Outlander author Diana Gabaldon to receive Honorary Doctorate from UHI

The University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) will award a prestigious honorary doctorate to international bestselling author Diana Gabaldon at its graduation ceremony on Thursday 13 November at Eden Court, Inverness.

The honorary doctorate is one of the highest honours the university bestows. It recognises her outstanding contribution to literature and entertainment, celebrating how her work has brought Scottish history and heritage to life, and promoted the Highlands to a global audience.

Diana Gabaldon is best known for her ‘Outlander’ novels, that blend of historical fiction, romance and fantasy that has sold 50 million copies in 39 languages across 114 countries. Her storytelling has inspired renewed international interest in Scotland’s history, landscapes and traditions, and her work has been credited with boosting Scottish tourism through the so-called ‘Outlander effect.’

The series now spans nine volumes, with a 10th in progress, as well as spin-off novels and short stories. It also inspired the award-winning television adaptation of the same name, and its prequel ‘Outlander: Blood of My Blood’, both filmed in Scotland.

Fittingly, the UHI graduation ceremony takes place in Inverness, the same location where the ‘Outlander’ heroine, Claire, begins her time-travel journey in 1946. 

Gabaldon said:

“I'm honoured and excited to take part in this year's graduation ceremony and very happy for all the new graduates. Congratulations!”

^{Dr Alexandra Dold}

Also graduating on the day is Dr Alexandra Dold (32), originally from Germany and now living in Glasgow, who will receive a PhD for her thesis examining Outlander as public history. Her research explores how Gabaldon's historical fiction uses narrative strategies such as intertextuality and the representation of historical research methodologies to shape perceptions of Scottish history, and how her storytelling invites readers across the world to engage emotionally and critically with the past. There is no one else in the world who has solely focused on the novels and the specific narrative strategies, making Dr Dold quite unique as 'Doctor of Outlander'.  

Dr Dold said:

"I’m incredibly excited to be a 'Doctor of Outlander'. UHI Centre for History, has been fantastic in supporting my research... even though it is slightly unusual for a degree in History. My hope is that this research helps others see how stories like Outlander can make history more accessible, showing that learning about the past can be emotional, personal and inspiring.”

Vicki Nairn, UHI Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said:

“We are delighted to award Diana Gabaldon an honorary doctorate of the University of the Highlands and Islands. Through her remarkable storytelling, she has shared Scotland’s history, language, and landscapes with audiences around the world, inspiring a deep appreciation of our culture and heritage. Diana’s work has also brought real economic and educational benefits to our regions, and we are proud to recognise her extraordinary contribution today.”