A tour of the nation's most iconic filming locations
Forget McAvoy and Connery – there’s one Scottish film star that rises head and shoulders above the rest, and that’s our iconic, inimitable landscape. From the epic drama of Glencoe to the awe-inducing Glenfinnan Viaduct, Scotland is awash with soaring peaks, ancient castles, and storybook villages that are irresistible to filmmakers.
From BBC dramas to Hollywood blockbusters, we’ve curated some of the country's most celebrated film and TV locations and paired them with nearby Luxury Scotland properties, so you can plan your next great escape.
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Glen Nevis
Located at the foot of Ben Nevis, the UK's highest mountain, discover Glen Nevis–one of the most stirring glens in Scotland. Home to impressive mountains, gushing waterfalls, winding mountain paths and utter tranquillity, this is one of the most popular filming destinations in the country. Close your eyes here and find yourself on the set of Braveheart, Highlander, Rob Roy and Harry Potter's first two years of school.
Nearby hotels include:
Inverlochy Castle: Approximately 12 minutes' drive
Isle of Eriska: Approximately 1 hour drive
Glen Etive
A spectacular glen that typifies the rugged remoteness of the Scottish Highlands, Glen Etive is best known for the breathtaking single-track road – now known colloquially as Skyfall Road – at the core of many of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. Thor: Dark World, Gladiator, Sherlock Holmes, Braveheart, The 39 Steps and, of course, Skyfall, have shot scenes here.
Glen Etive was the backdrop to James Bond as he escaped back to his family home for the climax of Skyfall. Standing apart from his iconic Aston Martin DB5, this shot has inspired countless fans to park up, set a timer, and capture their own 007 moment.
Nearby hotels include:
Inverlochy Castle: Approximately 1 hour drive
Eilean Donan Castle
A magnificent 13th-century property in the Highlands, Eilean Donan Castle sits at the meeting point of three great sea lochs and is one of Scotland's most iconic settings. Located in Dornie on the northwest coast, it has taken centre stage in films such as The New Avengers, Highlander, Loch Ness and The World is Not Enough.
The castle’s cameo in The World is Not Enough is particularly famous as it’s inside the historic hotel that one of Q’s most absurdly iconic gadgets hit our screens – the bagpipes with built-in machine gun and flamethrower!
Nearby hotels include:
Kinloch Lodge: Approximately 40 minutes' drive
The Torridon: Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes' drive
Inverlochy Castle: Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes' drive
Glenfinnan Viaduct
Made world-famous for carrying the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter franchise, Glenfinnan Viaduct is an iconic piece of railway infrastructure and the longest mass concrete rail bridge in Scotland. Even today, a steam-powered Jacobite train trundles along those tracks, attracting thousands of visitors every year.
The viaduct has also featured in Charlotte Gray, Stone of Destiny, Monarch of the Glen, and Ring of Bright Water. We recommend a vantage point at the Glenfinnan Visitor Centre, or the trails behind the monument, for the best view.
Nearby hotels include:
Inverlochy Castle: Approximately 30 minutes’ drive
Glencoe
Known for its mountainous backdrop, rare beauty and tragic history, Glencoe is located in the very heart of the Highlands. The eight Munros towering above the glen set a scene so powerfully dramatic that filmmakers couldn't have designed it better.
Famous as the location of Hagrid’s hut and the Hogwarts bridge in Harry Potter, as well as scenes in Braveheart, Rob Roy, Mary Queen of Scots, and Skyfall, Glencoe has no truck with B-movies.
Nearby hotels include:
Inverlochy Castle: Approximately 30 minutes’ drive
Isle of Eriska: Approximately 45 minutes’ drive
Crinan Hotel: Approximately 1 hour 50 minutes’ drive
Loch Craignish
This gorgeous sea loch on the mid-Argyll coast may not have the same blockbuster allure as other locations, but film buffs might still recall the name. The final chase scene in From Russia With Love, where Connery’s Bond famously sets the water alight, was not filmed on the Yugoslavian coastline as filmgoers might expect, but right here in Loch Craignish.
