I’ve heard about the Outlander books and associated tv show but it wasn’t something I had followed – until now.

I bought the first season dvd at a second hand place we go to regularly, thinking if I didn’t like it at least it hadn’t cost me much. But I do like it. I like it a lot, but it is not always easy watching – especially when you are from the area.

I want to begin by saying I am still on the first season so no spoilers please.

It started off well, showing a couple being able to be together again after WW2 had ended and they had decided on a trip to Scotland for a second honeymoon.

As you can imagine, I always watch the travelling scenes with interest as I like to spot places I’ve been myself. I will say here and now, Scotland has to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth (if you go to the right places and put politics aside). As a family we like to travel around our own country and have had several little holidays dotted around the place (last one was years ago but I’m saving up).

I couldn’t quite place their Inverness but have since looked it up to see where they actually filmed it!

As the story unfolds and our heroine travels back in time to 1743, my interest was most definitely piqued. The clothes, the scenery, the language, all pulled me in and transported me right back to that time as if I’d touched ‘that stone’ myself; you’ll know that reference if you know ‘Outlander’!

As the season continued however, I found myself with an internal conflict. I was enjoying the drama that unfolded and could appreciate the work that had been put in to make everything as authentic as possible. Yes, I could pick out quite a few of the actors who clearly weren’t Scottish but did a reasonable Scottish accent nonetheless. Quite often that can put me off a film/show when it is done poorly but I applaud the dialect coach on this one.

The problem I had is quite difficult to put into words. There is a scene or two where our heroine, Claire, tries to tell people that their Jacobite cause is doomed and they will fail in their quest. Of course, they don’t listen – but I did. Maybe it’s because I was at Culloden Battlefield for the anniversary this year, maybe it’s because I live near that area and a short travel around the area brings many more signs of that time once lived. Whatever the reason, I couldn’t help feeling an overwhelming sense of sadness.

I admit more than one tear ran down my cheeks.

What if someone could go back in time and warn them of what was to come? What if those lives could be spared? What if the clearances never happened? These questions and more were spiralling around my head as I watched the story on the screen unfold.

It’s fiction – I know that. But they have done an excellent job portraying the hopes and desires of the people at that time. They show the hardships of daily life, the community and spirit of the people. We’ll never know if it is 100% accurate of course, but it is exactly how I’ve always envisaged it. Young men, so driven and blinded by their cause that even when someone points out the obvious, they cannot be dissuaded.

Do we learn from history I wonder?

If a ‘Claire’ turned up today and told us where we went wrong, would we listen?

I’ll keep watching and hope one day to get the books too but I know now I am not in for an easy adventure.

Image by Craig Hunter from Pixabay