Outlander fans have said they are able to trace their family trees back to fictional Highlander Jamie Fraser.
The outlandish claims have been made by overseas visitors who have travelled to visit historic Scottish attractions linked to the TV series.
Historic Environment Scotland, which looks after Doune Castle, Blackness Castle and Linlithgow Palace where parts of the series is filmed, have revealed some of the extraordinary behaviour of visitors.
Many hope to meet the 18th century Highlander Jamie, played by Sam Heughan, while others claim they are directly related to him despite him being a fictional character based on the hero of US author Diana Gabaldon’s best-selling books.
A HES spokesperson said: “One member of staff says she has lost count of the number of times she has been asked, ‘Is Jamie here just now?’ or has been told by overseas visitors they have traced their Scottish family tree back to Jamie Fraser and the fictional Castle Leoch (Doune Castle).”
One San Francisco fan was caught hiding in bushes near Doune Castle trying to catch a glimpse of the cast during filming while others arrive carrying lifesize cardboard cutouts of their fictional heroes to pose for photos.
Staff at Doune Castle, in Perthshire – which doubles as fictional Castle Leoch – said visitors ask if “Jamie” is as lovely in real life as he is on screen, forgetting 41-year-old Heughan is an actor from Kirkcudbrightshire.
The sixth season of the drama, which also stars Caitriona Balfe as time-travelling World War II combat nurse Claire Randall, returns to screens tonight.
HES said demand for selfies at all of the Outlander sites has increased, with many visitors wanting photos for social media.
The spokesperson added: “At Doune Castle, we provided costumes for people to dress up as Jamie and Claire to recreate their favourite Outlander moments – some arrive dressed up.”
Author Gabaldon has previously told how she had never set foot in Scotland when she wrote her first book as an experiment and how Jamie’s character was inspired by a kilted Scottish warrior in a 1969 Doctor Who episode The War Games.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
