Caitriona Balfe – who played Claire Fraser alongside Sam Heughan in the historical Highland drama – branded the town of Shotts her ‘worst location shoot’.

Outlander star Caitriona Balfe has sparked fury by branding a Scots town an “armpit” after claims stars abandoned filming early amid security fears.

The leading actress – who played Claire Fraser alongside Sam Heughan in the historical Highland drama – branded the town of Shotts her “worst location shoot”.

She branded the Lanarkshire town an “armpit” amid claims local neds targeted the crew – targeting the set and stealing and burning a quad bike.

But last night locals were fuming at her description of the town.

Former Shotts MSP Alex Neil branded Balfe’s comment “ignorant” and invited her back to the town to show her what it really has to offer.

He said: “I think she’s pretty ignorant of what Shotts is really like and I’m happy to enlighten her.

“There’s no denying the social problems facing Shotts because, like many other ex mining communities, no government has invested in these communities, so they’ve been allowed to run down physically. But the point is, in these communities the people have a heart of gold, they’re very good, decent hard working people who are trying to make the best of their lives and make ends meet in very difficult circumstances.

“Far from being the ‘armpit’ – which suggests the place stinks – the people are actually lovely people in Shotts. She is probably totally ignorant of its history.

“Shotts has produced some excellent politicians who not only did a great deal of work for the Lanarkshire area, but who were in the cabinets for Harold Wilson and did a lot for the whole of the United Kingdom.

“I would say to her, come back to Shotts. I’d be happy to show her around and introduce her to the people of Shotts so she gets an impression of the real Shotts in stead of a fleeting visit and reaching a conclusion from what was probably a very limited experience of Shotts.”

Sources told the Record the Outlander crew had set up a base at a Shotts factory unit in 2024.

They were there to film in the area for several months as Balfe made her directing debut on the second episode of the final season back in 2024, titled “Prophecies”.

But local sources claim the team departed after a matter of weeks after they “ran into difficulties” at the filming location at Hartwood Hill near Shotts.

The source said: “The set quad bike was stolen and set fire to and they struggled further to secure the set. They also had a lot of difficulties with the ground being impenetrable.”

Responding to Balfe’s comments, the source added: “Caitriona is coming from a place of privilege so it is highly insulting to openly mock our home. Shotts has high rates of poverty and deprivation – a battle which our locals and young people are constantly up against. We don’t need a celebrity with over 2 million followers publicly depreciating it further.

“While Shotts definitely faces challenges and there is a need for improvement, we have a strong sense of community and there is lots of events that are run throughout the year along with some great services and provisions for the people living here.

“I’m a massive fan of the books, show and actors so was genuinely saddened by her comments of my home – comments which I feel were unfair.”

Balfe made the Shotts comments speaking on US-based entertainment website Gold Derby.

In a filmed exchange with Dumfries and Galloway-born Heughan – who played her heartthrob husband Jamie Fraser for a decade – Balfe says she would hand the award for worst filming location to Shotts.

She said: “We filmed at a place in Season 8, I think it’s called Shotts. An armpit… and I’m very sorry.”

Heughan then comments: “Oh…sorry Scotland.”

Though the actress doesn’t elaborate on her reasons for her remark, the bleak picture painted of the former mining town is a far cry from the romantic 18th-century scenes which left fans riveted to the time-travel saga for eight seasons.

The saga, based on the novels by Diana Gabaldon, was brought to an epic conclusion in recent days after 101 episodes, leaving fans devastated.

Irish Balfe and Heughan have been recounting the emotion of filming their final scenes in a string of media interviews in recent weeks.

Balfe described the scenes as “the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do,” saying: “It hit me like a train – what a massive journey it had been, and the enormity of saying goodbye.”

Meanwhile, Heughan has said he was left in tears at closing the door on the show that catapulted him to fame, saying: “It was emotional for everyone. There were tears. But then you have to move on.”

The Record has requested comment from agents for Balfe and the Outlander production team.

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