Interview with Alex Dold, Dr. of Outlander

What does it mean to fall through time and land in history class?If you've ever stayed up until 2am turning pages of Outlander, convinced you could practically smell the heather and hear the clash of broadswords at Culloden, today's guest has a very official explanation for why that happened — and a doctorate to back it up.Dr. Alex Dold is a public historian, literary scholar, tour guide, and "Doctor of Outlander." Based in Scotland, Alex completed her PhD at the University of the Highlands and Islands with a thesis arguing that Diana Gabaldon's Outlander novels function as a genuine form of public history — shaping how millions of readers around the world understand 18th-century Scotland, the Jacobite rising of 1745, and Highland culture. She also contributed two chapters to the newly released academic collection Outlander and Scotland: Touchstones and Signposts (Luath Press, 2025), leads literary walking tours in Glasgow, and speaks at fan conventions and universities alike.In this episode, Vanessa and Alex talk about:How a reader in Germany became Scotland's foremost Outlander scholarWhat "public history" means — and why it matters that Outlander qualifiesThe real-world impact Outlander tourism has had on Scottish heritage sitesWhat Alex told Diana Gabaldon when she finally met her in personAnd why you should never, ever be embarrassed that a romance novel sent you down a Scottish history rabbit holeWhether you've read all nine books, just finished the series, or you're a Scotland-dreamer planning your own literary pilgrimage, this episode will make you love the Highlands even more.📚 Books mentioned in this episode:🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Outlander and Scotland: Touchstones and Signposts  — Alex's own book! The academic collection she contributed two chapters to. A must-have for any serious Outlander fan.⚔️ Damn Rebel Bitches: The Women of '45  by Maggie Craig — The real women of the Jacobite rising of 1745. If Claire Fraser makes you want more, this is your book.✉️ Burt's Letters from the North of Scotland by Edward Burt — A fascinating firsthand account of 18th-century Highland life from an English officer stationed in Scotland. Primary source gold for Outlander readers.⏳ Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor — If you love the idea of time-traveling historians getting into trouble, this series is your next obsession.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Ready to walk in Jamie and Claire's footsteps? Join us on the Scottish Book Club Tour, June 22–29, 2027 — a small-group literary journey through the Highlands with your fellow book lovers. Visit thebookclubtour.com to learn more and reserve your spot.Connect with Alex: 🌐 alexdold.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex.dold.historianLove this podcast? Imagine walking the Yorkshire moors where the Brontës found inspiration, visiting Jane Austen's writing desk at Chawton, and exploring Shakespeare's birthplace with fellow book lovers. We do all this and more on The Book Club Tour!Follow along with our adventures, or join us! 🌐 Explore our tours: thebookclubtour.com 📸 Instagram: @thebookclubtour 👥 Facebook: @thebookclubtour