It’s best to explore Culross on foot, wandering the cobblestone streets, through narrow wynds (alleyways) and past preserved buildings—many of which feature the 17th-century Low Countries style, with gables and red pantile roofs. See landmarks such as the 13th-century Culross Abbey, and Culross Palace, with its beautifully reconstructed period garden, home to rare Scots Dumpy hens.
Most Outlander-themed day trips and multi-day tours departing Edinburgh include a visit to Culross, which stood in for the fictional village of Cranesmuir. But you don’t need to be a fan of the show to visit. Given its historical and architectural importance, Culross is unsurprisingly a stop on many tours around Scotland.
Culross Abbey is free to visit, but there is an admission fee to enter Culross Palace (free for National Trust members);.
Visitors can buy freshly grown seasonal herbs, fruit, and vegetables from the organic palace garden.
Due to its uneven surfaces, Culross Palace is unsuitable for visitors with limited mobility. The village’s cobblestone streets are also likely to present difficulties.
Restrooms are available at the palace.
Culross is a 1-hour drive northwest of Edinburgh. Visitors arriving by car are encouraged to park in the free parking lot to the west of the village to keep from crowding Culross’ tiny streets. You can also reach the village by taking the train from Edinburgh to Dunfermline, then hopping on a local bus.
The best time to visit Culross is from April to October, as the palace is closed outside of those months. Guided palace tours take place every day during the season in the morning and afternoon. On Friday through Sunday afternoons (during opening months) visitors can join guided town tours for a small fee.
Just a 20-minute drive (or 25-minute bus ride) from Culross, the ancient Scottish capital of Dunfermline is filled with historic sites, yet often overlooked by travelers. Scotland’s newest city (it acquired city status in 2022), Dunfermline is home to such attractions as the ruined Abbey, burial place for many Scottish monarchs, and the humble birthplace of philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
