Locals buy pub in village where Outlander was filmed with the help of American fans of hit TV show

Locals bought a 400-year-old pub in the village where Outlander was filmed, and American fans of the hit TV show bought shares in a desperate bid to protect the area’s film heritage.

The Red Lion Inn, in Culross, Fife, dating from the 17th century, was at risk of closure when the previous private owners planned to sell it.

Landlord Mike Brown, 51, who has worked there for 23 years, was contacted to see if he would lease it if the community bought it.

Mr. Brown’s wife has worked there for decades and his daughter, now a qualified schoolteacher, started working there 13 years ago, when she was 14.

A clause in the lease says that the building must always remain a pub, which was important to the community after another pub was converted to a B&B; however, significant debt must be paid in order to lease.

Stephen Wood (left), president of the community group that purchased the Red Lion with Mike Brown, who is the lessee (right)

Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Catriona Balfe have had drinks at the pub between sessions

Explaining how the community swooped in, Mr. Brown said: “When it was decided to make the purchase, they asked me if I would be interested in renting it out as I had worked there for 24 years.”

‘We managed to secure the financing and we took over on the 4th of July. There are 28 employees and they are all local. We are very busy, there are tour groups that come four or five times a week.

“There was another pub that closed and became a B&B, so we had to make sure it always remained a pub.

“One of the main things was keeping it open for the community.”

The pub has been used in scenes from Starz Outlander and has gained an international following because of it.

The popular series centers on the time travel of 20th century heroine Claire, who falls through a hole in time to meet 18th century Scotsman Jamie Fraser.

Brown continued: “The Outlander cast is in and out of the town a lot. The town itself dates back to 1510 and there are around 400 people living here.

The Red Lion Inn has managed to stay open despite all the odds

The spacious drinking area is loved by locals and tourists alike.

The historic pub has a tenancy requirement that it must remain a pub

Locals are hopeful that the pub is here to stay thanks to the efforts of the community.

We are very busy with tourists, even in December, January and February. Many of the shareholders are American, they love Outlander.

“We have a lot of people who want to stand at the bar and take photos.”

Thanks to the pub’s reputation among local people and fans of the show, money soon poured in and there is hope that the building can be saved.

Mike explained: “We raised around £6,000 or £7,000 out of £950,000.

‘There is still more to do, but we have professional fundraisers on board.

‘Right now, they’re looking to create a center for people to work from home. We are a great success story, I don’t know why.

“People come from all over Britain to ask how we’ve done it. The TV link helps as the tourist interest in Outlander is huge.

“We receive a large number of tourists throughout the year.”