University of Glasgow to host five-day conference on Outlander series | UK News

The University of Glasgow is to stage a conference exploring the history and culture featured on hit TV show Outlander.

The show is based on the nine books by Diana Gabaldon and the conference will look at the history, politics, culture, languages, clothes and music in the time-travelling adventure series.

Dr Gabaldon will give a keynote speech during the event, which is set to take place from 18 to 22 July.

“I’m honoured (and very excited) that this conference is taking place under the sponsorship of the University of Glasgow,” said the American author.

“A tremendous amount of work and organisation has gone into it, and I’m so looking forward to being a part of it.”

Outlander season seven will begin this summer.

The television series stars Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, a former Second World War military nurse who is transported back in time to 18th-century Scotland. There, she falls in love with Highland warrior Jamie Fraser, played by Scotsman Sam Heughan.

Read more:
Caitriona Balfe on Belfast success, Outlander’s return, and being a ‘mother hen’ on set

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Willy Maley, professor of renaissance studies (English literature), at the university’s School of Critical Studies, said: “Scotland not only has a great tradition of historical writing from Walter Scott to Dorothy Dunnett, but offers the ideal setting for fiction that combines adventure, fantasy and romance.

“Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series was inspired by Scotland and in turn has helped put Scotland on the map, boosting tourism and engagement with the languages of Scotland as well as interest in the country’s complicated past, from Jacobite resistance to diasporic identities and colonial complicity.”