Widely considered to be one of the prettiest villages in Scotland, Culross is often overlooked as a tourist destination.
However, it seems this hidden gem has been catching the attention of Outlander fans after it was used to double as the fictional town of Cranesmuir in season one of the hit show and the nearby Palace grounds were featured as a location for several scenes in season two.
Located on the northern banks of the Firth of Forth across the water from Bo'Ness and close to the town of Dunfermline, the picturesque village has a rich history. Pronounced (Coo-riss) it not only has religious origins but also a lasting connection to Glasgow.
The village, with its picture-perfect pastel-hued houses and cobbled streets, is thought to be the birthplace of St Mungo, the founder and Patron Saint of the city.
READ NEXT: Edinburgh's Bread Meats Bread divide fans with burger smothered in Lotus Biscoff spread
The son of a beautiful princess named Teneu (later known as St Thenew) who was banished from the Lothians and cast a drift in a solitary boat, Mungo, or Kentigern as he is also known, was said to have been born in the village of Cuileann Ros (Gaelic for Holly promontory) as it was then known after she was found washed up there.
The town still retains many religious buildings including the nearby Abbey.
Culross as a Filming Location
This historic town has great appeal for film and TV, with its ochre-coloured and whitewashed buildings and winding cobbled streets it remains a picture-perfect capture of 16th and 17th-century Scotland.
Thanks to its beauty and rich history, it's been used as a location in films such as The Little Vampire and even the Marvel smash hit Captain America: The First Avenger.
But it's its starring role in Outlander which has seen it really hit the map, with thousands of tourists now descending on its streets each year.
The fictional village it played is the closest to Castle Leoch in the show and the town square is home to the villianous Geillis Duncan.
Interestingly, the buildings around Culross' Mercat Cross are actually whitewashed but during filming they were painted a dark charcoal grey colour to make them look more grimy and authentic for the time.
Stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe (who play Jamie and Claire on the show) were even shown to rescue a local child after he suffers the cruel punishment of having his ear nailed to some stocks close to the Mercat Cross (the Scots name for the market cross where markets were held).
The Cross was reconstructed in 1902, with a replacement shaft and head mounted on the original octagonal base, which dates back to the 17th century. The unicorn on its head is the national animal of Scotland and is modelled on Stirling Mercat Cross.
How to visit Culross
With many of the town's more famous buildings under the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland, visitors are welcome to come and see both the grounds of the Palace and the Palace itself.
With the village also welcoming to visitors, though people do ask you to respect the privacy of the local residents as you make your way about the village.
Lying not too far from Edinburgh, (about 45 min drive) it's easily accessible via the Queensferry Crossing by car.
READ MORE:
Chic Edinburgh bar named only Scottish entry on UK's top 50 gastropub list
You can now cruise down an Edinburgh canal while enjoying an epic gin tasting
We tried El Perro Negro's 'Best Burger in UK' winner and can see why it took crown
We compared Edinburgh's 'best burger' to Gordon Ramsay's newest offering
Luxury train taking Edinburgh passengers on stylish trip with five-course dinner
