Films & TV Shows Set in Scotland

The Traitors returns to the Highlands

Grab your thickest knitted jumper (cloak optional) and be swept away by the rugged beauty of the Highland landscapes that steal the show. Feel like you've stepped inside the screen by visiting some of the dramatic backdrops that feature throughout the series. See the weather move across the glittering surface of Loch Glass, where many of the challenges take place, or hear the roar of the steam train as it arrives at Boat of Garten railway station where the contestants have been dropped off in previous seasons. If you've been inspired by the magic of Ardross Castle, the setting for The Traitors, then check out some of our other equally iconic and mysterious castles in Scotland.

Spark your imagination with these Scottish castles

Adventure to the Highlands

Watch the Traitors on the BBC

Drama in the Highlands 

The rugged landscapes of the Highlands have long been a favourite for directors, thanks to their raw, cinematic presence. Glen Coe delivers brooding peaks and sweeping valleys that have appeared in The Crown, Skyfall, Outlaw King, Mary Queen of Scots, and several Harry Potter films, making it one of Scotland’s most recognisable on‑screen landscapes. Nearby Glen Nevis adds softer, greener stretches of Highland scenery that featured prominently in Braveheart. Remember, you can visit the Highlands year-round, and you’ll often find a quieter, more intimate experience in autumn and winter. 

Visit the Highlands

Historic heartlands 

Central Scotland is a popular setting for both period dramas and fantasy epics! Doune Castle alone has appeared as Castle Leoch in Outlander, Winterfell in the Game of Thrones pilot, and Monty Python and the Holy Grail, thanks to its imposing stone walls and preserved medieval features. Around Stirling, dramatic battlements and rolling landscapes have supported countless adaptations rooted in detailed Scottish history. New release Glenrothan, the directorial debut of acclaimed actor Brian Cox, has recently been filmed in The Trossachs featuring sweeping valleys, iconic peaks and glistening lochs that you can enjoy for yourself. 

Learn more about Scottish culture and history 

Edinburgh’s atmospheric streets 

Edinburgh’s historic winding streets, gothic corners, and characterful closes lend themselves to stories with darker moods. Guillermo del Toro brought Frankenstein to life here, using the city’s blend of ancient architecture and thrilling character. The capital also sets the scene for Rebus, grounding the detective in authentic neighbourhoods, classic pubs, and old streets, while Rosslyn Chapel in Midlothian was the atmospheric location for The Da Vinci Code.

Discover Edinburgh

Glasgow’s urban edge 

Directors turn to Glasgow when they need scale, pace, and architectural versatility. Its grid layout and mix of Victorian and modern streets allowed World War Z to capture large crowd scenes right in the city centre. This urban landscape makes it the perfect stand-in for American cities in films like Batman and Indiana Jones. Its adaptable look continues to attract productions that want the punch of a big city without losing character. 

Visit Glasgow

Legendary coastal scenes 

Scotland’s coastline and clifftop fortresses are natural storytellers. Dunnottar Castle, perched on a rugged headland near Stonehaven, inspired the dramatic look of Disney Pixar’s Brave with its towering cliffs and stormy silhouette. 

Recently, Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey filmed on the Banffshire and Moray coast, centring on the dramatic clifftop ruins of Findlater Castle, where Nolan spent weeks capturing key scenes with a large cast and crew. Temporary sets rose above the Moray Firth, with nearby Buckie Harbour, Portsoy, Cullen, Sunnyside Beach, and Burghead also used for sequences involving replica ancient Greek ships and coastal battles. 

See The Odyssey film locations and trail

Enjoy Scotland’s beaches 

Inspiring islands 

Our gorgeous, windswept islands offer striking visual contrasts. Orkney is central to The Outrun, where the islands' geology, wildlife and layered history shaped both the book and the production’s sense of place. Rugged quietness and open skies give directors room to craft intimate and mythic stories. 

Voyage to the islands