SCOTTISH actor Sam Heughan has urged fans of Outlander to respect historic sites featured in the hit series.

Heughan, who plays Highlander Jamie Fraser, has voiced concerns after the show boosted tourism to spots such as Culloden near Inverness and Doune Castle in Stirling.

He’s set to appear at the Aye Write book festival in Glasgow, running from May 14 to 23, with co-star Graham McTavish.

The pair will discuss Clanlands, a book that they wrote together which explores their road trip around Scotland.

Heughan told The Sunday Times: “Hopefully, reading our book or other books, people will understand the history of what happened and treat historic sites with the respect they are due.”

McTavish added: “I certainly don’t agree with people taking souvenirs.

“These places are to be shared by everybody and if you start dismantling them for your own selfish gain then that’s not helping anybody at all.”

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Heughan, 41, from Dumfriesshire, encouraged plans for film studios in Scotland and explained that previous opportunities have been missed due to lack of facilities.

He said: “There are big, big productions coming to Scotland and so the more we can encourage them, the better.”

Heughan has been rumoured to be the next James Bond, to which he responded: “Any actor that’s been in a tuxedo is put on a list. Of course, everyone would jump at the chance.”