We’re continuing our Outlander Season 4 behind-the-scenes photos and filming coverage, this time with Dunure Harbour. Spoilers ahead! Don’t click if you don’t want to know!
As usual, it was an international effort to bring you our latest Chasing Outlander post! An American mastermind (Outlander Cast writer Anne Gavin) arranged a meeting between a Scottish photographer, Gary Dempster, and an Australian writer, yours truly. So read on to see our latest adventures in the world of Outlander.
Your photographer and blogger ready for action at Dunure Harbour on the day.
But before you do, BEWARE OF SPOILERS. If you don’t want to know or see what lies ahead, then stop reading NOW. And please respect the ownership of these images and don’t reproduce them where people may be caught unawares by spoilers. Thank you!
We knew that filming of waterfront scenes was to take place at the beautiful seaside town of Dunure on the Ayrshire coast, southwest of Glasgow. We weren’t sure of the day and the weather forecast was decidedly dodgy but we were up for it. So the planning began.
Being an Ayrshire local, Gary did a great reccy before the filming started at a time when the set was open. His pictures here show you the amazing attention to detail that we have come to expect from Jon Gary Steele and his design team. We’re right there on the dock in the 1700s.
On filming day, I got up at 5.30 a.m. to catch the bus to Ayrshire to meet Gary. That trip took a wee bit longer than expected, ice, snow, ambulances and trapped vehicles notwithstanding. When I finally got to Ayr, two hours later than expected, there was not a hint of snow and the skies were clearish. That’s Scottish weather for you — wild and unpredictable.
The view from my bus window! eek! Three ambulances went by!
You’ll remember Dunure Harbour from scenes in Season 3 when Claire and Jamie were saying farewell to Jared before setting sail for Jamaica. And just up the road is the ruined Dunure Castle, where Jamie searched for Claire and found the treasure after escaping from Ardsmuir prison. It’s fair to say that Dunure locals are used to seeing Outlander film crews in town.
When we arrived, we found a really good and clear vantage point to watch the day’s action unfold. It was amazing to see that little harbor turning into an authentic 18th century scene, with so many extras in costume. Another huge nod to Terry Dresbach and her team for transporting us into that world. The first thing that strikes you about the clothing of the crowd is the colours. So different from today’s clothing in colour and texture. The muted tones (they didn’t have our brightly coloured dyes, of course, except for the Red Coats — ahem) and all the natural and coarsely woven fabrics.
Sophie Skelton was first on set, and played a scene where Bree walks along the wharf with a young woman. Could it be Lizzie Weymss? Your guess is as good as ours.
There were so many extras on set all playing their roles of busy people working or passing by on the water front. Also, the occasional Red Coat here and there patrolling the dock and generally maintaining law and order. We got used to calls of “stand by!” …. “rolling!”… “background action!” (for the extras) … then “action!” (for the principal actors).
We spied something VERY interesting during this scene. A well known (and well-loved and well-hated) character turned up on the set. This would be a HUGE SPOILER so we’re going to save it for when this episode airs! Watch this space then and you will see some brilliant and exclusive behind-the-scenes pictures. Our lips are sealed just now. Bet you can’t wait!?
Next Steven Cree arrived on set with his “green screen“ leg. A horse was brought in and attached to a small wagon. The scene was set for Ian Murray to assist Brianna climbing out of the wagon and walking along together talking.
It’s not just make-up for Steven Cree; he has to get his (probably very uncomfortable) wooden leg on for each scene as well.
As usual, the scene was shot many times, from two different long-shot angles and then close up.
Sophie Skelton looked beautiful as Brianna in the now well-publicised and very familiar jacket.
It was a freezing cold (so what’s new?) but fun day. As usual, there was a tinge of disappointment. We left when we saw Sophie Skelton drive off, the extras leave the scene and the packing up commenced — only to find out later that Richard Rankin arrived to do some other scenes! The book reader in me should have figured this out, but, oh well, you win some and you lose some. The balance of life. Plus, I had the bus trip home to think of, back to snow country in Glasgow!
What is your best guess about the mystery character/actor who turned up on set? The one that we cannot name just now? Who could it be? Hint, book readers will not be at an advantage here.
Watch this space when the episode airs in the fall and all the BTS action will be revealed!
Thanks so much for the pictures. So lovely to see Bree in her Momma’s jacket about to head off to America! UGH! I can’t stand the suspense over who the “well known, well loved and well hated” character is?! If they bring back BJR from the dead (or what we thought was dead on Culloden Moor), I’m not sure I’ll be happy! That would be a HUGE deviation from the book and not a pleasant one (like Murtagh!). Please more hints!!!
Yes isn’t that a lovely touch to give Bree Claire’s jacket? I know Terry Dresbach plays very close attention to the fact that in those days clothing was kept and worn for a lifetime, reused and remodelled. Not like the throw-away days we live in! Sorry about the suspense but we’ll all have to wait! Keeps us on our tingling toes awaiting the next series!
