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Explore Scotland

Scotland in Film & TV

6 Days

More than just a backdrop, Scotland has added its own particular ambience to a wide variety of films. The art of film editing allows in some cases widely separated locations in Scotland to come together to represent a single place. Alternatively, the sheer dramatic impact of other locations makes film-makers return to them again and again.

Day 1 Starting in Ayrshire, Culzean Castle’s exteriors are Lord Summerisle’s grand home in the cult film The Wicker Man though this is just one of many locations ssociated with the film. Head south and east via the Galloway Forest Park for a whole range of other settings, including the gardens at Logan Botanic Garden and Castle Kennedy, as well as the colourful houses and closes (alleyways) of Kirkcudbright. The fearsome wicker figure burned in the sacrifice scene at the end of the film was set up at Burrows Head in the Machars, with St Ninian’s Cave nearby.

Day 2 Turn north east to Rosslyn Chapel, the location featured in Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code movie and book. Continue to Edinburgh, where the gritty portrayal of Leith in Trainspotting is already history, as the old seaport has had a far ranging facelift and now offers a fine range of eating and drinking venues as well as quality shopping. Walking tours of Leith are on offer for a real insight into the character of the place.

Day 3 From Edinburgh, cross the Forth Bridge and follow signs east for St Andrews. This handsome east coast town features in Chariots of Fire – golf fans will recognise St Andrews’ famous Royal and Ancient Golf Clubhouse in the background of a running sequence. For that matter, real film buffs will observe the camouflage netting covering parked cars in one shot here! Continue north via the Tay Bridge and Dundee and pick up the A93 to drive through the Spittal of Glenshee to reach Balmoral Castle in Crathie, near Braemar. Balmoral Castle and Estate has been the highland home of the Royal Family since 1852 and featured in the Oscar winning film The Queen, a 2006 portrayal of Elizabeth II.

Day 4 From Crathie head north through Huntly and Banff to another Scottish film icon: the phonebox which featured in Local Hero in the scene when MacIntyre (Peter Riegert) describes the Northern Lights to his boss Happer (Burt Lancaster). Pennan’s much photographed phonebox is still there, although in the movie it appears on the quayside, not its actual location today! From Pennan head westwards along the A98 towards Inverness and to the top of the Great Glen and Loch Ness, the setting of the film The Water Horse – Legend of the Deep, an enchanting story about its most mysterious inhabitant, the Loch Ness Monster. Ardkinglas House in Argyll was used as the main exterior location in the film.

Day 5 Follow Loch Ness down through the Great Glen to Fort William. Glen Nevis is easily accessible from Fort William, in the shadow of Ben Nevis. Other locations nearby include the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct, which featured in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. The spectacular train chase scene features the Hogwarts Express and a flying Ford Anglia car, crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct, on the Glenfinnan estate in the west Highlands. Experience your own magical train journey by taking a trip on the Jacobite Steam Train between Fort William and Mallaig.

Day 6 From Fort William head along the A82, through Glencoe and across Rannoch Moor, one of the most atmospheric landscapes in Scotland. Continue east for Killin and the picturesque Falls of Dochart, a backdrop in Casino Royale with its galaxy of (vintage) stars including Peter Sellers, Ursula Andress, David Niven and Orson Welles. Turn south via Callander to reach Doune Castle, where the Monty Python team once filmed a memorable scene in Monty Python and the Holy Grail involving a giant wooden rabbit!