By Andrés Muñoz
Something about the United Kingdom and Ireland fascinates people and draws them in. It could be the centuries of history or their role in today’s rapidly evolving society. Tens of battles hundreds of years ago and an essential role in European and world politics, economy and culture might be one way to go.
However, I believe that one of the reasons is that we’ve seen the beauty of the UK and Ireland through movies and TV series since time immemorial. For as long as I’ve lived, I’ve seen these places on the screen and lived the locations through every character’s adventures in them.
Let us tour Scotland and its incredible scenery, checking what fascinating places used as movie locations you can visit right now.
The Magic Places Behind Harry Potter
It is told that Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is nestled somewhere in the Scottish highlands. While I cannot confirm or deny the exact location of said institution, we can do the next best thing: explore the locations where the films were shot.
You can start by taking the Jacobite Steam Train. This 83-mile-long railway journey passes by the Glenfinnan Viaduct, the iconic location students go through on the Hogwarts Express.
Make sure to visit Loch Shiel, the lake used to represent the Black Lake. It is close to Glenfinnan Viaduct and will also be visible from the train.
You can relive Harry’s challenge against the Hungarian Horntail from The Goblet of Fire in Steall Falls in Glen Nevis and the Black Rock Gorge in Ross and Cromarty. These are fascinating nature walks that are definitely worth a visit!
While it’s not a filming location, I suggest visiting the Elephant House café in Edinburgh. This was the starting point of the Harry Potter Universe, as J.K. Rowling would frequent this spot when she was creating her magical world. Heads up, there was a fire in the original cafe, but it is expected to reopen in the summer of 2024. In the meantime, visit the secondary Elephant House on Victoria Street, which, for many, is the inspiration for Diagon Alley. Harry Potter tours of the city and locations are a great way to learn more.
Outlander: History, Love, And Adventure
This fascinating television series tells the story of Claire, a former military nurse living in Scotland who was magically transported to 1743 after touching a standing stone. She falls in love with the Highland warrior Jamie Fraser and eventually gets involved in the Jacobite uprising.
The show was shot all over Scotland for seasons 1-4. Doune Castle in Stirling worked as the fictional Castle Leoch, home to Jamie’s clan. The Devil’s Pulpit in Finnich Glen was where Jamie’s uncle Dougal took Claire to see if she was a spy (the hike is short but tricky, bring good shoes), as well as the Fife villages of Falkland and Culross standing in as Inverness and the fictional Cranesmuir, respectively.
The Visit Scotland website has a helpful map marking most places where the series was shot. Use the location filter to pinpoint castles, churches, heritage sites, and more. Tours are also available.
007: Scotland’s License To Film
It would be unthinkable to mention Scotland without James Bond. This stems from the fact that in 1962, Ian Fleming (author of the Bond novels) was so impressed with Sean Connery’s interpretation of the character in the first film, Dr No, that he gave the iconic secret agent a Scottish background in his future books.
In the 2012 film Skyfall, Bond and M escape the nefarious Raoul Silva by driving from London to Bond’s childhood home up North through the night.
*Light spoiler* Even though Skyfall Lodge is blown up in the film, the landscape retains its allure. The exact place in Glencoe has even been named the James Bond Skyfall Road, offering a spectacular view of the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The highland town of Aviemore and the Cairngorms National Park were also locations to film some action scenes of Daniel Craig’s last appearance as 007 in No Time To Die.
A more comprehensive guide to Bond locations can be seen on this page of the Visit Scotland website.
These are just three of the many Scottish-filmed movies that have made it to the big screen. If you travel to the top end of the UK, look out for more beautiful locations, as Scotland offers fascinating nature walks and has established itself as a prime destination for moviegoers and nature enthusiasts alike.
What other vital spots would you recommend visiting in Scotland? Let us know in the comments section below!