Hotels at Loch Craignish:
Crinan Hotel
Central Scotland
A scenic strip that lies north of Glasgow and Edinburgh, but south of the Highlands, this area has played a starring role in many of Scotland’s historic events – including legendary battles between the oppressed Scots and ruling English.
Once an undiscovered gem, such diverse landscape – ranging from woodlands and waterfalls to towering mountain peaks, a coastline dotted with fishing villages and a host of ancient castles and monuments – inevitably caught the eye of the film industry.
The iconic ‘athletes running on the sand’ scene from Chariots of Fire? West Sands beach in St Andrews. Outlander and Monty Python and The Holy Grail? Doune Castle in Perthshire. This is a fine part of the country to write your own adventure.
Hotels in Central Scotland:
Murrayshall Country Estate
Monachyle Mhor
East Lothian
Just a short drive from Edinburgh, East Lothian still feels little-known. But in recent years its rural scenery, golden beaches and historic buildings have understandably attracted filmmakers, setting the scene for films like The Railway Man, Mary Queen of Scots, Outlander, The Awakening, House of Mirth and Steven Spielberg's The BFG.
Hotels in East Lothian:
Greywalls Hotel
Edinburgh
Scotland’s capital is renowned for its history, architecture, scenery and cultural attractions – but it has also amassed an impressive list of movie credits including Trainspotting and Chariots of Fire, the global hit that took home four Academy Awards. The city has also featured in Sunshine on Leith, One Day, and Young Adam.
Most recently, the hit TV show Rebus – a gritty crime drama based on Ian Rankin’s acclaimed novels – has put Edinburgh on the map. From the historic cobbles of Grassmarket to the vast green space at The Meadows, Detective John Rebus shows off many of the city’s best sights. Fans who traipse around the city in Rebus’ footsteps will love pulling up at The Oxford Bar to quench their thirst. The pub not only featured in the series, it’s also a favourite watering hole of Ian Rankin himself.
In season 3 of the historical drama Outlander, Edinburgh serves as a backdrop for several key moments, including memorable scenes on both the Royal Mile and in the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
Hotels in Edinburgh include:
Prestonfield
Fingal
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
Inverness
1940s Inverness is where the hit TV show Outlander first kicked off and it’s become a magnet for fans in the decade since. While limited filming actually took place here, there are many Outlander tours and experiences in the city all year round.
It may be a stretch (although, we are talking about Outlander here) but eagle-eyed fans might have caught Claire’s reference to sighting a ‘water horse’ at Loch Ness – why not take a trip to Urquhart Castle or Beauly and investigate for yourself?
Hotels in Inverness:
Rocpool Reserve
Glasgow
From abundant gothic architecture to picturesque streets and a lively, cosmopolitan atmosphere, there’s a long list of reasons why Glasgow has become a filming hot spot. The credits to its name are extensive: The Batman, 1917, Outlander, Trainspotting, Succession, World War Z, Fast and Furious 6, The Wife and Cloud Atlas have all shot scenes here in recent years, creating a long list of photo ops for fans.
Nearby hotels include:
Crossbasket Castle: Approximately 20 minutes’ drive
Scottish Borders
While the Highlands are known for breathtaking glens and towering mountains, the countryside in the Borders is more peaceful – gentle woodland, sloping hills, rugged coastline and a healthy number of picturesque market towns and historic houses.
Unsurprisingly, there’s no shortage of well-known titles filmed here: Shoebox Zoo, Almost Heavenly, Mrs Brown, North and South, Mary Queen of Scots and Greystoke – The Legend of Tarzan all have roots right here in the beautiful Borders.
Hotels in the Scottish Borders include:
Cringletie
First published 17 June 2020. Information correct at time of going to press.
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