Possible guess is Leoghaire….I wouldn’t consider her character well loved though…
Ha! Thats true, I’ve often wondered what it must be like for an actor to play a character that the audience dislikes, even hates! It must be quite difficult I’d imagine, and Nell Hudson does such a great job bringing Laoghaire to life! Time will tell …..
She is a wonderful actor. I’ve loved seeing her in Victoria. It’s a lovely part for her to show the awesome range she has. I was glad to be able to send a Tweet to her and just tell her I loved her in it. I signed as an Outlander fan!
The character is probably Steven Bonnet. He us a ships captain, and Roger sails with him. One question: Brianna us supposed to be 6 ft tall. The woman near her in the,pictures is taller than Sophie. I would think they would have actresses shorter than her in those scenes she is in
That’s who I was thinking it would be. And by the way, Lizzie was supposed to be very small so I don’t think that woman next to Sophie was playing her. Just a thought.
We’ll have to wait and see about Steven Bonnet, Peg. And yes, people have speculated that the woman next to Bree is Lizzie Wemyss …. but again in the book she was a tiny person and a young teenager. Hope they announce who’s playing Lizzie soon, then we’ll know.
Brianna is suppose to be in ‘breeks’ as well. What’s going on??? ?
Thats true Michelle, I’d forgotten about that. She causes quite a stir being dressed like a man! Guess its another diversion from the book, the jacket inherited from her mother is a lovely touch though.
Bree was in breeks when she first arrived at Lallybroch. When she went with Ian and wee Jamie to get passage to America, she was dressed like Jenny and the other women. She still had her breeks and she wore them when she and lizzie were in America.. so the show didn’t deviate from the book on costume.
Loved this blog post and wonderful to see photos! Thanks.
Thanks for reading Jan, glad you enjoyed it. I was so lucky to be accompanied by a professional photographer … his photos are amazing.
Okay, Laoghaire we already know us going to be a problem. But if you got this secret: can’t be Murtagh, he’s already in colonies, or is he? Could be Suzette pops up and is emigrating. We know Roger of course follows her.
Master Raymond…..who we know to be a traveler too
Or Stephen Bonnet
Janet, you are creative thinker and an Outlander fount of knowledge!! We’ll have to see if any of your great ideas come to fruition. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Who is Suzette? Don’t remember such a character in the book…
Fourth hypothesis: Geillis, on her way to the colonies?
Stupid of me: Geilis is of course dead since the end of season 3
Beautiful shots! Costumes are incredible! I have no idea who the secret character might be. (Gasp!) Love your pics!!
Thanks for your comments Angie, so glad you enjoyed it. Yes, the suspense is building …. so looking forward to Season 4 …. and what about Season 5? … we still don’t seem to have any official word on that.
From Terry Dresbach on 6th March
https://twitter.com/OutlanderCostum/status/971149836132106240
“When you or your fan site is blocked, you know why.
You won’t be able to reach out to me to ask why I have blocked you, so everyone will need to spread the word.
I block any fan or any fan site that posts costume spoilers.”
She’s very distressed about these BTS photographs. Is that what you want?
Hi Linda Thanks for your reply. Yes we are aware of Terry Dresbach’s comments about that filming location and spoilers. And we gave it a lot of thought. Her main concern was the early revealing of the fact that Brianna is wearing Claire’s old jacket, she wanted that to be a surprise. And the cat was well and truly out of the bag by the time my post went up. Also, Terry had retracted some of her more emotional statements and was starting to realise I think, that it is not possible to contain such a thing at an open location with a lot of members of the public in attendance.
We decided to take the line of choice – some people like spoilers, others do not. So, on all our social media platforms we used a generic Outlander image and warned people that going any further would lead to spoilers. Also, there was another major spoiler on the day (which you will have read about in my post) and we made the decision not to reveal that and to save our photos until this episode is aired. So, we think we considered this in a respectful way both to the show and the fans. And none of us have been blocked by Terry Dresbach, so hopefully we have not caused offense.
Merci pour ces très belles photos.
Il me semblait que Lizzie était une frêle jeune fille ( très jeune même ..) plutôt maigrichonne et blonde ..? donc si c est la jeune grande femme que l’ on voit aux côtés de Bree le casting est un peu douteux !!!
Mais bon même si j ai du mal avec les changements en rapport au livre j aime tous ces superbes personnages qui prennent vie grâce au film…
Patience patience .
Merci pour votre réponse Mim. Oui, ça ne ressemble pas au Lizzie que nous connaissons du livre. Nous devrons attendre et voir quand ils annoncent l’actrice qui jouera Bree. Comme tu le dis, patience, patience
Hello everyone! I believe the secret character is Frank Randall…love the settings, costumes, etc. I do not think Lizzie is included in the above photos…she is supposed to be shorter than Bree…