Film locations in Scotland

Scotland’s stunning landscape, with its rolling hills, rugged mountains, picturesque towns and villages, castles and sprawling beaches has provided the perfect backdrop for the world of cinema.

What better way to celebrate this fantastic movie heritage than by following the country’s movie trails, seeking out the recognisable scenery from some of the best loved films of all time?

Essential facts about movies made in Scotland

• Delve into the magical world of Harry Potter with a trip to the Highlands and board the Jacobite train, which featured in the films as the Hogwarts Express. Follow in the footsteps of Harry and friends and take the journey from Fort William to Mallaig over the stunning Glenfinnan Viaduct.
• Eilean Donan Castle, near the Kyle of Lochalsh, was transformed into MI6 HQ in the 1999 James Bond film The World is Not Enough and used in the 1984 Highlander film starring Sean Connery.
• The animation, The Illusionist, which opened the 2010 Edinburgh International Film Festival and was partly set in Scotland, was created in a purpose-built studio in Edinburgh.
  

Timeline - top Scottish films and their locations

1949 - Whisky Galore - adaptation of Compton MacKenzie’s novel, filmed on the Isle of Barra.

1974 - The Wicker Man - the cult movie was filmed in the Dumfries & Galloway towns of Gatehouse of Fleet, Newton Stewart, Creetown and Kirkcudbright.

1981 - Gregory’s Girl - Bill Forsyth’s coming-of-age romantic comedy used the exterior of Abronhill High School on the outskirts of Cumbernauld.

1981 - Chariots of Fire - the West Sands beach in St Andrews was used for the iconic scenes in this Oscar winning film.

1983 - Local Hero - filmed across Scotland including in Pennan, Aberdeenshire and on Camusdarach beach, Morar.

1995 - Braveheart - the sweeping landscape in and around Glen Nevis and Loch Leven provided the backdrop for Mel Gibson’s Oscar winner.

1996 - Trainspotting - launched the international career of Ewan McGregor and was filmed in Edinburgh (Princes Street and Calton Road), Glasgow and Rannoch Moor.

2002 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was the first of the Harry Potter movies to feature the stunning view of the Glenfinnan Viaduct in the Highlands.

2006 - The Da Vinci Code - the beautiful Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin, Midlothian, played an important role in Dan Brown’s award-winning novel and featured in the film adaptation, starring Tom Hanks.

2011 - The Eagle - Loch Lomond, Wester Ross and Stirling all feature in the historical epic directed by Glasgow-born Kevin MacDonald.

2012 - Prometheus - Ridley Scott’s return to sci-fi after more than 30 years saw stars such as Michael Fassbender, Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron and Idris Elba exploring whether humans are linked to highly advanced extra-terrestrials. With the magnificent rocky landscape, misty skies, Cuillin mountains and glistening waters, it’s no surprise that Skye was chosen as one of the filming locations for this blockbuster sci-fi epic.

2012 - Brave Disney•Pixar's animation set in the Highlands following Merida and her tale of bravery.

2012 - Skyfall - Scenes from the James Bond film, featuring Daniel Craig in his third outing as 007 were shot in and around Glencoe, in the shadow of Buachaille Etive Mor.

2012 - Under the Skin - adaptation of Michel Faber’s book of the same name starring Scarlett Johannson. Areas around Glencoe, just south of Loch Ba were used in the film, as well as the harbour and beach area at Auchmithie, near Arbroath.

2012 - World War Z (due for release 21 June 2013) - Brad Pitt brought Glasgow city centre to a standstill in August 2011 as the city was transformed into the streets of Philadelphia for his zombie-themed movie.