Outlander superfan’s ‘life plan changed’ as she moved to Scotland after watching

Outlander may be set and filmed in Scotland, but it’s an international affair which brings fans together from all corners of the globe. Loyal followers of the smash hit Starz show regularly attend the many conventions dedicated to the time-travel drama across the world, as well as populating the many social media groups with thousands of members.

But one fan revealed that the show literally changed her life as she upped sticks and moved to Scotland after falling in love with the country when she watched it on the small screen. Superfan Hailey Beaupre decided to ditch her old life in the USA and jump on a plane to bonnie Scotland.

Speaking to the Scottish Daily Express about her love of the show last year, she told them how it helped her overcome personal tragedy.

The 23-year-old was initially introduced to Outlander by her mum and even stayed up all night watching episodes, resulting in her sitting a maths exam with two hours of sleep.

Later that month, Hailey booked a flight to Scotland and organised to go on an Outlander day tour with Highlander tours where she met her now mentor and Scottish father figure – Andy.

But the trip really mesmerised Hailey, who is originally from Connecticut, and after she returned home to the US, she decided to change her entire life plan – and get a tattoo dedicated to her favourite show.

She said: “Over the past four years, I have completely immersed myself in everything Scotland and Outlander. I’ve learned everything I can.”

Following her trip, Hailey, swapped her university studies in education for history – revealing she’s particularly interested in Scotland’s past, including the Jacobites and Mary Queen of Scots.

She said: “I revolved my degree around my own interests, which was Outlander and Scotland.

“In January 2020 I decided I would study abroad, my school had an exchange programme to study at the University of Dundee so I was in Dundee for two months, having the greatest time of my life when Covid hit.

“I was forced to quickly leave Scotland and go back to the USA. That week, when the whole world shut down and I was absolutely devastated.

“I was quarantined in my parent’s back yard and a couple of days later my best friend was killed in an accident, so the whole week was horrible.

“I think I needed to go through that horrible time and be in a really bad place personally and emotionally, to get through. My only driving force for me to keep going and keep living was to get back to Scotland, that was the only thing that kept me going and Outlander was my comfort zone. It was the only thing that gave me any sense of peace and comfort.

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“Getting back to Scotland was the only thing I knew could make a difference in my life at this time.”

When restrictions were finally relaxed, Hailey managed to travel back to Scotland and got her master’s degree in Museum Studies at the University of Aberdeen. She then took up a job with Andy at Highlander tours, where she was posting on their social media account.

She said last year: “When I went on the first tour with Andy from Highlander tours, his passion and dedication and clear love for what he does just have me this feeling that that is exactly how I felt and I wanted to convey to other people and for myself.

“He inspired me to change my life because of what he does. And now we’re practically family. I just had this feeling walking up to Midhope Castle (Lallybroch) and was just thinking ‘Wow. This is what I want to do'”.

Hailey travelled to London for the season six premiere of the show in 2022 where she got to speak to Caitriona Balfe.

She said: “The London premiere was a dream come true for me, I was able to tell Caitriona Balfe that she saved my life after four years.

“The orchestra was stunning and the episode was amazing.”

In the future, Hailey hopes to relocate to Scotland permanently stating that she feels “destined to live here”.

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