Summer Solstice 2025: Why this time is so important in the world of Outlander

The world of Outlander is ruled by particular days of the year, and the summer solstice is one of them.
Outlander 2014
Outlander 2014

It’s that time of year again. Summer Solstice 2025 is here, and this is an important time of year in the world of Outlander. The portals are open, so watch out if you’re near any of them today!

Yes, this is one of the most important times of year for Outlander fans, especially in the books. When it comes to the TV series, there hasn’t been as much focus on people only being able to travel on particular days of the year, but we know that it’s likely the case, considering some of the times of year that people have traveled.

Outlander Season 4 2018
Outlander Season 4 -- Courtesy of Aimee Spinks/STARZ

The Summer Solstice is when Roger first goes through the stones in Outlander

In 1971, Brianna and Roger both go through the stones for the very first time, but they do it individually. Brianna goes through around Beltane, which actually matches the time of year her mom first went through the stones in the books. The Summer Solstice is when Roger walks through the stones, following Brianna, in the hope of catching up to her despite her having a six-week (or so) head start.

It marks for a big time for Roger. He did a lot of growing up after going through the stones. While he was an adult, there were still many child-like elements to him with the way he thought the world should go. He also wasn’t set up for the past, and he had no intention of staying there at first. He quickly learned the ways of the past and grew into the man, husband, and father that he has become.

Outlander - Season 7 2024
Outlander season 7

Another MacKenzie went through the stones in the summer

The Outlander books also tell us that William Buccleigh “Buck” MacKenzie went through the stones during the Summer Solstice. This was back in 1778 (yes, there was a type of 1781 in an older post at ClaireandJamie.com as multiple dates were on the mind when writing, it’s easily done with this series!), and he travelled through to 1980.

Is it a little easier going into the future? Well, Buck did manage to assimilate well, but that was thanks to running into Roger and Brianna, who already knew him. They didn’t initially have the best initial experience with him considering he was the reason Roger was hanged, but he did end up with a redemption arc that has had us wondering about him in Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone.

Each of the pagan holidays remain important dates in the world of Outlander, despite there also being so much focus on various denominations of the Christian religion. Just watch out if you’re by a set of stones! You never know if you’ll be pulled through, especially if you hear the buzzing and have a gem on hand!

Outlander is available to stream on STARZ in full.

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