming location. I’m delighted Outlander has recognised one of its many gems...