Outlander Star Returns To The Scottish Highlands In A Brand-New Trilogy

Published Oct 27, 2026, 12:05 PM EDT

Nicholas Becher is a gaming journalist with an MFA in Creative Writing from FAU. With extensive experience playing video games, he covers all forms of gaming content at Screen Rant, from breaking news to the latest fan theories. Most-played games range from Clair Obscur to Civ to Elden Ring to Halo 2 and beyond. 

Outlander had a truly impressive run over its eight seasons, spanning more than a decade and establishing itself as one of the most successful historical fantasy dramas on television. Based on Diana Gabaldon's bestselling novels, the Starz series brought together an extraordinary ensemble cast, led by Caitríona Balfe and Sam Heughan as Claire and Jamie Fraser.

Beyond its central romance, however, Outlander introduced audiences to an unforgettable cast of characters, with standout performances from Tobias Menzies, Sophie Skelton, Richard Rankin, and numerous others helping bring the sprawling historical saga to life. The series also earned considerable critical acclaim over the years, including multiple Golden Globe nominations, Saturn Award wins, and recognition at the BAFTA Scotland Awards.

The show's conclusion in 2026 marked the end of an era in television history, but fortunately, Outlander fans have plenty to look forward to beyond the original series. One of the show's most recognizable stars is officially returning to the Scottish Highlands, albeit in an entirely different capacity, with an ambitious new trilogy that should immediately pique the interest of longtime viewers.

Graham McTavish, who portrayed Dougal MacKenzie in Outlander, is officially making his fiction debut with a brand-new historical fantasy trilogy titled Redshanks. HarperFiction has reportedly acquired the rights to all three installments, beginning with Blood of the Highlands, scheduled for publication in June 2027.

Set in Scotland in 1642, Blood of the Highlands takes readers to the Isle of Mull, where a bitter conflict between rival clans provides the backdrop for an epic story of betrayal, romance, and featuring supernatural elements as well. The novel follows Kal MacLean, a Scottish warrior who narrowly survives a devastating raid against the rival Campbell clan at Ganavan Bay. Waking up among the bodies of his fallen brothers with a grievous wound, Kal discovers that he's been rescued by Mary, a Campbell widow who should, by all accounts, be his sworn enemy.

However, there's more to Mary than meets the eye, and possessing a mysterious gift of foresight, she had already witnessed Kal's arrival through her tapestry, suggesting that their meeting was anything but coincidental. Kal gradually uncovers a complex conspiracy, with implications reaching all the way to Scotland's throne. Meanwhile, the warrior finds himself pursued by both clans and stalked by a "creature of ancient legend that walks between the living and the dead."

Adding to the intrigue is Kal's growing attraction to Mary, whose prophetic abilities could ultimately determine his fate. Between its historical setting, complicated romance, clan rivalries, and fantastical elements, Blood of the Highlands certainly sounds like something that could appeal to longtime Outlander enthusiasts, both readers and viewers alike.

You can pre-order Blood of the Highlands (Redshanks Book 1) by Graham McTavish via Amazon here.

Although this marks McTavish's first foray into fiction, the Scottish actor is already an accomplished bestselling author. He previously collaborated with fellow Outlander star Sam Heughan on Clanlands and The Clanlands Almanac, which is a fascinating dive into Scotland's rich cultural heritage, history, and traditions. Their literary collab also helped inspire the popular travel documentary series Men in Kilts.

Aside From Outlander, McTavish is widely recognized for playing Dwalin in The Hobbit trilogy and Ser Harrold Westerling in HBO's House of the Dragon. McTavish himself posted a heartwarming announcement for his fiction debut to Instagram:

Blood of the Highlands is listed at 384 pages, with HarperCollins scheduling its release for June 3 in the UK and priced at £16.99. The hardcover is priced at $30 USD, while Amazon's listing currently shows a June 8 US release date. Pre-orders are already available (see link above), although further details about the remaining two Redshanks novels have yet to be revealed.

Outlander