OUTLANDER has triggered more interest in Scotland and its history than any other cultural artefact in recent years, according to academics.

The hit TV series, starring Caitriona Balfe, has brought hordes of tourists to Scotland and now Glasgow University is to host a conference on the show.

Academics will look at the history, customs, politics, culture, clothes and music featured in series at a four-day conference next June.

The event has been given a seal of approval by American author Diana Gabaldon, who will give a speech.

Willy Maley, Professor of Renaissance Studies, English Literature, at the university, said: “The globally successful series has triggered more interest in Scotland and its history than any other cultural artefact in recent years.

“Interest continues to grow as Outlander moves into its fifth season.

“While hundreds of fan-based gatherings and interest groups around the world promote and encourage Outlander fandom, and thousands of media articles ponder its reach and appeal, there has not yet been an event that takes an academic approach to the series and brings together the multiple areas of expertise involved in its creation.

“The university plans to do this: hosting a major inter-national conference in 2020 will offer the chance to debate, discuss and dissect the elements that make up this remarkable phenomenon.”

Outlander tells the story of English nurse Claire Randall who falls 200 years through time to the eve of Culloden, where she meets Highlander Jamie Fraser, played by Sam Heughan.

The show has led to a massive influx of tourists wanting to visit locations featured, including Glasgow University, which doubled as Harvard in the third series.

Academics at the university have been directly involved in the production and have played key roles as researchers, advisers and also cast members.

Celtic and Gaelic lecturer Gillebride MacMillan, who played Gwyllyn The Bard, said: “It has opened huge opportunities for me. I love that through Outlander I have been able to bring new songs and the Gaelic language to a new and worldwide audience.

“I am looking forward to the conference, which will bring all the many disciplines at the university together to look at Outlander from an educational and academic perspective.

“I am also looking forward to welcoming Diana Gabaldon.”