Locals buy pub in village where Outlander was filmed with help of fans

2023-02-08

Locals buy historic pub in village where Outlander was filmed with the help of American fans of the hit TV programme

Locals have banded together to buy their beloved pub after it almost closed
The Red Lion Inn in Culross has been used to shoot scenes for Outlander

Locals have bought a 400-year-old pub in the village where Outlander was filmed – with American fans of the hit TV show snapping up shares in a desperate bid to protect the area’s cinematic heritage.

The Red Lion Inn, in Culross, Fife – which dates back to the 17th century – was at risk of closure when previous private owners planned to sell up.

Landlord Mike Brown, 51, who has worked there 23 years was approached to see if he would lease it if it was bought by the community.

Mr Brown’s wife has worked there for decades and his daughter, now a qualified schoolteacher, began working there 13 years ago, when she was 14 years old.

A clause in the lease says the building must always remain a pub, which was important to the community after another pub was turned into a B&B however a significant debt needs to be paid off in order to lease.

Residents of Culross, Fife banded together to make sure the pub stayed open

Stephen Wood (left), chair of the community group that bought the Red Lion with Mike Brown who is the tenant landlord (right)

Stars of Outlander Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe have drank in the pub between shoots

Explaining how the community swooped in, Mr Brown said: ‘When it was decided to do the buyout, I was asked if I would be interested in leasing it as I’d worked there 24 years.

‘We managed to secure the funding and took over on July 4. There’s 28 staff and they’re all local. We are very busy, there are tour groups coming in four or five times a week.

‘There was another pub that closed and became a B&B so we needed to make sure it always remains a pub.

‘One of the main things was to keep it open for the community.’

The pub has been used in scenes of Starz Outlander and has gained an international following due to it.

The popular series focuses on the time travel romance of 20th century heroine Claire, who falls through a hole in time to meet 18th century Scotsman Jamie Fraser.

Mr Brown continued: ‘The Outlander cast are in and out of the village quite a lot. The village itself dates back to 1510 and there’s around 400 people living here.

The Red Lion Inn has managed to stay open despite all the odds

The spacious drinking area is beloved by locals and tourists alike

The historic pub has a lease requirement that it must remain a pub

Locals are hopeful the pub is here to stay due to the efforts of the community

‘We are very busy for tourists – even in December, January, February. A lot of shareholders are Americans, they love Outlander.

‘We get a lot of people who want to stand at the bar and take photos.’

Thanks to the pub’s reputation amongst local people and fans of the show, the money soon came rolling in and there is hope the building can be saved.

Mike explained: ‘We raised around £6,000 or £7,000 out of £950,000.

‘There’s still more to do but we have professional fundraisers on board.

‘At the moment they are looking at creating a hub for people to work from home. We are quite a big success story, I don’t know why.

‘People are coming from all over Britain to ask how we have done it. The TV link does help as the tourist interest in Outlander is massive.

‘We get a huge amount of tourists all year round.’

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