Outlander’s makers shared some key details about the Highlander
Two of minds behind fantasy historical series Outlander have shared details about Jamie Fraser (played by Sam Heughan) that fans may not know.
Executive producer Ronald D. Moore and costume designer Terry Dresbach previously opened up about the Highlander’s kilt and when in the Starz series he would wear it, reported the Express.
Dresbach said: “A lot of people are asking me about the kilt and its significance when he wears it.
“Really, there’s no deep, hidden meaning in where we put it.”
She added on the Official Outlander Podcast: “We always knew we wanted Sam to go in and out of his kilt, it’s just questioning what scene is the most appropriate.”
She addressed how in season two, the Frasers were in France representing Scotland rather than England with this reflected in Jamie’s costumes, and one coat in particular.
Referr ing to the motif on the coat, Dresbach said: “I thought how wonderful it would be to do a stag hunt, something very, very Jamie and very Scottish.
“It was important to us at this event, Jamie could really feel like Jamie.
“And Sam really loved the idea when I showed him this coat. I showed him this coat and just really lost it. It’s a gorgeous piece.”
When asked by Moore why Jamie was sporting a kilt during his appearance in Versailles, Dresbach said: “Because, again this was a place where we felt it was appropriate for him to be really very Scottish. Again, like the coat.
“We wanted to have him really represent his country here, the way an ambassador from another country would.
“They’re going there not as the English, they’re going there as the Scottish.”
The episode in question saw Jamie challenging his nemesis Captain ‘Black Jack’ Randall (Tobias Menzies) to a duel in the gardens of Versailles.
Interestingly, the captain was ridiculed and humiliated by Louis XV (Lionel Lingelser) as England was at war with France during this time and there was a polite animosity.
Jamie and Claire were welcomed to court because they were seen to be Scottish rather than English, unlike Black Jack who was essentially flying the flag for his nation in his Redcoat uniform.
Jamie’s kilt has held significance throughout Outlander, particularly after Culloden when the English banned tartan and to be caught with any resulted in a heavy penalty.
Therefore, its presence in Outlander became more important after this point because of its danger.
With Outlander moving to the New World, the kilt has become less prominent but still holds meaning for Jamie who can never forget his roots.